The Foreign Office has advised against travel to certain countries.
Mia O’Hare Senior Spare Time Reporter and Courtney Eales
09:31, 12 Mar 2026
There’s advice for anyone going to Egypt(Image: murat4art via Getty Images)
At the start of this month, the UK Government issued guidance advising British citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to register their whereabouts. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is then able to send them direct updates.
There are roughly 300,000 British nationals in the region, of which over 170,000 have registered their presence with the FCDO. The Foreign Office has been revising its travel guidance for Middle Eastern countries and those in the vicinity, as the ongoing conflict continues to cause significant disruption.
The Government stated it is in discussions with commercial operators and regional countries regarding the arrangement of additional flights, as regional airspace has now partially reopened.
One of the most recent updates from the UK Foreign Office relates to entry into Egypt from Jordan.
Guidance stated: “Ferry services operate between Aqaba, Jordan and Taba Heights and Nuweiba in Egypt. Contact ferry operators directly for schedules and availability. Please check travel advice for Jordan for the latest on exit requirements.
“If your stay in Sinai will exceed 15 days, or you are planning to travel in Egypt beyond the Sinai Peninsula, including to fly from mainland airports, for example Cairo or Hurghada, you will need an entry visa”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The statement continued: “If entering at Taba Heights, this costs 35 US dollars. If entering at Nuweiba, this costs 30 US dollars. Visas can be purchased at the port terminals. Travellers should obtain USD in cash before travelling given payments are often required in cash.”
Currently, the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to certain regions of Egypt. Ignoring advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office could invalidate your travel insurance.
There is an increased risk of regional tension which could result in travel disruption and other unforeseen consequences. The Foreign Office stated: “British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”
These precautions include:
Subscribing to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts.
Keeping an eye on local and international media for the latest updates.
Signing up to local information alerts/resources and following the instructions of the local authorities.
Avoiding areas surrounding security or military facilities.
The Foreign Office strongly advises against all travel within a 20km radius of the Egypt-Libya border, with the exception of the town of El Salloum, where it recommends only essential travel.
Active military operations targeting criminal activity are ongoing in this area.
It recommends against all travel to North Sinai Governate owing to ongoing criminal activity and terrorist attacks targeting police and security forces that have led to fatalities.
The complete list of areas the FCDO advises against travelling to can be found here.
Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has provided travel updates, including for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt
11:13, 10 Mar 2026Updated 11:18, 10 Mar 2026
There is travel advice and warnings in place for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has provided travel advice for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt amid the Middle East conflict.
The three countries are popular holiday destinations among Brits, thanks to their sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, diverse landscapes and sprawling resorts along the coastlines. They also deliver sunshine and warm weather from early Spring right through until Autumn, and are typically an affordable option for those seeking a sun-soaked getaway.
Many Brits have already secured their getaways to Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt, whether that’s for a stay over Easter or during the summer holidays, or have plans to hit ‘book’. However, the location of the holiday hotspots closer to the conflict in the Middle East than other popular destinations has made the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice all the more important.
As of Tuesday, 10 March, the Foreign Office has not added Cyprus, Turkey or Egypt to its ‘no travel’ list. However, there have been several updates that Brits should be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know…
Cyprus
The latest update from FCDO on Thursday, 5 March, which remains in place today, warned that “terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out”. It read: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
The advice adds that terrorist attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” Following the update, the FCDO said the UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.
Despite this, there is currently no advice against travel to Cyprus. However, the Foreign Office warned that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” and that “no travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Turkey
The Foreign Office has warned against travel to some areas of Turkey, “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”. This ‘do not travel’ warning applies within 10km of Turkey’s border with Syria, which was in place before the Middle East conflict. However, there is no FCDO guidance against travel to any of the popular tourism areas such as Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir, which are 1500-1600km from the border with Iran.
There is also a country-wide warning of “high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals”. The FCDO said most of these attacks have taken place in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. It should be noted that similar warnings have been in place for a number of other countries long before the Iran war.
In an update last week, the FCDO warned that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”. However, it does not advise against travel to other areas in Turkey, with most flights and holidays currently going ahead.
Egypt
As it stands, the Foreign Office “advises against all travel to parts of Egypt” and “against all but essential travel to parts of Egypt”. One warning in place is against travel to within “20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum”, where the FCDO advises “against all but essential travel.”
There are also travel restrictions in place for other parts of Egypt, including North Sinai, the Northern part of South Sinai, the Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, the Western Desert, the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.
The FCDO has also warned of a “heightened risk of regional tension” and “escalation that could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts” for Egypt. There is also a “high threat of terrorist attack” warning in place for Egypt, which was in place prior to the Middle East conflict.
However, the Foreign Office does not advise against all travel to Egypt. They added that around one million Brits travel to Egypt each year and “most visits are trouble-free.”
If you’ve got a holiday on the horizon, it’s best to keep in contact with your holiday provider – although they are currently focusing on those with imminent travel plans. However, given the ever-changing nature of the situation, travel guidance can shift rapidly, and it’s important to check any restrictions before travelling or booking a holiday.
The above travel advice remains current as of Tuesday, 10 March, but it’s best to consult the most recent Foreign Office advice for your destination before finalising any travel arrangements. You can visit the Foreign Office website for information on travel restrictions for each country.
Have you been impacted by travel disruptions? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
Remember when Raducanu caused a seismic shock by winning the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier who had barely played a professional tournament?
She managed to achieve the unthinkable by playing with a freedom which she has not been able to replicate consistently since.
Amost five years later and having reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament only once since, Raducanu is determined to get back to basics.
That means rediscovering her natural instincts to be an aggressive baseliner. Her early success was built around not being afraid to take returns early in a bid to hustle opponents.
First serves were put back deep in the court to instantly put her rivals on the back foot and second serves were swatted away with impunity.
Raducanu’s power off both wings was impressive, although it was clear her forehand needed more work than her solid and stylish backhand.
Over the next year or so, the forehand deteriorated to a place where it lacked any punch and, following the wrist surgery which ruled her almost completely of the 2023 season, is what Roig tried to remodel.
The lack of trust in what Raducanu was being asked to do, though, was clear at the Australian Open.
In a demoralising second-round exit, she made 19 unforced errors off that wing and spoke afterwards about returning to a simple philosophy – “hitting the ball to the corners and hard”.
There is another aspect to Raducanu’s ambitions of returning to the top 10 and challenging the very best players – her body and mind.
She must continue to build fitness and durabilty – and have the heart for a scrap in tough moments – to implement the style she wants.
Brits travelling from the UK to parts of Egypt on the safe list are not being affected.
Some flights from the Middle East to Egypt, such as from Dubai to Doha, are still being disrupted.
However, this wont affected anyone travelling to Egypt from the UK.
What if I have a holiday to Egypt booked?
Package holidays to Egypt are currently unaffected by the Iran crisis.
As Egypt is deemed safe to travel to, tour operators are not obligated to give you a refund if you decide to cancel.
You will be left out of pocket if you decide not to travel to Egypt.
Some cruise companies have cancelled upcoming routes out of caution due to the ongoing conflict.
Viking has cancelled its Nile River cruises until the end of March, along with Avalon Waterways.
And Intrepid has cancelled all Egypt trips up until the end of March.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains: “It is very understandable that travellers would be a little nervous of the proximity of Egypt to the current crisis.
“However, Hurghada and Marsa Alam are hundreds of miles away from the conflict zone and holidays there should not be impacted at all.
Everything you need to know about travel to Cyprus right nowCredit: Alamy
Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Cyprus right now.
Is Cyprus safe to travel to?
Cyprus is still on the safe travel list, with no areas deemed too dangerous for travel.
However, there is some updated advice following the RAF base attack.
The UK Foreign Office website currently states: “On March 2, 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri.
“British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”
This is mainly for Brits living in the area, rather than tourists in the resorts of Larnaca and Paphos.
The latest travel advice for the rest of Cyprus states: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.”
EasyJet and British Airways cancelled a number of flights from the UK on Monday and Tuesday.
Today, easyJet cancelled four flights from the UK today – London Gatwick flight to Larnaca, as well as flights from Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh to Paphos.
A TUI spokesperson told Sun Travel: “In light of the evolving situation in the Middle East, we have taken the decision to cancel the four TUI Airways flights scheduled to travel to Cyprus on March 4.
British Airways cancelled its London Heathrow flight to Larnaca today as well.
Brits with flights later this week should keep on eye on the current status as they could still be cancelled at short notice.
What if I have a holiday booked to Cyprus?
With travel still deemed safe in Cyprus, holidays are still going ahead.
If you decide to cancel, you will be left out of pocket as tour operators are under no obligation to issue a refund.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot said: “Only if the advice were to change, would your travel company have to offer you the chance to amend your travel to a different date or offer you a full refund.
“We have had lots of questions about holidays to Cyprus – both Larnaca and Paphos, later in June, July and September and the advice really remains the same.
“Unless you have paid a minimal deposit, you should continue to make payments.
“If you cancel now you could lose money – and discover that holidays are significantly more expensive when you look to book again.”
“What is important is to make sure you have bought good travel insurance NOW to cover you in the run up to your holiday dates. A lot can happen in the coming months.”
WITH the current ongoing Iran crisis, Brits are quite fairly worried about their upcoming holidays.
Concerns have risen over the safety of Turkey, after NATO was forced to shoot down a missile in Turkish airspace earlier today, resulting in debris falling in the Dortyol district.
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Here is everything you need to know about Turkey holidaysCredit: Alamy
Here is everything you need to know if you have any travel to Turkey this year.
Is Turkey safe to travel to?
Yes, most of Turkey is still considered safe to travel to.
The only parts of Turkey that the UK Foreign Office warns against is the border of Syria, which is along the east of the country.
It warns: “FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.”
However, most Brits visit the west coast of Turkey, particularly the seaside resorts, which are hundreds of miles away.
The only advice currently for the rest of Turkey is: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.”
Do keep an eye on the latest travel advice on the government website here.
Are flights to Turkey cancelled?
No, flights to Turkey are being unaffected for anyone travelling from the UK to Turkey.
Some flights coming from the Middle East, such as from Dubai and Doha, are likely to be affected to Turkey right now.
However, Brits travelling from Britain will still be able to fly to Turkey without cancellations caused by the Iran crisis.
What if I have a holiday booked to Turkey?
If you have a holiday booked, you will not be able to cancel it without being left out of pocket.
As Turkey is safe to travel, you will not be given your money back if you choose not to travel.
Holidays to all tourist destinations in Turkey are still be going ahead.
This includes destinations such as Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya and Fethiye.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains: “As the advice is that it is safe to travel, tour operators and airlines are under no obligation to offer you a refund if you choose not to travel.
“While some people may feel uneasy, the distances involved mean it is extremely unlikely that anything would impact your holiday.
“With all package holidays, you have enhanced protection should the situation change.
“If the Foreign Office changes its advice to all but essential travel, you will have extra rights to a refund or amended date.
“But right now, that is not necessary as trips to the popular Mediterranean Turkish resorts are safe.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is constantly updating its advice as the situation changes in the Middle East and has now issued guidance for stranded Brits trying to get home
12:36, 04 Mar 2026Updated 12:38, 04 Mar 2026
While flight cancellations are ongoing some services from the Middle East are departing(Image: Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse/Shutterstock )
In the past few days, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has had to update its advice several times in the wake of the constantly changing situation in the Middle East.
An estimated 132,000 Brits have registered their presence in the Middle East with the FCDO, and many will be looking to leave the area and return to the UK as soon as its safe.
Last night, the FCDO took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a travel update for Brits currently in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The updates offer advice to Brits looking to leave the above countries, including which routes to avoid when travelling by road, and the latest situation with commercial air flights. It also updated information on the Taba Border Crossing, with the updated advice page stating: “International borders in Israel and Palestine could close at short notice, including the Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt. Check with local authorities and read Israel travel advice and Palestine travel advice before trying to cross.”
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For Brits in the UAE, including Dubai, the FCDO has updated its advice on leaving the country. Its updated information says: “There are a limited number of commercial options available, including by air from UAE and from Oman. If your presence in UAE is not essential, you may wish to consider departing – if you judge you can access these options safely.
“Check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator, as well as the instructions from local authorities, and the status of any border crossings before you travel. If you are traveling by air do not travel to the airport unless your airline has confirmed your reservation.
“Make sure you have access to emergency supplies and essential medication. Travel within or out of UAE is at your own risk.
“Keep your departure plans under review and ensure your travel documents are up to date, including any visas required for onward travel.”
Some countries also have a Regional Risks section which includes specific advice on which areas should be avoided and the alternatives. However, the FCDO is careful to state that all travel in or out of these countries is still at the individual’s own risk. Brits should still ensure they follow the advice of local authorities and get up to date information before setting off.
While travel between the UK and the Middle East is still severely disrupted, some flights have been running on limited routes to bring Brits home from Dubai since yesterday (March 3).
Emirates and Etihad have been operating a very limited service, and Virgin Atlantic confirmed it is resuming services from Dubai and Riyadh to London-Heathrow.
Brits who are still in the Middle East should register their presence on the FCDO website as this will ensure they get the latest Foreign Office advice. Only UK passport holders can register for this service.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
The Foreign Office has updated its advice for a number of destinations including Cyprus, Turkey, and Egypt as the Middle East war continues following US-Israel strikes on Iran
The Foreign Office has updated its Egypt travel advice(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for a number of destinations including Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt amidst the chaos of the Middle East war, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Although at the time of writing the UK government isn’t advising against travel to all of these destinations, it has updated its advice around “regional tension” and possible escalations in the areas. For Brits who have travel plans booked, as there isn’t an advisory against travel in general to these countries, holidays and flights in theory can go ahead as planned.
If you’re due to travel in the next few weeks but don’t want to because of the ongoing conflict, you do have a few options. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to cancel and get a full refund, but get in touch with your tour operator or airline, as they may allow you to rebook your trip to a later date, without charging you a fee.
If a company cancels your holiday or flight, then it’s a different story; in this case, you are entitled to a full refund. You may be offered rebooking options which you can take, but if you’d rather get your money back then you are entitled to do so. The same applies if the Foreign Office does issue a ‘do not travel’ warning, as it has done with the UAE. In this case, firms and airlines need to cancel your trip and offer you a full refund. If you try and travel against Foreign Office advice, your travel insurance will be invalidated.
It’s worth noting that airlines and holiday companies are currently prioritising customers due to travel within the next couple of weeks – if your trip is a few months away, you may be asked to get back in touch closer to the time.
Check out the latest travel advice for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt below.
Cyprus travel advice
Currently, the Foreign Office doesn’t advise Brits against travel to Cyprus, with most holidays and flights currently going ahead. However, the UK government has warned of a suspected drone strike at the RAF Akrotiri base that took place on March 2. “British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities,” the guidance reads.
Authorities have also updated advice to warn of the “regional escalation” in the area. “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” it states, adding: “British nationals should:
“read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
“sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
“monitor local and international media for the latest information
“sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
“keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date.”
Turkey travel advice
Currently, the Foreign Office doesn’t advise Brits against travel to Turkey in general, with most holidays and flights currently going ahead. There is a ‘do not travel’ warning within 10km of Turkey’s border with Syria “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”, but this was in place before the Middle East conflict.
Like Cyprus, the advice has also been updated to warn of the “regional escalation” in the area. “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” it states, adding: “British nationals should:
“read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
“sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
“monitor local and international media for the latest information
“sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
“keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date.”
Egypt travel advice
The Foreign Office has updated its Egypt travel advice to warn Brits of “a heightened risk of regional tension” following the Middle East conflict. Its latest advice explains: “There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.
“British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances. These include:
read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
monitor local and international media for the latest information
sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
stay away from areas around security or military facilities.”
Currently it doesn’t advise against all travel to Egypt, however it does advise against travel to certain regions of the country. It’s worth noting these advisories are unrelated to the Middle East conflict, and were already in place. These include warning against all but essential travel to the Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai, Northern part of South Sinai, Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate. There is also advice against travelling to the Western Desert including the area west of the nile Valley and Nile Delta Regions, although there are some exceptions such as Luxor and Valley of the Kings (check the Egypt travel advice for full details).
Check the latest air travel status including departures from popular holiday destinations such as Dubai, Cyprus and Egypt after the Iran war forced airports to close and airlines to cancel flights
War in the Middle East is causing flight disruption across the world(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Conflict between Iran, the US and Israel has spread across the Middle East and triggered widespread airspace closures, sparking major disruption to flights, and leaving thousands of British tourists stranded abroad.
Popular holiday destinations including Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are among those to ground all flights or severely limit departures, but the ‘ripple effects’ are also impacting travel to and from a number of other countries, including Cyprus and Turkey.
Here’s all the latest on flight cancellations, cruise ships and your rights if something goes wrong:
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The UK Foreign Office now advise against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.
Airspace closures mean flights to and from the United Arab Emirates (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman are almost entirely cancelled, with aviation largely reserved for military and cargo flights.
If you have a flight due soon to one of these countries, you should get in touch with your airline as soon as possible.
While flights to and from Cyprus, Egypt and Turkey are going ahead largely as scheduled, they may be subject to short-notice delays or cancellations, so you should check regularly with your airline before you travel.
Dubai and UAE travel advice
The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates.
Your travel insurance could be rendered invalid if you travel against this advice.
British nationals currently in the country should stay indoors due to risk of missile attacks, and the current advice reads: “Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.”
Cyprus travel advice
After a suspected Iranian-made drone was fired at the RAF base at Akrotiri, the Foreign Office updated its advice to read: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.
“British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”
Turkey travel advice
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to “fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”.
Egypt travel advice
There is “heightened risk of regional tension” which “could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts”, the Foreign Office said.
Which airlines have cancelled flights?
A handful of flights will bring British nationals stranded in the Middle East back to Britain today – but the majority of departures from the region remain cancelled.
The current Emirates flight status is that the airline plans to operate two flights to Heathrow, and one each to Gatwick and Manchester. At least some of these flights will be operated by the airline’s A380 jets, which can each carry up to 615 passengers depending on how they are configured.
Emirates usually operates 146 weekly flights to the UK, which is the equivalent of about 21 per day.
Etihad Airways has scheduled one UK flight on Tuesday, from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow.
Qatar Airways, which usually serves Heathrow and Gatwick from Qatar, said on Tuesday morning that its operations remain suspended because of the closure of Qatari airspace.
British Airways has cancelled its timetabled flights to Heathrow from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha and Dubai on Tuesday.
The airline told passengers: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East.
“Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.”
Passengers with bookings on certain routes up to March 15 are being allowed to amend the date to fly on or before March 29.
Virgin Atlantic axed a flight from Dubai to Heathrow.
What about connecting flights?
You could also be affected if you’re due on a flight that changes at an airport disrupted by the war – such as Abu Dhabi, which acts as a major hub for connecting flights to Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia and New Zealand. Check with your airline in advance if you’re in any doubt.
What if I’m stuck abroad?
British nationals currently in the Gulf have been advised by the Foreign Office to remain indoors and follow local authorities. Plans for evacuation repatriation flights are going ahead, but at a very limited capacity, and you should not make plans around these until you have been contacted by British consular staff.
What are my rights if something goes wrong with my flights?
Don’t cancel your own ticket if your destination or connecting flight is affected – instead, wait for the airline to cancel the flight.
If you cancel voluntarily, you will likely forfeit your right to a full refund or rebooking under UK air passenger rights.
It’s important to check your travel insurance, as standard policies will usually cover extended emergency medical expenses if you are stranded abroad – but many exclude cancellation or curtailment costs arising directly from acts of war.
What about cruise ships?
Thousands of cruise line passengers are currently trapped in ports in the Middle East due to the war in Iran.
At least six well-known ships from big companies, including TUI, are reported to be at a standstill and awaiting news of when they can leave.
Cruise liners affected include TUI Cruises’ ships Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, which are stranded in the ports of Abu Dhabi and Doha. The cruise line has had to cancel its upcoming departures due to the lack of operating repatriation flights.
The MSC Euribia remains docked in the port of Dubai, under strict security measures, with embarkations suspended until further notice.
The ships Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery have also had their departures cancelled and are being kept under supervision in regional ports.
TUI Cruises said in its latest alert: “We are currently monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East region and the latest guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”
Disruption ‘could last weeks’
Last night, US president Donald Trump said the joint US-Israel military operation in Iran could last four to five weeks or “far longer”.
Aviation consultant John Strickland said it could take weeks to clear the backlog of passengers, even if the conflict ends sooner.
He said: “It’s a bit uncertain (when that will happen) because of course it will depend on how long the airspace restrictions remain in place.
“But factoring in the high volumes of normal daily traffic and the high capacity of aircraft such as the A380 and the Boeing 777, plus the fact that other flights covering similar routes operate at high occupancy, then it will certainly be quite a period of time which would likely run into weeks.”
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey and Cyprus amidst the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US and Israel
Foreign Office advice has been issued for Brits in Cyprus (Image: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Travel warnings have been issued for Brits in both Cyprus and Turkey as the conflict between Iran, the US and Israel enters its fourth day.
A huge swathe of the global airspace has been shut down completely as the conflict spreads further across the region. Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have exchanged strikes, with the Lebanese health ministry announcing that Israeli attacks in Beirut and southern Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, with 149 injured
On Sunday, an Iranian missile strike killed nine people in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, while Iranian officials reported that at least 153 people were killed after a strike on a girls’ school. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called the incident a “barbaric act”.
Have you been impacted by the conflict? If you’re safe to do so, please contact webtravel@reachplc.com
It is important to note that at the time of writing, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not issued ‘do not travel’ warnings for either Turkey or Cyprus. Such alerts are key because they signal extremely high risks – such as conflict, terrorism, or civil unrest – that often instantly invalidate travel insurance, leaving tourists personally liable for accidents or medical bills.
However, the FCDO does advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”, warning that “your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.”
On Sunday, the FCDO updated its Turkey travel advice for those planning to cross the border from Iran to Turkey. The border remains open visa-free for people travelling on UK or Iranian passports.
“If you are a British national intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border. You must state which border point you intend to use and provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey). Also indicate whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative,” the FCDO update reads.
“If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you. “
Concerns are also growing for Cyprus, which sits less than 100km from the coasts of Lebanon and Syria. This morning it was reported that the RAF base Akrotiri in Cyprus has been hit by a one-way attack drone. No one was reported injured.
In response to the attack, the base is moving families and temporarily relocating non-essential staff. Around 30,000 Brits live in Cyprus and 1.3million visit from the UK each year.
The Foreign Office travel advice for Cyprus was updated this morning (March 2). The latest advice reads: “On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”
The FCDO has also issued general advice for people in the region. It urges British nationals to take “sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.” These include:
Read if you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
Monitor local and international media for the latest information
Sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
The governmental body has also launched a central advice hub where all the latest updates can be found. British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates can register their presence to receive direct updates from the Foreign Office.
Make sure to check the Foreign Office advice regularly if you’re travelling to or are in the region. The advice is updated often.
Thousands of Brits are thought to be stranded in the Middle East after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran
Thousands remain stranded after military strikes rocked the Middle East(Image: AP)
A travel expert has issued three words of crucial advice for people stranded in the Middle East following US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. Simon Calder made the remarks after hundreds of thousands of travellers found themselves stuck in destinations such as Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the wake of the attacks.
Numerous airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, grounded flights following Iranian retaliatory strikes throughout the region. When flights will resume normal service remains unclear, with thousands of Britons believed to be stranded.
Speaking on Radio 5 Live, Mr Calder had three key words he urged travellers to follow: “At the moment, the best advice I have for anyone who is stuck in various parts of the world is: just be patient.”
The situation will be resolved – I hope, very much sooner rather than later,” he added. “What we have seen is the extraordinary sight of the big three of Middle Eastern hubs – Dubai International, Doha, and Abu Dhabi – all closing because of the retaliatory strikes from Iran. We have never seen that. The last thing of this scale we saw in this area like that here was the Covid pandemic.
“Consider this. More than a quarter of a million passengers were due (on Saturday) to fly to and through Dubai International Airport alone. It is bigger than Heathrow Airport, handles more passengers, and everyone is desperate to get where they need to be.
“I have been speaking to people who were about to take off, they had the ‘boarding complete’ announcement, and suddenly the captain said, ‘Sorry, airspace closed, we are staying here’. It took them three hours to get off the aircraft because they all had to be processed through immigration, leaving them in a place where they really didn’t want to be. Many of them were just off a previous flight a few hours before and were waiting to travel on to their final destination of London Heathrow.”
It was subsequently confirmed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, casting serious doubt over the future of the Islamic Republic. The death of Mr Khamenei, following decades in power, has triggered furious scenes across other parts of the Middle East and beyond, heightening the threat of potential regional instability.
Dubai International ranks as the world’s busiest airport, processing roughly 250,000 passengers daily. Doha Airport in Qatar handles approximately 150,000 travellers each day, meaning enormous travel chaos as both airports continue to be affected.
Doha holds particular significance for British passengers flying to and from the Middle East, Asia and the UK. Mr Calder went on to say: “Some people are in the difficult position of being stranded on the wrong side, and they are trying to get back to the UK but finding that air passenger rights rules – which are great when you are flying from Europe – don’t work the same way when you are flying to Europe on a non-UK or non-EU airline.
“They can basically just say, ‘well, good luck, we’ll try and get you there in a week or you can take a refund’. It’s really, really difficult Airlines like Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, they are not legally obliged to find hotel accommodation for all these stranded passengers and get them back as soon as possible but hopefully they will do so.
“The other problem for people whose flights have been cancelled, when flights resume, they go to the back of the queue. If flights resume on Monday, anybody who has a flight booked on Monday will fly on Monday, and people whose flights were cancelled over the weekend – and we are talking hundreds of thousands now – they are going to be finding that they are at the back of the queue, scrabbling for whatever available seats there are.”
Travel expert Simon Calder warns that dual British citizens with expired UK passports could face £589 certificate fees as new electronic travel authorisation rules come into force from February 25
14:11, 20 Feb 2026Updated 14:11, 20 Feb 2026
Mr Calder issued the advice for Brits heading to the airport(Image: Getty Images)
An ETA serves as digital travel permission – it’s neither a visa nor a tax and doesn’t guarantee UK entry – rather, it authorises someone to journey to Britain. However, Mr Calder highlighted another aspect that could trip people up.
Speaking to the Independent, he warned that British citizens holding out-of-date passports might encounter problems. He explained: “There’s growing confusion and concern about electronic borders. The first change that’s going to be happening is on the 25th of February.
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“It’s going to be mandatory for everyone who is not a British or Irish citizen and who wants to travel to the UK to register for the electronic travel authorisation. This is the online permit that increasingly many countries are demanding.
“That is clear, except that it also means that dual citizens who have the right to live in the UK have to enter on a British passport or have a certificate of entitlement to live in the UK. British passports cost £94.50. That certificate of entitlement is £589. And there is concern that a lot of people who are British citizens but don’t have a valid passport for all sorts of reasons-they’ve never needed one, they had one but it lapsed, they’ve got a perfectly good passport from somewhere else-they are going to have to have either that passport or the certificate of entitlement if they want to come to the UK.
“Again, this does not apply to anybody with the immense wisdom and good fortune to have an Irish passport, because that is the passport with superpowers that will get you in and out of the UK and indeed the European Union without any problems at all.”
According to the 2021 Census, approximately 1.26 million usual residents across England and Wales held multiple passports. The Home Office has cautioned that airlines will be verifying passengers have the correct documentation.
The right of abode that Mr Calder references permits you to live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions whatsoever. If you possess the right of abode, you do not require a visa or ETA to enter the UK.
There’s no cap on how long you can remain in the country. Concerns have also emerged regarding Europe’s new biometric border system currently being introduced.
Several airports have allegedly experienced delays stretching up to six hours, prompting warnings of potential travel ‘chaos’.
The European Commission indicated it might be feasible to suspend the new system during busy periods until September. Mr Calder explained: “The European Union’s entry-exit system started to be rolled out in October. By the 9th of April, it is supposed to be in a position where everybody is able to enter or exit through those Schengen area frontiers, just being fingerprinted on the first occasion and having a facial biometric taken. After that, it’s going to be the facial biometric all the way.
“Now, the airports and the airlines are saying it’s a terrible thing, it’s not working properly. We’ve already seen two-hour queues; they’re warning of four-hour queues in the summer. They want it to be suspended. No sense that it will be or not at the moment. Europe says it is going well, but don’t be surprised if it is.
“The only advice I can offer, because this is simply something that’s done to you-you don’t need to prepare for it-is when you’re coming back from the Schengen area, I would turn up at the airport really early just to make sure you make your plane, because it applies on the way out as well as on the way in to the Schengen area.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its travel advice for a number of countries across Europe
12:25, 18 Feb 2026Updated 13:08, 18 Feb 2026
Spain is one of 29 countries included in the alert(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel guidance for 29 countries, including numerous destinations that are popular with British holidaymakers.
On Wednesday, February 18, the FCDO updated its advice for travel to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The changes concern the European Union’s (EU) rollout of its new Entry/Exit System (EES).
Updated FCDO guidance states: “EES checks are being introduced in a phased way across external borders, with full operation expected from April 10, 2026. This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo.
“You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration. On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk.”
Travellers are urged to follow the advice of staff at their point of entry. The FCDO alert continues: “You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.
“EES might add a few extra minutes to each passenger’s journey, so brace yourself for longer waits than usual at the border. Until EES is fully implemented, your passport will continue to be stamped, even if you’ve already registered for EES.
“Once EES is fully operational, it will supersede the current practice of manually stamping passports upon arrival in the Schengen area for short stays, and you’ll input biometric details every time you enter or exit. If you enter the Schengen area via the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International and you’re asked to register for EES, the information will be collected at the border before you depart the UK.”
A traveller’s digital EES record remains valid for three years. If you re-enter the Schengen zone within this timeframe, you’ll only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, both upon entry and exit.
