The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated its Indonesia guidance on 29 May 2026 following increased seismic activity at Mount Merapi. Level 3 status recommends against all but essential travel within a 10-kilometer radius of the volcano. The alert remains under constant review by the British Embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesian authorities have already evacuated 12,000 residents from surrounding villages and closed several hiking trails. Airlines including Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air have canceled flights to Yogyakarta Airport on multiple days this month. Travelers with existing bookings are advised to contact their insurers before departure.
British nationals currently in the affected area should register with the embassy and monitor local media. The FCDO warns that emergency services may be stretched during any major eruption. Travel insurance policies typically exclude claims related to volcanic activity once an advisory reaches Level 3.
The change does not affect other popular destinations such as Bali or Lombok. Visitors to Jakarta and Sumatra continue under standard Level 2 guidance. The embassy will issue further updates if ash clouds disrupt international flight corridors.
Independent travelers should carry printed copies of their insurance documents and embassy contact numbers. Those on organized tours should confirm with operators whether itineraries include the restricted zone. The advisory is expected to remain in place for at least four weeks.
Similar Level 3 advisories have been issued by Australia and Canada for the same region. Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency continues daily briefings on social media. Travelers are urged to download the official InaSAFE app for real-time alerts.