By bus
Following reorganization in 2010, the south now has a good urban and intercity bus system. Buses are modern, usually on time, and although run by different companies in each district (Zinonas in Larnaka, OSEA in the Agia Napa/Protaras area – sometimes called “free Famagusta”, EMEL in Lemesos, OSYPA in Pafos, and OSEL in Lefkosia) fares are standard and simple: single journey €1.50, daily ticket €5, weekly ticket €20, monthly ticket €40, daily intercity €15). Each company has its own contact number and website: Lefkosia (77777755), Lemesos (77778121), Larnaka (80007744), Pafos (80005588), Gazimağusa (23819090). You can also access information about Intercity Buses and airport shuttles on 80007789, intercity-buses.com. A very useful combined website at cyprusbybus.com pulls all the information together. Rural buses, especially in the Troodos Mountains, are less frequent and less reliable.
Bus services in the north are unreliable, don’t seem to follow a timetable, will often wait until the bus is full before setting off, and are little used by visitors. Indeed, native Turkish Cypriots rarely use them either, so you’re likely to find yourself sitting next to Turkish mainland settlers or Turkish army personnel. If you decide to brave this rather chaotic system, note that fares fall into the €3–4 range.
By car and motorcycle
The best and most efficient way of getting around Cyprus is to rent a car or, if you’re not put off by their poor safety record, motorcycles, quad bikes, scooters or beach buggies. Car rental starts at around €50 per day in summer, €25 per day in winter – the longer the rental period, the lower the rate – but it’s worth prebooking and shopping around. And if you intend exploring the remoter parts of the island, it is well worth splashing out on a 4WD, especially as normal rental agreements often exclude driving on dirt roads. Petrol and diesel cost around €1 per litre, and there are plenty of filling stations. Bear in mind, though, that some may be closed in August, so it pays to keep your tank as full as you can.
Motorways (prefix “A”) and main roads (prefix “B”) are of good quality but side roads, especially in the mountains, might be unsurfaced. Visitors from the UK will feel particularly at home because driving is on the left, cars are right-hand drive, and there’s a whole host of familiar street furniture, from Belisha beacons to zebra crossings. Speed limits (strictly enforced) are as follows: motorways max 100km/h, min 65km/h. Unless otherwise indicated main roads have a limit of 80km/h; built-up areas 50km/h.
Parking is free in many villages, while town-centre car parks charge €0.50 to €3 for half a day. On-street parking in major towns is meter controlled, falling in the range €0.80–2 during office hours. Parking is free on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays.
Driving in the north is similar to driving in the south: cars keep to the left, signs are international, there are plenty of petrol stations, road signs are usually in kilometres, though sometimes in miles. Because development has been patchy, you might well come across bottlenecks where good new roads disgorge traffic onto narrow unimproved ones.
Driving tips
Contrary to popular belief, Cypriots are usually courteous drivers. However, some drive very fast, while others, especially in rural areas, drive insanely slowly. While the fatality rate on Cyprus’s roads is higher than the UK’s (particularly low) figure, it still compares well with, for example, Greece and the US.
- Alcohol limits are low – 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (compared with 80mg per 100ml in the UK) – and punishment for exceeding them severe. The only way to be sure of not falling foul of the law is not to drink at all if you’re driving.
- Children must use restraints appropriate to their height and weight. In taxis, they can use rear seat adult seat belts if that’s all that’s available. Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in front seats protected by air bags, unless the air bags have been deactivated.
- Jaywalking in towns seems to be endemic, often because the pavement is obstructed by telegraph poles, restaurant tables and chairs, eccentrically parked vehicles and so on.
- You’ll often see several people crammed onto a single moped – treat them with caution.
- Donkeys (often heavily laden) and goats can be a hazard on country roads.
- Don’t cross double lines to overtake.
- Don’t acknowledge courtesy by holding out your hand palm outwards. This is, in Cyprus as in Greece, a very rude gesture.
- For roadside assistance call the Cyprus Automobile Association (22313233). In case of accidents, call 112.
Car rental in the south
Main towns and cities are well served by rental agencies, both local and international. Those in holiday areas like Pafos and Agia Napa offer a range of vehicles in addition to cars – scooters, motorcycles, quad bikes and buggies.
Drivers under 25 who have been driving for less than three years must inform the rental agency so that special under-age insurance can be provided.
If you rent a car in the south, many companies will not allow you to cross to the north – check when arranging the rental. Where companies do allow you to cross into the north, most will not arrange insurance – you’ll need to arrange your own at the crossing point – there will be a booth where you can do this. Petsas Rent a Car will, however, arrange insurance for the north on your behalf.
Car rental in the North
Since none of the big international car rental companies covers North Cyprus, you’re limited to local firms. However, most will deliver and pick up from your hotel, or from Ercan Airport, and some now include that service for Larnaka. Note that to rent a car in North Cyprus you must be at least 25 years old.
The TRNC Rent a Car Association produces a booklet annually with advice on renting cars in the north, and the phone numbers of about forty rental companies. Otherwise, try British Rentacar or Sun Rent a Car.
