The Middle East situation: All you need to know before travelling to Egypt

What’s the vibe on the ground?

One of our crew members is currently based in Hurghada for a long-term stay and has visited many times before. Her take? It’s business as usual. The atmosphere is calm, the resorts are buzzing, and she feels just as relaxed as on previous trips.

While the FCDO notes that protests can happen (mostly in Cairo or Alexandria) and advises avoiding large crowds, this has actually been the standing advice for several years. For those on a resort holiday, you’re unlikely to notice any difference at all.

The essentials at a glance:

• The Safety factor: Many travellers currently in Egypt describe the holiday hubs as feeling "safer than many major European cities." The visible presence of security at hotels and checkpoints is generally seen as a reassuring part of life there.

• A bit of geography: It’s easy to look at a map and feel like everything is "close," but Egypt is massive. To put it in perspective: Dubai is about 80 miles from Iran. Hurghada is over 1,400 miles away, that’s further than the distance from London to Istanbul.

• FCDO Travel Advice: The UK government does not have a travel warning in place for the main tourist areas like Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, or Cairo.

Regional breakdown: Where can I go?

The FCDO provides detailed regional travel advice -- check the map on their website to get the full picture. Here is how it looks for the most popular spots:

🟢 Check FCDO travel advice before travelling

• Coastal areas of South Sinai, including major resort destinations such as Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab and Nuweiba

• Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings

• The Faiyum Governorate

• Coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh

• The Marsa Matruh-Siwa road

• The oasis town of Siwa

Note: Some areas of the Western Desert, including oasis regions, may have additional restrictions depending on location. Travellers should check the latest advice before planning trips into remote areas.

🟡 Advise against all but essential travel

• Northern part of South Sinai: the area above the road between St Catherine and Nuweiba (coastal resorts are not included)

• East of the Suez Canal: including parts of the Ismailiyah region

• Parts of the Western Desert, particularly remote areas

• Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil

🔴 Advise against all travel

• North Sinai: subject to strict security controls and not accessible to tourists

• Within 20km of the border with Libya

FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

Are flights being affected?

Not at all. Flights from the UK to Egypt are operating exactly as scheduled. There are no restrictions on UK-Egypt air travel.

What are my rights if I want to cancel?

If you’ve booked a package holiday, you’re in the best position. Under UK Package Travel Regulations, you are entitled to a full refund if "unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances" significantly affect the holiday or your transport.

However, "feeling a bit nervous" doesn't count as a legal reason for a free refund. As long as the FCDO says the area is safe to visit (which they currently do for the Red Sea), standard cancellation fees will apply.

What if I just don't want to go anymore?

If the FCDO advice hasn't changed but you've had a change of heart:

Check for a "Flex" fare: If you paid a bit extra for a flexible booking, you can often move your dates or cancel for a small fee.

Ask for "Goodwill": Contact your travel provider. They might let you change your destination or dates for a fee rather than losing the whole trip cost.

Insurance: Just a heads-up, standard travel insurance usually only covers "personal" reasons for cancelling (like falling ill). It won't cover a change of mind due to the news.

Is Egypt still a bargain?

Absolutely. While flight prices have ticked up slightly, the value you get on the ground is still brilliant. You can currently snag a week-long, 5-star All-Inclusive break for under £500 per person if you're savvy.

Wherever you're travelling, take care 💛