Taxis in Cyprus, and what they really cost

Cyprus has no railway, and the buses only go so far, so most visitors end up in a taxi at least once, usually to or from the airport or back to the hotel after dinner. The good news is that the trip that matters most, the airport run, has a fixed price. The less good news is that nobody I can cite publishes the meter tariffs. So here’s what is published and how I’d use it. For every other way of getting about, see getting around Cyprus.

Three taxis for three jobs

The Limassol Tourism Board splits taxis into three services. The urban taxi is the familiar one, metered, waiting at town ranks and at the airports. The rural taxi is also metered and covers the villages. The intercity service works differently, with a fixed ticket price and shared seats. The rural taxi is the one that gets you out of a fix in the mountains or an inland village, where the bus may only call a few times a day, and I’d ask your hotel or guesthouse to book it ahead.

That last one surprises a lot of British visitors, even though it’s a long-standing local habit. Taxis or minibuses take four to seven passengers between Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos. You book a seat by phone and they collect you and drop you at any address you give, as long as it’s within the municipal boundaries. If you’re travelling alone without a car I rate it highly, because it costs less than a whole cab and saves dragging a case to the bus station.

What does an airport taxi cost?

This is the figure worth remembering. Since 1 March 2021, urban taxis to and from Larnaca and Paphos airports charge a fixed fare instead of the meter. For up to four passengers it’s €50 between 06:00 and 20:30 and €60 the rest of the night. For five or six it’s €65 and €80. Luggage and VAT are included, and the price is the same on bank holidays.

At Larnaca, Hermes Airports says the rank is to your right once you’re out of Arrivals, on the ground level (Level 0), with cabs round the clock. I’d still confirm the destination and the fixed fare with the driver before setting off, simply to avoid any misunderstanding at the other end. If you’re landing in the small hours, also compare the airport transfers by shuttle, which work out far cheaper per head.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Larnaca before prices climb.

Bolt and app taxis

The same board lists Bolt, an app that sends a taxi at the tap of a button, on Google Play and the App Store. If you don’t speak Greek it’s handy, because the address is typed rather than explained. It says nothing about Uber, so I can’t confirm that one.

If you’d rather drive yourself without hiring a car for the whole trip, the same board also lists a pay-by-the-minute car share, which I cover in parking in Cyprus.

Bring some cash

Spain’s Foreign Office puts it plainly, some businesses and services don’t take cards, and it names taxis as an example. I’d always keep a little cash for a cab, even if you pay for everything else by phone. What to know about cash machines and fees is in currency and payments in Cyprus.

Drivers need a professional licence. According to the official Business in Cyprus portal, they get it by passing a Road Transport Department exam, and it lasts five years. If anything about a fare seems off, ask for a receipt and note the registration.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Larnaca and choose by the reviews.

When I’d take one

I’d use a taxi for a late arrival at the airport, for getting back after dinner and for a particular village the bus doesn’t reach. I wouldn’t use one to change towns every day, because shared taxis, shuttles and the buses in Cyprus do that for less. And if you plan to tour the island, car hire in Cyprus works out better value, with the bonus that you drive on the left, just like at home.

A car frees you from timetables: search car hire in Larnaca on DiscoverCars and compare companies.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Larnaca before prices climb.