Transportation in North Cyprus
Car rental, public transport, driving rules, and transportation options in the TRNC
Driving and Traffic Rules
In the TRNC, vehicles drive on the left side of the road (British system). The steering wheel is on the right side. This may require an adjustment period, especially for those coming from continental Europe. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h outside cities, and 100 km/h on highways.
Seat belts are mandatory. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille. Traffic fines are lower compared to Turkey. Running red lights, excessive speeding, and drunk driving result in serious penalties. International driving licenses are valid in the TRNC, but residents staying longer than 3 months must obtain a local license.
Car Rental and Purchase
Car rental is very common and affordable in the TRNC. Daily rental rates range from 200-400 TL for small cars, 400-700 TL for mid-range, and 700-1,500 TL for SUV/luxury vehicles. Most rental companies offer airport pickup/drop-off.
Buying a second-hand car is more economical for long-term residents. Second-hand car prices range from 50,000-300,000 TL. Transfer fees, insurance, and inspection costs should be added. A residence permit is required for vehicle registration.
Public Transport and Minibuses
The public transport system in the TRNC operates through dolmuş (shared minibus) routes between major cities. Regular services run between Nicosia-Kyrenia, Nicosia-Famagusta, and Nicosia-Güzelyurt.
Fares range from 30-60 TL for intercity and 10-20 TL for urban routes. Services generally run from 07:00 to 19:00 and become less frequent in the evening. Sunday services are very limited. There are designated stops for public transport, but you can also flag down a bus along the route.
Taxis and Transfer Services
Taxi service is available in all cities. Both metered and fixed-price taxis are common. Transfers from Ercan Airport to Kyrenia cost approximately 400-600 TL, and to Nicosia 200-350 TL.
Ride-hailing apps like BiTaksi are not available in the TRNC. The most common ways to call a taxi are through hotel receptions, restaurant staff, or directly calling a taxi stand. It's advisable to agree on the fare in advance for long-distance journeys.
Airport and Off-island Travel
The TRNC's only civilian airport is Ercan Airport (ECN). All flights connect through Turkey; direct flights operate to Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Adana, and other Turkish cities. Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet, and TRNC Civil Aviation are the main carriers.
Crossing to Southern Cyprus is possible through certain checkpoints (Ledra Palace, Metehan, Beyarmudu, etc.). A passport or ID card is sufficient for crossing. You can fly from Larnaca and Paphos airports in Southern Cyprus by crossing from either side.