Getting to Nicosia

Nicosia is located on the Pedieos River in the centre of Cyprus. The island is tucked away in the top right hand corner of the Mediterranean and is close to Europe, Asia and Africa, acting as a stepping stone to the three continents. Cyprus has international airports at Larnaca and Paphos, which receive flights from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Taxis are available at all hours and buses connect the majority of towns and villages in Cyprus. Ferries arrive here from Athens, Crete, Patmos, Rhodes and Israel.

By car

Recent changes have meant that EU citizens can now cross the border from Northern Cyprus at official crossing points, regardless of their point of entry to the island. Those driving will likely arrive via the southern highway from Larnaca and Limassol. Hiring a car during your stay is a good option and there are reasonable surfaced roads complying with international traffic requirements that link the towns and the various villages. Four-lane motorways connect Nicosia with the coastal towns of Nicosia, Ayia Napa, Larnaca and one part of Paphos.

Minor roads and forest roads are usually kept in good condition, although they may be un-surfaced. Many mountain roads close in the winter. Driving is on the left hand side of the road, as it is in Great Britain. Note that in recent years, Cyprus has ranked among the top three European countries (per capita) for traffic fatalities. The most common causes of traffic accidents include speeding, tailgating, overtaking and a disregard for traffic lights.

By rail

There is no train system on Cyprus, but many people use the European rail network en route to the island in combination with ferries. The easiest route is to travel through Turkey, via Istanbul, to the town of Karaman. Take a bus or taxi from Karaman to Sifke and Tasucu; Sifke is the main town in the area; Tasucu is its port nearby. You can then complete the journey by ferry to Girne in northern Cyprus. Buses are available for the connection to Nicosia.

By bus

There are long-distance buses that serve most European countries but it is an exhausting way for most people to start a holiday. Buses connect the majority of towns and villages in Cyprus at a reasonable cost, and there are services between towns every day except Sunday, although they can be fairly erratic at times. Greater Nicosia sprawls for many miles so if you are looking to venture further afield then taking a bus is a good option. The city has an organised network of urban buses that is managed by the Nicosia Bus Company Ltd. All the bus routes start at the Solomos Square terminal in the centre of the city and cover all the areas of the city. Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes depending on their destination while on weekends they run less frequently. In addition, Nicosia Municipality runs its own buses, the well-known Yellow Buses that cover the city within the walls. There is no fare charge for these routes.

By air

Owing to its location, most overseas visitors choose to arrive by air. Nicosia International Airport has been closed since the partition of the country, so you will arrive either at Larnaca Airport (30min drive) or the smaller Paphos Airport (1h40m).

Larnaca International Airport has scheduled flights to many European cities. The small airport has just one terminal and can be very busy during the peak tourist season between May and November. Airport facilities include refreshments and meals provided by several cafs. An exchange bureau, newsagents and other small shops are also available. Car parking is situated in front of the terminal and is charged by the hour. There is no long-term car park. The normal way to connect to Nicosia is by taxi which can be found outside the terminal on the forecourt.

Paphos International Airport is Cyprus second international airport and is a fairly long drive from Nicosia. The single-terminal building has a limited range of facilities including a fast-food restaurant and snacks and small duty-free shops. There are ATMs and an exchange bureau located in the terminal, with the bureau de change also offering banking facilities. Short and long-term parking is available near the terminal. Taxis and service taxis are available for the transfer to the city.

By ferry

The majority of people arriving by ferry will arrive at Limassol Port, about 50 miles away. Larnaca also has a small port with a passenger terminal with ferry and cruise ship service. Passenger ferry routes operate to many other Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Israel, Egypt and the Greek Islands.

Taxis

There are many taxi companies in Nicosia and it is best to call one of them to make a reservation. There is also a taxi rank at the Eleftheria Square (City Centre) where you can find taxis twenty-four hours a day. Taxi fares are regulated by law and taxi drivers are obligated to use a meter.