Getting Around In Larnaca

There are three ways to get around Larnaca. The public bus system is cheap and effective, covering almost everywhere you would want to go. The buses conveniently run quite late during the summer season to accommodate tourists. Private and shared taxis are the other options. They are both fairly cheap and private taxis run 24 hours; however, since Larnaca is such a thin sliver of a town, you will find that it is easy to simply walk to most places you want to go, with the seaside promenade being a particularly pleasant place for an evening stroll.

By bus

Public buses are the cheapest form of transportation in Larnaca. The buses operate every 30 minutes and cover an extensive network of routes. Intercity buses are also available to towns such as Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos. The buses typically run until 18:30 or 19:30, depending on the time of year, and the services are often extended until midnight during the summer in certain tourist areas.

Taxis

Private taxis are on call 24 hours and are quite cheap if you are travelling within the town. You can hail a taxi from the street or call for one to pick you up. By law, taxi drivers must display and use a meter; however, some of them refuse to do so. If this is the case, make sure you settle on the fare before starting your journey.

Shared taxis are another useful transportation option for getting around between the main towns on the island. They can accommodate from four to seven passengers and are cheap and fast. Seats must be booked by telephone, but you can embark and disembark anywhere within the town. These shared taxis, sometimes called service taxis, run every 30 minutes Monday through Saturday from 05:45 to 18:30. On Sundays, the service is very limited and must be reserved a day in advance. Contact Acropolis Vasos (tel: +357 04 655 555) for a reservation or information.

From the airport

There are a couple of transportation options for getting from the airport into town. The easiest and most convenient is to simply hire a private taxi, which can be found outside the Arrivals Hall. Taxis are available 24 hours and the trip to most destinations in Larnaca should not take more than 15 minutes. There is a board in the Arrivals Hall which displays the fares to major destinations around town. Shared taxi and minibus transport can also be arranged by calling Cyprus Airport Transfers (tel: +357 026 323 422) or Acropolis Transport (tel: +357 246 22000).

Public buses are available to take you into town between 06:30 and 16:00. Bus number 21 connects the airport with the city centre, but there are no buses on Saturday afternoons or on Sundays. Many of the nicer hotels have free shuttle services for their guests. Contact your hotel to see if they offer this service. Driving into Larnaca can be accomplished by simply taking the motorway, which leads right into the city centre.