Car Rental Cyprus: Driving on the Left, Insurance, Prices and Tips

We live in Coral Bay in the west of Cyprus. Many places around Paphos are hard to reach without a car. With a rental car, you are at the Sea Caves in a quarter of an hour or in Limassol in just over an hour. Here are our car rental tips for Cyprus – from booking to driving on the left.

Rental Locations: Paphos, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia and Ayia Napa

The easiest option is to pick up your car at the airport. Cyprus has two international airports, Paphos in the west and Larnaca in the east, and you can pick up a hire car at both.

• Paphos Airport (PFO): ideal for Coral Bay, Paphos and the Akamas. It is about 24 km to our villas. Everything about pick-up at the airport is in our guide to car hire at Paphos Airport.
• Larnaca Airport (LCA): the larger airport. From there it is about 145 km to Coral Bay, around two hours.
• Towns: In Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia or Ayia Napa you can also rent a car during your holiday – for example just for a few days of trips.

From our villas, Limassol is about 75 minutes away by car and Nicosia about 2 hours 15 minutes. Larnaca and Paphos are linked by the motorway, so for a one-way rental between the two airports, ask your rental company about the fee.

Car Hire Prices in Cyprus: What Affects the Price?

Car hire prices in Cyprus vary a lot, so there is no fixed price. These factors make the difference:

• Travel dates: Prices depend heavily on when you travel.
• Rental period: For longer rentals, compare the price per day as well.
• Car category: Economy cars are the cheapest; SUVs and minivans cost more.
• Insurance: A low base price with a high excess can end up more expensive than it looks.
• Pick-up and drop-off: A one-way rental may come with a fee.

Car Rental Companies in Cyprus: International Brands or Local Rental?

At Paphos Airport you will find international car rental companies such as Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Alamo, Enterprise and Green Motion, as well as Cyprus car hire companies such as Autounion and Surprice. Local rental can be a good alternative – check the reviews and the rental terms just as carefully as with a big brand.

Cyprus Car Hire Comparison: How to Find a Good Deal When Booking

Comparing prices always pays off. Comparison sites show the offers of many car rental companies at a glance, from international brands such as Sixt and Europcar to local Cyprus companies. What matters is comparing prices that really include everything.

When you compare, check these points:

• Is the excess low, or even zero?
• Is there free cancellation until shortly before pick-up?
• Is unlimited mileage included?
• Which fuel policy applies?
• How high is the deposit, and is a credit card required?

Insurance and Excess: Hassle-Free Driving

What matters most is cover for damage to the rental car itself. With a collision damage waiver and an excess, you pay up to a fixed amount yourself in the event of damage. The lower the excess, the better you are covered.

Also check what is excluded – for example tyres, glass or the underside of the car. If you plan to visit the Akamas, check whether driving on dirt tracks is allowed.

Rental Options: Cancellation, Mileage and Fuel Policy

Plan your trip with flexible terms. Free cancellation gives you peace of mind if your flight changes. Unlimited mileage makes sense in Cyprus, because day trips to the Troodos Mountains or Ayia Napa soon add up. Full-to-full is usually the fairest fuel policy: you pick the car up with a full tank of fuel and return it full.

Staying longer, for example over the winter? Then ask about a long-term rental. Compare the price per day with a normal booking.

Car Rental Tips for Pick-Up and Return

• Check the pick-up location: Some companies have a desk in the arrivals hall, others take you to their office by shuttle.
• Bring the right card: Check which cards the company accepts for the deposit and whose name must be on the card.
• Take photos: Photograph the car from all sides when you pick up your car, and again when you return it.
• Check the fuel: With full-to-full, keep the receipt from the last petrol station.
• Plan the return: Allow enough time before your flight; Cyprus Mail recommends arriving at the airport 2–3 hours before departure.

Driving in Cyprus: Rules for Your Rental Car

Cyprus drives on the left, just like the UK. According to the Cyprus Police and the car rental company Sixt, these rules apply:

• Speed limits: 100 km/h on motorways (minimum 65 km/h), 80 km/h outside towns and 50–65 km/h in towns.
• Alcohol: 22 micrograms per 100 ml of breath, or 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
• Seat belts: compulsory in the front and back.
• Mobile phones: prohibited while driving.
• Children: under 5 not in the front seat; from 5 to 10 only with a suitable child seat.

Rental cars in Cyprus have red number plates.

Driving Licence and Minimum Age

According to the Cyprus Police, you may drive with a valid national driving licence or an international driving licence. To rent a car, you must have held your licence for at least three years or be over 25. Car rental companies may have extra rules for young drivers – check them before booking.

Can You Take a Rental Car to Northern Cyprus?

The north of the island is not under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. Whether you may cross the Green Line with a rental car is up to your rental company. Even if it is allowed, tell the company beforehand and have it noted in your rental agreement. Your normal insurance usually does not apply in the north, so you need to buy separate third-party insurance at the crossing point.

Explore Cyprus with a Rental Car from Paphos

With a car, you can explore the coast of Cyprus and the inland villages at your own pace. We measured these drive times from our villas in Coral Bay with a route planner:

Destination	Drive time
Sea Caves	approx. 11 min
Tombs of the Kings, Paphos	approx. 16 min
Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou)	approx. 38 min
Limassol	approx. 75 min
Troodos Square	a good 1.5 hours
Larnaca Salt Lake	approx. 2 hours
Nicosia	approx. 2 hours 15 min
Ayia Napa	a good 2.5 hours

Travelling with kids? The child seat rules and the best family days out are in our guide to a Cyprus family holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions: Car Rental in Cyprus

Do they drive on the left in Cyprus?

Yes. In Cyprus you drive on the left-hand side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right.

Do I need an international driving licence in Cyprus?

According to the Cyprus Police, a valid national driving licence for the class of vehicle is accepted. Also check the terms of your car rental company.

Do I need to rent a car in Cyprus?

For day trips, yes. Many places such as the Akamas, the Troodos Mountains or Aphrodite’s Rock are much easier to reach by car.

Can I drive my rental car to Northern Cyprus?

That depends on the rental company. Your normal insurance usually does not apply there; you can buy separate third-party insurance at the crossing point.

Conclusion

A rental car is the best way to explore Cyprus. Compare prices, check the excess, cancellation terms and fuel policy – and take your time getting used to driving on the left. For ideas around Coral Bay, see our guide to things to do around Coral Bay.

Sources: driving rules from Cyprus Police and Sixt; red number plates from Wikipedia; crossing to the north from Discover Cars; desks and suppliers at Paphos Airport from vipcars.com; check-in time from Cyprus Mail (3 September 2026); drive times measured with OpenStreetMap routing from Villa Asteria. Prices and terms change – check them before you book. Cover photo: Secret Travel Guide / Unsplash. Last updated: October 2026.