Egypt has long been a popular choice for British travellers, but Israel’s attack on Iran and the strikes that followed have raised concern over its safety as a holiday destination.
Egypt welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists from the UK each year, with coastal resorts like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh luring visitors with affordable prices and all-inclusive deals.
The country’s popularity took a hit in 2015, when a terror attack on a Russian passenger plane killed all 224 people onboard shortly after take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
The Foreign Office ordered Egyptian authorities to overhaul security, which they did. But now conflict between Egypt’s regional neighbours threatens the tourism it relies on once again.
How far is Egypt from Israel?
Egypt’s Sinai region borders Israel and the Gaza Strip, but most of the country’s major tourist destinations are much further south, along the Red Sea.
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Sharm el-Sheikh, the closest resort, is over two-and-a-half hours’ drive from the nearest border town.
The Egyptian capital, Cairo, as well as ancient favourites such as Luxor and Alexandria, are even further away.
Is is safe to travel to Egypt?
While the UK Foreign Office has been warning about travel to some parts of Egypt (more on that below), most of the popular tourist spots are still considered safe.
Holiday companies and airlines continue to operate, but if that changes, we’ll update this explainer immediately.
What is the Foreign Office’s general travel advice for Egypt?
In terms of what’s happening in Gaza right now, the Foreign Office warns that international borders between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories could close without notice.
You should keep up to date with local news updates and check official travel advice before trying to cross.
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to the North Sinai Governorate.That’s around five-and-a-half hours’ drive form the Israeli border.
El-Arish, the capital and largest city of the North Sinai region, was the starting point of the Global March on Gaza, which aims to pressure world leaders to end Israel’s war on the Palestinian enclave. Egyptian security forces have clashed with activists, with reports of some being pulled off the road as they staged a sit-in.
We’ve got a map of the full route that you can see here.
Elsewhere, the Foreign Office advises against all travel to within 20km of the border with Libya, which is on the western side of Egypt, far from Israel and Gaza.
The only exception in that region is the town of El Salloum, where the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel.
That guidance also applies to the Hala’ib Triangle, the northern part of the South Sinai Governorate (except for coastal areas), the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal, and the Western Desert, except for a number of areas.
These are the ones most tourists will want to know about:
- Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings
- the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh
- the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis
Can I claim a refund for my holiday if I don’t want to go?
Package holidays to Egypt are still operating as usual, and, because the Foreign Office has not advised against travel, there is no prospect of being able to cancel for a full refund.
Travel insurance is unlikely to help, either. Insurers will argue there is no reason not to go.
As Grant Winter, compliance officer at specialist travel insurance provider Goodtogo, tells Metro: ‘No airline is obligated to refund you for a flight you choose not to take.’
If FCDO advice changes to advising against all travel, you can cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund.
What is happening in Israel and Iran?
In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched an unprecedented strike that targeted Iran’s nuclear and military sites.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon that posed an imminent threat to Israel.
Iran, for its part, insists it doesn’t want nuclear weapons. Israel is widely acknowledged to have nuclear weapons, though it has never publicly confirmed it.
The attacks, which experts say took years to plan, came despite ongoing negotiations between Iran and Israel’s main ally, the US, over the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Donald Trump has insisted the US had nothing to do with the strikes, but warned of grave consequences if American bases or troops are targeted.
‘If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,’ he said in a post on Truth Social.
Addressing Israel’s attack on Friday night, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for immediate de-escalation.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: ‘This development is deeply concerning.
‘I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment.
‘Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security.’
Meanwhile, G7 leaders have affirmed that ‘Israel has a right to defend itself’, reiterating support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime and calling Iran the ‘principal source of regional instability’.
Trump has denied that he left a G7 leaders summit in Canada early to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. That suggestion was made by French President, Emmanuel Macron.
While the eyes of the world are on Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Tehran, dozens of Palestinians have been killed as they waited for aid in the southern Gaza Strip, Gaza’s civil defence agency said.
Dr Mohammed Saqer, head of nursing at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, said 300 casualties had arrived after being attacked by tanks while queueing for food.
Have other holiday destinations been affected?
Travellers are concerned about the conflict spilling over to Cyprus, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and UAE hotspots such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
As it stands, the Foreign Office guidance for Turkey – which was last updated on June 4 – advises against all travel to within 10km of the Syrian border, due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.
You can read our full report on travel advice for Turkey here.
We’ve also got a detailed explainer on Cyprus and what’s happening on the ground there.
Meanwhile for Jordan, the Foreign Office reiterates the risk of ongoing hostilities in the region between Iran and Israel.
It says travellers should monitor local news channels and follow the instructions of local authorities. If you hear air raid sirens, the guidance says you should take shelter and stay away from windows.
As of 7:30am local time on June 14, Jordanian airspace has reopened but airports and airspace may close at short notice.
Before you travel, the Foreign Office advises you to contact your airline and, if you have one, your travel insurer.
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