Is it safe to travel to the USA? The truth behind travel warnings for America and 8 more destinations

UK travellers may be feeling more anxious about travelling to the USA following reports of several tourists being arrested at the border, including one British woman who was detained for almost three weeks following a visa mix-up back in February. 

But how risky is it actually to visit the USA as a British tourist in 2025? Read on to find out more about travel warnings, and the truth behind the headlines for the USA, Morocco, Mexico and several European countries, including Spain, Turkey and Cyprus.

Travel warnings and how they work

Not all travel warnings are equal. While some news outlets may report worrying warnings against travelling to certain destinations, the best way to check if a country is safe to visit is on the UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website, which is regularly updated. 

There are two types of FCDO warnings. A warning against all travel, which is typically reserved for war zones or significant natural disasters, and a warning against all but essential travel. 

Travelling to a country, or region with either warning is not only unsafe, but it will invalidate your travel insurance. The FCDO will make it clear on the ‘Warnings and Insurance’ page for each country if it advises against tourism in the area.

Keep in mind that the FCDO may also issue travel guidance about your destination, such as new entry requirements, rules for tourists, such as anti-smoking laws or dress codes. This may also include information about possible terrorism threats or national disasters. 

These shouldn’t affect your travel insurance provider unless the FCDO explicitly says so, but reach out to your insurance company if you have questions.

Always travel with insurance from a reputable travel insurance provider, and sign up to FCDO updates to make sure you’re informed of any news that could affect your trip.

We surveyed 44 UK travel insurance companies and compared 66 areas of cover for each, to help you find the best travel insurance in 2025.

Below, we’ve shared how the FCDO has assessed some of your favourite destinations, and what that means for your travel plans — and travel insurance coverage.

Is it safe to travel to the USA?

Some tourists, including British travellers, have been arrested and even detained following mix-ups or for having incorrect documentation for entering the USA in February and March of this year.

The  FCDO has not issued an explicit warning against travel to the USA, for tourism or essential travel, but it has strengthened its wording to warn travellers that entry requirements are being 'strictly' enforced, and that travellers 'may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules'.

What does that mean practically? If you’re travelling to the USA, you should make sure your passport is up to date, and that you have a valid Esta waiver. Crucially, don’t engage in any sort of activity that US Customs and Border Protection could construe as work. 

It’s important to bear in mind that having an Esta does not automatically guarantee entry to the USA, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which has warned that the final decision rests with border guards. You may also be asked to hand over your phone so border guards can inspect your social media accounts, and even emails. CBP says this is to identify visa fraud, terrorism and smuggling. 

You can read the rest of the USA’s entry requirements and conditions on the FCDO website — make sure you’re following them if you plan to enter the USA for holidays this spring and summer.

Advice for LGBTQ+ people travelling to the USA

Transgender and non-binary travellers should be aware that the USA’s entry requirements now state that the gender marker on an Esta application must match the sex assigned at birth, due to a new decree signed by Donald Trump on 20 January.

Several European countries, including France, Germany, Finland and Ireland have added new guidance to their travel advisory pages warning travellers whose gender on their passport, or whose gender expression, does not match the gender on their birth certificate. 

Finland has warned travellers they may be refused entry, while France, Germany and Ireland have also advised travellers to contact their American embassy or consulate before travelling.

Watch out for copycat sites when applying for your Esta.

Is Europe at threat from terrorism?

Some news outlets are reporting worrying warnings against travelling to the likes of Spain and the Canary Islands because of terrorism threats. In reality, the FCDO has issued general guidance for UK travellers abroad across Europe, warning: 'There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.' It advises that tourists stay aware of their surroundings at all times, and read its guides on staying safe abroad and how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

While it’s important to consider these risks and stay up to date with the FCDO’s guidance, there aren’t actually warnings against travelling to these destinations. 

Each FCDO country page states whether terrorism attacks are likely in the country, based on recent political activity in the region or recent incidents. You can use this information to make an informed decision about whether you’re comfortable travelling, and to help you choose travel insurance that covers you fully for your trip.

Below, we’ve shared how the FCDO has assessed some of your favourite destinations, and what that means for your travel plans — and travel insurance coverage.

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Istanbul earthquake: is it safe to go to Turkey?

On 23 April, there was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake which was felt strongly in Istanbul. 

However, there have been no further earthquakes, and there is no nationwide FCDO warning against travel to Turkey, apart from within 10km of the Syria-Turkey border.

Is it safe to go to Spain and the Canary Islands now? 

There are no FCDO travel warnings against travel to anywhere in Spain or the Canary Islands. 

The FCDO does have a warning in place for UK tourists taking holidays abroad to remain vigilant for possible terrorist attacks, but this is not unique to Spain or the Canary Islands. It also notes that terrorists are likely to carry out terrorist attacks in Spain, but does not currently warn against visiting the country (meaning that doing so shouldn’t invalidate your insurance).

Spain’s new travel rules do change things slightly for travellers in 2025, including some higher tourist taxes, new check-in rules and new guidelines, such as bikini bans, for tourists in some areas. 

Is it safe to go to Cyprus right now?

There aren’t currently any warnings against travelling to Cyprus.

The Cyprus FCDO advice page mentions a risk of terrorism to UK nationals across Europe and that attacks cannot be ruled out in Cyprus, and notes that, 'Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.' The page also mentions that Israel is directing all its Cyprus-bound flights to Larnaca Airport for security reasons, but that UK flights are not affected by this change. There aren’t currently any warnings against travelling to Cyprus and holidaymakers can still safely visit. 

Is it safe to travel to Thailand? 

Most of Thailand is considered safe for tourism by the FCDO, but check your full itinerary is covered by your travel insurance policy. According to the FCDO, you shouldn’t travel to certain parts of Thailand for holidays 'due to regular attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia'. These areas are Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province, southern Songkhla Province – south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the train line that runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar. The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces.

From 1 May tourists will need to complete Thai Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), whether arriving by air land or sea, which you can register for within the three days before your arrival via the TDAC website.

Methanol poisoning in Thailand

Some tourists have died or become seriously ill from drink spiking and counterfeit drinks in Thailand. To protect yourself from methanol poisoning, the FCDO recommends that tourists buy alcoholic drinks only from licensed shops, bars, restaurants and hotels, check bottle seals are intact, and watch out for poor quality on drinks labels or incorrect spellings.

Is it safe to go to Morocco right now?

There aren’t currently warnings against travel to Morocco, but the FCDO website recommends that: 'If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.'

Regional risks include disputed territory in the Western Sahara, and risk of being intercepted and investigated at the Morocco-Algeria border if you cross the border into Algeria. If you’re sailing or using jet-skis in this area, the FCDO warns that tourists should stay in Moroccan waters, know where the border is, and make sure they have enough fuel to get home after excursions.

How safe is Mexico for tourists?

Mexico is generally considered safe for tourists by the FCDO, provided you only visit the places suitable for tourism.

According to the FCDO, the Mexican government makes efforts to protect tourist areas like Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Nuevo Vallarta, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta. But you should be cautious after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, and stay in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

If you’re a tourist, don’t visit these places: the city of Tijuana in the state of Baja California (with some exceptions, including transits through Tijuana airport), the states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero and Chiapas. There is a warning in place advising against all but essential travel to these parts of Mexico. 

The FCDO also warns that a dispute between rival Cartels has included attacks on public transport in some parts of Baja California Sur, including Los Cabos, La Paz, and Mulegé, though it does not warn against tourism in these areas.

Is Egypt safe to visit?

There are tourist destinations in Egypt free from FCDO travel warnings, such as Sharm-el-Sheikh and Cairo, but it’s important to consider current political instability and risks — the FCDO warns that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt.

There is currently a warning in place against not only tourism but all travel to the following places in Egypt: Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai, Northern part of South Sinai, Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, Western Desert, Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

How to check if your destination has an FCDO warning

Head to the FCDO website and look up the country you’re visiting. Consult the ‘Warnings and Insurance’ page — this is where you’ll find any official warnings against travel. There is further information about specific warnings and risks on the ‘Safety and security’ page.

Understanding FCDO warnings

There are several different types of FCDO travel warnings, and they mean different things for your travel plans.

1. FCDO advises against all travel

This warning means you should not travel to any parts of this country, for any reason, and doing so could invalidate your travel insurance 

2. FCDO advises against all travel to parts

This warning means that you should not visit some areas of the country. Check your travel insurance policy to make sure your itinerary is covered.

3. FCDO advises against all but essential travel

This warning means tourists shouldn’t visit any parts of this country for holidays, and doing so could invalidate your travel insurance.

4. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts

This warning means tourists can visit the country for holidays, but shouldn’t visit certain parts as part of those holiday plans. You should check your itinerary against your policy to make sure it’s fully covered.

How FCDO warnings affect your travel insurance

Never travel to a destination with a warning against 'all but essential travel' or 'all travel', as this could invalidate your travel insurance. 

Always book travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip. If there is a change in FCDO travel advice and your holiday is affected, some travel insurance policies may allow you to make a claim to cover the costs of cancelling a journey or holiday.

If you booked a package holiday covered by ABTA, and a change in FCDO advice means it’s no longer safe to travel, the holiday provider is required to offer you an alternative holiday, without significantly changing the trip, or a full refund.

Always check the fine print of your travel insurance to make sure your full itinerary is covered — even if you don’t plan to visit areas with travel restrictions in your destination country.

If the FCDO releases a new travel warning after you’ve arrived in the affected country or region, you continue to be covered by your travel insurance policy. It’s a good idea to consult your travel insurance provider before arranging any next steps if you can.

What are the safest countries for LGBTQIA+ travellers?

You can find out some information about whether a destination is specifically safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers via each country or territory’s FCDO travel advice page under the subheading ‘LGBT+ travellers’.

There’s also a more extensive guide on the FCDO website called Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender: foreign travel advice, which shares details on how to check if a country is safe for travel, and how the FCDO can help you if needed once you’re there. You can also find general information pages for travellers with disabilities, women travellers and solo travellers.