In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Iran, there are concerns about the safety of travellers visiting nearby regions. Below, find everything you need to know about the UK advice for visiting Egypt, including the latest updates.
What does the UK Foreign Office say about travel to Egypt?
The UK Foreign Office has updated their advice on travel to Egypt following military activity and explosions in Iran, Syria, and Iraq. While it doesn’t explicitly advise against travel to Egypt as a whole, it does advise caution and notes ongoing unrest in the country: “In response to events in Israel and the OPTs, a number of demonstrations have taken place in Egypt and protests have been planned, including after Friday prayers. Demonstrations could take place at short notice, with a heavy security presence in place. You should avoid large gatherings, demonstrations, and protests.”
The UK Foreign Office website also highlights specific areas that travellers should avoid and reminds that “travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against UK Foreign Office advice. Consular support is also severely limited where UK Foreign Office advises against travel.” For comprehensive advice, please refer to the official guidelines.
- Within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border
- El Salloum
- North Sinai
- Northern part of South Sinai
- The eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate
- Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid
- Western Desert (the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, with some exceptions)
Always check the official UK Foreign Office Egypt page for the latest advice, as the situation is changing rapidly.
Are flights still operating to Egypt?
As of now, flights are continuing to run between the UK and Egypt. Typically, for UK airlines, the flight path crosses over Italy, other parts of Europe, and across the Mediterranean before reaching Egypt, rather than going over any Middle Eastern territories.
Can I cancel my holiday to Egypt?
Holidays to Egypt are operating as usual, and the UK Foreign Office is not advising against all travel to the country, making cancellations a potential challenge. However, as the situation is continuously evolving, it is advisable to discuss options for postponing the trip with your holiday provider, airline, and hotel. If travel advice changes to advise against all travel to Egypt, it is likely that you would be able to cancel and receive a refund without penalty.
