A private smear test in the UK usually costs somewhere between £150 and £350. The headline price on its own tells you very little, though. Two clinics charging the same amount can be offering quite different things, and a cheap advertised price can grow once laboratory fees, a consultation or a results appointment are added.
This guide explains what you are actually paying for, the questions to ask before you book, and what a smear test costs at AristoGP in Central London.
What does a private smear test cost?
Published prices for a standalone private smear test (an HPV test, with cytology if needed) typically fall between about £150 and £350 across the UK, with London clinics towards the middle and upper end. Packages that bundle a smear test with a consultation, an examination, an ultrasound scan or blood tests cost more.
At AristoGP the fees are fixed and published:
| Appointment | What it includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| HPV smear test (UK method) | Sample taken by a consultant gynaecologist, high-risk HPV test (14 types), written report. Cytology (Pap) added at no extra cost if HPV is found | £150 |
| HPV test + Pap smear together | HPV and cytology both reported, whatever the HPV result | £230 |
| Complete Well Woman Check | Consultation, pelvic ultrasound and the high-risk HPV test in one visit | £380 |
There are no separate laboratory fees and no charge for the cytology report if your HPV test is positive. Results usually come back within 2 to 5 days.
Why prices vary so much
Most of the difference between clinics comes down to five things:
- Who takes the sample. A nurse, a GP or a consultant gynaecologist. All can take a good sample, but a consultant can also examine you and answer questions about anything else you have noticed.
- Which test is included. An HPV test alone, HPV with cytology only if needed (the UK method), or HPV and cytology together whatever the result.
- Whether cytology costs extra. Some clinics charge again if your HPV test is positive and the cells then need to be checked.
- Whether a consultation is part of the price. A sample-only appointment costs less than one that includes a discussion of symptoms, contraception or other concerns.
- How results are given. A letter or email, a phone call, or a follow-up appointment that may be charged separately.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is the laboratory fee included, or charged separately?
- If my HPV test is positive, is the cytology (Pap) report included?
- Is it an HPV test, a Pap smear, or both?
- Who takes the sample, and can I discuss other symptoms at the same appointment?
- How long do results take, and how will they be explained to me?
- If something abnormal is found, what happens next, and is that charged?
A clinic that answers all six clearly, before you pay, is usually a good sign.
HPV test or Pap smear: which are you paying for?
Since 2019, the NHS in England has used HPV-first screening. The sample is tested for the high-risk types of human papillomavirus that cause almost all cervical cancers. The cells are only examined under the microscope (cytology, the traditional Pap test) if HPV is found. This is the method used for our £150 smear test.
Many women who grew up in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria or elsewhere in Europe are used to an annual Pap smear and prefer both tests reported together. That is a reasonable preference, and it is what our £230 option provides. It is not more accurate than HPV-first screening, so it is a choice rather than an upgrade. Our smear test page explains the difference in more detail.
Is a private smear test worth paying for?
NHS cervical screening is free and effective, and if you are due and can get an appointment easily, it is a good option. People usually choose private screening because:
- They are overdue, or cannot get a convenient appointment at their GP surgery
- They are not registered with an NHS GP, or have recently moved to the UK
- They are under 25 or over 64, outside the NHS screening ages
- They want HPV and cytology reported together
- They find smears difficult and want more time with a consultant
- They want results faster
If you have symptoms such as bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods or after the menopause, pelvic pain or unusual discharge, a smear test is not the right appointment. Those symptoms need a gynaecology consultation, whatever your last screening result.
What happens at the appointment
The appointment takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Dr Anastasia Mermigka, a consultant gynaecologist, takes a short history and explains the test. The sample itself takes a minute or two. Most people find it uncomfortable rather than painful, and a smaller speculum and a slower pace help if you have found smears difficult before. Our step-by-step guide to what happens at a private smear test covers it in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private smear test in London?
Published prices in London commonly range from about £150 to £350, depending on what is included. At AristoGP an HPV smear test is £150, including the sample taken by a consultant gynaecologist, laboratory testing and a written report, with cytology added free if HPV is found. HPV and Pap reported together costs £230.
Are there hidden costs with a private smear test?
There can be. Ask whether the laboratory fee, the cytology report after a positive HPV test and the results discussion are included. At AristoGP all three are included in the published price.
Is a private smear test the same as an NHS one?
The test follows the same principle. The differences are timing, choice of who takes the sample, and the option of having HPV and cytology reported together.
How long do private smear test results take?
At AristoGP results usually come back within 2 to 5 days, with a written report explaining what the result means.
Do I need a GP referral for a private smear test?
No. You can book directly, whether or not you are registered with an NHS GP.
Related care and reading
Book your smear test from £150.