Car rental · Cyprus
Car rental in Larnaca
Larnaca is Cyprus's main airport and the natural place to collect: the motorway to Nicosia, Limassol and Ayia Napa starts at the terminal roundabout. One thing to absorb before you turn the key — Cyprus drives on the left.
Compare prices across every desk
International brands and local companies side by side — deposits and cover included.
Which car, and what it costs
| Class | Per day | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | €20–40 | Beaches and the motorway towns |
| Compact | €28–55 | Troodos mountains with luggage |
| Convertible | €45–100 | The Akamas coast in May or October |
| Automatic | widely available | Cyprus inherited British habits; automatics are common |
The rules in Cyprus — the part the aggregators skip
| Drives on the | LEFT — the only left-hand country on this site |
|---|---|
| Speed limits (town / open road / expressway / motorway) | 50 / 80 / 100 km/h |
| Tolls | None. |
| Vignette | None. |
| Winter rules | Not required; the Troodos mountains get snow in January and February and the roads may close. |
| Taking the car across borders | Hire cars from the Republic may enter the Turkish-occupied north, but the rental insurance stops at the checkpoint — you buy separate cover there, and damage in the north is your problem. Most companies allow it; read the terms. |
| Local quirks | Driving is on the LEFT. Hire cars carry red number plates, which locals read as 'give this one space'. The A1 and A3 motorways make Larnaca–Nicosia–Limassol effortless; the old roads through the villages are where the trip is. |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
Airport or city desk
Collect at the airport. Larnaca town has few offices, the surcharge is small, and the motorway is right there.
Local companies or international brands
Cypriot companies are numerous and honest, with cheaper deposits; the international desks offer better one-way terms to Paphos airport. Check the excess: Cypriot policies often carry a €800–1,500 excess unless you buy the extra cover.
Five things visitors get wrong
- Left-hand traffic. The first roundabout out of the airport is where most visitors make the mistake — go slowly and follow the car in front.
- Hire cars wear red plates. Locals give them room; use it.
- Crossing to the north: allowed by most companies, but the rental insurance ends at the checkpoint. Buy the northern third-party cover at the crossing (about €25 for a few days) and understand that damage there is uninsured.
- Motorways are free and fast; the old B-roads through the Troodos villages are slow and the point of the trip.
- Summer heat reaches 40°C inland — park in shade and check the air conditioning before you drive off.
Common questions
How much does it cost to rent a car in Larnaca?
from €20 a day out of season, €40–80 a day in July and August. Automatics and SUVs carry a premium; book two to four weeks ahead in summer.
How big is the deposit?
Typically €300–1,000, blocked on a credit card and released a week or two after the return. Debit cards are refused by most desks.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Bring one. It costs little, takes minutes to obtain at home, and both the police and the insurer may ask for it alongside your licence.
Can I take the rental car out of Cyprus?
Hire cars from the Republic may enter the Turkish-occupied north, but the rental insurance stops at the checkpoint — you buy separate cover there, and damage in the north is your problem. Most companies allow it; read the terms.
Is the minimum age a problem?
Minimum age is 21 (25 for some classes). Under-25 drivers usually pay a daily young-driver surcharge and may be barred from the larger classes.
Airport or city pick-up?
Collect at the airport. Larnaca town has few offices, the surcharge is small, and the motorway is right there.