Eritrea travel warning: closed borders and suspended flights

Travelers considering a visit to Eritrea in 2025 should be aware of several ongoing travel advisories that significantly impact movement in and around the country.

​Travelers in Eritrea must obtain a travel permit from the Eritrean Ministry of Tourism to journey beyond 25 kilometers of Asmara, including destinations like Keren. To acquire this permit, you'll need to provide a photocopy of your passport and visa. Once granted, the permit allows you to visit specified locations on designated dates. However, authorities strictly enforce these permits, and deviations from the approved itinerary can lead to complications at checkpoints. ​ Keren, located approximately 90 kilometers northwest of Asmara, is renowned for its vibrant markets (picture), particularly the Monday camel market. With the appropriate permit, you can travel to Keren and other places like this and experience these cultural highlights. It's advisable to arrange transportation in advance, as public transport options may be limited, and some permits may require details such as vehicle license plate numbers. Photo: David Stanley, Flickr CC BY 2.0

Once known for its Italian-style architecture and Red Sea coast, Eritrea remains largely isolated from mainstream tourism—and for good reason.

Traveling to Eritrea in 2025 requires serious preparation, and may not be advisable for most tourists. With restricted movement, closed borders, suspended flights, and safety risks in remote areas, visitors are encouraged to reconsider non-essential travel. Always check official government travel advisories before departure and be prepared for a high level of self-reliance.

Closed borders and dangerous zones

Eritrea’s land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti remain officially closed, while the Sudanese border has been seeing unofficial crossings due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. These crossings are risky and lack infrastructure or consular support. Many areas outside major cities are also contaminated with unmarked landmines, especially along remote borders. Travelers are strongly warned against off-road driving and hiking in rural zones.

Flight suspensions

In a major blow to regional connectivity, Ethiopian Airlines suspended all flights to Eritrea’s capital Asmara in September 2024, citing operational difficulties. This limits air access significantly, as Eritrea’s international flights are already few and far between. Travelers should monitor airline schedules closely and plan with extreme flexibility.

Permits needed to leave the capital

Foreign visitors are not permitted to travel freely around Eritrea. Any movement outside Asmara requires special travel permits, which must be obtained in advance and can take several days to process. Those found traveling without proper documentation risk detention or fines.

Health concerns and limited infrastructure

Medical services in Eritrea are basic, and essential medications are often unavailable. Visitors are urged to bring their own prescription drugs, malaria prophylaxis, and other medical supplies. The CDC recommends vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and meningococcal disease, among others.

Minimal consular help

For U.S. and other Western nationals, consular support is extremely limited. Most embassy personnel are restricted to Asmara, and cannot travel outside the capital without special government permission. In a crisis, help may not be readily available.

Why Eritrea’s borders are closed

The Eritrea–Ethiopia war (1998–2000) erupted over a disputed stretch of borderland and quickly escalated into one of Africa’s deadliest modern conflicts, claiming over 70,000 lives. Though a peace agreement was signed in 2000, tensions remained for nearly two decades. Even today, the scars of war are visible across Eritrea—abandoned Soviet tanks, trenches, and shattered infrastructure remind visitors of the lasting impact of the conflict. Photo: David Stanley, Flickr CC BY 2.0

Eritrea’s land borders with Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Sudan are officially closed, and this is rooted in a history of conflict, deep mistrust, and tight government control.

The Eritrean government tightly restricts movement in and out of the country, citing national security concerns. These closures are not temporary—they are part of a long-standing pattern of self-isolation and militarization.

Eritrea’s conflicts with neighboring countries

Ethiopia

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war. But from 1998 to 2000, the countries fought a brutal border war, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. Although a peace agreement was signed in 2000, relations remained cold.

In 2018, a historic peace deal between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki led to restored diplomatic ties. However, it did not lead to open borders, and cooperation quickly stalled.

Since 2020, Eritrea has been militarily involved in Ethiopia’s internal conflict in the Tigray region. Eritrean troops entered northern Ethiopia to support the Ethiopian federal government against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Eritrea has been accused of serious human rights violations during this conflict.

Despite a ceasefire in Ethiopia, the situation remains fragile. Eritrean forces have not fully withdrawn, and tensions linger. The conflict has damaged trust between Tigrayans, Ethiopians, and Eritreans, making regional stability elusive.

Djibouti

In 2008, Eritrea and Djibouti clashed over a border dispute at Ras Doumeira. Eritrea occupied contested territory, and although Qatar tried to mediate, Eritrea eventually refused cooperation. There has been no lasting resolution, and diplomatic ties remain strained.

Sudan

Relations with Sudan have gone through phases of hostility and alliance. In recent years, the countries have maintained functional relations. However, with the ongoing war in Sudan, the border situation is unstable. Refugees are crossing into Eritrea, and the government is controlling the flow tightly.