Cyprus is a small island but distances from the airport to the main resort areas are still significant. What you pay depends on the destination, the time of day, and the transport you choose.
What is actually published
Only the bus operators publish a fare you can hold them to. Those are worth knowing:
- Larnaca town (7 km, 10–15 min): Cyprus Public Transport (Zenon) runs routes 425 and 429 from the airport into town for 1.50 EUR adult, 0.75 EUR student, paid to the driver.
- Limassol (70 km, 45–55 min): the Limassol Airport Express charges 10 EUR adult, 5 EUR child.
- Nicosia (50 km, 35–45 min): the Kapnos Airport Shuttle runs this route. Check their current fare when you book.
- Ayia Napa (55 km), Protaras (65 km), Paphos (140 km), Troodos (100 km): no useful direct bus. Taxi or pre-booked transfer.
These are the operators listed by the airport itself. Fares are revised from time to time, so check the operator's own site before you travel rather than trusting a figure quoted on a third-party page.
Taxis: metered, with a night tariff
Cyprus taxis are metered and tariffs are regulated, but they are revised periodically and a night tariff applies roughly between 8 PM and 6 AM. Some drivers add supplements for extra luggage. This matters more than it sounds, because many flights into Larnaca — especially summer charters — land late at night, squarely inside the night tariff.
We are not going to print a taxi figure here. Any number we quote would be out of date the next time the tariff moves, and you would be the one holding the bill. Ask the driver to confirm the fare to your destination before you get in. For a long trip like Limassol or Paphos, confirm it in writing or agree the price at the rank.
Pre-booked transfers
A pre-booked transfer is quoted and fixed when you book — that is the entire point of it. You know the number before you fly, the night tariff does not apply to it, and the price does not change if the traffic does. Whether it beats a taxi depends on the route and the hour, which is exactly why it is worth comparing both for your specific trip rather than relying on a rule of thumb.
What affects the price
Distance is the primary factor. Cyprus roads are generally uncongested (Nicosia approaches can be busy at rush hour but nothing extreme), so travel time is predictable. Time of day affects taxi pricing but not a pre-booked transfer. The number of passengers does not change a taxi fare or a transfer price — you pay per vehicle, not per person.
For groups of 3–4 splitting a vehicle, the per-person cost drops sharply compared with individual bus tickets, with far more comfort.
Tips for getting good value
- Compare the taxi meter and a pre-booked transfer quote for your specific destination before you fly.
- For Larnaca town, the 1.50 EUR bus is genuinely hard to beat if you are travelling light in daylight hours.
- For Limassol, the 10 EUR Airport Express is the budget option if its timetable works for you.
- For Ayia Napa or Protaras there is no direct public transport, so a taxi or transfer is the realistic choice.
- For Paphos, seriously consider whether flying into Paphos Airport (PFO) instead of Larnaca would save you time and money.