Latest advice from UK Foreign Office on whether it is safe to visit Dubai

After Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia was attacked for the second time in 24 hours many British travellers are now wondering if it is safe to visit popular Middle East destinations like Dubai and Oman. On Sunday the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advised against all travel to parts of Saudi Arabia, including anywhere within 10km of the border with Yemen. It also urged people to avoid non-essential travel to Aseer province, Riyadh province, Najran province, Jizan province, and Taif city and Taif International Airport. However the FCDO now considers many Middle East destinations, including Dubai, safe for travel. This follows a four-month-long "do not travel" advisory, lifted on June 18, after an agreement to end regional hostilities. Every year more than a million British tourists travel to the UAE for holidays in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 2025 Dubai alone welcomed 1.3m visitors from the UK. After US and Israeli strikes on Iran led to the closure of Gulf airspace on February 28 much of the Middle East airspace was shut down. This caused thousands of flight cancellations and prompted the FCDO to issue do-not-travel advisories. Ensure our latest travel headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings There is no travel warning for Dubai at the moment but the FCDO says the situation in the Middle East "remains unpredictable". Its advisory, current as of October 14, reads: “Since July 8 there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region against US military and civilian infrastructure. “There is a risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation in the region. Before the ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions.” The FCDO also states that “British nationals currently in the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions”. Since the FCDO has not issued any specific advice against travelling to Dubai, you can continue with your trip as planned and your travel insurance should still be valid. The Foreign Office's "safe to travel" warnings show the level of risk involved in visiting a particular country or region. These warnings help British nationals make informed choices about their travel plans but they do not decide whether travel is allowed. The FCDO advises against travel when the risk is very high but, ultimately, each person decides whether to go. If the FCDO advises against travel to your destination your travel insurance will probably not cover you and you may not get consular support if something goes wrong. Always check before you travel. Currently there is no warning against travelling to Dubai so holidaymakers can decide for themselves whether to go. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is open and operating as usual. Dubai's main airlines, Emirates and FlyDubai, are running international routes, although some regional flights have been cancelled. British Airways (BA) has suspended direct flights to Dubai for now but plans to resume service on November 3, 2026. Other airlines, such as Emirates, are still running regular flights between the UK and Dubai. If you are planning a winter holiday in Dubai, BA currently lists flights for November 2026 from £541, and for December 2026 from £541. What to do before you travel Before you travel the FCDO recommends: Reading the FCDO’s advice on if you’re affected by a crisis abroad Monitoring local and international media for the latest information Checking with relevant airlines for the latest updates before travelling If you have booked a package holiday to Dubai check with your travel company to ensure that your flight is running as scheduled. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter