Cyprus operates two separate transportation systems divided by the buffer zone established in 1974. The Republic of Cyprus controls the southern two-thirds of the island where Greek is the administrative language. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, controls the northern third where Turkish is administrative. No direct vehicular crossing exists for rental cars between the two areas. Pedestrian crossings opened in 2003 at specific checkpoints including Ledra Street in Nicosia and the Agios Dometios/Metehan crossing. Visitors holding valid travel documents can cross on foot or by taxi, but rental vehicles from the south cannot enter the north and vehicles from the north cannot enter the south due to separate insurance systems and international recognition issues.
The Republic of Cyprus maintains 12,901 kilometers of paved roads as of 2021 according to the Cyprus Statistical Service. The A1 motorway connects Nicosia to Limassol covering 71 kilometers. The A3 connects Limassol to Paphos spanning 65 kilometers. The A6 runs from Limassol to Paphos Airport covering 14 kilometers. The A9 links Nicosia to Astromeritis extending 17 kilometers. These motorways are toll-free and generally well-maintained with signage in Greek and English. The B roads form secondary routes connecting smaller towns. Speed limits are 100 kilometers per hour on motorways, 80 kilometers per hour on main roads, and 50 kilometers per hour in urban areas. Police enforce limits with fixed cameras on the A1 near Nicosia and mobile units on secondary roads. Fines start at €85 for exceeding limits by 1-15 kilometers per hour and increase progressively.
Driving occurs on the left side of the road, a legacy of British administration from 1878 to 1960. International driving permits from countries not party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic are required alongside national licenses. EU member state licenses are valid without additional permits. Rental agencies including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and local operators require drivers to be minimum 21 years old for basic vehicles and 25 for larger categories. A credit card deposit ranging from €300 to €1,000 depending on vehicle class is standard. Most agencies operate from Larnaca Airport and Paphos Airport. Rental rates in 2024 range from €25 daily for economy models to €80 for SUVs during off-peak months October through March. Summer months June through August see rates increase 40-60 percent due to tourism demand. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory and included in rental rates. Collision damage waiver costs an additional €12-18 daily and typically includes a €700-1,200 excess.
Fuel stations are widespread in urban areas but sparse in mountainous regions. The Troodos Mountains require planning as stations near Troodos Square close by 18:00 outside summer months. Unleaded 95 octane costs approximately €1.45 per liter as of January 2024. Diesel costs approximately €1.38 per liter. Credit cards are accepted at most stations though smaller independent operators in villages may require cash. Station density decreases significantly outside the Limassol-Nicosia-Larnaca triangle. The drive from Paphos to Polis via coastal route B7 covers 35 kilometers with one fuel station in Polis.
Parking in Nicosia requires payment Monday through Friday 08:00-18:00 and Saturday 08:00-14:00 in the old city commercial zone. Meters accept coins and payment cards with rates of €1 per hour. Limassol enforces paid parking in the city center and along the seafront promenade Monday through Saturday 08:00-19:00 at €1-2 per hour depending on zone. Larnaca operates paid zones near Finikoudes beach and the marina at €1 per hour during the same schedule. Paphos has paid parking near the harbor and archaeological sites at €0.50-1 per hour. Free parking exists in residential neighborhoods and outside commercial cores though availability varies significantly during summer evenings. Multi-story car parks operate in Nicosia near Ledra Street charging €1 per hour with daily maximums around €8.
Public bus service in the Republic of Cyprus improved substantially after a 2010 reorganization that created integrated intercity and urban networks. INTERCITY Buses operate routes connecting Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, and Ayia Napa. The Nicosia-Limassol route 65 runs every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 21:00 Monday through Friday and hourly on weekends covering 85 kilometers in approximately 90 minutes. Fare is €7 one-way or €12 return purchased from the driver. The Limassol-Paphos route 30 operates similar frequency covering 70 kilometers in 75 minutes at €7 one-way. Larnaca-Ayia Napa route 711 runs every 60 minutes from 06:00 to 19:00 covering 45 kilometers in 50 minutes at €5 one-way. All intercity buses are air-conditioned and accept cash payment to drivers. Reservations are not required or available.
Urban bus networks operate in the five main cities under different operators. Nicosia uses route numbers 1-99 operated by OSEL with flat fare €1.50 per trip valid 90 minutes including transfers. Route 30 connects the city center to Nicosia Mall running every 20 minutes. Route 31 serves the University of Cyprus from Solomos Square every 30 minutes during academic terms. Limassol operates routes 1-39 under EMEL at €1.50 flat fare. Route 30 follows the coastal road from Old Port to Amathus archaeological site every 20 minutes. Larnaca buses operated by Zenon run routes 400-450 at €1.50 fare with route 429 connecting the airport to Finikoudes every 40 minutes from 06:00 to 23:00. Paphos operates routes 600-630 through Pafiako Bus at €1.50 fare with route 615 serving Paphos Airport from the harbor area every hour. No citywide day passes exist though route-specific returns cost €2.50.
Taxis display official rates set by the Ministry of Transport. Urban taxis charge €3.89 flag fall daytime Monday through Friday plus €0.73 per kilometer. Night rate from 20:30 to 06:00 and all day Sunday increases flag fall to €4.36 and per-kilometer to €0.85. Waiting time costs €14.97 per hour prorated. Airport pickups add €4 surcharge at both Larnaca and Paphos. Luggage exceeding hand baggage size adds €0.85 per piece. Meters are mandatory and functional in all licensed vehicles identified by taxi signs and registration plates beginning with T. Urban taxis operate within city boundaries only. A ride from Larnaca Airport to Larnaca city center covering 8 kilometers costs approximately €15 daytime. Travel from Paphos Airport to Paphos harbor covering 16 kilometers costs approximately €25 daytime.
Rural taxis or service taxis called Travel Express and Kyriakos operate fixed routes between cities carrying up to 8 passengers. These depart when full rather than on fixed schedules. Travel Express runs Nicosia-Limassol for €10 per person with pickups from hotels or addresses within city limits if booked by phone at +357-7777-7474. Kyriakos operates similar service Limassol-Paphos-Polis at €9 Limassol-Paphos and €12 Paphos-Polis booked at +357-9669-6969. These services run approximately 06:00-19:00 daily and require advance booking minimum one hour. Passengers share vehicles with others heading the same direction.
Ride-hailing services Bolt and Uber-equivalent local app nTaxi operate in Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca. Bolt requires the mobile application and payment by card with rates approximately 15-20 percent below metered taxis. Availability in smaller cities Paphos and rural areas is limited. The nTaxi app connects to licensed taxi drivers and uses meter rates but allows advance booking and card payment through the platform.