Summary: The FCO has advised against all non-essential travel to the Egyptian city of Qena and the city's surrounding districts.

The change of advice is due to some violent protests in the area and British nationals are urged to:

• observe instructions and advice by local security authorities
• avoid public gatherings
• avoid being in any vicinity where disturbances could erupt
• check with the local authorities or your tour operator before travelling through the Province of Qena

Road and railway lines through the province have been blocked by protesters. Consider using alternative routes when travelling through Egypt by road or rail.

A curfew still exists throughout Egypt from 02:00 to 05:00 local time, except for Luxor and the Red Sea Resort area.

If you are still in the country, or are planning to visit Egypt in the future, please be sure to:

• Call the Foreign Office on 020 7008 1500 from the UK or 02 2791 6000 from Egypt for information
• See the latest Egypt travel advice which is regularly updated
• Register with the FCO's LOCATE service to help them find you in an emergency

Last Updated: 16 February 2011

Summary: The FCO's travel advice for Luxor has been relaxed, giving holidaymakers the all clear to travel there. However, Britons are still advised against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.

What is the FCO's new advice?

Luxor:

Now that the situation has calmed down, Luxor is functioning normally again, which means that it is once again open for tourism.

The FCO therefore declares it safe for British travellers.

After nearly four weeks of cancellations, tour operators will resume flights to Luxor from next Wednesday, 23 February.

Cairo, Alexandria and Suez:

Due to the situation being subject to sudden change, the FCO still advises against all but essential travel to these cities.

However, the advice has been amended slightly. The Foreign Office has removed the recommendation that British nationals without a pressing need to be in these cities leave by commercial means.

The resignation of President Mubarak:

The amendments to the FCO advice were made in light of President Mubarak's resignation last week, and the declaration of the army as Egypt's new rulers, which has been seen as a victory by many Egyptians.

British Embassy Assistance in Egypt - Advice For Travellers

Last Updated: 7 February 2011

Summary: The Consular and Visa sections of the British Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate General in Alexandria have adjusted their office hours as of Monday, 7 February. Please note that the FCO still advises against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez.

New British Embassy office hours:

• Consular and Visa sections of the British Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate General in Alexandria will be open between 10:00 to 12:00 local time
• Visa Sections in Cairo and Alexandria will also be open from 10:00 to 12:00 for non-British nationals wishing to collect their passports

Please note: If you intend to visit the Embassy, please call them on (002)(02) 2791 6000 in advance to confirm that it is safe to do so.

Nationwide curfew:

The nationwide curfew is now between the hours of 19:00 to 06:00 local time. Please note that the curfew isn't currently being enforced in the Red Sea Resort area. If you are still in Egypt, make sure that you obey the curfew and stay updated about any changes to the curfew requirements.

General advice:

British nationals who are still in Egypt are advised to follow the advice below. Also observe instructions and advice by local authorities at all times, and stay away from public protests wherever possible.

Opposition talks underway:

The Egyptian government has entered into the first round of talks with opposition groups, including the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. However, pro-democracy protestors are sitting tight in Cairo's Tahrir (Liberation) Square for the fourteenth consecutive day.

In the meantime, life is slowly returning to normal in other parts of Cairo, as businesses reopen and banks open their doors for a few hours at a time.

'Day of Departure' Protests in Egypt - Advice For Travellers

Last Updated: 4 February 2011

Summary: Travellers still in Egypt should exercise caution as the 'Day of Departure' rally goes ahead today. The FCO has warned against all but essential travel to the governorates of Cairo, Giza, Helwan and 6 October, as well as the main cities of Alexandria, Luxor and Suez.

Emergency flights from Cairo Airport:

To assist British nationals wishing to leave Egypt, the FCO has arranged for a charter plane to depart from Cairo on Saturday, 5 February. If you would like to register to use this service, please call (00 44) (0) 20 7008 8765 or 2 2791 6000 from Egypt.

Please note: Seats on this flight will cost passengers £300 each. Travellers booked on other commercial flights are advised not to cancel their bookings.

British Embassy assistance at the airport:

You will be able to find British Embassy staff at Terminals 1 and 3 at Cairo Airport - look out for their high visibility vests. It is important that you make yourself known to them as they can offer assistance.

These individuals will also have limited stock of emergency passports available for £71. If you are in need of an emergency passport, please ensure that you have the following on your person:

• Proof of your British nationality, such as a copy of your passport, drivers licence or passport number
• Emergency passports for children may be issued on production of a birth certificate or a copy of medical records

What to do if you are still in Egypt:

Given the upcoming protests, British nationals who are unable to leave Egypt at this time are advised to follow the advice below:

• Please ensure that you only travel to airports if you have a confirmed flight and ticket as there are limited tickets available for various commercial flights.
• If you require assistance or advice please don't hesitate to call the FCO's 24 hour hotline on 020 7008 0000 from the UK or (02) 2791 6000 in Egypt.
• Avoid demonstrations on 4 and 6 February, and remain indoors wherever possible.
• If you are staying in other parts of Egypt, keep in touch with your tour operator as the situation is unpredictable and can change at any time.
• Please note that all the advice detailed below also applies to British nationals.

More protests planned across Egypt:

The 'Day of Departure' rally planned for today, 4 February, will see protesters march at the presidential palace, demanding that President Mubarak step down. A general strike has also been called for Sunday, 6 February. Ongoing mass demonstrations this week have resulted in acts of violence, including the use of tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and live ammunition.

On Thursday night, President Mubarak stated that he would not resign.

Last Updated: 1 February 2011

Summary: The FCO still advises against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez. However, Cairo Airport is still open for onward travel to other international destinations.

What is the situation at Cairo Airport?

Although Cairo Airport is currently open, it is operating under considerable difficulties. You can therefore expect disruptions to flight schedules.

Travellers from Cairo Airport are advised to:

• Check with their airline whether their flight is subject to delays or cancellations.
• Confirm their flight before travelling to the airport to avoid being stranded.
• Consider routes via a third country if they are having difficulty confirming a direct flight to the UK.
• Send any boarding passes for flights from Cairo that they are unable to print (due to the lack of internet services) to the British Embassy for printing.
• Email any confirmed plane tickets from outside Egypt to cairodutyofficer@fco.gov.uk.

Please note: If you are travelling on Tuesday 1 February, British Embassy staff will bring your printed ticket to the airport for collection. Those travelling from 2 February onwards, can collect their tickets from the British Embassy in Cairo between 08:00 - 10:00 on presentation of photo identification.

Safe passage in other areas in Egypt:

The Red Sea:

The Red Sea Resorts, including Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab, remain calm.

Travel in and around Luxor:

Although Luxor is listed as one of the cities that the FCO warns against travel to, transit by road between the port and airport can take place during daylight hours.

Other advice for you as a British national:

• Check with your airline or tour operator to confirm your travel plans if you are travelling in, or planning to travel to Egypt.
• Phone 020 7008 0000 from the UK or (02) 2791 6000 in Egypt if you require assistance from the Embassy.
• Stay indoors wherever possible if you have to remain in Egypt.
• Avoid public gatherings and disturbances, as these have the potential to turn violent.
• Observe instructions and advice given by local security authorities.
• Obey the nationwide curfew which has been extended from 13:00 to 08:00 local time.

The current situation in Egypt:

A major demonstration by one million people is due to take place in Central Cairo today, 1 February. A number of smaller protests are also expected in other major Egyptian cities. The Egyptian people are going ahead with the mass protest in an attempt to force President Hosni Mubarak from power. At this stage, the military has stated that it won't use violence against protestors.

Last Updated: 31 January 2011

Summary: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated their advice for Egypt to advise against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez. British nationals in these cities are advised to leave as soon as they can.

What to do if you are due to travel to Egypt

• Cancel or postpone your trip, as the FCO advises against all but essential travel to Egypt's main centres
• Contact your airline or tour operator about arranging a later flight or a refund
• Monitor news reports on the protest to see when it's safe to travel to Egypt again

What to do if you are in Cairo or the rest of Egypt

British nationals are advised to

• Leave Cairo , Alexandria, Luxor, Suez or any other areas holding protests as soon as it's safe to do so
• Check with their airline for their flight status: Cairo airport is operating as normal but there are some disruptions to flight schedules
• Confirm your travel plans before leaving: don't leave for the airport before you have a confirmed flight to avoid being stranded.
• Be aware that internet services in Egypt are currently down and that mobile services are intermittent
• In the event of an emergency, you can also call the British Consulate in Cairo's helpline on 002 02 2791 6000

If it's essential that you remain in Egypt:

• Avoid any demonstrations or political gatherings
• Stay out of central Cairo
• Respect the national curfew of between 3pm and 8am local time
• Stay indoors as far as possible
• Follow the advice given by local authorities and security teams
• Follow the news and TV reports in Egypt closely
• Register with LOCATE for the FCO to find you in an emergency
• Find more FCO travel advice for Egypt here

More information on the current situation

Anti-government protests have taken place across Egypt's main cities following the Tunisia demonstrations. The demonstrations in Egypt have resulted in a number of violent acts and deaths.

Last Updated: 26 January 2011

Summary: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised that British nationals avoid all public demonstrations in Egypt following the recent demonstrations that turned violent. There is a risk that more demonstrations will follow, especially in Cairo.

What to do if you are in Cairo or the rest of Egypt

While there are no travel restrictions in place for Egypt, travellers are strongly advised to take precautions.

Travellers are advised to:

• Avoid any demonstrations or political gatherings in Egypt
• Stay out of central Cairo
• Follow the advice given by local authorities and security teams
• Follow news reports and be on the lookout for events that may fuel demonstrations
• Register with LOCATE for the FCO to find you in an emergency
• Find more FCO travel advice for Egypt here or follow British Abroad on Twitter: @britishabroad

What to do if you are due to travel to Cairo

You don't need to postpone your trip, as there are no travel restrictions in place for Egypt - most British nationals who visit Egypt return home safely. See statistics here.

However, travellers are advised to monitor news reports on Egypt or contact their tour operator if they require more reassurance.

Who to contact:

In the event of an emergency, you can call the British Consulate in Cairo's helpline on 002 02 2791 6000.

Anti-government demonstrations have taken place in the following Egyptian cities:

• Cairo (Tahrir square)
• Suez
• Alexandria
• Ismailiya

Further demonstrations are expected in the coming days.