North Cyprus Transportation
Transportation in North Cyprus
North Cyprus is an amazing place to visit with so much to see and do; because of this the best thing to do is to hire a rental car. If you are travelling from the UK or Ireland driving will be just the same as being at home. The speed restrictions are in kilometres and Cypriots drive on the left hand side of the road too. Filter systems are in place and these are indicated by the traffic lights constantly flashing on red or amber. Slow down if you see amber flashing lights on a high pole as this indicates that you are approaching traffic lights.
In North Cyprus there are very strict drink driving regulations and if caught you will receive a very large on the spot fine. These drink drive laws are very similar to those in England so if you do have a hire car we advise that you don’t drink.
Restricted parking areas in North Cyprus are marked with black and white painted curbstones these work the same as double yellow lines or there may be a no parking sign. Otherwise you can generally park wherever you see an available space. In North Cyprus car parks are called Oto Parks.
In North Cyprus road signs are worded in Turkish but most signs are easily recognizable. Indicators are not widely used so you should always be aware of the car in front of you as they can turn at any moment. Car horns are frequently used so you will get very used to the sound of these. As with all driving, if you obey the rules of the road you will be fine.
Getting Around North Cyprus
In North Cyprus drivers drive on the left hand side, this is due to the fact that the island was once a colony of Britain. If you are renting a hire car we advise that you choose a model that has the steering wheel on the right hand side. This is not just for comfort but for safety as well and it makes driving in North Cyprus much easier. If you are travelling from the UK or Ireland this will be normal for you and it will feel like driving at home.
Bus Services
Public transport is available and most towns have in-expensive bus services. These buses run quite frequently during the day but come 7pm it can be very hard to find one which means that if you are spending the day visiting the sites of North Cyprus you need to make sure that you get a bus back to where you are staying before 7pm. Of course if you have a hire car you won’t need to worry about this.
Bus routes in major towns are privately leased from the government. Buses are not standardised and come in all shapes and sizes. The most common are white mini buses which are known locally as dolmus. The front of the windscreen will show you the destination of the bus and to stop them all you have to do is stand at the bus stop or flag the bus down anywhere along the road. There are no timetables for these buses and they do not go to the majority of the tourists attractions in North Cyprus. These buses tend to just run between the main towns and villages.
Taxi Services
Taxis are another option when it comes to transportation in North Cyprus. Rural taxi charges are reasonable but it is wise to agree on a price with your taxi driver before you set off on your journey. There are no meters in rural taxis and these taxis can only be found at designated taxi stands.
Shared taxi services are also available in North Cyprus and if you and a group of other people are travelling to the same destination you can share the fare. This is very common in North Cyprus and is widely operated.
Urban taxis provide a 24hour service and these taxis are equipped with meters. The price you will pay for your fare begins as soon as you enter your taxi so make sure you know exactly where you want to go. You can book your taxi by phone or hire it from their base station.
Car Rental
There is so much to see and do while visiting North Cyprus that car hire is by far the best option when it comes to getting around. We offer a wide range of cars and there is a model to suit everyone. If you plan on visiting many of the ancient monuments and sites then a topless jeep might be just the thing for you. If its day trips to the beach or a round of golf, then a large boot is necessary and this is where the opel zafira will come in.
Our rates are extremely competitive in North Cyprus. You will need to be 21 or over to hire a car and you can do this in advance via the booking form on our website. You can pick you rental car up at the airport or we can meet you at your hotel.
It is worth noting, that you cannot take your rental car into southern Cyprus. You can drive as far as the border but you must walk across.
Walking
As with any country walking is always an option when it comes to getting around. The best times for walking in North Cyprus are the spring and early summer, and October and November. The mountains have lots of trails and make an excellent location for an enjoyable day out. You will of course need your hire car to get to the mountains first.