Above: Bus in Cyprus

While 2.5 million visitors travel to Cyprus each year, it is believed that this modest figure could improve if it were not for the impression most people hold that getting there is more difficult and expensive because of change of flights. But this fact should not put you off if you wish to enjoy what Cyprus has to offer. There are different ways of getting there that will cater to any traveler.

Traveling by air

Above: Cyprus Airways

Cyprus has three international airports - Paphos and Larnaca in the South and Ercan in the North (but only Turkish airlines fly there). If you are coming from the UK, you might want to take advantage of cheaper charter flights of British Airways by booking ahead. If you’re traveling from the Northern and Southern Americas or Asia, booking in the major airports of Europe is recommended. Another option would be to fly from the Middle East, where transatlantic flights to Cyprus are available.

Traveling by sea

Above: Cyprus water transportation, ferry

If you have more time to spare or want to have your very own version of a Mediterranean cruise, you can get to Cyprus by a ferry. Ferries arrive at Limmasol from Greece, Israel, and Egypt.

Getting around

Riding buses is a cheap but reliable way of moving around. There are three types of buses in Cyprus. First, they have the transurban buses that link all towns. These have frequent routes and are the most available. Second, there are rural buses that travel to the nearest city but have limited frequency, that is, once or twice each day. And third, there are urban buses that frequently operate in daytime. Their routes are sometimes extended until evening in tourist areas when there is higher demand for transportation, particularly during summer period. Buses, however, are not available on Sundays. But if you wish to travel on a Sunday, you can always avail of the taxi services that cover the entire island. Similar to buses, there are also three types of taxi services. First is the transurban service that provides link between major cities. The car is big enough to be shared with four to seven other passengers. You can make a reservation either by phone or through the internet. Second is the rural taxi service which can only be booked from and to their station/ terminal. These rural taxis, however, do not have taxi meters installed in them, and charging is based on kilometer/ tariff rate. Third is the urban service taxi which is available 24 hours a day. They can either be booked in advance or can be flagged down on the street. These taxis are required to have meters. It is also important to know that these taxi services charge for delay or waiting time and luggage weighing more than 12 kilograms. Pets may be allowed in the car as long as they are kept in carrying boxes and will also be charged. And lastly, if you’re looking for more adventure, renting bikes may be a fun and healthy way of exploring Cyprus.