Rent a car in Cyprus

Yes, but only with companies that explicitly allow crossing the Green Line. Our fleet includes such partners — tick the "cross-border" filter at booking. At the checkpoint (Agios Dometios/Metehan or another vehicle crossing) you'll buy a Turkish third-party policy of around 22 EUR for three days. Cypriot insurance doesn't apply in the TRNC, so plan a sensible, unhurried route on the north side.

No, if your licence is in Latin script. UK photocard licences are accepted in Cyprus without an IDP — yes, even after Brexit. EU and EEA licences likewise. Drivers with licences in non-Latin scripts (Greek, Cyrillic, Arabic, Mandarin and similar) need an IDP alongside the original. Your passport with an entry stamp is required either way.

The standard is 25 with two years' experience — set by the insurers. Several of our partners accept drivers from 21 with one year's experience for a young-driver fee of around 6 EUR per day. The upper age limit is usually 70–75 depending on the supplier. If you're outside the standard band, mention it at booking and we'll match the right car.

Yes. A growing share of our partners offer cars with no deposit at all — including compact hatchbacks and even a Suzuki Jimny for the mountains. The "no-deposit" tariff usually has Full Cover already built in, so it's a touch dearer than the basic rate but removes any hold on your card. A neat option for debit-card travellers or anyone who'd rather pay cash.

The standard package usually excludes the windscreen, wheels, alloys, underbody, interior, mirrors and lost keys. It also won't apply if you've driven on unsealed roads, or if you've been drinking. For Troodos, Akamas or simple peace of mind, take Super CDW or Full Cover — the upgrade closes all those gaps in one go.

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 — one-way between Larnaca and Paphos is offered by most partners with a fee of around 27–66 EUR depending on the model. A common pattern: collect at Larnaca on arrival, tour the island, drop off at Paphos before flying home. Book the one-way at the time of reservation — in peak season the option is sometimes capped on specific cars.

For a serious itinerary in the mountains, choose diesel: it pulls better on long climbs and is more economical at altitude. Petrol is fine for beach stays and city-to-city runs on the flat. On the island diesel is most common in mid-size and larger cars; the economy class is mostly petrol. You can filter by fuel type on the site before booking.

With local partners, the deposit comes back the moment you hand the car in — in cash if it was paid in cash, or as a release of the card hold. International chains release the hold within 7 to 30 working days, depending on your bank. Keep the return paperwork and a few photos of the car at hand-back — it covers most disputes if any arise.

Around 95 EUR plus penalty points. Traffic-light cameras catch the offence even when you're stopped in traffic — most tourists only find out via the receipt. The simple, cheap fix is a magnetic or vacuum mount for 11–22 EUR. The same fine applies for eating or drinking at the wheel — a surprise to many visitors and well worth knowing in advance.

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.

About 22 EUR for three days, 39 EUR for a month, and 77 EUR for three months — that's the Turkish third-party policy for a hire car, bought directly at the checkpoint (Agios Dometios or another vehicle crossing). It covers third parties only; damage to the car itself in the TRNC stays on the driver, so the rule of thumb is to drive gently in the north.

Call 112 — the police are required to attend even minor incidents. Don't move the car until they and the insurer's assessor have photographed it. Take your own photos, notify the rental company within 24 hours, and don't sign anything you can't read or have not had translated. Without a police report your CDW won't pay out on Cyprus.

Most rental contracts ban it outright. Cypriot law also fines you around 95 EUR for smoking in a vehicle carrying a passenger under 16. Breach the contract clause and the supplier will usually charge a 55–165 EUR valeting fee. Pets normally need separate clearance from the supplier ahead of collection — best to flag in the booking.

No. Cyprus has no toll roads and no vignette to buy. The motorway network — A1 to A9, linking Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and Ayia Napa — is free for everyone. It's one of the few EU members without road tolls of any kind, in welcome contrast to Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, France or Italy.