Is it safe to travel to Cyprus, Egypt and the Middle East now: what tourists know
Amid the escalating situation in the Middle East, travelers are increasingly asking whether it is safe to plan trips to popular tourist destinations in the region. In particular, we are talking about Cyprus, Egypt and a number of Middle Eastern countries where some events have already affected the operation of airports and flights. Learn more about the current travel advisory and the travel situation in the region
Recent events in the Middle East have made many tourists wonder whether they should plan trips to popular resort destinations in the region. We are talking primarily about Cyprus, Egypt, and some Gulf countries, where millions of travelers go every year. In particular, on Sunday night, a drone strike was reported on the British military base RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The event attracted international media attention and affected the operation of some flights.
After the incident, several airlines temporarily changed their schedules. For example, easyJet canceled several flights between the UK and Cyprus as a precautionary measure. At the same time, most flights in the region continue to operate, although the authorities urge travelers to follow official recommendations closely.
In this article, we will tell you whether it is safe to travel to Cyprus, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as what advice government agencies and airlines provide for tourists.
In our previous article, we talked about the scale of Iranian shelling and the consequences for the affected countries.
When traveling to regions where the security situation can change quite quickly, it is worth taking care of additional protection. Regular travel insurance does not always cover the risks associated with military events or other emergencies. The Visit World platform offers insurance policies for travelers that include coverage of military risks in different countries. Such a policy can help you get medical care, reimbursement of expenses, or support in case of unforeseen situations during your trip.
Is it safe to travel to Cyprus?
After reports of a possible drone incident at the British military base RAF Akrotiri, the authorities and international security services began to monitor the situation on the island more closely. At the same time, officials emphasize that Cyprus remains open to tourists, and most resort areas continue to operate as usual.
On March 2, 2026, the Sovereign Military Bases Authority confirmed information about a possible drone crash on the territory of the Akrotiri Air Force Base. After that, the British Foreign Office issued updated recommendations for citizens on the island. Tourists are advised to monitor messages from local authorities and follow official instructions closely.
At the same time, the British Foreign Office has not imposed a ban on travel to the Republic of Cyprus. Travelers are only advised to follow standard security measures due to heightened tensions in the region.
Air traffic is also mostly stable. Although easyJet has canceled several flights between the UK and Cyprus as a precautionary measure, most flights to Larnaca and Paphos airports continue to operate as scheduled. The carrier advises passengers to check up-to-date flight information via online trackers before traveling.
Representatives of the airline also said that passengers affected by the cancellations can rebook on other flights or receive refunds. If necessary, the carrier offers assistance with hotel accommodation and meals.
In general, tourist resorts in Cyprus are operating as usual, but travelers are advised to avoid areas near military installations and to closely monitor official announcements from the authorities.
In our previous article, we told you which carriers have suffered the most from the aviation crisis over Iran and how to protect yourself while traveling.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not recommend refraining from traveling to the main tourist destinations in Egypt. In particular, travelers can visit Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, as well as the popular Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.
Despite the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, official travel advisories to Egypt have not yet changed. At the same time, tourists are advised to follow basic security measures and avoid areas near military or government facilities.
Some restrictions apply to some regions of the country. In particular, the British Foreign Office has long discouraged travel to North Sinai and areas within 20 kilometers of Egypt's border with Libya.
The main tourist centers and resorts where foreign travelers traditionally vacation continue to operate unchanged.
Is it safe to travel to the UAE?
The UK Foreign Office recommends that people refrain from traveling to the United Arab Emirates unless absolutely necessary. This warning is due to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and reports of missile attacks in the region.
People who are already in the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are advised to follow official government announcements and follow the recommendations of security services.
Due to the tense situation, the operation of some airports is temporarily limited. In particular, the international airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi suspended flights for some time, after which some flights were gradually resumed. At the same time, airlines warn of possible flight delays or cancellations.
Is it safe to travel to Jordan?
The UK Foreign Office has not imposed a general travel ban on Jordan. Most popular tourist destinations, including the capital Amman, the Wadi Rum desert and the historic city of Petra, remain open to travelers.
However, tourists are advised to avoid areas within 3 kilometers of the border with Syria. It is also advised not to stay near military or government facilities and to regularly check official government reports.
Air traffic with the country is generally maintained. Flights from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman continue to operate, but some flights may be delayed or canceled due to the situation in the region.
To learn more about the sharp rise in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, please follow the link.
Is it safe to travel to Bahrain?
The British Foreign Office recommends that you refrain from traveling to Bahrain unless absolutely necessary. This warning is due to the tense security situation and reports of missile attacks in the region.
People who are already in the country are advised to stay in safe places, closely monitor official government announcements and reconsider their travel plans if possible. It is also recommended to avoid areas near military and government facilities.
Due to the situation in the region, Bahrain's airspace was temporarily closed. The Bahrain International Airport announced the suspension of flights and urged passengers to follow the official announcements of the airlines and the airport regarding the resumption of flights.
The situation in the Middle East
Recent developments in the region have been associated with the escalation of the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. US President Donald Trump said that possible attacks on US targets are considered part of the war effort and do not change the overall strategy of the operation.
According to the U.S. Central Command, six U.S. servicemen have been killed in Iran since the start of the operation.
Against this background, the US State Department has called on American citizens to leave a number of Middle Eastern countries as soon as possible. Among them are Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
There have also been reports of a drone attack on the US Embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Due to the tense situation, governments of different countries recommend that citizens closely monitor the news and official warnings before planning trips to the region.
What tourists should pay attention to before traveling to the Middle East
Even if there is no official ban on travel to a particular country, travelers should closely monitor the situation in the region. Due to the tense geopolitical situation, travel conditions can change quite quickly: sometimes airspace is closed, flights are canceled, or new recommendations from government services appear.
Before traveling, experts advise to prepare in advance and take into account several important points.
1. Check the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Official services regularly update information on security in different countries.
2. Follow the status of flights. Due to the tense situation, flights may be delayed or canceled.
3. Avoid military and government facilities. In many countries of the region, such areas can be potentially dangerous.
4. Always have up-to-date documents. Passport, visa and other documents must be valid for the entire period of travel.
5. Follow the news and messages from local authorities. This will help you respond quickly to changes in the situation.
In general, most popular tourist destinations in the region continue to receive travelers. However, in the current environment, tourists should plan their trips carefully and regularly check the latest travel advisories before traveling.
Before traveling to any country, it is important not only to follow the news, but also to take care of your own financial and medical safety. Having insurance covering military risks can be an important element of protection when traveling to regions with a high level of tension. At Visit World, you can take out international insurance covering the risks associated with military events. This will help you feel more confident while traveling and be prepared for unforeseen situations.
We remind you! Some countries are island states with political neutrality, which means that the likelihood of military conflict is quite low. Read more about the countries that are likely to participate in World War III and the top safest countries in the world.
Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:
Travel guide for 200 countries;
Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;
Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);
Medical insurance all over the world.
We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline
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