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Cyprus

EU citizens visa-free; Schengen visa not valid (Cyprus not in Schengen)

Overview

Cyprus is an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, located south of Turkey and west of Syria and Lebanon. As a popular year-round destination, the island attracts millions of visitors annually for its beaches, archaeological sites, and Mediterranean climate.

The Republic of Cyprus operates two international airports: Larnaca (LCA) on the southeast coast and Paphos (PFO) on the southwest coast. Both airports handle significant tourist traffic, with Larnaca serving as the main gateway for most international flights.

Cyprus is an EU member state but notably not part of the Schengen Area. This means Schengen visas are not valid for entry, and travelers need to check Cyprus-specific visa requirements. The island has been divided since 1974, with the northern part under Turkish Cypriot administration. Ercan Airport (ECN) in the north is only accessible via Turkey.

Major Airports

International Airports

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
LCA	Larnaca	Main international gateway	Cyprus Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet
PFO	Paphos	Resort/tourist gateway	Ryanair, Jet2, TUI

Larnaca International Airport (LCA)

Cyprus's main airport, handling approximately 90% of the island's air traffic. Located 4 km southwest of Larnaca city and about 50 km from Nicosia. The airport has a single terminal with modern facilities.

Connections: Direct flights to most European capitals, Middle East, and Russia
Airlines: Cyprus Airways (flag carrier), Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Aegean, Emirates, Gulf Air
Ground transport: Buses to Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol, Ayia Napa; taxis; car rental

Paphos International Airport (PFO)

Secondary airport serving the western resort areas. Located 6 km southeast of Paphos. Primarily handles charter flights and low-cost carriers serving the tourist market.

Connections: UK, Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe
Airlines: Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, Wizz Air
Ground transport: Buses to Paphos, Limassol; taxis; car rental

Note on Ercan Airport (ECN)

Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus is only accessible via Turkey and is not recognized by international aviation authorities. Flights from/to ECN must transit through Turkish airports. Most travelers should use LCA or PFO.

Airlines

Flag Carrier

Cyprus Airways — Relaunched in 2017 after the original carrier ceased operations in 2015. Operates from Larnaca to European destinations including Athens, Heraklion, Tel Aviv, Beirut, and select seasonal routes.

Major Airlines Serving Cyprus

Low-cost carriers dominate the Cyprus market:

Ryanair — Largest carrier at both LCA and PFO. Routes across Europe
Wizz Air — Extensive network from Larnaca to Central/Eastern Europe
easyJet — UK connections
Jet2 — UK leisure routes, mainly to Paphos

Full-service carriers:

Aegean Airlines — Athens hub connections
British Airways — London Heathrow to Larnaca
Emirates — Dubai connection from Larnaca
Gulf Air — Bahrain connection
Lufthansa — Frankfurt connection

Entry Requirements

EU/EEA Citizens

Visa-free entry with valid passport or national ID card
No time limit on stays
Right to work and reside

UK Citizens (Post-Brexit)

Visa-free for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Valid passport required (ID cards no longer accepted)
Must have at least 3 months validity beyond planned departure

Non-EU Citizens

Important: Cyprus is not in the Schengen Area. A Schengen visa does not grant entry to Cyprus.

Visa-exempt countries: US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others can stay up to 90 days
Visa-required countries: Apply at Cyprus Embassy or Consulate
Check the official visa information for your nationality

Passport Requirements

Valid passport or ID card (EU citizens)
Passport validity: 3 months beyond intended stay (non-EU)
Blank pages not typically required

Customs

EU duty-free allowances apply for goods from outside EU
No currency declaration required for amounts under 10,000 EUR

Official information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Getting Around

Domestic Flights

There are no scheduled domestic flights within the Republic of Cyprus. The island is small enough (about 240 km east-west) that ground transport is practical for all journeys.

Buses

The primary public transport option:

Intercity Express Buses: Connect major cities (Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos)
Frequency: Hourly services between main cities
Journey times: Larnaca-Nicosia (45 min), Larnaca-Limassol (45 min), Limassol-Paphos (1 hour)
Cost: Affordable (2-7 EUR intercity)

Operator: Cyprus Public Transport

Car Rental

Recommended for exploring Cyprus:

Major rental agencies at both airports and cities
Drive on the left (British-style)
International driving license not required for most nationalities (EU, UK, US licenses accepted)
Well-maintained road network
Minimum age typically 21-25

Taxis

Available at airports and cities
Not metered for long distances—agree fare in advance
Airport to city center: LCA to Larnaca ~20 EUR, LCA to Nicosia ~50 EUR

Crossing to the North

The Green Line dividing Cyprus can be crossed at several checkpoints. EU citizens need only an ID card or passport. Check current regulations before crossing.

Best Time to Visit

Peak Season (June-August)

Hottest and busiest period. Temperatures reach 35-40°C. Beach resorts fully booked, highest prices. Book flights and accommodation well in advance.

Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October)

Best overall value. Warm weather (20-28°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Ideal for sightseeing and beach activities. Flights 20-30% cheaper than peak.

Off-Season (November-March)

Mild winters (10-17°C), occasional rain. Lowest prices. Good for:

Cultural tourism and archaeological sites
Hiking in Troodos Mountains
Winter sun escape from Northern Europe

Climate Overview

Season	Temperatures	Conditions
Summer (Jun-Aug)	28-35°C	Hot, dry, peak beach season
Autumn (Sep-Nov)	20-28°C	Warm, occasional rain late Nov
Winter (Dec-Feb)	10-17°C	Mild, wettest months
Spring (Mar-May)	15-25°C	Pleasant, wildflowers bloom

Top Destinations

Cities and Regions

Destination	Nearest Airport	Known For
Larnaca	LCA (4 km)	Beaches, salt lake, Hala Sultan Tekke
Nicosia	LCA (50 km)	Capital, divided city, museums, old town
Limassol	LCA (70 km)	Largest resort city, wine region, marina
Paphos	PFO (6 km)	UNESCO sites, Tombs of Kings, mosaics
Ayia Napa	LCA (50 km)	Beach resorts, nightlife, Cape Greco
Troodos Mountains	LCA or PFO	Hiking, Byzantine churches, winter skiing

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cyprus has three UNESCO sites:

Paphos — Roman mosaics, Tombs of the Kings, ancient ruins
Painted Churches of Troodos — Byzantine mountain churches with frescoes
Choirokoitia — Neolithic settlement

Beach Resorts

Ayia Napa/Protaras — Crystal-clear waters, family beaches, nightlife
Limassol — Long beach promenade, upscale resorts
Paphos — Mix of beaches and archaeology
Coral Bay — Popular beach near Paphos

Travel Tips

Money

Currency: Euro (EUR / €)
Cards: Widely accepted in tourist areas, smaller villages may prefer cash
ATMs: Available in all towns and airports
Tipping: 10% at restaurants, round up for taxis
Tax: VAT included in displayed prices

Electrical

Voltage: 230V / 50Hz
Plug type: Type G (UK-style three rectangular pins)
Adapters: Travelers from continental Europe, US, and Australia need adapters
Note: Some hotels provide multi-type outlets or adapters on request

Connectivity

Mobile: Major EU roaming applies for EU citizens
SIM cards: Available at airports and shops (Cyta, Epic, Primetel)
eSIM: Supported by carriers
WiFi: Free at hotels, cafes, and public areas

Language

Greek: Official language in the south
Turkish: Official language in the north
English: Widely spoken, especially in tourist areas (legacy of British rule)