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Home Foreign travel advice

Foreign travel advice

Egypt

! FCDO advises against all travel to parts of

Egypt.

Contents

— Warnings and insurance

— Entry requirements

— Safety and security

— Regional risks

— Health

— Getting help

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Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
14 November 2023
Updated:
2 November 2023
Latest update:
Addition of information to reflect the opening of the Rafah
border crossing with Egypt on 1 November ('Warnings and
insurance' page).

Download map (PDF)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

(FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help
British nationals make informed decisions. Find out
more about FCDO travel advice.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated

if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular
support is also severely limited where
FCDO advises against travel.

Egypt-Libya border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of

the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El
Salloum (where we advise against all but essential
travel).

North Sinai

FCDO advises against all travel to the Governorate

of North Sinai.

Northern part of South Sinai

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the

northern part of the Governorate of South Sinai,
beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for
the coastal areas along the west and east of the
peninsula.

The eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the

Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.

Western Desert

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the

area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions,
except for:

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

the Kings
the Governorate of Faiyum
the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and
Marsa Matruh
the Marsa Matruh-Siwa Road
the oasis town of Siwa
the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya
Oasis
the road between Giza and Farafra (but we advise
against all but essential travel on the road
between Bahariya and Siwa)
Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and
Black Desert

Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the

Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against

travel.

Conflict in neighbouring Israel and the

Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs)
The Israeli government has declared a state of
emergency across the whole country. International
borders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice. As a
result, the land border into Israel from Egypt at Taba
could close with little notice. Check with local
authorities and consult the travel advice
for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territories before trying to cross the border.

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. See Safety and
security

Entering Egypt from Gaza

The Rafah border crossing partially opened on 1
November. This is primarily to facilitate the
evacuation of seriously wounded Palestinians and
some foreign nationals. We understand that the
crossing will continue to be open for controlled and
time-limited periods to allow specific groups of
foreign nationals, including British nationals, to
cross. It is for the Egyptian and Israeli authorities to
determine who is permitted to cross, and when. The
Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will contact
Embassies to let them know when their foreign
nationals can cross. Should we receive notification
from the Israeli and Egyptian authorities that
individuals are permitted to cross, we will notify
those people individually.

Movement to the Rafah crossing and beyond is at

your own risk. You should only travel if you judge it is
safe to do so. Check the Israel and The Occupied
Palestinian Territories travel advice.

The Egyptian authorities have said all aid going into

Gaza from Egypt must be channelled through the
Egyptian Red Crescent:

telephone: + 20 226 703 979, + 20 226 703 983

fax: + 20 226 703 967

They are unlikely to consider requests for

humanitarian access made in Egypt at short notice.

Concern for friends and family

If you are concerned about friends or family, or need

consular assistance call:

British Embassy Cairo on + 20 (0)2 2791 6000

+44 1767 667 600 (UK number) if you
experience technical difficulties with the above
number

Incidents in South Sinai

On 27 October, an Egyptian Armed Forces
spokesperson confirmed that an unidentified drone
fell near a medical facility in the Egyptian Red Sea
resort town of Taba next to the Israeli border,
injuring six people. An additional unidentified drone
also struck outside the town of Nuweiba, though no
casualties have been confirmed. The authorities are
conducting ongoing investigations.

Incident in Alexandria
On 8 October 2023, an Egyptian police officer is
reported to have shot and killed two Israeli tourists
and an Egyptian tour guide in Alexandria. A third
tourist was injured. Remain vigilant and exercise
caution at tourist and religious sites, as well as
public gatherings. Find out more information on
current risks on the Safety and security.

Border crossings from Sudan

There are still people trying to cross the border into
Egypt at Argeen and Qustul. Our ability to provide
consular assistance is very limited.

If you are a British national and have crossed the

border without valid documentation, contact the
British Embassy in Cairo for consular assistance on +
20 (0)2 2791 6000.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the
advice in this guide as well as support for British
nationals abroad which includes:

advice on preparing for travel abroad and

reducing risks
information for women, LGBT+ and disabled
travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter,

Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get
email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations

and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance
should cover your itinerary, planned activities and
expenses in an emergency.

Next
Entry requirements

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content

About Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

travel advice

Support for British nationals abroad

Foreign travel checklist

UK help and services in Egypt

Explore the topic

Living in Egypt

Travelling to Egypt

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