Driving in Cyprus can be a smooth and joyous experience, as long as you abide by our road traffic laws and give time to yourself to adjust! :-)
Renting a car is a wonderful idea to embark on a road adventure around the island. Visit our amazing coastline, our magnificent mountains (scenic routes all the way), our picturesque and traditional villages, our crystal clear blue Mediterranean beaches…and the list goes on.
However, before you rent your car or before you start driving it’s a wise idea to learn a few things about driving in Cyprus.
So let’s start…
Click the quick links below to guide you through the article.
Quick links:
In Cyprus, we are not the best drivers in the world.
However, if you drive defensively and abide by the traffic rules you will be just fine...you will stay safe and sound :-).
Magnificent Troodos mountains and dreamy coastlines are waiting for you to explore! Cyprus combines both sea and mountains and it’s a brilliant experience to explore both!
If you have a rental car you will be independent and free to travel at your own pace and make stops at splendid locations, admire the views and take pictures.
Driving in Cyprus can be easy, especially for visitors who are used to driving on the left side of the road.
Once you get the hang of driving on the left-hand side of the road (yes we drive on the left!), it’s time to do some road tripping. There are many dreamy routes on this awesome island of ours!
See Cyprus Routes for more information.
If you come from a country that they drive on the right side of the road, give time to yourself to adjust. Take extra care when driving and abide by the road rules to stay safe! :-) That’s very important!
Roundabouts: We give priority to the car coming from the right. So be careful when you reach a roundabout. The cars going round the roundabout have priority, not the cars entering it.
The motorways and main roads are well maintained.
However, in mountain roads you will find narrow streets...and sometimes not so well maintained roads. So be careful when driving in our mountains…drive defensively and obey the traffic rules!
There are no tolls on roads on the island.
Always look for the speed limit road signs. The speed limits are in kilometers not miles. So think twice before you decide to step on it :-).
The speed limit in the motorways is 100 km/h and the minimum speed limit is 65 km/h.
Note: If you drive 110 km/h or even 120 km/h the Police might not stop you.
But, if you drive 121 km/h the Police will definitely stop you and they will give you a hefty fine!
In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h – if there is no other traffic sign to determine otherwise.
The speed limit is 65 / 80 km/h – depending on what the traffic signs say. So take extra care and drive within the speed limit if you don’t want to get a hefty fine by the Police.
Where there are speed bumps the speed limit is 30 km/h.
Our road signs are both in Greek and English…and as it was mentioned above the speed limits are in kilometers.
Please note that throughout our Cyprus travel guide (this website) we refer to the capital city of the island as Nicosia...and not Lefkosia.
However, the road signs say Lefkosia and not Nicosia. Here’s what the road signs say on the South of the island…
So be careful when driving…don’t get confused! If a road sign says Lefkosia that means you are heading towards Nicosia, if it says Lemesos then you are heading towards Limassol, etc.
We hope our list above helps.
The best tip we can give you is don’t drink and drive!
The alcohol limit in Cyprus is very very low so a small bottle of beer might get you a hefty fine. So the best way to overcome an alcohol test by the Police is not to drink at all!
That’s the best way to drive around the island…care-free. No alcohol = No hefty fine by the Police.
If you plan to rent a car on the South of the island and intend to cross the borders at the North, please make sure that the car rental company in the South allows that.
On top of that, the car insurance of the South is not valid in the North. You will have to make another car insurance at the border.
Seatbelts are a must!...
…otherwise if you get caught by the Police a hefty fine is waiting for you.
Smoking in the car is not allowed, neither the use of mobile phones while driving.
A valid driving license is required to rent a car on the island.
Your driving license has to be written in the Latin alphabet, otherwise an International Driving Permit (IDP) will be required.
European Union (EU) drivers don’t need an IDP. Your regular license will suffice.
In case of emergency dial 112 – Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade.
…And that wraps up our article on driving in Cyprus. We hope you have a great holiday here on our island! Enjoy :-)