Is it safe to visit Egypt and Cyprus right now?

This month, thousands of British holidaymakers are preparing to embark on flights to Cyprus, Egypt, and Jordan in search of late-season sun. However, many travelers may have concerns about the safety of these destinations due to their proximity to Israel.

On Saturday, October 7, an unprecedented attack was launched by Hamas on Israel, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of citizens and the taking of hostages. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared that Israel is now “at war” with the terror group as the fighting continues.

Currently, the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel to Israel and the West Bank and warns against all travel to Gaza and other conflict zones. This may leave travelers wondering whether they should be concerned about their upcoming trips to Egypt, Cyprus, or Jordan. Additionally, they may be interested in understanding their options if they decide to cancel their plans. Below, we provide an overview of the Foreign Office’s advice for each country and explain the rights of travelers in these situations.

Is it safe to visit Egypt?

Egypt is not involved in the current conflict despite sharing a border with Gaza. However, on Sunday, an Egyptian policeman shot dead two Israeli tourists and their Egyptian guide. This incident has led Israel’s National Security Council to urge its citizens to leave Egypt as soon as possible and to avoid travel in the Middle East following the attack.

According to local media and Israeli authorities, the policeman fired randomly at an Israeli tour group visiting Alexandria using his personal weapon. The state-affiliated private television Extra News reported that a fourth person was wounded, and the policeman was immediately arrested.

Egypt’s border with Israel is located on the eastern end of the Sinai Peninsula. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) already advises against travel to the entire border region of North Sinai. They also caution against travel within 20 km of the Egypt/Libya border and recommend only essential travel to certain areas, such as the northern part of South Sinai, the eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, parts of the Western Desert, and the Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

The FCDO highlights that terrorists are likely to attempt attacks in Egypt and lists five recent attacks that occurred between 2018 and 2022 in Cairo, the Minya Province, and near the Suez Canal.

It’s worth mentioning that for holidaymakers traveling to Egypt, they will most likely be staying in Red Sea resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada. These resorts do not currently carry any travel warnings from the Foreign Office.

Flights to Egypt are still operating as normal, with airlines and tour operators using flight paths that don’t pass through Israeli airspace. Instead, the typical route crosses over Italy and the Mediterranean Sea.

Is it safe to visit Cyprus?

Cyprus is geographically close to the Middle East and about 150 miles from the coast of Israel. It’s worth noting that the island is home to an RAF base at Akrotiri, which was used for launching airstrikes against ISIS in 2015.

However, Cyprus has remained unaffected by the current conflict, and the FCDO does not currently have any travel advisories in place for the country. Travelers should still check for the latest advice before their trip.

Flights to Cyprus are operating as usual, and the typical flight path does not enter Israeli airspace.

Is it safe to visit Jordan?

Jordan, a popular winter sun destination, shares its western border with Israel and its northern border with Syria. The FCDO advises against all non-essential travel within 3 km of Jordan’s border with Syria and warns that crossings into Israel could be closed without prior notice. Travelers should check with local authorities before attempting to cross the border.

However, the main tourist sites in Jordan, including Petra and Amman, do not fall within the travel advisory zone specified by the FCDO.

The Jordan Tourism Board has stated that Jordan continues to be a safe and welcoming destination for tourists from around the world, despite recent developments in Gaza.

Airlines such as British Airways, easyJet, Tui, and Wizz continue to operate flights to Jordan from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton airports. In 2021, Jordan and Israel agreed to open an air corridor through Israel, reducing flight times to the west.

The international aviation group, Opsgroup, has highlighted that lessons learned from operating in conflict zones since the MH17 incident need to be applied. They state that the risk of a passenger aircraft becoming a casualty of this war is high.

Telegraph Travel has reached out to the relevant airlines to inquire if they still fly over Israeli airspace to reach Jordan.

What if I want to cancel my holiday?

If you have booked a package holiday and wish to cancel, contact your tour operator. They may offer flexibility with alternative dates. However, since the Foreign Office has not issued a blanket travel advisory for Egypt or Cyprus, you may not be guaranteed a refund, nor will you be able to claim a reimbursement from your travel insurance company.

If you have booked flights and accommodation separately, contact your travel providers to discuss the possibility of rearranging your plans. It’s important to note that, given the circumstances, they are not obliged to issue refunds.

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