Getting Around Cyprus
Buses
There are three types of buses in Cyprus that can help you move around:
- Transurban buses that link all towns on a daily basis and with frequent routes
- Rural buses that link almost all villages with the nearest city but with limited frequency once or twice daily except Sundays.
- Urban buses that link different areas within the cities and operate frequently during daytime. In certain tourist areas, during summer period, their routes are extended till late in the evening.
Taxis
There are three types of taxi services available, covering the entire island:
- Transurban service which offers the opportunity to share a taxi with 4 - 7 other passengers. It provides connection between all major cities of Cyprus, every half an hour, from Monday to Friday starting at 06:00 in the morning until 18:00 in the evening. On Saturdays and Sundays the service finishes an hour earlier at 17:00. Seats can be booked by phone or online from the providing companies.
- Rural service operates in village areas and can only be hired from and to their base station. These taxis are not equipped with taximeters and charging is based on kilometre/tariff rate.
- Urban service is a 24hours service provided in all cities. Taxis can be booked or hired on the street. Urban taxis are obligatory provided with taximetres and charging commences upon the entering of a passenger in the taxi. Initial charge 2,35 CYP (4,01 Euro)
During the following public Holidays, taxis charge an extra supplement of 1,15 CYP (1,96 Euro) per ride: 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st December, 1st January, Good Friday, Good Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and 1st May.
The transport of pets is allowed only when they are carried in small pet-carrying boxes and the charge in such cases is 32 cents (0,54 Euro) per pet.
Car Hire
To rent a car, drivers must be in possession of a driving licence for at least three years or be aged over 25. Visitors may drive using avalid international driving licence or their national driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.
Driving
Driving in Cyprus can be enjoyable and in some cases essential as regular transport services to remote areas of interest are not always available. The minimum driving age is 18.
Fairly good surfaced roads complying within ternational traffic requirements link cities and villages. Four-lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia with the coastal cities of Lemesos, Larnaka and Pafos. Minor roads and forest roads are for the most par tun surfaced, but in good condition. Drivers should note that driving is on the left-hand side of the road, not on the right. All the international road traffic signs are in use and placed on the left-hand side of roads and highways. Distances and speed limits are posted in kilometres and kilometre/per hour (km/h) respectively. The maximum speed limit on motorways is 100 km/h and the minimum is 65 km/h. The use of seatbelts is compulsory both in the front and back, while the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited while driving. It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle or a pedal bicycle when under the influence of alcohol.
Boats
A number of short cruises sail from Cyprus with trips lasting typically between two-to-five days on board large and comfortable ships. There are also many short boat trips from and to various destinations around the island sailing from almost all marinas and fishing shelters.
