Larnaca is the airport most visitors to Cyprus fly into, and it is a better airport than many in Europe. The terminal looks good, the jet bridges make getting off the plane easy and the SKALA lounge is decent. What holds it back is passport control on arrival and security on departure, where long queues and old equipment still shape how the journey feels. This guide covers both, with the waiting times we have had, what the airport and the government say, and which airlines we would choose to fly in on.
Just landed, or about to? Book a private transfer that tracks your flight with KiwiTaxi (affiliate link), and if you plan to drive, book your hire car before you land. You can compare the main suppliers at Larnaca with Auto Europe (affiliate link), and a car waiting for you takes some of the sting out of a slow arrival.
Is Larnaca Airport Good?
Yes, with two clear caveats. As a building and as a place to arrive, it compares well with many airports in Europe. The terminal looks good, the walk from the aircraft is short when you are given a jet bridge, and there is a proper lounge for anyone who wants one.
The caveats are the queues. On arrival, passport control is still disorganised, and in the EU lane we have occasionally waited up to an hour, most recently in September. On departure, security is slow and the equipment is old. Liquids come out of the bag, every piece of technology comes out of the bag, and the line moves at the pace of a checkpoint built for fewer passengers than now use it.
That last point explains most of what follows. The terminal opened in 2009, designed for 7.5 million passengers a year. In 2025 it handled about 9.9 million, roughly 14% more than the year before. A major expansion is under way to close that gap, and until it arrives Larnaca is a decent airport that still has a long way to go before it counts as modern.
At a Glance
- Good for: arriving by jet bridge, a comfortable lounge, a terminal that looks well kept and a short drive into Larnaca town.
- Less good for: anyone with a tight connection, anyone who dislikes queues, and travellers who expect the newer security systems found at more modern airports.
- What stood out: the jet bridges and gates, and the SKALA lounge, which is a clear step up from the Aspire lounge it follows.
- What lets it down: arrivals passport control and departure security.
Larnaca Airport in Numbers
The terminal at Larnaca opened on 7 November 2009 and is run by Hermes Airports. It sits about 4 km southwest of Larnaca town and has a single runway of 3,000 metres. It was designed for 7.5 million passengers a year, according to Airport Technology, and it has 16 jet bridges, a figure that is also given by Wikipedia.
In 2025 Larnaca handled about 9.91 million passengers, 14% up on 2024, while Paphos handled about 3.84 million, up 5%, according to Routes Online. That puts Larnaca about a third above the capacity the terminal was designed for, and it is the root of most of the problems described below. Our guide to getting around Cyprus explains how the two airports fit into a trip.
The Terminal and the Jet Bridges
Larnaca has a single passenger terminal. Check in is on Level 2, arrivals are on the ground floor and taxis wait outside the arrivals hall. Beyond security, duty free, food and drink and the lounges are all in the same airside area.
The airport looks good, and for a small country it has decent jet bridges and gates to the planes. That makes getting off the aircraft comfortable. When your flight is given one of the 16 jet bridges you walk from the cabin straight into the terminal, with no steps and no bus. It sounds like a small thing, and it becomes a bigger one after a long flight or in the August heat.
Even so, the airport feels as though it could do with an upgrade. The building is not the problem. The processes inside it are, and they are covered below.
Arriving at Larnaca: Passport Control
What We Have Experienced
Passport control is the biggest weakness at Larnaca, and it is still very disorganised. In the EU lane we have occasionally had to wait up to an hour. The most recent bad wait was in September, on the trip before our latest arrival.
The wait varies from one arrival to the next, and that unpredictability is part of the problem. You cannot plan a pickup, a hotel check in or a meeting around a queue that might take a few minutes or might take an hour.
What the Airport and the Government Say
The official picture is more flattering. After complaints about long queues in September 2024, Hermes said its electronic monitoring showed waits were mostly within agreed limits, although passport control had at times stretched to 25 minutes against an ideal of 15, according to Cyprus Mail. The transport minister, Alexis Vafeades, acknowledged that understaffing had caused inefficiencies and pointed to record passenger numbers. Those figures date from 2024. We can only report what we have stood in, which is up to an hour in the EU lane.
The Non EU Queue
We have only heard about the non EU queue second hand, and what we hear is that it can be much longer. In 2024 the complaint ran the other way. EU passengers said they were queuing longer than arrivals from outside the EU, and the minister promised new rules to separate the two flows so that EU citizens could be processed faster. If you arrive on a non EU passport, allow generous time and treat any published average with caution.
Why It Is Slow
Several things stack up. Arriving passengers use automated kiosks, and anyone whose automated check fails is sent to an immigration officer, as Cyprus Mail describes. In 2024 reports described a second manual check after the kiosk, with immigration police comparing the printout against the passport photo.
Staffing is the other recurring explanation. The minister put some of the delays down to understaffing, and the ministry later acknowledged staffing challenges at security and baggage claim. Underneath it all is the capacity gap, with a terminal designed for 7.5 million passengers now handling close to 10 million.
Schengen and the Entry Exit System
Cyprus is in the EU but not yet in the border free Schengen area, so flights between Cyprus and Schengen countries still involve an external border check. The EU’s Entry Exit System now runs at the external borders of 29 participating countries, but Cyprus does not yet operate it, so visitors from outside the EU are processed under national rules. ETIAS, the new travel authorisation, was not operating at the time of writing. Our guide to whether Cyprus is in the Schengen area explains what that means for your trip.
How to Handle It
- Do not book anything tight after landing. A pickup at a fixed time, a hotel check in deadline or a meeting on the day you land can all be undone by a long queue.
- Pre book a transfer that tracks your flight. The driver then waits for you, instead of you hurrying to meet a fixed time. KiwiTaxi, GetTransfer and Welcome Pickups all offer airport transfers (affiliate links). Check that flight tracking is included before you pay.
- Get to passport control quickly. A full aircraft arrives in the hall at the same moment, and every minute spent on the way is a place further back in the line.
- Look at the Express Lane. In arrivals it sits before the border control kiosks, although the booking terms do not guarantee a queue free passage. More on that below.
Departures: Security
What We Have Experienced
Security is still a massive bottleneck at Larnaca. Departure security is extremely slow, and the systems are very old. Liquids come out of the bag, and so does all your technology. Liquids must still be in containers of 100 ml or less.
The contrast is with airports that have upgraded their security. Newer scanners let passengers leave water and laptops in their bags, and the difference in time and in stress is considerable. Compared with those airports Larnaca is very much behind, and Cyprus clearly has a long way to go.
What the Official Figures Say
The ministry tells a different story. For July and August 2024 it said that nearly 99% of passengers at Larnaca were through security in under 10 minutes, as reported by Cyprus Mail. That does not match our experience of departures, and once again we can only report what we have seen. The same report records the ministry acknowledging staffing challenges at security.
What Is Changing
The expansion now under way includes a new passport control and security clearance area, according to Hermes Airports. Until it opens, plan around the current checkpoint.
Making Security Easier
- Pack for the tray. Keep liquids in containers of 100 ml or less and your laptop and other electronics at the top of the bag, so they come out in one move.
- Arrive early. The airport suggests two hours before short haul flights and three hours before longer ones, and airline deadlines take priority. Given what we have seen at security, we would not cut it finer.
- Use the boarding pass gates. Larnaca has e gates that scan your boarding pass before security. They are not passport gates and not a paid fast track.
Express Lane and Fast Track
Hermes sells a service called Express Lane at Larnaca. Online pre booking for departures starts from €6 per passenger, including children and infants, and gives a separate queue to the security search. In arrivals it sits before the border control kiosks. The booking terms say security procedures are unchanged and that a queue free passage is not guaranteed.
Aegean sells Larnaka Fast Track for €6 on Aegean and Olympic Air flights and includes it for eligible business class and status passengers. Check whether your fare already includes it before you pay. Priority check in and lounge access do not automatically include fast track security. The details are in a Cyprus Mail report on the fast track puzzle.
The SKALA Lounge
SKALA, often spelled Skala or Scala, is the main business lounge at Larnaca. It is on the third floor, open 24 hours, and was opened in 2024 by SSP in partnership with Cyprus Airports F&B, as Future Travel Experience reported. We think it is a decent lounge.
The Space
The big gain is space. It is an open lounge with room to spread out, and it is a definite upgrade on the previous Aspire lounge, which was not terrible but was extremely dated. The operator says it seats 400 people, 80 of them outdoors, with power and USB at every seat, a quiet work area, a family zone with games consoles and views over the runway and the Larnaca salt lake.
The Food and Drink
The food is the weak point. It is limited, and it is much the same thing every time we go. We would call it edible, and no more than that. The drink is similar. Wine and beer are included in the entry price, and the included wine is poor. For anything better than that there is a cash bar, which seems an odd choice for a lounge.
Access and Price
Hermes lists SKALA and the Aegean Business Lounge, both on the third floor, on its lounges page. Entry to SKALA comes through a range of airline tickets and lounge membership cards, or by paying at the door. A review in September 2024 on Turning Left for Less reported €35 per adult, so check the current price before you go.
Whether it is worth paying for depends on the wait. With the security queue behind you and a long wait ahead, a comfortable seat and a drink is a fair trade. With a short wait it is not.
Shops, Food and Facilities
We do not usually buy anything in the terminal. There is not a very big choice of shopping, and the retail prices seem quite expensive. Duty free and other shops, plus food and drink, are after security, and some outlets are open 24 hours.
There is free WiFi and there are ATMs in the terminal. The airside smoking area is after passport control, near Burger King. Luggage storage was priced at €10 for up to three hours, €22 for nine to 24 hours and €20 for each extra day, according to the Cyprus Mail airport guide, so confirm the price on the day. The check in area on Level 2 also has a special baggage counter and a baggage wrapping service.
Visitors from outside the EU may prefer a local data plan to roaming charges. An eSIM such as Airalo can be installed before you fly and switched on when you land (affiliate link).
Which Airlines to Fly Into Larnaca
What follows comes from the flights we have taken, and it is about delays more than seats or meals. Where an airline has published figures we say so.
Emirates
Emirates is the airline we use most, and in our view the best to fly into Cyprus. It flies daily between Dubai and Larnaca. In March 2026, when several services were suspended because of the situation in the Middle East, Hermes confirmed on 9 March that Emirates had resumed its daily Dubai route, according to its press release.
Lufthansa, British Airways and Aegean
We fly Lufthansa in and out of Cyprus, and it is a decent choice. British Airways is also decent. The Lufthansa Group also operates Austrian, Edelweiss and Eurowings flights to Cyprus. For the way in, these three are the airlines we would pick first.
Aegean is not bad. It connects Larnaca with Greece, including Athens and Thessaloniki, and it has its own business lounge on the third floor of the terminal.
Cyprus Airways
We have flown Cyprus Airways between Cyprus and Dubai a couple of times. The planes are small and quite comfortable, with two seats on one side of the aisle and three on the other, and they feel more spacious than the average aircraft because they are smaller.
The problem is reliability. It is a very unreliable airline, and it is one we would expect delays from. In July 2024 the airline said that problems with the engines on its Airbus A220 jets and late deliveries had forced it to cut frequencies, as ch-aviation reported.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air has its main Cyprus base at Larnaca and has been adding routes there, including Barcelona, Venice and Bratislava, according to Routes Online. In its own 2025 results the airline said it carried about 2.5 million passengers in Cyprus, that its on time performance in Cyprus improved by more than 10% on 2024, and that across its whole network 78% of arrivals were within 15 minutes of schedule (as reported by Cyprus Business News). Those are the airline’s own figures. Even so, Wizz Air is one of the airlines we would expect delays from, and we plan around that.
Ryanair
Ryanair’s main Cyprus base is Paphos, where it flies to more than 25 destinations, but it also flies from Larnaca, for example to Vienna. It is another airline we would expect delays from. Where there is a choice we would pick a different carrier, and where there is not, we would build in extra time.
The Short Version
- Our first choices for the way in: Emirates, Lufthansa and British Airways.
- Not bad: Aegean.
- Expect delays: Cyprus Airways, Wizz Air and Ryanair, whether you land at Larnaca or at any other airport.
If Your Flight Is Very Late
Passengers who arrive at least three hours late may be entitled to compensation of €250, €400 or €600, depending on the distance, unless the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. Keep your boarding pass and your booking confirmation, and ask the airline in writing.
Getting From Larnaca Airport to Your Hotel
Taxis operate 24 hours from outside the arrivals hall, and Bolt also serves the airport, with the pickup point and the price shown in the app when you book. Shuttle services run to the main resort areas. Bus route 425 connects the airport with central Larnaca and continues towards the Dhekelia tourist area. From 3 August 2026 the cash fare is €2.70, rising to €4.70 between 9pm and 4am.
The prices below are indicative figures published in September 2026 by Cyprus Mail, so confirm before you book.
| Destination | Shuttle | Taxi or Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Larnaca centre | Bus €2.70 | €15 to €25 |
| Ayia Napa | From €13 | €50 to €70 |
| Protaras and Pernera | €15 | €60 to €80 |
| Limassol | €10 | €70 to €90 |
| Nicosia | About €9 to €10 | €55 to €75 |
| Paphos | About €18 to €25 | €120 to €160 |
To lock in a price before you fly, get a quote from KiwiTaxi (affiliate link) for your route and compare it with the taxi range above.
Car Hire at Larnaca Airport
Most visitors will want a car, and hire desks are in the arrivals hall. Booking ahead is usually easier than queuing at a desk after a long flight, and Auto Europe (affiliate link) lets you compare the main suppliers at Larnaca side by side before you decide. Our guide to getting around Cyprus explains why a car is worth having.
If you are still deciding where to base yourself, our guides to Limassol, Ayia Napa and Protaras, Nicosia and Larnaca cover what to expect, and where to stay in Cyprus compares the regions. Remember that a long queue at passport control delays everything after it, so tell your driver or hotel that your arrival time is approximate.
Where Should You Stay and Eat Near Larnaca Airport?
Larnaca town is only about 10 minutes from the terminal, which makes it a good first or last night if you have an early flight. Our Larnaca guide covers the seafront, the old town and where to eat. For the best restaurants in the rest of Cyprus, head to Limassol (45 to 60 minutes away), where BEGE, Pyxida and Meze Taverna are our picks, or to Nicosia (40 to 50 minutes), where Henry’s is the one to book. Reviewed hotels: Amara and The GrandResort in Limassol, and Adams Beach in Ayia Napa, 40 to 45 minutes away.
Parking and Drop Off
Our Advice: Park Privately
We have used both the airport’s own car park and Park and Fly, and Park and Fly is far better. The price is not very different, but the experience is, so we do not go back to the airport’s car parks. You leave your car with them and they take you to the airport by shuttle.
The people at Park and Fly are especially nice. It is listed on Index.cy at Salaminos 12 in Larnaca, with a shuttle to and from Larnaca International Airport, and it shows a 5.0 rating on Google, although from only a handful of reviews.
Other private operators work in a similar way. Cyprus Mail checked prices in September 2026 and found Park2Fly at €5.95 a day for uncovered parking over three to ten days, and Park & Save at €40 for seven days of self park. Whichever you choose, check the price for your dates, the shuttle hours and the return arrangements before you book.
The Airport’s Own Rates
For comparison, the official car parks have these drive up rates, which took effect on 1 March 2026.
| Car Park | First 24 Hours | Each Extra Day |
|---|---|---|
| P2 short stay, uncovered | €20 | €20 |
| P1 and P3 long stay, uncovered | €12 | €8 |
| P4 long stay, covered | €17 | €15 |
| P5 long stay, uncovered | €10 | €4 |
On those published rates seven days in P4 comes to about €107, and the nearer short stay car park costs more again. P5 is the cheapest official option at about €34 for seven days, so compare the total for your dates before you decide. All official parking is self park, and online booking through the official portal may be cheaper and generally has to be made at least two hours ahead.
Drop Off
Drop off at the departures kerb has been a pressure point. In 2024 the congestion was blamed partly on people parking and walking passengers inside instead of dropping them off. Allow extra time on the road, and say goodbye at the kerb.
The Airport Expansion
Hermes Airports is investing more than €170 million across Larnaca and Paphos in a second phase of works. At Larnaca the plan covers about 20,000 square metres, with a new wing of departure and arrival gates connected to the main terminal, more baggage claim belts, a new passport control and security area, larger commercial areas and more aircraft parking. Capacity will rise to 12.4 million passengers a year, according to Hermes.
The Larnaca works were expected to take 30 months, and with the financing completed in March 2025 that points to around the end of 2027, as Fast Forward notes. The new passport control and security areas are the parts that matter most to travellers, and we will update this guide when they open. We would not plan a trip around that date.
Practical Tips
- Check your flight before you leave. Events beyond the airport’s control can disrupt schedules. In early March 2026 many European services and Emirates were temporarily suspended because of the situation in the Middle East, and Hermes announced on 9 March that connectivity had been restored.
- Book your hire car ahead. Comparing suppliers through Auto Europe (affiliate link) before you fly is easier than doing it at a desk after a long flight.
- Park privately. We have used both, and Park and Fly is far better than the airport’s own car park for a similar price.
- Keep your passport and boarding pass easy to reach. You will need both several times before you reach the gate.
- Do not rely on the lounge to fix a bad queue. SKALA is after security, so you only reach it once you have been through the checkpoint.
- Do not count on the lounge for a proper meal. The food is limited and edible at best.
- Build slack into your first day. If you are moving here, our guides to moving to Cyprus and living in Limassol cover what comes after the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Passport Control Take at Larnaca?
It varies. In the EU lane we have occasionally waited up to an hour, most recently in September. The airport’s own monitoring showed waits of up to 25 minutes in 2024.
How Early Should I Arrive for a Flight From Larnaca?
The airport suggests two hours for short haul flights and three hours for longer ones. Given how slow security can be, we would not cut that finer.
Can I Hire a Car at Larnaca Airport?
Yes, there are hire desks in the arrivals hall. Booking ahead is easier, and Auto Europe (affiliate link) lets you compare the main suppliers before you travel.
Where Should I Park at Larnaca Airport?
We have used both the airport’s own car park and Park and Fly. The price is not very different, but Park and Fly is far better, with a shuttle to and from the airport and very friendly staff. It is the one we would single out.
Does Larnaca Airport Have Jet Bridges?
Yes, 16 of them. When your flight is given one, you walk from the aircraft straight into the terminal.
Can I Leave Liquids and Laptops in My Bag at Security?
On our departures, no. Liquids and all technology have to come out of the bag, and liquids must be in containers of 100 ml or less.
Is the SKALA Lounge Worth It?
It is a decent, open lounge and a definite upgrade on the Aspire lounge. The food is limited and the included wine is poor, so it is worth it mainly if your ticket or card includes entry or you have a long wait.
Which Airlines Are Best for Flying Into Larnaca?
In our experience Emirates, Lufthansa and British Airways, with Aegean not bad. We would expect delays from Cyprus Airways, Wizz Air and Ryanair.
Does Ryanair Fly to Larnaca?
Yes, on a smaller scale than at Paphos, where it has its main Cyprus base.
How Do I Get From Larnaca Airport to Limassol?
By taxi, which is indicatively €70 to €90, or by shuttle at around €10. A pre-booked transfer with KiwiTaxi (affiliate link) or a hire car booked through Auto Europe (affiliate link) are the other options.
How Do I Get From Larnaca Airport to Ayia Napa or Nicosia?
Ayia Napa is 40 to 45 minutes away and Nicosia 40 to 50 minutes. A taxi is roughly €50 to €70 to Ayia Napa and €55 to €75 to Nicosia, and you can pre-book either with KiwiTaxi (affiliate link).
Where Should I Stay and Eat Near the Airport?
Larnaca town is 10 minutes away. See our Larnaca guide and where to stay in Cyprus.
Is Cyprus in Schengen?
Not yet. Cyprus is in the EU but outside the border free Schengen area, which is why you still go through passport control on arrival from other EU countries.
When Will the Larnaca Airport Expansion Finish?
The works were expected to take 30 months from early 2025, which points to around the end of 2027.
Final Verdict
Larnaca is a very decent airport compared with many in Europe. It looks good, the jet bridges and gates make arriving comfortable, and the SKALA lounge is a proper step up from what came before. For a small country that is a good result.
It is also an airport with a long way to go before it counts as modern. Passport control on arrival is still disorganised, with waits of up to an hour in the EU lane. Departure security is very slow, with old systems and liquids and technology still coming out of the bag. The expansion should help, and until it arrives the sensible approach is to allow extra time at both ends and choose your airline with delays in mind.
As with every review, our experience comes first and the research sits alongside it. For more on how we work, see how we review hotels and restaurants in Cyprus.