Cyprus Guide

Transportation in Cyprus

 

Available modes of transport are by road, sea, and air. Of the 10,663 km (6,626 mi) of roads in the government controlled area as of 1998, 6,249 km (3,883 mi) were paved, and 4,414 km (2,743 mi) were unpaved. As of 1996 the Turkish occupied area had a similar ratio of paved to unpaved, with approximately 1,370 km (850 mi) of paved road and 980 km (610 mi) unpaved. Cyprus is one of only four EU nations in which vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road, a remnant of British colonisation, the others being Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom.

Motorways:

  • A1 Nicosia to Limassol
  • A2 connects A1 near Pera Chorio with A3 by Larnaca
  • A3 Larnaca to Agia Napa
  • A5 connects A1 near Kofinou with A3 by Larnaca
  • A6 Pafos to Limassol
  • A9 Nicosia to Astromeritis
  • Nicosia to Kyrenia
  • Nicosia to Famagusta
  • Nicosia to Morphou
  • Kyrenia to Iskele


In 1999, Cyprus had six heliports and two international airports: Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport. Nicosia International Airport has been closed since 1974 and although Ercan airport was still in use for direct flights from Turkey and indirect flights from some European Countries.

Per capita private car ownership is the 5th highest in the world. In 2006 extensive plans were announced to improve and expand bus services and restructure public transport throughout Cyprus, with the financial backing of the European Union Development Bank. In 2010 the new revised and expanded bus network got implemented.

The main harbours of the island are Limassol harbour, Larnaca harbour, Kyrenia Harbour and Famagusta harbour which service cargo, passenger, and cruise ships.

Transportation in North Cyprus:

Direct flights to Northern Cyprus and the trade traffic through the Northern Cypriot ports are restricted as part of the embargo on Northern Cypriot ports. The airports of Geçitkale and Ercan are only recognised as legal ports of entry by Turkey and Azerbaijan. The seaports in Famagusta and Kyrenia have been declared closed to all shipping by the Republic of Cyprus since 1974. By agreement between Northern Cyprus and Syria, there is a ship tour between Famagusta and Latakia, Syria. Since the opening of the Green Line Turkish Cypriot residents are allowed to trade through Greek Cypriot ports.

Naturalised citizens of Northern Cyprus or foreigners carrying a passport stamped by Northern Cyprus authorities may be refused entry by the Republic of Cyprus or Greece, although after the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU such restrictions have been eased following confidence-building measures between Athens and Ankara[citation needed] and the partial opening of the UN controlled line by Northern Cyprus authorities.[citation needed] The Republic of Cyprus also allows passage across the Green Line from the south of Nicosia, as well as a few other selected crossing points, since Northern Cyprus does not leave entry stamps in the passport for such visits. There are seven border crossings between Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. Since May 2004 some tourists have taken to flying to the Republic of Cyprus directly then crossing the green line to holiday in Northern Cyprus.