Getting around Cyprus
Cyprus has no railway or underground, so getting around means buses, taxis and hire cars. This page covers the two airports, the bus operators and their fares as of October 2026, and the rules of the road. Cyprus drives on the left.
Airports
The Republic of Cyprus has two international airports, both in the government-controlled south:
Larnaca International Airport
Larnaca, southeast coast
The nearer airport for Larnaca (about 5 km), Nicosia (about 50 km), Ayia Napa (about 55 km) and Protaras. Distances are approximate road figures from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism's handbook
Paphos International Airport
About 15 km east of Paphos town
The nearer airport for Paphos, Coral Bay and the Akamas peninsula. Limassol is roughly 60 km from here and 70 km from Larnaca Airport, so either airport works for it
Getting from the airport to your base
Taxis & ride-sharing
Urban & Rural Taxis
Licensed taxis wait at both airports, the ports, hotels, and town centres. Urban taxis inside a town run on a meter, while rural and intercity taxis use fixed tariffs, so agree the price before you set off. Fares are quoted in euros, with a small surcharge at night and on public holidays.
Ride-Hailing Apps
Bolt lists its ride service on its own city pages for Larnaca, where it also takes airport requests, and for Paphos. We could not confirm its coverage in villages or the mountains, so open the app to see what is available before you count on it for a trip out of town.
A Taxi for the Day
A taxi can be booked for a half or full day, which suits a loop through the Troodos wine villages if you would rather not drive on the left yourself. Agree the route, the waiting time and the total fare before you set off.
Hotel Transfers
Ask your hotel whether it arranges airport transfers and at what price, and book before you fly if you land late. Compare the quote with the scheduled shuttles: Limassol Airport Express charges €10 per adult from either airport (as listed on 9 October 2026).
Public transportation
Intercity Buses
Intercity Buses links Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos, with routes to Ayia Napa and Paralimni. Its published adult single fares run from €5 to €10, and Larnaca to Paphos costs €10 (as listed in October 2026). Timetables differ by route and by day, so check yours before you set out.
Urban Town Buses
Urban buses are run by Cyprus Public Transport (CPT) in Nicosia and Larnaca, EMEL in Limassol, Pafos Buses in Paphos and OSEA in the government-controlled Famagusta district, which covers Ayia Napa and Protaras. On CPT buses the driver issues only one-way tickets: by day €2.70 in cash or €2 with a Motion card, in force since 3 August 2026 (night fares are higher). Its other tickets are sold at CPT sales offices.
Airport Shuttle Buses
Limassol Airport Express serves Limassol from both airports for €10 per adult and €5 per child aged 3 to 12, as listed on 9 October 2026. Kapnos Airport Shuttle quoted from €13 per adult from Larnaca Airport to Ayia Napa and €15 to Protaras in June 2026; that route is seasonal, and its timetable listed no departures on 9 October 2026. From Paphos Airport, Pafos Buses routes 612 and 613 run to the Tombs of the Kings and Karavela stations for a €2 daytime single. Check the last departure that fits your flight.
Renting a car
A hire car is the simplest way to reach the Troodos mountains, the Akamas peninsula and the quieter beaches, because rural buses run at limited frequency. Cyprus drives on the left, with limits in kilometres per hour: 100 on motorways (65 minimum), 80 on other roads and 50 in built-up areas, unless a sign says otherwise.
Good to Know
- •International and local agencies have counters at both airports and in the main towns; each sets its own minimum age and deposit, so check both when you book
- •A UK photocard licence is accepted, says the UK Foreign Office; holders of a paper licence may also need an International Driving Permit
- •The Deputy Ministry of Tourism's 2022 travel planner lists UK, US, Canadian and Australian licences among those usable for six months; confirm yours with the hire company
- •Cars hired in the Republic often have no insurance cover in the north, the UK Foreign Office warns, so read the hire agreement before any Green Line crossing
- •Hire cars carry red number plates, and fuel is sold by the litre and paid in euros
Watch Out For
- •Drive on the LEFT, including at roundabouts, with speeds posted in km/h
- •Unpaved tracks in the Akamas: check that your hire agreement allows them, and note that driving any vehicle on the beaches of the Lara-Toxeftra protected area is prohibited
- •The alcohol limit: 50 mg per 100 ml of blood (22 micrograms in breath), or 20 mg for drivers licensed for less than three years, according to Cyprus Police
- •Steep, winding roads in the Troodos mountains: allow more time than the distance suggests
- •Photograph any existing damage at pick-up
Ferries & boats
A seasonal passenger ferry links Limassol with Piraeus in Greece. The operator Scandro's 2026 timetable listed sailings such as Limassol on 29 May at 13:00, arriving in Piraeus the next day at 20:00. It does not run all year, so check the current schedule. Closer to shore, boats reach the wreck, sea caves and coves that are best seen from the water:
- Coastal day cruises - boat trips with swim stops run along parts of the south coast; the harbour, the season and what is included differ by operator, so read the listing before you book
- Zenobia wreck dives - the Zenobia, a ferry that sank off Larnaca in 1980, is one of the world's most highly rated wreck dives and is reached by short boat charters from Larnaca; the official tourism listing gives the required qualification as Advanced Open Water / Boat Diver
- Blue Lagoon cruises - boats from Latchi run to the clear turquoise water of the Blue Lagoon on the Akamas peninsula, a popular swim and snorkel stop
Quick cost comparison
| Transport | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Urban bus (single) | €2.70 cash or €2 by Motion card (CPT, since 3 Aug 2026); €2 daytime (Pafos Buses, Oct 2026) | Short hops within a town |
| Bus day ticket | €6.50 daily ticket (Pafos Buses); €20 all-cities daily ticket (CPT), as listed Oct 2026 | Several rides in one day |
| Intercity bus (one way) | €5 to €10 adult single (Intercity Buses, Oct 2026) | Budget travel between towns |
| Taxi (urban, metered) | From around €4 plus distance | Convenience around town |
| Car hire | Varies by season and car class; compare dated quotes | Exploring Troodos and quieter beaches |
| Airport shuttle bus | €10 to Limassol (Oct 2026); from €13 to Ayia Napa and €15 to Protaras in season (Kapnos, June 2026) | Low-cost airport transfers |
Need more travel tips?
Next: etiquette, tipping, SIM cards and what to pack for Cyprus, on the local tips page.