Social ConventionsRespect should be shown for religious beliefs. It is customary to shake hands and other normal courtesies should be observed. It is viewed as impolite to refuse an offer of Greek coffee or a cold drink. It is acceptable to bring a small gift of wine or confectionery, particularly when invited for a meal. For most occasions, casual attire is acceptable. Beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. More formal wear is required for business and in more exclusive dining rooms, social functions etc.
Photography: Photography is forbidden near
military camps or installations. A license from the appropriate authorities is required to photograph museum artifacts - this can sometimes be purchased from the museum’s ticket desk. No flash photography is allowed in churches with murals or icons.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Cyprus Airways (CY) (website:
www.cyprusairways.com). All flights to the north are via Turkey with
Turkish Airlines (TK) (website:
www.thy.com) or
Cyprus Turkish Airlines (YK) (website: www.kthy.net). Tourists can also now fly into the south and travel across the border in Nicosia into the north.
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsLarnaca (LCA) (website:
http://www.larnaca-airport.info/) is 5km (3 miles) south of Larnaca and 50km (31 miles) from Nicosia.
To/from the airport: Taxis are available outside the airport terminal.
Facilities: Duty-free shop, tourist information, bank/bureau de change, bars and restaurants, Cyprus Hotel Information and Reservation Office, car hire and post office.
Pafos (PFO) is 15km (9 miles) east of the city (journey time - 25 minutes).
To/from the airport: Taxis are available outside the airport terminal.
Facilities: Tourist information, duty-free shop, Cyprus Hotel Information, cafeteria and car hire.
Ercan (ECN) is 8km (5miles) east of Nicosia, in the north.
To/from the airport: Hire cars, taxis and coaches are available outside the terminal.
Facilities: Duty-free shops, tourist information, cafeterias and car hire.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Passenger ships from the ports of
Limassol and
Larnaca (website:
www.cpa.gov.cy) connect Cyprus with various Greek and Middle Eastern ports, including Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Haifa, Port Said, Jounieh and many Greek islands. Services are reduced during the winter months.
For detailed information on
ferry boats and
shipping lines, contact the
Cyprus Tourism Organization (see
General Info). One-day
cruises are organized from May to October, weather permitting. Several cruise lines call at Cyprus.
Note: Since 1974, the Cyprus government declared the ports of Famagusta (Ammochostos) and Kyrenia, and the airport of Ercan, all in the northern part of the island, as illegal ports of entry to Cyprus.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Cyprus by visitors arriving from countries outside the EU without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1l of spirits (over 22% volume) or 2l of fortified wine or sparkling wine, 2l of still wine.
• 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
• Goods (excluding jewelry) up to €175. The limit is reduced to €90 for travelers under 15 years of age.
Abolition of duty-free goods within the EUOn 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use
only. Member states may follow the EU’s guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.
Prohibited ImportsAgricultural products and propagating stock, such as natural fruit, flowers, seeds etc. without the approval of the relevant authorities; the importation of a number of other articles such as uncooked meat, fish and dairy products, animals, fire arms and explosives, pirated or counterfeit goods, obscene publications is also prohibited or restricted.
Internal Travel:Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left.
Bus: Services connect all towns and villages on the island every day except Sunday and public holidays (limited services only). The main operators are
Intercity Buses (tel: (22) 665 814) and
Nicosia Buses (tel: (22) 778 841; website:
www.nicosiabuses.com.cy).
Rural buses: Limited to one or two services each day and can be slow; however, they are a good way of seeing the more remote villages.
Taxi: These run 24 hours between all the main towns on the island. Fares are regulated by the government and all taxis have meters. Shared taxis operate every 30 minutes between major cities. Rural taxis can only be hired from the base station and do not have a meter.
Car hire: Cars are one of the best ways to explore the island. They should be reserved well in advance during the summer season.
Motorcycles: Riders and pillion passengers must wear crash helmets if the motorcycle is over 50cc.
Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18, but drivers often need to be 21 years old to hire a car. The maximum speed limit is 100kph (63mph) on highways, 80kph (50mph) on most other roads and 50kph (32mph) in built-up areas. Road signs are in both Greek and English. There are strict repercussions for those not wearing seat belts or a crash helmet, or using a mobile telephone/under the influence of alcohol whilst driving.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit or national driving license is valid for one year. Visitors wishing to bring their car to Cyprus can do so for up to three months provided the car has a valid registration license for its country of origin.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesNicosia Buses operates an efficient
bus service in the capital. Services in Limassol are run by the
Limassol Urban Bus Company (E.A.L.) Limited. Smaller operations service other Cypriot towns and cities, though few services are frequent or used often by tourists.
Taxis are widely available; a 15% surcharge is in operation from 2300-0600. Tipping is expected.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from
Nicosia to other main towns and tourist centers in Cyprus.
| | Road |
| Limassol | 1.00 |
| Pafos | 2.15 |
| Larnaca | 0.50 |
| Ayia Napa | 1.10 |
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