Egypt travel update: The UK gives OK for travel to Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Suez

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General

• There are widespread strikes in Cairo and other towns and cities across Egypt. British nationals should observe instructions and advice by local security authorities and avoid public gatherings and disturbances.  
  
• According to latest information, Luxor and the Red Sea Resorts, including Sharm el Sheikh, are calm.  However, the situation across Egypt is unpredictable and may change quickly.  You should stay in touch with your tour operator.  
• The Suez Canal is operating normally.
• There is a nationwide curfew in place from 00:00 to 06:00 local time. You must respect the curfew and listen for announcements about any changes to the curfew requirements. the curfew is not being enforced in the Red Sea Resort area or in Luxor.
• The Consular Section of the British Embassy in Cairo is operating normal counter hours and is open Sunday - Thursday 10:00 to 13:00 local time.  The Consulate General in Alexandria is also operating normal counter hours and is open Sunday - Thursday 09:00 to 13:00 local time.
• The Visa Section of the British Embassy remains closed and no visas are currently being issued.  Non-British nationals who have submitted their passport as part of a visa application should contact the Visa Application Centre.   
• The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza is currently open daily from 10:00 to 16:00 for special cases only.  For the latest requirements on crossing from Egypt to Gaza, delivering aid or entering for humanitarian purposes, you should contact the Egyptian Embassy in London. Security - Local Travel -  Border Areas. 
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as hotels and restaurants. See Safety and Security -Terrorism. 
   
• 1,346,724 British Nationals visited Egypt in 2009 (Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics. The majority of consular cases occur in Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh.
• You should carry some form of photographic ID at all times. A copy of your passport is sufficient.
  
• Egyptian society is conservative and women should dress modestly. See Local Laws and Customs. 
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance. 
  

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Safety and Security - Political Situation  
Egypt Country Profile 

If you are in Cairo and other areas of Egypt where there have been disturbances, you are advised to follow the advice set out below. British nationals should observe instructions and advice by local security authorities and avoid public gatherings and disturbances. 

There is a curfew in place across Egypt from 00:00 to 06:00 local time. You must respect the curfew and listen for announcements about any changes to the curfew requirements.  The curfew is not being enforced in the Red Sea Resort area or in Luxor.

Between 25 January and 11 February there were major disturbances in Cairo and other locations across Egypt, including Suez, North Sinai, Rafah, the Delta region and some areas of Upper Egypt, including Luxor. According to our latest information, the security situation in Cairo and other major cities is significantly improved. Luxor and the Red Sea resorts, including Sharm el Sheikh remain calm.  However, the situation across Egypt is unpredictable and may change quickly.

Between 25 January and 11 February, there were a number of deaths in the demonstrations and random acts of violence across the major cities of Egypt. You should follow news on the TV and radio closely and stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings of people. Caution should be exercised in visiting sites which are the focus of demonstrations, such as Tahrir Square in central Cairo. You should respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities and tour operators.

During the recent unrest, we received a number of reports of foreigners (including journalists) being harassed, attacked and in some instances arrested and interrogated. Since ex-President Mubarak’s resignation on 11 February, we have received no further such reports.

The Consular Section of the British Embassy in Cairo is operating as usual and is open Sunday - Thursday 10:00 to 13:00 local time.  The Consulate General in Alexandria is also operating normally and is open from Sunday - Thursday 09:00 to 13:00 local time.  British nationals requiring assistance or advice can call the Foreign Office on             020 7008 1500       from the UK or 02 2791 6000 from Egypt.

The Visa Section of the British Embassy remains closed and no visas are currently being issued.  Non-British nationals who have submitted their passport as part of a visa application should contact the Visa Application Centre.

If you are travelling to, through or from Egypt, you are advised to check with your airline or tour operator to confirm your travel plans.