Getting around Cyprus without losing the day to the road

Getting around Cyprus is easier than it looks and slower than the map suggests. There’s no railway, the mountains mean twisting roads, and public transport doesn’t reach everywhere. This is how I’d plan it, leaning on citable official sources and leaving out timetables I couldn’t verify. Haven’t booked the journey yet? Begin with how to get to Cyprus.

First things first, no trains

The Spanish foreign ministry puts it plainly. There’s no railway or underground anywhere on the island, so everything moves by road. Between the main towns the distances are short, with Nicosia about 37 km from Larnaca and 62 km from Limassol in a straight line. But as soon as you head up into the Troodos, the time stretches far more than the kilometres.

The car, for real freedom

For me it’s the way to see Cyprus properly, and for British drivers it’s unusually easy, because traffic keeps left. Your UK photocard licence works there, gov.uk confirms. The European Commission sums up what the Cypriot authorities set, a 100 km/h top speed on motorways, 80 on the open road and 50 in towns, and alcohol up to 0.5 g/l, or 0.2 for new drivers and riders.

Two warnings I’d take seriously. Gov.uk says driving standards are poor and the risk of road deaths is higher than in the UK, and it reminds you that leaving your passport as a deposit with a rental firm is illegal. I cover it all in driving in Cyprus and car hire in Cyprus. Where to leave the car in town centres, and the cost, is covered in parking in Cyprus.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Limassol for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

What about the bus?

There’s a network of town and intercity buses, which the Spanish foreign ministry describes as reasonably clean and comfortable. It adds, though, that the network’s density and frequency don’t match what Spaniards are used to at home, and I’d say the same for anyone from Britain. Between towns it can work, but for villages and mountains I wouldn’t rely on it. Each area has its own operator. Cyprus Public Transport runs Nicosia and Larnaca, EMEL runs Limassol and Pafos Buses covers Paphos district. A town single costs 2.70 euros on paper in Nicosia and Larnaca since 3 August 2026 and 2 euros in Limassol and Paphos, though EMEL raises it to 2.50 euros on 5 November 2026. Between towns, the Cyprus By Bus portal lists, undated, 4 euros from Nicosia to Larnaca, 5 to Limassol and 7 to Paphos, and Pafos Buses sells a 20-euro day ticket valid island-wide. Timetables are on each operator’s website. Town by town, it’s all in buses in Cyprus.

Taxis and shuttles

For short hops and airport runs, taxis and private shuttles are the practical choice. From the transport ministry’s page you can reach Kapnos, a private shuttle advertising runs to Nicosia, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, Protaras and Paphos. Carry some cash for taxis, as the Spanish foreign ministry warns that not all of them take cards. Fixed airport fares and shared intercity cabs are covered in taxis in Cyprus. The options from each airport are in airport transfers in Cyprus.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Limassol on GetYourGuide.

How I’d plan it

With a week, I’d split my nights between two bases, Paphos or Limassol for the coast and a Troodos village for the mountains, with a hire car throughout. Limassol sits halfway along the south coast, roughly equidistant from Paphos and Larnaca. To see the whole island, try my stage-by-stage Cyprus road trip, and check the distances in Cyprus between the places people visit most. If you would rather pedal, October to May brings routes and bike share, as set out in cycling in Cyprus.

If you plan to drive into the north, remember that insurance from the Republic doesn’t cover it. Gov.uk says you can buy separate cover at some crossings, such as Agios Dometios, and I explain more in crossing to northern Cyprus.

If you would rather go at your own pace, see the car hire deals in Limassol: the earlier you book, the more cars are left to choose from.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Limassol for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.