Cyprus (CY)

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island nation and EU member state situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Capital: Nicosia

Region: Europe

Language: Greek

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 62)

Emergency: 112

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Cyprus.

Public Transport Overview

Cyprus has a limited public bus network operated by regional companies. There is NO railway or metro system. Urban buses operate in Nicosia (OSEL), Limassol (OSEA), Larnaca (OSAL), and Paphos (OSAP). Intercity buses connect the four major cities. Service frequency is low outside peak hours, and buses do not operate on Sundays or public holidays in most areas. Most expats rely on private cars.

Main operators:

OSEL — Nicosia urban busesOSEA — Limassol urban busesOSAL — Larnaca urban busesOSAP — Paphos urban busesINTERCITY BUS — inter-urban routes between Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia NapaKAPNOS AIRPORT SHUTTLE — Larnaca Airport to Nicosia/Limassol

🎫 Transit Passes

Monthly Bus Pass (Urban) €60/month (Nicosia OSEL; other cities vary)

Unlimited travel on urban buses in one city

💡 Smart card (€5 deposit) required; 30-day period ticket loaded onto card. Available at bus company offices. Limited use for most expats given infrequent service.

Intercity Day Ticket €10–15 depending on route

Return journey between major cities

💡 Book online or at bus stations. Nicosia–Limassol takes ~1 hour; Nicosia–Larnaca ~45 minutes.

Taxi & Rideshare

Taxis are widely available and English-speaking. Metered taxis in urban areas: €0.85 base + €0.73/km daytime, higher at night and on holidays. Airport taxis are flat-rate: approximately €25–35 from Larnaca Airport to Larnaca city, €45–55 to Nicosia, €50–65 to Limassol. Uber is not available in Cyprus. Use CABCY (available in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol) or nTaxi apps for booking.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

CABCY and nTaxi are the main taxi-booking apps in Cyprus, operating with licensed taxis. InDriver is also available. Uber is not licensed in Cyprus. Carpooling apps like BlaBlaCar are used for intercity travel but not common.

Cycling

Cycling infrastructure is limited outside of tourist areas. Limassol has a coastal cycling path and some dedicated lanes. Paphos has a seafront promenade suitable for cycling. Nicosia has some cycling lanes in the new city. Heat makes cycling impractical May–September. Helmet use is not legally required for adults but strongly advised. Mountain biking is popular in the Troodos area.

Intercity Trains

Cyprus has NO railway network. The last railways were dismantled in 1951. All intercity travel is by road. Intercity buses are the cheapest option; hiring a car or taking a taxi are the most convenient.

Driving

Cyprus drives on the LEFT (British colonial legacy). Steering wheels are on the right. Roads are generally good. The A1–A6 motorway network connects all major cities. Speed limits: 100 km/h on motorways, 80 km/h on secondary roads, 50 km/h in urban areas. A car is effectively essential for comfortable daily life outside city centres. Petrol prices: approximately €1.50–1.70/litre in 2026.

Airports

Larnaca International Airport (LCA) is the main airport. Paphos International Airport (PFO) serves the west of the island. Larnaca handles the majority of scheduled and charter flights. Both airports are operated by Hermes Airports. No rail link to either airport — taxis or shuttle buses are the main options.