car rental in northern cyprus
Tourists arriving in Northern Cyprus land at Larnaca Airport, in the southern part of the island. From there cross the border to the northern part of the island. The transition at the border between the southern part and the northern part is usually simple and will not take much of your time except in cases of large groups waiting to cross.
For those who prefer to land at ERCAN airport located about 40 km from the city of Famagusta in Northern Cyprus, they will travel from Israel to Istanbul and from there to northern Cyprus. We can get this stamp at Larnaca airport at the passport control after landing.
It is important to note that the most convenient way to get to Northern Cyprus is by a direct flight to Larnaca and from there a drive through the border crossings.
Driving Distances
Larnaca – Famagusta: about 55 km (about an hour by car)
Larnaca – Kyrenia: about 80 km (about an hour and a half by car)
Nicosia – Famagusta: about 75 km (about an hour and a half by car)
Nicosia – Kyrenia: about 30 km (about 42 minutes by car)
Paphos – Famagusta: about 145 km (about two hours by car)
Paphos – Kyrenia: about 170 km (about 3 hours by car)
Ayia Napa – Famagusta: about 20 km (about half an hour by car)
Ayia Napa – Kyrenia: about 105 km (about an hour and a half by car)
Famagusta – Tudor Mountains: about 140 km (about two hours drive)
Carinthia – Tudor Mountains: about 90 km (about an hour and a half drive)
Famagusta – Carpage Peninsula: about 50 km (about an hour’s drive)
Carinthia – Carpathian Peninsula: about 100 km (about an hour and a half drive)
Car Rental Requirements
You must have a valid international driver’s license and must have the license with you whenever you drive – the person who is allowed to drive the vehicle is the one who is approved and registered at the time of renting the vehicle, adding another driver must be done in an orderly manner with the rental company. Rented vehicles in Northern Cyprus have unique red license plates and are known as “Z” vehicles.
Age Restrictions
In order to rent a car in Northern Cyprus you must be aged 25 and over and with at least 5 years of driving experience. Children under the age of 5 are not allowed in the front seat.
Car Insurance
The rental companies do not allow in the rental contract to move to the north because there is no insurer insurance against car thefts. If the vehicle is stolen in the north, the tenant must pay the full price to the rental company.
If the renter of the vehicle wishes, however, to move north with the vehicle he must insure the vehicle with third party insurance at the border crossing. It is possible to take out full insurance for the period of stay.
Laws, Rules and Regulations
Driving in Cyprus is done on the left side of the road (the steering wheel on the right side) – the opposite of what is customary in Israel. The signs are usually in English.
It is important to rent a car with air conditioning, especially in the hot summer months (you can rent a car with manual or automatic transmission), if you intend to drive on dirt roads – it is advisable to rent a car that is suitable for this and avoid damage.
Car Rental Prices in Northern Cyprus are changing according to the season, type of car and number of rental days – you can pay by credit card or with foreign currencies (Euro, Pound, US Dollar and of course in Turkish Lira).
It is recommended to book in advance, especially during the busy seasons.
- Seat belts are mandatory when driving a car in Cyprus – for those caught without a seat belt, high fines are expected (the same applies to driving under the influence of alcohol).
- The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except for a hands-free system.
- Drivers must carry a valid driver’s license, registration documents and insurance documents at all times while driving and find out about the amount of Collision Damage Waiver insurance, additional payment for delay in vehicle return, handling of reports, etc.
- The headlights should be used half an hour before sunset and half an hour before sunrise.
- Gas stations in Cyprus are located mainly in the big cities only. It is important to remember to refuel before leaving the city where you are.
- There are no toll roads in Cyprus.
- Parking meters are located in the city centers and are valid for an hour. A double yellow line painted on the curb marks forbidden parking at all times. A single yellow line on the curb is a loading and unloading area but no parking. It is important to check these before parking the vehicle.
Driving Distances Larnaca – Famagusta: about 55 km (about an hour by car) Larnaca – Kyrenia: about 80 km (about an hour and a half by car) Nicosia – Famagusta: about 75 km (about an hour and a half by car) Nicosia – Kyrenia: about 30 km (about 42 minutes by car) Paphos – Famagusta: about 145 km (about two hours by car) Paphos – Kyrenia: about 170 km (about 3 hours by car) Ayia Napa – Famagusta: about 20 km (about half an hour by car) Ayia Napa – Kyrenia: about 105 km (about an hour and a half by car) Famagusta – Tudor Mountains: about 140 km (about two hours drive) Carinthia – Tudor Mountains: about 90 km (about an hour and a half drive) Famagusta – Carpage Peninsula: about 50 km (about an hour’s drive) Carinthia – Carpathian Peninsula: about 100 km (about an hour and a half drive) Car Rental Requirements You must have a valid international driver’s license and must have the license with you whenever you drive – the person who is allowed to drive the vehicle is the one who is approved and registered at the time of renting the vehicle, adding another driver must be done in an orderly manner with the rental company. Rented vehicles in Northern Cyprus have unique red license plates and are known as “Z” vehicles. Age Restrictions In order to rent a car in Northern Cyprus you must be aged 25 and over and with at least 5 years of driving experience. Children under the age of 5 are not allowed in the front seat. Car Insurance The rental companies do not allow in the rental contract to move to the north because there is no insurer insurance against car thefts. If the vehicle is stolen in the north, the tenant must pay the full price to the rental company. If the renter of the vehicle wishes, however, to move north with the vehicle he must insure the vehicle with third party insurance at the border crossing. It is possible to take out full insurance for the period of stay. Laws, Rules and Regulations Driving in Cyprus is done on the left side of the road (the steering wheel on the right side) – the opposite of what is customary in Israel. The signs are usually in English. It is important to rent a car with air conditioning, especially in the hot summer months (you can rent a car with manual or automatic transmission), if you intend to drive on dirt roads – it is advisable to rent a car that is suitable for this and avoid damage. Car Rental Prices in Northern Cyprus are changing according to the season, type of car and number of rental days – you can pay by credit card or with foreign currencies (Euro, Pound, US Dollar and of course in Turkish Lira). It is recommended to book in advance, especially during the busy seasons.
- Seat belts are mandatory when driving a car in Cyprus – for those caught without a seat belt, high fines are expected (the same applies to driving under the influence of alcohol).
- The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except for a hands-free system.
- Drivers must carry a valid driver’s license, registration documents and insurance documents at all times while driving and find out about the amount of Collision Damage Waiver insurance, additional payment for delay in vehicle return, handling of reports, etc.
- The headlights should be used half an hour before sunset and half an hour before sunrise.
- Gas stations in Cyprus are located mainly in the big cities only. It is important to remember to refuel before leaving the city where you are.
- There are no toll roads in Cyprus.
- Parking meters are located in the city centers and are valid for an hour. A double yellow line painted on the curb marks forbidden parking at all times. A single yellow line on the curb is a loading and unloading area but no parking. It is important to check these before parking the vehicle.
