Cyprus may be an island, but you will need more than you pair of legs or a bike if you want to get around. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and at its largest, it extends 149 end to end (the two largest islands in the Med are Sicily and Sardinia). So, if you are planning on visiting Cyprus and want to explore the island, here’s a run down of the island’s transport.
The first thing to note is that despite its size, there have been no trains on the island since the 1950s. Therefore, the majority of the local and tourist population rely on the buses as the main form of public transport. Because of this, there are a number of reliable bus routes operating throughout Cyprus.
The most commonly used buses are the inter-city routes (which operate late throughout the height of the tourist season) and the trans-urban buses which link up the island’s main towns and cities. Connecting the more remote villages are the rural buses which operate less frequently, about once or twice a day, and don’t run at all on a Sunday. And finally, there are airport transfer buses and coaches which can be booked either through your travel agent or independently.
Buses timetables can be picked up at either the local Cypriot tourist information office or from the bus operator direct. You may find that your hotel has some information, too. Ensure you have plenty of loose change to pay the driver the exact amount and note that most buses on the island don’t operate after 6pm. It is worth remembering this if you are planning a day out; you don’t want to find yourself stranded in a random village for the night!
And finally, taxis. There are two types; the first being the regular taxis you can book or flag down as and when you need them. They are metered and fares are regulated by the law so you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off. And then there are the shared taxi services which are mini-buses for 4 or 8 people, running at regular intervals throughout the day, helping to connect the island’s major towns and cities. Of course, if you want your independence, then consider hiring a car for you time on the island.
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