Cyprus has three international airports and two administrations, which makes a Cyprus airport transfer more complicated than it looks on a map. This guide covers every airport, both sides of the island, and how to get from any of them to wherever you are actually staying.
The three airports of Cyprus
Cyprus is served by three international airports, and which one you land at determines almost everything about your transfer.
Larnaca (LCA) is the largest and busiest, on the south-east coast, taking direct flights from across Europe. Paphos (PFO) serves the west and is popular with low-cost carriers from the UK and Ireland. Ercan (ECN), in the north, handles flights connecting through Turkey and is the gateway to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
A Cyprus airport transfer from any of the three can reach any address on the island. The difference is distance, time and whether the route crosses the line between the two administrations.
Cyprus transfer times from Larnaca Airport
| Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Larnaca city | 8 km | 12 minutes |
| Ayia Napa | 45 km | 40 minutes |
| Protaras | 52 km | 48 minutes |
| Nicosia | 60 km | 1 hour |
| Limassol | 68 km | 50 minutes |
| Famagusta (north) | 90 km | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Kyrenia (north) | 105 km | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Paphos | 135 km | 1 hour 35 minutes |
Cyprus transfer times from Paphos Airport
| Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Paphos city | 15 km | 15 minutes |
| Limassol | 65 km | 50 minutes |
| Larnaca | 135 km | 1 hour 35 minutes |
| Nicosia | 150 km | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Kyrenia (north) | 195 km | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Famagusta (north) | 200 km | 2 hours 50 minutes |
Cyprus transfer times from Ercan Airport
| Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Nicosia | 20 km | 20 minutes |
| Kyrenia | 40 km | 35 minutes |
| Famagusta | 50 km | 40 minutes |
| Esentepe | 55 km | 45 minutes |
| İskele / Long Beach | 75 km | 1 hour |
| Bafra | 90 km | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Dipkarpaz | 145 km | 2 hours 5 minutes |
North or south: what changes about your transfer
A transfer entirely within the Republic of Cyprus — Larnaca to Limassol, Paphos to Ayia Napa — is a straightforward road journey on excellent motorways with no complications.
A transfer entirely within North Cyprus — Ercan to Kyrenia, Ercan to Esentepe — is equally straightforward, on shorter distances and slower but perfectly good roads.
A transfer between the two crosses a checkpoint, and that is where the rules matter. The crossing itself is quick and routine, but the vehicle must be licensed and insured for both sides. Many rank taxis in the south are not, which is why a cross-border Cyprus transfer should always be pre-booked rather than picked up outside arrivals.
How Cyprus transfer prices work
Private Cyprus transfer prices are quoted per vehicle. The saloon that carries two people to Limassol costs the same as the saloon that carries three, so the effective price per person falls as your group grows. Minibuses cost more in total and considerably less per head.
Distance is the main driver of the fare. Short transfers such as Larnaca Airport to Larnaca city or Ercan to Nicosia sit at the bottom of the range; cross-island runs such as Paphos to Kyrenia sit at the top.
What should not change the price is the hour of your flight. Landing at 3am costs the same as landing at midday. A fixed all-inclusive figure covering luggage, child seats, tolls, waiting time and door-to-door delivery is the only quote worth comparing.
Transfers, buses and hire cars in Cyprus
Cyprus has intercity buses between the main towns in the south, and they are cheap. What they are not is convenient from an airport with luggage, and they thin out badly in the evening and disappear almost entirely in the north outside the main routes.
Hire cars suit trips built around exploring — the Troodos mountains, the Akamas peninsula, the Karpaz. They do not solve arrival day, when you are tired, the desk has a queue, and the road to your resort is unfamiliar and dark.
The pattern that works for most visitors is a private transfer in and out of the airport, and a hire car collected in resort for the days it is actually useful.
Booking a Cyprus transfer: the checklist
- Book both directions at once — return transfers are cheaper and guarantee a car for an early departure.
- Give your flight number, not your landing time, so delays are tracked automatically.
- Send the exact address plus a map pin, particularly for villas and new developments.
- Count your suitcases as well as your passengers when choosing a vehicle.
- Request child seats at the time of booking — they are free but must be fitted before departure.
- Carry passports for every passenger if your route crosses between north and south.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into for Cyprus?
Larnaca for the south-east and for most direct European flights, Paphos for the west, and Ercan for North Cyprus. If you are staying in the north but find a much cheaper direct flight to Larnaca, a cross-border transfer adds about 1 hour 45 minutes to Kyrenia.
Can one transfer take me from the south of Cyprus to the north?
Yes, with an operator licensed for the crossing. The same vehicle and driver take you the whole way; the checkpoint stop normally takes a few minutes and the driver handles the vehicle paperwork.
Are Cyprus transfer prices per person?
Private transfers are priced per vehicle, so the fare is the same whether one person or four travel in a saloon. Shared shuttles are priced per seat and usually work out more expensive for groups.
How long is the transfer from Larnaca Airport to Limassol?
About 50 minutes for 68 km on the motorway. Larnaca to Ayia Napa is around 40 minutes and Larnaca to Paphos about 1 hour 35 minutes.
Is a private transfer better than a hire car in Cyprus?
For airport arrivals and departures, yes — fixed price, no queue, door to door, and no unfamiliar night driving. A hire car is worth collecting in resort if you plan to explore independently.
Book one of these transfers
Get a fixed price for your transfer
One price per vehicle, luggage and child seats included, meet and greet inside arrivals and free waiting time if your flight is late. Available 24 hours a day across Cyprus.
