Rent a car in Cyprus

Yes, but only if the rental company explicitly permits you to cross the Green Line. You can use the ‘cross-border’ filter when booking to find suitable cars. At a vehicle checkpoint such as Agios Dometios/Metehan, you must buy Turkish third-party insurance, which costs around $22 for three days. Insurance issued in the Republic of Cyprus does not apply in Northern Cyprus.

You do not need an International Driving Permit if your licence is written in the Latin alphabet. UK photocard licences and licences issued in the EU or EEA are accepted without one. If your licence uses another script, such as Cyrillic, Arabic or Chinese characters, you will need an IDP together with the original licence. You must also carry your passport with its entry stamp.

The standard minimum age is 25, with at least two years of driving experience, as required by most insurers. Several of our partners accept drivers from the age of 21 if they have held a licence for one year, although a young-driver fee of around $6 per day may apply. The upper age limit is usually 70–75, depending on the supplier. If you fall outside the usual age range, provide your age when booking so we can show suitable cars.

Yes. A growing number of our partners offer cars with no deposit, including compact hatchbacks and some 4×4 models. These offers usually include Full Cover in the rental price, so the daily rate may be slightly higher but no money is held on your card. This can be particularly useful if you are paying with a debit card or in cash.

Standard cover usually excludes the windscreen, wheels, alloy rims, underbody, interior, mirrors and lost keys. It also becomes invalid if you drive on prohibited unsealed roads or under the influence of alcohol. For trips to Troodos or Akamas, consider Super CDW or Full Cover, but check the exact exclusions before you book.

Larnaca is the busier hub with the wider choice and lower starting prices — it's the island's main airport and most rental companies are based there. Paphos is typically 10–15% cheaper for the same model but with a smaller fleet. If you're staying west — Polis, Akamas, the wineries — Paphos is the easier start. For Ayia Napa or Protaras pick Larnaca.

Yes. Most partners offer one-way rentals between Larnaca and Paphos for an additional $27–66, depending on the car. For example, you can collect the car in Larnaca, tour the island and return it at Paphos Airport before your flight home. Select the one-way option when you book, as availability may be limited for some cars in peak season.

For longer mountain routes, a diesel car is usually the better choice because it provides more torque on steep climbs and uses less fuel. A petrol car is suitable for beach holidays and city-to-city travel on flatter roads. Diesel engines are most common in mid-size and larger cars, while economy cars are usually petrol. You can filter cars by fuel type before booking.

Local partners usually return the deposit as soon as you hand back the car, either in cash or by releasing the card hold. International chains may take 7–30 working days to release the hold, depending on your bank. Keep the return documents and take a few photos of the car when you hand it back in case a dispute arises.

Cypriot law doesn't require winter tyres — there are no fixed seasonal dates. Snow chains can be useful for the climb up to the Troodos ski resort in January and February: heavy snowfall sometimes closes the upper road temporarily. If Mount Olympus is on your January itinerary, ask for chains at booking — most partners hand them out free of charge.

Third-party insurance for Northern Cyprus costs about $22 for three days, $39 for one month or $77 for three months. You buy it directly at a vehicle checkpoint such as Agios Dometios. It covers damage or injury to third parties only. Damage to the rental car itself while it is in Northern Cyprus remains the driver's responsibility.

Call 112, as the police must attend even minor accidents. Do not move the car until the police and the insurer's assessor have photographed it. Take your own photos, notify the rental company within 24 hours, and do not sign anything you cannot read or have not had translated. Without a police report, your Collision Damage Waiver will not cover the claim in Cyprus.

Most rental agreements prohibit smoking. Cypriot law also imposes a fine of around $95 for smoking in a vehicle carrying a passenger under 16. If you break the no-smoking clause, the supplier may charge a valeting fee of $55–165. Pets usually require the supplier's approval, so mention them when you book.

No. Cyprus has no toll roads and does not require a vignette. The A1–A9 motorway network linking Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and Ayia Napa is free to use. Cyprus is one of the few EU countries without road tolls for passenger cars.

The fine is around $95 plus penalty points. Traffic cameras may record the offence even when the car is stopped at a red light. Using a phone mount, which costs about $11–22, is a simple way to avoid the risk. A similar fine may apply for eating or drinking while driving.