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Do you need a car in Cyprus? Yes, and that is the whole answer. Cyprus drives on the left, taxis effectively do not exist outside the city centres, and public transport does not reach a single one of the places worth going.
Everything below explains why, and what to check before you pick one up.
Renting a car in Cyprus? Compare rates on DiscoverCars or check local deals with Localrent.
Getting Around Cyprus at a Glance
- Best option: a hire car, ideally an automatic.
- Drives on the: left, with right hand drive hire cars.
- Buses: link the main towns, but not the villages, mountains or the Akamas.
- Taxis: reasonable in city centres, almost nonexistent elsewhere.
- Trains: none, since 1951.
- Getting there: Larnaca Airport is the main gateway. Official taxi fares by day are 54.52 euro to Limassol centre and 42.26 euro to Ayia Napa Nissi.
How Do You Get From the Airport to Your Hotel?
Cyprus has two main airports, Larnaca on the south east coast and Paphos on the south west. Our guides to Larnaca Airport and Paphos Airport cover what to expect on arrival. Typical road journey times are below.
- Larnaca airport to Larnaca: about 10 minutes. See our Larnaca guide.
- Larnaca airport to Ayia Napa: about 40 to 45 minutes, and Protaras around 50. See our Ayia Napa and Protaras guide.
- Larnaca airport to Nicosia: about 40 to 50 minutes. See our Nicosia guide.
- Larnaca airport to Limassol: about 45 to 60 minutes. See our Limassol guide.
- Paphos airport to Paphos: about 15 to 20 minutes. See our Paphos guide.
- Paphos airport to Limassol: about an hour.
- Paphos airport to Polis and Latchi: about an hour.
- Larnaca airport to Paphos: about an hour and a half.
The official regulated taxi tariff from Larnaca Airport lists these day and night fares: Limassol centre 54.52 euro / 63.86 euro, Germasogeia 48.17 euro / 56.47 euro, Ayia Napa Nissi 42.26 euro / 49.58 euro, Lefkara 31.16 euro / 36.66 euro, Paphos Airport 93.94 euro / 109.76 euro, Paphos Coral Beach 107.08 euro / 125.06 euro and Polis 125.33 euro / 146.31 euro. There is no official figure for Nicosia or Protaras, so agree the price before you get in. For a fixed price, you can also pre-book a private transfer.
Which Side of the Road Does Cyprus Drive On?
The left. Cyprus is one of only four countries in Europe that still does, a legacy of British administration from 1878 to independence in 1960. Hire cars are right hand drive, which makes the adjustment straightforward for British and Irish visitors and genuinely disorientating for everyone else. Roundabouts are where mistakes happen, so give way to the right and take the first day slowly.
What Are the Main Road Rules?
The basics are familiar, but the penalties are real and hire companies pass fines on to you. As of 2026, the RAC summarises the key points for visitors, and you should check the current position before you travel.
- Speed limits: Limits are in kilometres per hour. The usual pattern is 50 in built up areas, 80 on many main roads and a maximum of 100 on motorways, but posted signs always override the general rule.
- Seat belts: Everyone in the car must wear one, in the front and the rear.
- Drink driving: The limit is 0.05 per cent blood alcohol, and random tests can be carried out. The safest approach is not to drink at all if you are driving.
- Phones and distractions: Using a handheld phone, and even eating or drinking at the wheel, can be fined.
- On the spot fines: Minor offences can attract fines of up to €85 on the spot, according to the RAC, with higher penalties for more serious ones.
Cyprus has no motorway tolls, which keeps the cost of crossing the island low. Child seat rules apply to young children, so confirm the requirements and the availability of seats with your hire company when you book.
Can You Get a Taxi in Cyprus?
In city centres, reasonably. Anywhere else, do not count on it. This is the thing that catches people out most. You will not hail one on the street outside the city centres, and in villages and rural areas they are effectively nonexistent. There is no meaningful network waiting to pick you up from a mountain village at ten at night.
Ride hailing apps operate in the larger cities and coverage thins fast beyond them. Plan on the basis that if you do not have a car, you are not going anywhere.
If you want to eat at one of the village tavernas and drink with dinner, pre-book a driver for the return before you set off. Our guide to the best restaurants in Cyprus flags which ones need a car or transfer.
Is Public Transport Any Use?
Only between the main towns. Intercity buses link Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia, Paphos and Ayia Napa cheaply and reasonably reliably, and local buses run along the coastal strips.
That is where it ends. No buses reach the Troodos villages, the Akamas, the archaeological sites outside the towns, or the taverns that make the island worth visiting. Services thin out sharply in the evening and at weekends. There is no railway, and there has not been one since 1951.
If you plan to use buses, check the current timetables and fares on the operators’ own websites before you travel, because routes and prices change. Pafos Buses, for example, lists a one way ticket in the Paphos district at €2.00 as of 2026. Carry small change in case the driver cannot break a large note, and allow extra time for connections, since a missed bus can mean a long wait.
What Should You Check When Hiring a Car?
Cars are widely available at both airports and in the towns, and booking ahead through DiscoverCars lets you compare the main suppliers side by side. Four things are worth checking before you drive off.
- Air conditioning: test it at the desk. Between June and September this is not a comfort question.
- Unpaved road cover: most agreements exclude dirt tracks, which means the Akamas and parts of the Paphos Forest are technically off limits. Read the policy before you drive to Lara Bay.
- Transmission: automatics are common and worth having on mountain roads, particularly if you are also adjusting to driving on the left.
- Northern cover: southern hire cars are generally not insured for the north. Separate insurance is bought at the crossing.
Hire cars carry red plates beginning with Z, which every local recognises instantly. Expect a certain amount of patience from other drivers as a result.
What Else Should You Do at the Hire Desk?
A few habits save arguments later. Photograph or film the car on all sides before you leave, including the wheels and the windscreen, and make sure every mark is written on the check sheet. Confirm the fuel policy, the excess you would pay after damage and whether a second driver is covered.
Most suppliers set a minimum age and may charge extra for younger or very new drivers, and they usually take the deposit on a credit card in the main driver’s name. Check these details at the time of booking rather than at the desk, because they differ between companies.
Want the best rental rates? Book early with DiscoverCars and compare Localrent before you pay.
What Are the Roads Like?
Fast on the motorways, slow in the mountains. Motorways between the main cities are modern and well maintained. Limits are in kilometres, generally 100 on motorways, and speed cameras are in use.
Mountain roads are a different proposition. They are narrow and winding, with drops on one side and rockfall on the other. Journey times in the Troodos run considerably longer than the map suggests, so allow an hour and a half from the coast to the higher villages rather than the hour the distance implies. Our guide to the best Troodos villages covers what is up there and why the drive is worth it.
In winter, snow falls in the Troodos above about 1,500 metres in January and February, so check conditions and the forecast before you head up. Rain can also make unsurfaced tracks muddy and slippery at lower levels, which is another reason to leave the Akamas tracks for dry days.
What About Fuel, Parking and Your Phone?
Stations are common along the coast and scarce in the mountains and the Akamas, so fill up before heading inland. Many are automated out of hours and take cards.
Parking is generally easy and frequently free outside the town centres. Limassol and Nicosia are the exceptions at peak hours. Navigation depends on mobile data, so a travel eSIM from Airalo keeps maps working from the moment you land.
Obey yellow lines and signs carefully in town centres, because parking fines are issued and the RAC lists them from €85 as of 2026. Check whether your fuel is unleaded or diesel before you fill up, since the wrong fuel can wreck an engine and will not be covered by the rental insurance.
Can You Drive to the North?
Yes, at the official crossings, including on foot at Ledra Street in Nicosia. Take your passport, check with your hire company first, and expect to buy separate insurance at the crossing. Our Nicosia guide covers it.
What Is Driving Like in Summer?
Hot enough to plan around. Cars left in direct sun become genuinely dangerous to get into, so park in shade and let the car cool before setting off. Carry water.
Break down on a mountain road or in the Akamas and you may wait a while, and phone coverage is patchy in both. Emergency services are on 112.
Who Can Skip the Car?
Anyone staying put in a single resort town, such as Paphos harbour or Ayia Napa, can manage with buses and the odd taxi. Everyone else should hire.
If you are doing a city break in Nicosia or Larnaca only, you can also get by without. The moment you want the mountains, the wine villages or a quiet beach, you need wheels. If you are not hiring a car, pick a hotel in the town you will spend most of your time in. Our guide to where to stay in Cyprus compares the regions.
Limassol is the easiest of the big towns to enjoy on foot, because its seafront promenade, the Molos, is incredible and one of the major benefits of the city. I spend my weekends in Limassol and my weekdays in Nicosia, and the two towns are close enough that the island feels small once you have a car.
What Mistakes Do Visitors Make Getting Around?
- Assuming a taxi will be available: Outside the cities, it often will not be, so book your return in advance.
- Booking a car without reading the unpaved road clause: This is the most common reason for a disputed claim in the Akamas.
- Underestimating mountain journey times: Allow longer than the map suggests and travel in daylight where you can.
- Driving after wine at lunch: The limit is low and checks are random, so arrange a driver instead.
- Forgetting to refuel before the hills: Stations thin out quickly once you leave the coast.
Planning Your Trip
The map shows current hotel prices across Cyprus for your dates.
Hotels across Cyprus
Collecting your car at the airport? See live prices on DiscoverCars and Localrent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Side of the Road Does Cyprus Drive On?
The left, a legacy of British rule. It is one of only four countries in Europe that still does.
Can You Get Around Cyprus Without a Car?
Within a resort town, yes. Beyond it, realistically no, because taxis barely exist outside the cities and buses do not reach the villages, the mountains or the Akamas.
When Should I Book a Hire Car for Cyprus?
Before you fly. Booking ahead gives more choice in summer and lets you compare suppliers at Larnaca and Paphos.
How Much Is a Taxi From Larnaca Airport to Limassol or Paphos?
The official tariff lists 54.52 euro by day and 63.86 euro at night to Limassol centre, and 93.94 euro by day and 109.76 euro at night to Paphos Airport.
How Far Are the Airports From Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos?
Larnaca airport is about 45 to 60 minutes from Limassol and 40 to 50 minutes from Nicosia, and Paphos airport is 15 to 20 minutes from Paphos.
Are Taxis Easy to Find in Cyprus?
In city centres, reasonably. Anywhere else, no, so do not plan an evening in a mountain village around finding a taxi home.
Do I Need an International Driving Permit?
EU and UK licences are accepted. Other nationalities should check the current position before travelling.
How Long Does It Take to Cross the Island?
Paphos to Ayia Napa is around two and a half hours on motorways. Most journeys are much shorter.
Is There a Train in Cyprus?
No. The railway closed in 1951 and nothing replaced it.
What Is the Drink Driving Limit in Cyprus?
The limit is 0.05 per cent blood alcohol, which is lower than in England and Wales. Random breath tests are allowed, so if you plan to drink with a meal, arrange a driver or a taxi.
Are There Toll Roads in Cyprus?
No, the motorways are free to use. You will pay only for fuel, parking and any fines you collect along the way.
Is It Safe to Drive in Cyprus?
Generally yes, although driving standards can feel less cautious than in northern Europe. Take the first day slowly, leave a safe gap on the motorway and take extra care at roundabouts and on mountain roads.
Can I Use Bolt or Uber in Cyprus?
Ride hailing and taxi apps operate in the larger towns, but availability varies by city and time of day, and coverage thins quickly in rural areas. Check which apps work in your area before you travel and keep a back up plan for late nights.
What Should I Do if My Hire Car Breaks Down?
Call the emergency number on your rental agreement first, and use 112 if there is any danger. Pull as far off the road as you can, wear a high visibility vest if you have one and wait somewhere safe.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a car is the single decision that most changes a trip to Cyprus. The difference between the resort strip and the rest of the island is about forty minutes of driving, and there is no other way to cover it.