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UAE travel advice: Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now as airlines cancel flights

Emirates and FlyDubai along with several other operators have decided to suspend flights, so here’s what you need to know if you have a trip booked

Liv Kelly

With its towering, glassy skyscrapers, mind-boggling human-made islands and luxury shopping, Dubai  is a well-established holiday destination.

However, the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East is jeopardising the safety of travel across the region, and over the last two days multiple airlines have opted to cancel or temporarily suspend their operations. So, if you have a trip booked to Dubai, here is everything you need to know about travelling there. 

Is it safe to travel to Dubai? 

Though travelling to the UAE is not advised against, the FCDO’s safety and security page reads: ‘Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Read FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad .’

The latest on UAE flight cancellations 

Emirates announced on its website that all flights between Dubai and Beirut will be cancelled until at least October 8, and other flights to Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat and London Heathrow, due to take off yesterday and today (October 2 and 3) have also been cancelled. 

Those travelling with the airline have been encouraged to check their flight status regularly, and the statement reads: ‘We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and are in contact with the relevant authorities regarding developments.’ 

FlyDubai has also announced cancellations of flights to Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Israel, citing the temporary closure of various airspaces. According to Alarabiya News , a spokesperson from the flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 said that flights were diverted ‘anywhere they could’, often changing direction to Cairo and Istanbul. 

Qatar Airways

The Doha-based airline has temporarily suspended flights going in and out of Iran and Iraq, according to Gulf News . You can check all the latest travel updates on their website here . 

The operator announced cancellations of its flights to Beirut, and its statement reads : ‘This is likely to cause some disruption and delay to a number of flights over the coming days. Customers are urged to check the status of their flight on etihad.com. Etihad Airways flights only operate through approved airspace, safety is always our highest priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.’ 

The airline encourages passengers to contact their customer service team or their travel agent directly for more information.

Where else has been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East? 

The conflict area includes Israel, the Palestinian territories, Iran and Lebanon, but the situation is escalating quickly – those with a trip booked should check local travel advice and with their trip provider thoroughly before heading to the region.  

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world. 

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Travel Aware

Staying safe and healthy abroad

Travel Aware

Advice for going abroad

Stick with your mates.

Stick Wth Your Mates Poster

Going abroad with your mates is all about having fun. Lounging by the pool, catching the rays and partying into the early hours.   

It should be a trip you want to remember for the right reasons.

Sadly, for a small number of Brits, their holiday ends in a hospital ward or a police station.  

But we are here to share with you a few simple tips that can help you have a holiday to remember, not one to forget.  

Here are five things that can help prevent things going wrong on the strip:

Friends don’t leave friends behind.

Serious incidents often happen after drinking alcohol when you are alone and isolated.

◊ TIP: Stick with your mates throughout the night. Stay in contact and if you’re staying at the same accommodation, go home together.

Drinking abroad can be different than back in the UK. The quality and measurements of alcohol can be larger, cheaper and deals can result in you being drunk quicker than intended.

Drinks spiking can also take place on holiday. Spiking is adding alcohol or drugs to someone’s drink without them knowing.

S piking is commonly used to distract you from theft or impair you before an assault .

◊TIP: Do not leave your drink unattended and do not accept drinks from complete strangers. This is the best strategy to prevent the possibility of your drink being spiked.

◊TIP: Consume water in-between alcoholic drinks. This will help pace you throughout the night and help keep you hydrated.

◊ TIP: Drink at your own pace. Everyone’s tolerance to alcohol is different. Consider avoiding rounds or having a break from drinking alcohol if you are feeling uneasy.

Remembering where to go at the end of the night can be tougher than you think. It’s a new environment, a different climate, and drinking alcohol could make this harder.

TIP: Keep details of your accommodation on you. Consider taking a screenshot of the hotel’s address before going out. Or ask reception if they have an address card you can take and store in your wallet.

◊ TIP: Use messaging apps to set up a group chat. This way you can send your location to your friends if you get lost or check they are safe if you lose them.

It is easy to get lost in a foreign country. Add alcohol and sun and it’s now even easier to get lost.

◊ TIP: If you are on the strip, before your first big night, familiarise yourself with the area. Exploring your surroundings will help you remember where you are later.

◊ TIP: Agree a meeting place in case you lose your friends and cannot get in contact (e.g. phone out of battery or lost etc.)

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important. It provides protection and coverage for unexpected events that can happen on holiday. Travel insurance can cover a range of scenarios, such as:

  • medical emergencies and repatriation
  • lost or stolen baggage
  • trip cancellations or interruptions
  • natural disasters

You must purchase insurance cover that is appropriate for your travel plans. Travelling without the right cover can be very expensive if things do go wrong while you are abroad.

Insurance That Is Right For You

There are many reasons why travel insurance may be invalidated.

If you buy a basic policy that does not provide enough medical coverage, you may get a big bill if you have an unexpected health issue on holiday.

You may buy a policy that does not cover your planned holiday activities such as water sports or quad biking; or does not cover cancellations or delays. If you’re injured doing activities, or your trip is disrupted, you may have a big bill to pay.

So, before you go on holiday, you can do some small things in only a few minutes which could save you a lot of money.

You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions when buying travel insurance. If you already have cover, you should check that your list of medical conditions is up to date before each trip abroad.

Failure to do this could mean your claim is rejected if you have a medical emergency while travelling.

Therefore you must be honest about any medical conditions you have, to avoid risking a big bill.

Check your policy to see what you need to declare. Medical conditions can include, but are not limited to:

  • heart conditions
  • high blood pressure
  • respiratory conditions (such as asthma)
  • mental health conditions
  • any form of cancer

When buying travel insurance, consider the type of coverage you need. If you intend to engage in adventure activities, like quad-biking or water sports, you may need specific insurance cover. Check your policy before you travel to make sure all your activities are covered.

Make sure you buy travel insurance that covers the entire duration of your holiday. Some insurance policies have a limit on the amount of time you can be abroad; if you exceed it, your policy may be invalidated.

You may assume you will not need to be brought home for medical reasons whilst on holiday. But, if you become ill or injured while travelling, you may need to be transported to hospital, or back to the UK, for treatment. Medical evacuations can cost thousands of pounds.

Check your policy covers medical evacuation before travelling. This is especially important if your trip includes adventure activities like climbing, quad-biking or water sports.

Before you go on holiday, share your insurance policy details with travel companions, and friends or family at home. This can be helpful in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf, if you get into trouble abroad.

When you travel, take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you. If you lose your phone abroad, this paper copy will provide the information you need, including your policy number and insurer’s emergency 24 hour telephone number.

More information

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Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Latest travel advice

Israel has  launched a ground incursion in Lebanon after months of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

While Egypt is geographically close to the conflict zone, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says it remains safe to visit the key tourist areas in Egypt, like Cairo and the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.

However, the UK Government does warn against travel to large parts of Egypt, and advises travellers to be aware of terrorism and to avoid public demonstrations.

Here’s everything you need to know about travel to Egypt, whether it is safe to visit, and your rights if you do decide to cancel your upcoming holiday.

How far is Egypt from the conflict zone?

Egypt shares a border with Israel, and there is a crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah Border Crossing, which has been a gateway for aid to enter the territory and for Palestinian refugees to leave the country. The crossing is currently closed, including for humanitarian aid workers.

The popular Red Sea holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh is around 350 miles away from the Israel-Lebanon border. Cairo is just over 300 miles away from the conflict zone.

What is the FCDO advice?

The FCDO does not advise against travel to any of Egypt’s popular holiday destinations including Cairo, the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, and the cities along the Nile popular with river cruises, like Luxor and Aswan.

However, the FCDO has updated its advice to read: “Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.”

The FCDO advises against travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border (except the town of El Salloum) and to North Sinai, which incorporates the Egypt-Israel border and the Rafah Crossing into Gaza.

The FCDO also warns against all but essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai, the eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal, the area to the west of the Nile Valley (with exceptions,  see here ) and the Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

There has been a military response to Houthi militants’ attacks on international shipping passing through the Red Sea. The FCDO advises: “The military activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, but travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice.”

Is there a risk of terrorist attacks in Egypt?

The FCDO says that terrorism is “a risk across Egypt, particularly in North Sinai. Attacks could be indiscriminate.”

Targets of terrorist attacks could include religious sites, large public gatherings, places visited by foreign nationals and Egyptian security forces, the FCDO advises.

The FCDO warns that there is a heightened threat of terrorism around religious sites during religious festivals, such as during Ramadan or the Christmas period. The Egyptian government lists all public holidays  here .

Are flights still running to Egypt?

Yes, flights to Egypt are operating as normal.

Is it safe to visit Cairo?

There are no FCDO travel advisories against visiting Cairo. However, the FCDO flags that protests and demonstrations happen across Egypt and particularly in the capital: teargas and live ammunition have been used for crowd control. Visitors are also advised to take extra care when travelling alone, particularly female travellers, and to be vigilant against scammers and pickpockets.

Is it safe to visit Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada?

There are no FCDO travel advisories against visiting the popular Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada. However, the FCDO warns of wider safety issues: overcrowding has caused accidents on Red Sea ferries, there have been reports of sexual assault in some tourist resorts, and safety standards of diving operators vary considerably.

You may notice that some tourist resorts in Sharm El Sheikh have tight security measures. In 2005, 88 people died during a terrorist bombing in Sharm El Sheikh. In 2015, a Russian airline exploded above the Sinai Peninsula after departing from Sharm El Sheikh airport for St Petersburg: all 224 passengers and crew died.

Can I cancel my holiday to Egypt?

If you have booked a package holiday to Egypt and want to cancel your trip for any reason, contact your tour operator and they might offer flexibility with alternative dates.

But bear in mind that, because the Foreign Office has not issued any advice against travel to Cairo and the popular holiday resorts in Egypt, there is no guarantee you will receive a refund, nor will you be able to claim money back with your travel insurance company.

If you have booked flights and accommodation independently, and wish to cancel your holiday, contact your travel providers as soon as possible to see if you can rearrange your plans. Note, however, that given the circumstances, it is unlikely you will receive a full refund.

You can see the full Egypt FCDO advice here.

This story was first published in October 2023 and has been revised and updated.

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All of the countries currently on the Foreign Office ‘do not travel’ list

Warnings against travel abroad from the uk have been issued for countries including haiti, iran and russia, article bookmarked.

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When planning a holiday, it’s wise to check these three things before you leave for the airport: your passport is in-date, travel insurance is still valid and you’re travelling to someplace safe according to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office ( FCDO ).

Political conflicts, natural disasters and safety concerns are among the reasons the UK Foreign Office will recommend British nationals steer clear of certain destinations.

The FCDO has issued various travel warnings, including advice against “all travel” and “all but essential travel” to entire countries or parts of countries in Europe , Africa , Asia and South America .

The FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan

Of 226 countries or territories with foreign travel advice pages, 68 are currently flagged as having no-go zones due to security issues, health risks and legal differences with the UK .

If you choose to make the journey against FCDO advice, travel insurance will be invalidated, and there may be a lack of consular support in the event of an emergency overseas.

Here is the full list of countries on the Foreign Office’s do not travel list to check before you plan a trip.

FCDO advises against all travel

  • Afghanistan – “The security situation is volatile”
  • Belarus – “You face a significant risk of arrest”
  • Burkina Faso – except to the capital, Ouagadougou
  • Central African Republic – except to the capital, Bangui
  • Haiti – “Due to the volatile security situation”
  • Iran – “British nationals are at significant risk of arrest”
  • Iraq – except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
  • Lebanon – “Due to risks associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel, Lebanese Hizballah and other non-state actors”
  • Libya – “The local security situation is fragile”
  • Mali – except to Bamako
  • Niger – except to the capital city of Niamey
  • Russia – “Due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine”
  • South Sudan – “Due to the risk of armed violence and criminality”
  • Sudan – “Ongoing military conflict in Khartoum”
  • Syria – “Ongoing conflict and unpredictable security conditions”
  • Ukraine – “Ongoing risk of harm to British nationals from Russian attacks across all of Ukraine”
  • Yemen – “Unpredictable security conditions”

FCDO advises against all travel to parts

  • Algeria – all travel to within 30km of Algeria’s borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Tunisia
  • Armenia – within 5km of the full eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • Azerbaijan – Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas
  • Benin – Northern border regions
  • Burundi – Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces
  • Cameroon – Bakassi Peninsula and within 40km of Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria borders
  • Chad – Borkou, Ennedi Ouest, Ennedi Est and Tibesti provinces, Kanem Province, including Nokou, Lake Chad region and within 30km of all Chad’s other borders  
  • Congo – Republic of Congo-Central African Republic border area in the Likouala Region, districts in the Pool Region and Mouyondzi District in the Bouenza Region
  • Côte d’Ivoire – borders with Burkina Faso and Mali and Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia border
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC-Central African Republic border, Eastern DRC, Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province and areas in Kinshasa Province
  • Djibouti – Djibouti-Eritrea border
  • Egypt – Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai and Western Desert
  • Eritrea – within 25km of Eritrea’s land borders
  • Ethiopia – international border areas, Tigray region, Amhara region, Afar region, Gambella region, Oromia region, Somali Regional State and Benishangul-Gumuz region
  • Georgia – South Ossetia and Abkhazia
  • Indonesia –Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, Mount Marapi, West Sumatra, Mount Semeru, East Java, Mount Ruang, Northern Sulawesi, Mount Ibu, North Maluku
  • Israel – Gaza, The West Bank and Northern Israel
  • Jordan – within 3km of the border with Syria
  • Mauritania – Eastern Mauritania, Mauritania-Western Sahara border, Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assaba and Guidimaka provinces
  • Moldova –Transnistria
  • Mozambique – Cabo Delgado Province, Nampula Province
  • Myanmar (Burma) – Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Mon State, Rakhine State, Sagaing and Magway regions, Tanintharyi Region, Shan State North, North Mandalay Region
  • Nigeria – Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State
  • Philippines – Western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago
  • Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia-Yemen border and Abha International Airport  
  • Somalia – eastern Somaliland and Western Somaliland
  • The Occupied Palestinian Territories –Gaza, Areas near Gaza, The West Bank and Northern Israel
  • Togo – Togo-Burkina Faso border
  • Tunisia – Western Tunisia, including the Tunisia-Algeria border and Southern Tunisia, including the Tunisia-Libya border
  • Turkey – Turkey-Syria border, Sirnak city and Hakkari Province
  • Venezuela – within 80km of the Venezuela-Colombia border, within 40km of the Venezuela-Brazil border
  • Western Sahara – south and east of the Berm boundary line

FCDO advises against all but essential travel

In regards to the definition of ‘essential travel’, the FCDO says: “Whether travel is essential or not is your own decision. You may have urgent family or business commitments which you need to attend to. Only you can make an informed decision based on your own individual circumstances and the risks.”

  • Bangladesh – “There has been widespread violence across Bangladesh”
  • New Caledonia – “Given ongoing tensions”
  • North Korea – “The security situation can change quickly with no advance warning”

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts

  • Angola – Cabinda Province, border areas in Lunda Norte Province
  • Brazil – Amazonas State
  • Colombia – borders, Pacific coast, northern and central Colombia
  • Ecuador – Coastal Region and within 20km of the Ecuador-Colombia border
  • Ghana – Bawku Municipality
  • Guatemala – within 5km of the Mexican border
  • Kenya – Kenya-Somalia border and northern parts of the east coast
  • Kosovo – Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, and the northern part of the city of Mitrovica
  • Laos – Xaisomboun Province
  • Malaysia – Eastern Sabah coastal islands
  • Mexico – Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, Chiapas
  • Papua New Guinea – Hela and Southern Highlands provinces
  • Peru – within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border and The Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro River
  • Tanzania – Mtwara Region along the Tanzania-Mozambique border
  • Thailand –parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border
  • Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semuliki National Park

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The majority of countries which were removed from the red list on thursday have also been gradually removed from the fcdo's no-go list.

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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has gradually updated its list of no-go destinations to more closely match the slimmed-down eight-country red list announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) last week .

The FCDO, which began advising against travel to all countries due to the risk of Covid-19 in March 2020, now has list of just 29 no-go nations worldwide.

Of those, only 17 of these now explicitly mention Covid-19 as the reason why it is not safe to travel.

As expected, the majority of countries which were removed from the DfT’s red list on Thursday, including South Africa and Mexico , have been gradually removed from the FCDO’s no-go list.

The changes were announced throughout the weekend, starting on Friday and continuing through Monday morning.

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Travel update: The full list of 47 red list countries joining the ‘green’ rest of world list in latest review

What does the FCDO advice mean for travel insurance?

Now that the DfT has cut the list of red list countries to just eight nations, more destinations are open to UK tourists than at any time since the start of the pandemic.

While this means that holidaymakers no longer have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 nights at a cost of over £2,200 per person, if the FCDO’s advice doesn’t match up then getting away can still be a struggle.

This is because travelling against FCDO advice results in more costly insurance and – especially if you’ve booked a package holiday – can mean that your holiday is cancelled entirely.

Regular travel insurance is not valid in cases where the FCDO advises against “all but essential travel” or “all travel” to a destination.

Some travel insurance policies may pay out for claims if a trip is cancelled because of a change in FCDO travel advice, however each policy is different it it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

To travel to a country against FCDO advice (even if it is on the “green” rest of world list ) holidaymakers will need to purchase specialist insurance, which can be costly. 

Most tour operators and package holiday firms, such as TUI and Jet2, will also cancel any holiday that involves travelling against FCDO advice. In this instance travellers would be entitled to a full refund directly from the travel firm.

How many countries on the ‘rest of world’ list are still on the FCDO no-go list?

There are currently 18 countries to which the FCDO advises against travel to due to safety concerns that are not explicitly Covid-related.

While there are nine “green” list countries to which the FCDO advises against travel to “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”.

Haiti is in its own category as the only country to which the FCDO specifically advises against travel to the entire country “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks,” as well as separately advising against travel to the entire country due to other safety concerns. 

Given that the situation can change at any time, it is always best to refer to the FCDO website for the latest on your holiday destination, where you can also sign up to receive FCDO alerts via email.

Which green list countries are on the no-go list due to ‘Covid-19 risks’?

Despite being on the DfT’s rest of world list, the following nations are still on the FCDO’s no-go list “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”.

  • Guadeloupe 
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • The Occupied Palestinian Territories 

Which green list countries are on the FCDO no-go list due to other safety concerns?

The following green list countries are unlikely to be on many travellers’ holiday hot-lists, and the Government doesn’t want you going their either. 

These nations are on the FCDO no-go list due to ongoing security situations which make it unsafe for Britons to travel.

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the entirety of the following countries:

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Central African Republic
  • French Guiana
  • North Korea
  • South Sudan
  • Haiti (Covid-19 risks also specifically mentioned separately as another reason for advice against all but essential travel) 

There are also many more countries, including Egypt, Russia and Thailand, to which the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to certain parts of the country due to safety concerns. Consult the FCDO website for more detail on these.

Which countries are on the DfT red list as well as the FCDO no-go list?

This is the only category where DfT and FCDO advice is in sync. All seven countries remaining on the DfT’s red list are also on the FCDO’s no-go list. The FCDO says that all are on their no-go list “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”.

These countries will likely to be removed from the FCDO no-go list soon after they are removed from the DfT’s red list:

  • Dominican Republic

Why do the FCDO and DfT warnings not match up exactly?

The FCDO is concerned with the safety of UK residents and citizens when they are travelling overseas, while the DfT list is concerned with the effect of inbound passenger travel on the health of the nation domestically.

However, in practice the FCDO has consistently followed the lead of the DfT and continues to issue updates that largely mirror DfT decisions.

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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) offers safety advice for British nationals travelling abroad. This information is collected from Embassies and Consulates around the world and is continually updated.

For the most up to date information, fitfortravel recommends that you access this information directly from the FCDO website, using the link below:

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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel warning and provided essential information on the conflict affecting Lebanon which could put British tourists holidaying in the UAE and Dubai at risk.

The FCDO told holidaymakers: "Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram."

"You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated."

British tourists are also encouraged to consult the FCDO's advice on those who are affected by the crisis abroad.

This includes information on how the FCDO defines a crisis, who and how they can, as well as what holidaymakers should do in a crisis, how to prepare for a potential crisis, support in the UK and terrorist attacks abroad.

Tourists have also been advised to read the FCDO's up-to-date information before either trip, including the latest warnings and insurance, entry requirements, safety and security, health and getting help.

Indeed, the FCDO issued a warning against all travel to Lebanon on September 20, warning all travellers to leave "while commercial options remain available". They warned that travellers' travel insurance could be invalidated if they travel against advice from the FCDO.

It read: "The British embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide. If you are currently in Lebanon, you should leave now".

The UAE is a well-visited holiday destination with Dubai being its most popular city. In 2023, the city welcomed 17.15 million international visitors, a 19 percent increase from the previous year, making it the third most-visited city in the world, according to Emirates NBD.

Due to its desert climate, it is hot all year round, with mild temperatures of 14 to 27C in winter and temperatures as high as 45C in the summer.

The UAE Government's official website says: "The UAE has many glitzy shopping malls as well as traditional markets. Take advantage of the several shopping festivals running around the year. You can buy apparel, accessories, gold, electronics, carpets, spices, dry fruits and much more."

"The UAE has many restaurants and cafes, some amongst the finest in the world. It organises many food festivals, which bring cuisines from around the world and are popular amongst citizens and residents."

Holidaymakers in Egypt, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, among others, have also been issued warnings about the nearby conflict affecting Lebanon. For guidance. British tourists should consult the FCDO's Safety and Security page for their chosen destination.

On October 1 Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in a large-scale attack that has further heightened fears of an all-out regional war. Millions of people rushed to shelters before explosions lit up the skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Iranian state TV said these included hypersonic weapons, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strikes were in retaliation for the killings of the leaders of its allies Hezbollah and Hamas.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran had made a "big mistake" and "will pay for it".

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The purpose of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice is to provide information and advice to help British nationals make their own informed decisions about foreign travel.

  • We advise that all travellers check the latest FCDO updates at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before travelling to ensure that the area is safe for travel at that specific time.
  • If the FCDO advise against travel to a specific area we’re unable to make an offer of insurance.
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Foreign, commonwealth & development office  (fcdo) advice.

Before you travel it is absolutely vital that you check the FCDO’s advice on your destination, which will include information on everything from inoculations and visas to terrorism and common tourist issues. To view the FCDO’s ‘Know Before you Go’ advice, please select your destination of choice on the FCDO’s Travel Advice website . Please note, Holidaysafe does not provide cover for any trip which goes against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office   (FCDO).

Holiday Checklist

Your holiday is all booked, your travel insurance purchased, but to make sure your holiday goes to plan we have listed some general advice to follow, before and during your holiday, along with a small checklist of things to do when you come back.

The EHIC / GHIC

Following Brexit, once your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) expires, you will need to apply for a GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card). This will entitle you to state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

These cards are not replacements for travel insurance, as they cannot cover the cost of things like cutting your trip short, repatriation back to the UK, lost or damaged personal possessions and much more.

The EHIC or GHIC are the perfect accompaniment to travel insurance, and if you use either of them when you seek treatment we’ll waive your policy excess. You can apply for a GHIC free of charge here .

Holiday health

  • Check the vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you travel with your GP
  • Pack any medication in your hand luggage.
  • Carry a spare prescription for your medication in a separate bag. Note the generic names of prescription drugs as brand names may vary from country to country.
  • Carry a prescription for your glasses.
  • If you or any of your party requires emergency treatment, make sure you call your travel insurer’s emergency help line as soon as is practical, and take their advice. If you don’t, it may affect any claim you make for medical treatment costs.

Holiday money

  • Make sure you have enough to cover emergencies.
  • Don’t rely on one thing – take a mixture of cash, credit / debit cards and some travellers cheques as a back up
  • If you have travellers cheques, keep a record of your travellers’ cheque numbers in a different place to your travellers cheques.
  • Take sensible precautions – don’t carry all of your cards, travellers cheques and cash with you – you’ll be stuck if you do and they’re stolen. Carry only as much money as you need for the day, plus a little extra for emergencies.
  • Most hotels and apartments have safes or safety deposit boxes, use them. There is sometimes a charge but it is usually small and the extra security is worth it.

Using credit and debit cards abroad

  • Check credit / debit card expiry dates before you travel
  • Only take the cards on holiday that you are likely to use – leave store cards, company credit cards, and any other cards you won’t use in a safe place at home – and be 100% positive you know which cards you have with you.
  • Advise your bank and credit card company that you will be going abroad on holiday, if they suddenly see the card being used in a foreign country, they could stop the payment as it is out of your normal pattern and may think your card has been stolen or cloned.
  • Check when your statement of payment to the credit card company is due and make an advance payment if it falls due during your holiday. You don’t want your card to be put on stop when you might need to use it.
  • If you intend to spend heavily on your card, especially if this is outside your normal spending pattern, let your card issuer know before you travel. Your spending might be picked up by the card issuer’s automated fraud programs, which would also put your card on stop!
  • Make sure the card is accepted in the country you are visiting, especially if you plan to draw cash on them.
  • Check sales vouchers carefully before signing – especially the number of zeros, and always keep a copy of the sales voucher.
  • Whilst on holiday don’t carry all of your cards with you – leave at least one in the hotel safe.
  • Don’t lose sight of your cards in shops or restaurants – dishonest merchants only need a few seconds and one swipe of your card to get all of the information they need to make a copy of it.
  • Report lost or stolen cards to your card issuer immediately – quick reporting limits your responsibility for unauthorised use.
  • Make a note of debit and credit card company emergency telephone numbers.

Passports and other travel documents

  • Even when visiting EU countries you should take a passport. It may not be checked, but some authorities ask for it as proof of ID. If you are flying most airlines now want to see your passport as proof of ID even if you are using a domestic flight.
  • Check your passport will be valid for the whole trip. Remember that some countries also require that your passport is valid for at least another 6 months.
  • Take a photocopy of your passport, visas and any other important documents. Make a note of passport numbers, dates and where they were issued. Also take a note of your travel insurance policy number.
  • Check if you need any visas and how long the visa is valid for.
  • When you reach your destination, keep your travel documents in a safe place (the hotel safe again), don’t carry them around with you.
  • Some countries ask you to carry your passport as a form of identity card, check if a photocopy would suffice, if you do need to carry the original make sure you leave a photocopy in the hotel safe.
  • Start gathering your holiday clothes together well before your departure date. Use a temporary rail to start hanging up clothes you are considering taking on holiday. Seeing all the clothes makes it easier to plan outfits and should cut down on the amount of clothes you take and never wear.
  • Have your suitcases open and start packing well before your departure date. This allows you to put things in your bags as you think of it.
  • Make a list of everything you need to take with you, and then cross them off as you put them in your bags; double check the list before you close your bags.
  • Take clothes that won’t crease easily. Don’t put easily crushed clothes at the bottom of your bags. Roll them or wrap them and wrap your best outfits in tissue to reduce wrinkles.
  • Put items you don’t mind creasing into bags and pack them into shoes and other nooks and crannies.
  • Wrap shoes in plastic bags to stop them marking clothes. Pack shoes around the sides of the case, it gives the items inside a bit more protection.
  • Ensure all toiletries and sun creams are sealed securely. Pack them in sealable plastic bags.
  • Check the maximum weight for hold luggage with your airline, if you go over the limit you could be charged hefty excess baggage fees.
  • Put valuables in your hand luggage.
  • It’s a good idea to carry a spare set of underwear and a top in your hand luggage too, in case of delays or lost luggage.
  • Remember that sharp items are not allowed in hand luggage – pack them in your checked-in luggage. Do not pack any of the following in your hand luggage – toy / replica guns (metal or plastic), catapults, sporting bats, billiards or pool cues, tools, scissors, tweezers, razor blades, knives with blades of any length, household cutlery, knitting needles, darts, hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons).
  • Check with your airline the maximum size and weight of hand luggage they accept, if your hand luggage is too big or heavy the airline may insist it goes in the hold.
  • Most airlines seem to have different limits of weight and size of hold and hand luggage they will accept without excess baggage charge, some are dependent on what type of ticket you buy, first class for example have higher limits than standard class. So it to be absolutely sure of the limits for your trip check directly with the airline you are travelling with.

Things to do before you leave

  • Think about your home – let neighbours know that you are away and ask a friend, relative or neighbour to make a regular check on it.
  • Cancel any milk or news paper deliveries
  • Set lights and a radio on timers. Unplug televisions, DVD’s and any electronic equipment that does not need to be left on.
  • Use up perishables in the fridge or bin them.
  • Empty the bin before you leave.
  • Lock everything.
  • On your outward journey write your destination on your luggage tags, not your home address. And put your destination address inside your suitcase as well just in case.
  • Know what your airline check-in requirements are, some ask you to be at the airport 2 hours before the flight some ask you to be there 3 hours before the flight.
  • If you are planning to drive to the airport make sure you leave plenty of time for traffic delays, getting to the airport too early isn’t a problem
  • To get the best deal in airport parking book it in advance.

Whilst Travelling

  • Do not pack valuables, money, or fragile items into checked-in baggage. Keep them with you at all times.
  • Never leave belongings unattended or with strangers, especially on beaches or at airports, nor in vehicles.
  • Check your baggage for damage each time you reclaim it.

Phoning home

  • It can be extremely expensive to use your mobile phone whilst abroad. Also you will usually pay to receive calls as well as to make them, and to receive and send text messages.
  • If you plan to take your mobile phone abroad, make sure you can use it in your destination country.
  • Consider setting a credit limit on your phone. If it’s lost or stolen this may limit your liability.
  • If you plan to call home regularly, it may be cheaper to buy a phone card (prepaid or purchased locally) and use local phone boxes rather than your mobile phone.

If you have anything stolen whilst on holiday

  • Report it to the local police and obtain a statement from them about the loss. This is not always easy, but you will need a police report if you want to claim on your travel insurance.
  • If your bank cards are stolen, you’ll need to phone your bank and card issuers to stop your cards
  • If your mobile phone is stolen, phone your mobile phone company to stop your account.
  • Should your passport be stolen, your travel insurer will offer advice on how and where you can get a replacement passport from.
  • If your tickets are stolen your tour rep, airline or travel agent will help you replace tickets.

Your Personal Safety whilst on holiday

  • Use your common sense:
  • Try to avoid ‘seedier’ areas.
  • Do not wear expensive jewellery.
  • Wear and use money belts.
  • Before answering the door check through the spy hole.
  • Leave a television or radio on when leaving your room.
  • Take your room key with you, do not leave it at reception.
  • Always use bolts or deadlocks on doors.
  • Carry small change for drinks and busses. Keep small denomination notes or coins in a separate pocket so that you don’t have to get your purse or wallet out on the street.

When you get home

  • Check bank and credit card statements carefully. Raise any charges you don’t recognise with your card issuer(s) immediately.
  • If you were taking a course of anti-malaria tablets make sure you complete the course.
  • Remember to tell your doctor that you have been on holiday if you become ill on your return.
  • Make sure you put any complaint about your holiday in writing to the holiday company within 28 days.
  • Report any claim to insurers immediately.

*Please note, Holidaysafe’s online prices automatically include a 15% discount against our Customer Service Centre prices.

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Foreign travel advice

Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.

Countries or territories

226 Countries or territories

Countries starting with A

  • Afghanistan
  • Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory
  • Antigua and Barbuda

Countries starting with B

  • Bonaire/St Eustatius/Saba
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Burkina Faso

Countries starting with C

  • Cayman Islands
  • Central African Republic
  • Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Czech Republic

Countries starting with D

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Dominican Republic

Countries starting with E

  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea

Countries starting with F

  • Falkland Islands
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia

Countries starting with G

  • Guinea-Bissau

Countries starting with H

Countries starting with i, countries starting with j, countries starting with k, countries starting with l.

  • Liechtenstein

Countries starting with M

  • Marshall Islands
  • Myanmar (Burma)

Countries starting with N

  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • North Korea
  • North Macedonia

Countries starting with O

Countries starting with p.

  • The Occupied Palestinian Territories
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Pitcairn Island

Countries starting with Q

Countries starting with r, countries starting with s.

  • São Tomé and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • South Korea
  • South Sudan
  • St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Martin and St Barthélemy
  • St Pierre & Miquelon
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Switzerland

Countries starting with T

  • Timor-Leste
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands

Countries starting with U

  • United Arab Emirates

Countries starting with V

Countries starting with w.

  • Wallis and Futuna
  • Western Sahara

Countries starting with Y

Countries starting with z, get updates for all countries, is this page useful.

  • Yes this page is useful
  • No this page is not useful

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IMAGES

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  4. Travel Advice changes made for over 30 countries and territories

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  5. Planning a trip abroad? Check FCDO travel advice #travelaware

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  6. Holidays: France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal

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COMMENTS

  1. Foreign travel advice

    Foreign travel advice. Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences. Search for a country or territory - you ...

  2. About Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice

    Learn how the FCDO assesses risks and compiles travel advice for British nationals. Find out what to check before you travel, what to do if you get into difficulty, and how to access COVID-19 information and other resources.

  3. UAE travel advice: Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now as airlines

    Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Read FCDO advice if you're affected by a crisis abroad.'

  4. Home page

    travel aware, #travelaware, travel advice, fcdo travel, foreign office travel, gov.uk. Skip to main content. Tell us whether you accept cookies. We use cookies to collect information about how you use this site. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services.

  5. Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Latest travel advice

    The FCDO does not advise against travel to any of Egypt's popular holiday destinations including Cairo, the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, and the cities along the Nile popular ...

  6. All of the countries currently on the Foreign Office 'do not travel

    FCDO advises against all travel. Afghanistan - "The security situation is volatile". Belarus - "You face a significant risk of arrest". Burkina Faso - except to the capital ...

  7. Travel and health requirements

    Yes, you'll need a valid passport to travel with TUI. EU nationals may use their National Identity Card to travel within the European Community, but we recommend you use a passport wherever possible. You'll need to use a passport if you're travelling outside of the EU. British Citizens must hold a valid 10-year passport.

  8. UK travel advice: How Foreign Office guidance affects travel insurance

    To travel to a country against FCDO advice (even if it is on the "green" rest of world list) holidaymakers will need to purchase specialist insurance, which can be costly.

  9. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

    London. SW1A 2AH. United Kingdom. Email. [email protected]. confidential hotline. +44 (0)1355 843 747. The FCDO Internal Audit Department's fraud and safeguarding investigation team ...

  10. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office safety ...

    The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) offers safety advice for British nationals travelling abroad. This information is collected from Embassies and Consulates around the world and is continually updated. For the most up to date information, fitfortravel recommends that you access this information directly from the FCDO ...

  11. Travel warning issued to UK tourists as 'situation is changing fast

    The FCDO told holidaymakers: "Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation ...

  12. Travel Aware I TUI.co.uk

    Make copies of important travel documents, take a picture or make copies and store them securely using a secure data storage site. Research vaccinations or any other medical requirements for your destination, and if necessary visit a travel health clinic before you travel. For medical advice visit travelhealthpro.org.uk.

  13. How to get the latest travel advice

    We've put together a list of five top travel tips, to make it easy for you to get in the know and ready to go…. 1. Make visiting the FCDO's travel advice site part of your holiday research. As well as looking at dreamy photos of cotton-white beaches and scouring the web for the best hotels and destination must-dos, checking the FCDO ...

  14. Spain travel advice

    About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about the risks of travel, to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel ...

  15. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Travel Advice

    FCDO Travel Advice. The purpose of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice is to provide information and advice to help British nationals make their own informed decisions about foreign travel. We advise that all travellers check the latest FCDO updates at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before travelling to ensure that the ...

  16. FCDO

    The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) The FCDO provides the latest advice for travelling abroad, including the most recent information on coronavirus, safety and security, health, visas and entry requirements and travel warnings.. We'd recommend you visit the country by country travel section of their website before your trip, for up to date information about your ...

  17. Entry Requirements

    Entry requirements. We recommend British passport holders always check FCDO advice before travelling. You can also use our handy passport checker tool to make sure your passport's valid. Some countries require you to complete immigration and health forms before you travel. If you need help completing these, visit your local TUI Store and talk ...

  18. Know Before You Go

    Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Advice. Before you travel it is absolutely vital that you check the FCDO's advice on your destination, which will include information on everything from inoculations and visas to terrorism and common tourist issues. To view the FCDO's 'Know Before you Go' advice, please select your ...

  19. FCDO Travel Advice

    FCDO Travel Advice. The world changes on a daily basis. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. Their website gives useful advice for countries throughout the world, including safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements, natural disasters, political situations ...

  20. Dominican Republic travel advice

    The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Follow and contact FCDO ...

  21. Foreign travel advice

    Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.