Getting Around Nicosia: A Practical Transport Guide
Nicosia is a compact capital city with transport options ranging from walking to buses and taxis. The city's layout means that how you travel depends largely on where you want to go—the historic Old City is walkable, while reaching outlying areas requires other modes of transport.
Arriving from Larnaca Airport
Most visitors to Nicosia arrive via Larnaca Airport, located about 40 km away with a drive time of approximately 30 minutes. An airport shuttle bus operates between Larnaca Airport and Nicosia, though it does not stop close to the city center. If you use the shuttle, you will need to either take a taxi or walk to the highway to catch a public bus for the final leg into the city.
Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi from the airport, though this option is considerably more expensive than the shuttle bus. Car hire is also available at the airport from major companies and is relatively affordable if you plan to explore beyond Nicosia.
Paphos Airport is a further option, located about 140 km away (roughly 1 hour 40 minutes' drive), though it is considerably less convenient for reaching Nicosia.
Walking in the Old City
The Old City of Nicosia is small enough to navigate comfortably on foot, making it the best way to explore the historic core. The narrow footpaths and traditional Greek Cypriot shops that characterize these streets reward pedestrians, though you should remain alert to traffic. A free paper map is available from the Nicosia Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) Information Office in Laiki Geitonia, which can help orient you as you walk.
Greater Nicosia as a whole sprawls across a much larger area, so walking is not practical for reaching distant neighborhoods.
Public Buses
Nicosia has a developing network of bus services that serve the expanding city. Public transport is inexpensive, making buses an economical choice for visitors. However, timetables are unreliable, and only a limited number of buses are air-conditioned. The central bus station is located at Solomos Square, next to the city wall. For information about buses in Nicosia, Cyprus By Bus provides schedules and route details.
Taxis
Private taxis are widely available throughout Nicosia and are typically diesel Mercedes vehicles. You can identify them by their number plate, which always begins with the letter T; some also display a yellow TAXI (or ΤΑΞΙ in Greek) sign on the roof. Unlike taxis in many world cities, Nicosia's taxis are not painted in a distinctive color, so look for the T number plate.
When taking a taxi, ensure the meter is switched on as soon as you enter the vehicle. Tourist exploitation is a recognized practice, so insisting on meter use protects you from overcharging.
Bike Sharing
A cost-effective alternative to buses and taxis is the bike sharing system Bike in Action. To use this service, you will need a smart card.
Rail, Metro, and Tram Networks
Nicosia does not have rail, metro, or tram networks. Public transport relies on buses and taxis.
Getting Between North and South Nicosia
EU citizens can cross between North and South Nicosia at official crossing points, regardless of where they entered the island. Citizens from other countries may face difficulties at crossings. The Ledra Street crossing, located within the Old City walls, allows pedestrians to cross the United Nations Buffer Zone that divides the city. Note that if you are taking a taxi to North Nicosia, avoid using the word "Ledra" as taxi drivers will assume you mean the Ledra Palace crossing outside the city walls to the west.
Intercity Transport
Regular, cheap, and reliable intercity taxi and bus services connect Nicosia to Cyprus's other major cities including Larnaca (43 km away) and Limassol (83 km away). These services depart from the central bus station at Solomos Square.