Driving and Public Transport

Out and about

Having access to a car in Cyprus is invaluable given the lack of public transport on the island but thankfully driving is quite easy here. Everyone drives on the left and much of the rules and regulations are the same as those in the UK.

Stay safe on the road:

European driving licenses are officially recognised in Cyprus.
Keep to the speed limits: up to 100 km/h (60 mph) on motorways, 80 km/h (50mph) on regional road and 50 km/h (30 mph) in built up areas unless signposted otherwise.
Don’t drink and drive - drink driving regulations are strictly enforced with heavy on the spot fines and points on your licence.
Driver and all passengers, front and rear, must wear seat belts.
Children under 5 years must never sit in the front passenger seat and from 5 – 10 they can only sit in the front if an appropriate child seat belt is fitted.
It is an offence to use mobile phones when driving.

If you have any specific questions about driving in Turkey, you can find all the answers you need on an area and property tour.

Buses and taxis

There are no train services in Cyprus so if you don’t have a car, you’ll be using buses and taxis to get around. If travelling by bus, have change handy to pay the driver and you can pick up bus timetables from your nearest tourist office.

Outside of main tourist areas buses stop at 6 pm and don’t run on Sundays. However, thanks to an EU grant, there are plans to radically improved public transport systems on the island in the near future. But for now:

Urban buses connect major towns and tourist centres and run until midnight during the tourist season.
Rural bus services are not so frequent and they mostly connect smaller villages with their nearest towns. They run every day except Sundays.
Taxis are plentiful on Cyprus and an excellent alternative to buses, especially if you’re sharing the ride. It’s probably a good idea to agree the fee before you travel.
Service taxis are shared taxis, often a 4 – 8 seat minibus, providing a service between major towns and running every half hour up to 6 pm. It is recommended that you call in advance to reserve a place.

However you choose to travel in Cyprus, you’re certain to see some beautiful sights and meet some interesting people as you go.

Quick Facts:

Petrol is about half the cost of that in the UK while Diesel is even cheaper at around a third of the cost.
Road signs are in both English and Greek.
All roads on the island are toll free.
Call 112 or 199 for emergency assistance.