Is it safe to travel to the Middle East right now?

• Is it safe to travel to Israel now? The latest travel advice

Lebanon: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to all parts of the country.

• Is Lebanon safe? The latest Foreign Office travel advice following the Israeli invasion

Jordan: However, for a 3-kilometer strip along the border with Syria, there are no travel warnings to Jordan, although Jordanian airspace has been closed for the duration of the Iranian missile attack, and flights to and from that country are likely to be delayed or canceled in the event of further strikes. On October 1, the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was updated, which indicated that debris from an intercepted missile fell on the capital Amman.

Egypt: The long-standing advisory against traveling to North Sinai, which borders Israel, remains in effect, as does a similarly enduring warning against nonessential travel to the Western Desert. There are no warnings for Cairo, the Nile and Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Hurghada. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that ongoing military operations against Houthi fighters in Yemen may impact travel advisories to nearby countries, including Egypt.

United Arab Emirates and Oman: There are no travel advisories for emirates including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras al Khaimah, or Oman.

• Is it safe to travel to Dubai now? The latest travel advice for the United Arab Emirates

Are Egypt and Jordan safe for tourists?

The German Foreign Office and Federal Foreign Office consider both countries to be relatively safe for tourists, although the British council warns that terrorists are likely to attempt to carry out attacks in Jordan and that “there may be increased anti-Western sentiment”.

Other national recommendations recommend greater caution. France’s official position is to “exercise increased vigilance” in both Jordan and Egypt, while the US State Department suggests reconsidering travel plans for the latter. Australia advises to “exercise a high level of caution” in both Jordan and Egypt.

• Is it safe to travel to Egypt right now? Travel advice for 2024
• Is it safe to travel to Jordan right now? Travel advice for 2024

Are there travel warnings to other parts of the Middle East and North Africa?

There are no official travel advisories to Morocco, and no-entry zones in Tunisia are limited to the borders with Libya and Algeria. Of the two, the former is subject to general advisories for all travel, while the latter is considered safe except for a 30-kilometer strip along its borders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns against all travel to Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

• Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now? The latest travel advice
• Is it safe to travel to Tunisia right now? Travel advice for 2024

Do airlines still fly to the Middle East?

Beirut and Tel Aviv are effectively cut off after global airlines suspended flights to Lebanon and Israel. About 30,000 Israelis are believed to be stranded abroad, and efforts by Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev to persuade the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to lift a flight ban in effect until October 30 have failed. EASA states: “Given the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, there is a high risk to civil aviation. The conflict includes rockets, missiles and drones fired from Lebanon, as well as Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire, including the systematic activation of air defense systems.”

Flights operate to other parts of the region but may be delayed, canceled or rerouted if airspace is closed due to military activities. People flying further afield also face longer flight times or other disruptions as airlines avoid the area of ​​airspace over Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel and instead fly over the Caucasus to the north or Saudi Arabia to the south.

• Airspace closures: How Iran’s attacks affected flight paths

Can I cancel my flight to the Middle East if I don’t want to travel?

If your flight is canceled by the airline, you are entitled to a refund. If you wish to cancel your seat on a operated flight, your right to a refund depends on the terms and conditions attached to your ticket. Generally, only full-fare tickets, regardless of cabin class, offer this benefit, and the easiest way to check is to contact the airline.

Can I cancel my holiday in the Middle East?

Unless the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to a given destination – as is the case with Israel and Lebanon – normal booking conditions apply. Any request to cancel your holiday is considered ‘reluctance to travel’ and you cannot expect a refund under the Package Travel Regulations (PTR). However, it’s worth sharing any concerns you have with your operator in case they can offer any flexibility.

• Compensation for canceled and delayed flights: everything you need to know

What do tour operators say?

“We had one call from a slightly concerned customer going to Jordan,” says Jarrod Kyte of Steppes. “I called our ground handler in Amman and he said he had customers from many countries traveling around the country and everything was business as usual.”

Michael Edwards, managing director of Explore Worldwide, which is organizing trips to Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia over the next eight weeks, says: “While we do not run trips to directly affected countries, the Middle East is a very popular region with our customers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ advice regarding Jordan remains unchanged and our upcoming tours are expected to go ahead as planned.

“We understand that customers who have booked travel to Jordan in the coming weeks may have questions and we are always happy to discuss any concerns. We have flexible booking terms in our Explore Flex policy.”

• Travel insurance guide: everything you need to know

Become a subscriber and with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions from our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members

Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter to receive inspiration, advice and offers every week Here