Travel to Northern Cyprus

Many nationalities, including EU citizens and those from Turkey, USA, Canada, Russia, Switzerland, Norway, Japan New Zealand and Australia as well as some other nationalities, do not require visas, however you are strongly advised to check the current visa situation before finalising your plans. Other nationalities should consult their travel representatives on how to obtain a visa.

The easiest way to travel to the beautiful cities and resorts of Northern Cyprus is by air, and here you have two options:

• There is a small but modern airport approximately 12 km to the east of Nicosia, Ercan International Airport. It handles about 100 flights a week depending on the season, and many visitors to Northern Cyprus come in through this way. All flights currently arrive via a short stop in Turkey, and luggage is usually checked straight through, making it an easy and efficient process. There are many scheduled flights from Turkey including flights from Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Antalya and Ankara. Once at Ercan Airport, you can hire a rental car which gives you the maximum freedom for your trip to Northern Cyprus, or alternatively take a taxi or a shuttle bus to your final destination.
• Some visitors prefer to arrive via Larnaca Airport in Southern Cyprus (please see notes below on border crossing). In this case we would recommend that you pre-book your taxi through a reputable company or your hotel or rental car company, who will ensure that your driver meets you at Larnaca Airport. He will complete the necessary paperwork at the border and take you to your final destination, whether it is a Northern Cyprus car rental office or a hotel.

Visitors can also reach Northern Cyprus by boat. There are regular ferries from Kyrenia (Girne) and Famagusta (Gazimagusa) to Mersin, Alanya, Antalya and Tasucu in Southern Turkey.
It is also possible to reach Northern Cyprus from Southern Cyprus, and there are currently five border points where visitors can cross:

• Ledra Palace and Ledra Street in Nicosia for pedestrians.
• The Beyarmudu crossing at Dhekelia for those in cars or rental vehicles.
• The Metehan crossing in Nicosia for vehicles.
• The Akyar border crossing near Famagusta, also for vehicles.

EU citizens can cross without restriction upon production of identification, and all visitors across the border must complete a white slip with details of name, nationality and passport number. This process is usually very fast and efficient, and visitors should not have to spend too much time at the border.
Please note however that while private cars from both sides can travel across the border, rental cars or taxis from Northern Cyprus are not permitted to travel to Southern Cyprus. It is possible though for rentals cars or taxis from Southern Cyprus to travel to Northern Cyprus.