Cyprus – at roughly 240km (150mi) long and 100km (62mi) at its widest point – is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located 75km (46mi) south of Turkey and 800km (497mi) east of mainland Greece.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974: the Republic of Cyprus comprises roughly 59% (mainly in the south and west) and the Turkish controlled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus covers about 36% (mainly the north); about 4% of the island's area is covered by the UN buffer zone; the balance is taken up by the British Sovereign Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
The most convenient route to Cyprus is by air into Larnaca International Airport (LCA), which receives daily direct flights from several cities in Europe and the Middle East, with connecting flights from Asia, Australasia and North America.
Cyprus has three international airports: both Larnaca and Paphos airports offer a choice of scheduled flights from major European airlines as well as from low-cost carriers, including seasonal and charter flights.
Larnaca International Airport (LCA) is Cyprus' main international gateway and the largest of the country's two commercial airports. It is located about 4km (2.5mi) southwest of Larnaca on the southeast coast.
Paphos International Airport (PFO) is a joint civil-military public airport located 10km (6mi) southeast of Paphos. Paphos Airport is commonly used by visitors to western Cyprus, including Paphos and the popular resorts of Coral Bay (6km north of Paphos) and Limassol (50km southeast of Paphos).
Ercan International Airport (ECN) is the primary civilian airport of the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It is located about 13km (8mi) east of North Nicosia, near the village of Kirklar.
By sea, both Larnaca and Limassol are favourite ports-of-call for several cruise lines.
The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
From United Kingdom: British Airways and easyJet offer the most convenient scheduled daily flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
London to Cyprus is 4 hrs 35 min, direct flight
Manchester to Cyprus is 4 hrs 50 min, direct flight
From Greece: Olympic Air offers the most convenient scheduled daily flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Athens to Cyprus is 1 hr 40 min, direct flight
From United Arab Emirates: Emirates offers the most convenient scheduled daily flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Dubai to Cyprus is 4 hrs 15 min, direct flight
From Germany: Eurowings, Condor Flugdienst, Lufthansa, TUIfly and easyJet offer the most convenient flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Dusseldorf to Cyprus is 3 hrs 55 min, direct flight
Frankfurt to Cyprus is 3 hrs 40 min, direct flight
Munich to Cyprus is 3 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Berlin to Cyprus is 5 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Hamburg to Cyprus is 5 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
From France: Lufthansa offers the most convenient scheduled flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Paris to Cyprus is 5 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
From Ireland: British Airways, Aer Lingus and Ryanair offer the most convenient flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Dublin to Cyprus is 6 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
From United States: American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa and British Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Larnaca International Airport – Glafcos Clerides (LCA), Cyprus.
Atlanta to Cyprus is 15 hrs, connecting flightˆ
Boston to Cyprus is 12 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Cyprus is 13 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Cyprus is 14 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
New York to Cyprus is 12 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Los Angeles to Cyprus is 15 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
San Francisco to Cyprus is 15 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Air Transit, Easyjet, Lufthansa and British Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Toronto to Cyprus is 12 hrs 15 min, connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Cyprus is 11 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Cyprus is 14 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
From Australia: Qantas and Emirates offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Adelaide to Cyprus is 19 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
Brisbane to Cyprus is 21 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Sydney to Cyprus is 21 hrs, connecting flightˆ
Melbourne to Cyprus is 20 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
Perth to Cyprus is 17 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
From New Zealand: Qantas and Emirates offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Auckland to Cyprus is 23 hrs 40 min, connecting flightsˆ
From Singapore: Emirates and Qatar Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
Singapore to Cyprus is 14 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Larnaca International Airport (LCA) is located about 4km (2.5mi) southwest of Larnaca, 49km (30mi) from Nicosia, 70km (43mi) from Limassol, 46km (28mi) from Ayia Napa and 139km (86mi) from Paphos.
Taxi: Taxis are available 24 hours a day to and from Larnaca International Airport. The taxi booking office is located at the exit of the Arrivals Hall. Journey time to Larnaca city centre is approximately 15 minutes. Fares starts at €9 for daytime tariffs and €11 for night-time tariffs.
Shuttle: A shuttle bus system operates to and from Limassol, Nicosia, Protaras, Paralimni and Ayia Napa.
Kapnos Airport Shuttle (tel: +357 24 008 718; www.kapnosairportshuttle.com) and Limassol Airport Express (tel: +357 9777 9090; www.limassolairportexpress.eu) offer minibus transport. Fares to Larnaca and Limassol from the airport start at €9.
The Limassol Airport Express bus from Limassol to Larnaca Airport does not run from the tourist areas after 19:45 on Saturday and Sunday.
Bus: Local buses are also available at the airport to various locations in Larnaca.
Car hire companies at Larnaca International Airport include Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Sixt. Desks for these providers are located in Arrivals after exiting Baggage Reclaim.
Money: There is a local bank branch on level 2 of Departures, near the Check-in area, which can provide foreign exchange. There are also two ATM’s near the bank.
Food: There is a café in the public concourse as well as a bar, multiple restaurants and coffee shops in the Departures Hall.
Shopping: The public concourse at Larnaca International Airport includes a gift shop, bookshop and newsagent. Duty-free is available in the Departures Hall.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the airport. A post office is located on level 2 of the Terminal Building.
Other: Other facilities at Larnaca International Airport include a first aid room, breastfeeding facilities and baby changing rooms. There is also baggage storage at the Special Baggage Counter (Check-in area, Level 2) for an €8 fee for the first three hours.
The Aspire Aphrodite Executive Lounge on the third floor is open 24 hours and offers a quiet room with telephone, internet and fax services. There is also an Aegean Business lounge on the third floor.
Larnaca International Airport is equipped with intercom assistance points, adapted toilets, lifts, wheelchairs and ambulifts, as well as dedicated car parking spaces for disabled travellers.
Paphos International Airport is situated 10km (6mi) from Paphos town and 63km (39mi) from Limassol. There is a regular bus service from Paphos Harbour station to the airport, limited services also run to and from Paphos Town (Karavella) and Polis. Direct buses to and from Limassol, Nicosia and Larnaca are also available.
Private, metered taxis are available from both terminals and generally wait on incoming flights. Hire cars are also available. At Larnaca, an Intercity bus service is available.
Ercan Airport is serviced by Cyprus Turkish Airlines and Turkish Airlines receiving daily flights from Istanbul, Ankara and other cities in Turkey. It is not possible to fly direct to Northern Cyprus from any country other than Turkey.
Visitors must have a passport valid for at least three months after entry. All visitors must hold return/onward tickets and proof of sufficient funds. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Note: Visitors may be refused entry to Southern Cyprus if their passports show that they have entered the island via Northern Cyprus.
The best way to get around Cyprus is by hire car or bicycle.
Motorways and main roads in Cyprus are of a high standard, but those in small villages may lack regular maintenance. In rural regions many roads are unpaved. Roads are well-signposted and toll free. Traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road.
Several motorways link Nicosia (Lefkosia) with Limassol and Larnaka on the south coast, Pafos in the west, and Agia Napa and Protaras in the east.
There is only one motorway in Northern Cyprus, which runs between North Nicosia and Famagusta.
Driving in the Troodos Mountain range is also good, albeit with challenging narrow roads that curve around ravines.
More information about how to get around Cyprus…
Latest update: How to get to Cyprus: 24 April, 2022
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