Why this journey needs a licensed operator
A taxi picked up outside Larnaca or Paphos arrivals is licensed in the Republic of Cyprus. Many are not permitted or insured to cross into the north. Some will drive you as far as the checkpoint and stop, leaving you to walk through the buffer zone with your luggage and find a second car on the other side, at whatever price is going and whatever hour it happens to be.
We are licensed and insured for both sides. The same car and the same driver take you the whole way, and the vehicle paperwork at the crossing is the driver's problem rather than yours.
Journey times across the line
| Route | Distance | Time | Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larnaca Airport → Nicosia | 60 km | 1 hour | Metehan |
| Larnaca Airport → Famagusta | 90 km | 1h 25 | Beyarmudi |
| Larnaca Airport → Kyrenia | 105 km | 1h 45 | Metehan |
| Larnaca Airport → İskele | 115 km | 1h 45 | Beyarmudi |
| Larnaca Airport → Esentepe | 125 km | 1h 55 | Metehan |
| Paphos Airport → Kyrenia | 195 km | 2h 45 | Metehan |
| Paphos Airport → Famagusta | 200 km | 2h 50 | Beyarmudi |
The return legs — Kyrenia to Larnaca Airport, Famagusta to Larnaca Airport, and the equivalents to Paphos — take the same time and are booked the same way. Allow for the crossing when working back from your check-in time; we build it into the pickup we quote.
What the crossing is actually like
Considerably less dramatic than it sounds. Crossing points have been open to travellers since 2003 and thousands of people use them every day. You stop, hand over your passport, it is checked and returned, and you drive on. It usually takes a few minutes.
There is no visa to buy and no fee. Your entry is recorded on a separate slip rather than stamped into the passport. Queues at Metehan can add fifteen minutes on summer weekends, which is scheduling rather than a problem.
- A valid passport for every passenger, including infants and children
- National ID cards are not sufficient for most nationalities
- Nothing else — no forms to complete in advance, no fee to pay
Hire cars are the real constraint
If you are planning to hire a car in the south and drive north yourself, check the rental agreement before you commit. Many Republic of Cyprus hire companies restrict or void insurance across the line, and some prohibit the crossing outright.
This is a genuine constraint rather than a formality, and it is the most common expensive surprise visitors hit on this island. A licensed transfer sidesteps it entirely for the airport legs; hire a car in resort afterwards if you want one for the days it is actually useful.
Frequently asked questions
Can one vehicle take me from Larnaca Airport to North Cyprus?
Yes, with an operator licensed for the crossing. The same car and driver take you from arrivals to your door in the north; the driver handles the vehicle paperwork at the checkpoint.
Can a rank taxi at Larnaca cross into the north?
Frequently not. Many are neither permitted nor insured to cross and will stop at the checkpoint, leaving you to walk across with your luggage. This route should always be pre-booked.
Do I need a visa to cross into North Cyprus?
No. Crossings have been open to travellers since 2003, there is no fee and no visa, and your entry is recorded on a separate slip rather than stamped in your passport. Every passenger needs a valid passport.
How long does the Larnaca to Kyrenia transfer take?
About 1 hour 45 minutes for roughly 105 km, including the crossing at Metehan. Famagusta is quicker at around 1 hour 25 via Beyarmudi.
Can I hire a car in the south and drive it north?
Check the rental terms carefully — many Republic of Cyprus companies restrict or void insurance across the line, and some prohibit it. It is the most common expensive surprise on the island.
Related
Get a fixed price
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.