Preparing for a trip to Cyprus can be a little complicated due to its division between northern Cyprus and the rest of the island that makes up the Republic of Cyprus. Getting to and around Cyprus is, however, an easy and convenient experience.
With its well-connected airports and ferry services, you can easily reach Cyprus from various destinations in Europe and beyond. And with its reliable public transportation system, including buses and taxis, you have plenty of opportunities to explore the island. Renting a car is an efficient and straightforward way to explore and discover Cyprus’ hidden gems.
Read on to learn about each of the options for getting to Cyprus and navigating the island by public transportation, rental cars, or taxis.
Getting to Cyprus
The easiest way to get to Cyprus is by flying.
Flying to Cyprus
The country has two main international airports in South Cyprus, as well as another airport located in North Cyprus. But there are a few things you should consider before choosing where to fly.
🛫 Larnaca International Airport
Located in Larnaca, on the southeastern coast of Cyprus, Larnaca International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the country, making it the primary getaway for travelers visiting Cyprus.
Additionally, Larnaca is well-connected to other major towns and rural areas, making it the perfect starting point for your Cyprus trip.
It is the cheapest airport to fly into and it has the best onward land connections.
🛫 Paphos International Airport
Situated in Paphos, on the southwestern coast of Cyprus, Paphos International Airport is relatively small, handling only a handful of international flights.
But it is the perfect entry point for travelers wishing to explore the western part of Cyprus, like the major cities of Paphos and Limassol, or the Troodos Mountains.
Unfortunately, the fares into Paphos are always higher than those into Larnaca.
🛫 Ercan Airport
Located in the northern part of Cyprus, Ercan Airport is under the control of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, operating cheap flights mainly from Turkish cities like Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir.
However, although it has several international flights from countries like the UK, Ercan Airport is not recognized internationally, and flights may involve more complex travel arrangements compared to the international airports in Larnaca and Paphos.
For example, you’ll likely need a Turkish visa to enter and, most importantly, if you’re not an EU citizen and fly to Cyprus via Ercan Airpot, you may not be allowed entry to the Republic of Cyprus through the Green Line.
Still, if you plan to visit only the northern part of Cyprus, Ercan Aiport offers an efficient and cheap way to get to the island.
Getting a ferry to Cyprus
There are several places in neighboring countries where you can board a ferry to Cyprus.
⛴️ Ferry from Greece to Cyprus
The trip by ferry from Greece to Cyprus is about 30 hours, but if you have plenty of time and love the idea of sitting back and relaxing while enjoying a voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, getting to Cyprus by ferry is a fantastic idea.
The ferry links the Port of Limassol, the second largest city in Cyprus, with Pireaus Port in Athens.
A plus for getting to Cyprus by ferry is the opportunity to board alongside your car, with which you can easily then get around Cyprus.
The ferry only began in summer 2023 after a lengthy hiatus but it is a cheap way to get to Cyprus when the airfares are high. It sells out quickly.
And it is cheap – it’s only 60-70 Euros for a first-class cabin.
⛴️ Ferry from Turkey to Cyprus
Turkey also has ferry links with Cyprus, specifically with the North Cyprus city, Girne (Kyrenia), and the Turkish cities Tasucu and Mersin.
The ferry journey is only about 5 hours and 35 minutes, making it an easy and comfortable alternative way to get to North Cyprus. (I prefer to fly because it’s very fast and cheap through Istanbul).
🚢 Take a Cruise to Cyprus
An alternative and exciting way to get to Cyprus is by taking a cruise.
You’ll find several cruise ships traveling to Cyprus from Greece and other Mediterranean destinations like Italy, Spain, France, and Malta.
Cyprus is also often included in cruises across Middle Eastern destinations like Egypt and Lebanon.
Getting around Cyprus
Note: Cyprus drives on the left-hand side of the road. I can’t tell you how good this is if you come from a country that drives on the left!
However, of all the places to learn to drive on the left, this has to be the simplest. The road service is all large freeways with limited traffic and simple roads around the country.
The motorway system is well designed with simple entrance and exit points signposted in Greek and English (except in Northern Turkey).
Cyprus is a small island, so the distance between its major tourist destinations is rather short. Cyprus has a reliable bus service connecting the main towns and rural areas.
Still, for flexibility, privacy, and comfort, you might prefer a car rental rather than public transport.
If you plan to visit both the Republic of Cyprus and Turkish-Controlled Northern Cyprus, you might need to arrange your trip with tour operators as you usually can’t take a rental car across the border.
Public Transport
The public transport between south and north Cyprus differs greatly.
In the south, you’ll find a reliable urban and intercity buses. Each city and district has its own company with rural and urban buses.
However, rural buses, especially in the Troodos Mountains, are not as frequent, so you might need to plan out your itinerary according to the bus schedules in advance.
In Northern Cyprus, there’s no reliable bus service as there isn’t a fixed schedule! Instead, the driver will wait until the bus is full before setting off.
So, if you don’t have enough time to wait for a bus to fill up, it’s best to rely on other modes of transportation and I always hire a car in Northern Cyprus.
Taxi Services
If you prefer not to drive, Cyprus also offers plenty of taxi services that can easily take you to any part of the island.
In the south, taxis can be found in most towns either by hailing one from the street, calling, or picking up from a designated taxi rank.
Urban taxis usually have a meter as is required by law. Taxis have day and night tariffs with an initial charge, a fare per kilometer, with additional charges for luggage, public holidays, and waiting time.
In more rural parts of Cyprus, and in northern Cyprus, taxis don’t have a fixed fare or meters, so you’ll need to agree on a fare before starting your trip.
If you want to minimize your expenses, you can also use shared taxis, called transurban taxis in the south and dolmuses in the north. These operate on a fixed half-hourly timetable and accept up to eight passengers.
Car Rental
Renting cars is the most favored transportation mode for most visitors because you can explore Cyprus at your own pace and visit parts of the island that public transportation won’t reach.
That’s why there are about forty rental companies across the island.
Usually, car rental starts at around €40 per day in summer (peak season), and can be as low as €20 per day in winter. The longer the rental period is, the lower the rate for your rental car.
You’ll find plenty of petrol stations across the island, so you won’t worry about an almost empty tank while exploring Cyprus.
In case you intend exploring remote areas where you’ll find dirt roads, normal rental agreements won’t cover any damage that might happen to the car on a dirt road. So, it’s best to opt for a 4WD.
Cyprus’ small local car rental operators have a poor safety record, so it’s best to stick to international companies. I also pre-book online through Discover Cars.
It’s simple to pick up a car from Larcana Airport and there’s a gas station right next to the airport roundabout so it’s also easy to refuel before handing back cars to rental companies.
Driving tips and local insights
Rental agencies can be found in most parts of the island but mostly in holiday areas.
For instance, areas like Paphos and Agia Napa offer various renting vehicles, allowing you to choose from luxury cars to quad bikes and buggies.
However, although renting a car is definitely an excellent way to explore Cyprus, there are some essential tips to remember to navigate smoothly across the island.
For instance, if you’re under 25 years old and have less than three years of driving experience, you’re obliged to sign a special under-age insurance.
Also, it is important to familiarize yourself with road signs and local traffic rules regarding speed limits and right-of-way at intersections and be aware of the narrow and winding roads in the countryside.
If you intend to visit the north from the south, you need to let the rental agency in advance since often local firms do not allow their customers to cross the de facto border between the north and the south with their vehicles.
I haven’t found any companies on either side of the border that will let you cross the border with a rental car.
If you do find a rental agency that allows you to visit the north with your rental car, you’ll likely need to arrange insurance at the crossing point on your own.
