Car hire in Cyprus is the easiest way to see the island of Aphrodite on your own terms, from the ancient ruins of Paphos to the beaches of Ayia Napa, the wine villages of the Troodos Mountains and the quiet Akamas coast the buses never reach. Compare cheap car hire in Cyprus from trusted suppliers in a single search, with real-time availability, no hidden fees and free cancellation on most bookings. Prices start from around £5 per day for a small car in the off-season, so sorting your hire car before you fly is what keeps the trip cheap and the itinerary yours.
There is one big advantage for British visitors: Cyprus drives on the left, like the UK, so the roads feel instantly familiar. This guide covers everything you need for car hire in Cyprus, including the driving rules, the all-important Northern Cyprus rental restriction, the documents and age limits, realistic costs by car class, and where to base your trip. One thing to settle up front, “car hire” and “car rental” mean exactly the same thing in Cyprus, and you will see both terms used here and at every rental desk on the island.
How Much Does Car Hire in Cyprus Cost?
Car hire in Cyprus costs from around £5 per day for a small economy car in the off-season, rising to roughly £20 to £35 per day for a compact in the summer peak. The cheapest months are typically January to March, and the dearest are the summer and October. Larnaca and Paphos airports have the widest choice and the keenest prices. The table below gives a realistic guide for cheap car hire in Cyprus booked online ahead of travel.
| Car class | Typical price (booked ahead) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Economy / Compact | From £5/day | Couples, town driving, low fuel costs |
| Intermediate / Full-size | £18 to £35/day | Families, island road trips, comfort |
| SUV / 4WD | £30 to £60/day | Groups, the Akamas, dirt and mountain roads |
| Automatic / Convertible | £35 to £70/day | Comfort, automatics, coastal cruising |
| Rates are indicative for cars booked online in advance and vary by location, season and supplier. Summer and October are the most expensive; the winter months are far cheaper. Walk-up counter rates and desk-added insurance always cost more than booking ahead. | ||
For the cheapest car hire in Cyprus, book around five to six weeks ahead, choose a small car (the island is compact and a mini is plenty for two), pick up and drop off at the same airport to avoid one-way fees, and travel outside the summer peak. A young driver surcharge applies to most drivers under 25 hiring a car in Cyprus, and a 4WD is worth it only if you plan to tackle the Akamas Peninsula’s dirt tracks.
Important: Taking a Hire Car into Northern Cyprus
This is the single most important rule for car hire in Cyprus. Most rental companies on the Greek-Cypriot south strictly prohibit taking the car across the Green Line into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and if you cross, your insurance is void. A car hired in the south is simply not covered in the north, so an accident there could leave you personally liable for the full cost. No other rule around car hire in Cyprus carries the same financial risk if ignored.
Some suppliers do allow it, and you can buy separate short-term insurance at the border crossings, but be aware this border cover usually protects only third parties and damage to other vehicles, not your own hire car. If seeing the north matters to you, the safest options are to confirm your supplier’s policy in writing before you book, to take a taxi or guided tour across the Green Line, or to hire a separate car once you are in the north. Never assume your standard rental cover travels with you across the line.
Driving in Cyprus: Rules of the Road
Cyprus drives on the left, like the UK and other Commonwealth countries, so you overtake on the right and give way to the right at roundabouts. For British drivers everything is the right way round, which makes car hire in Cyprus one of the easiest Mediterranean self-drive options. Road signs are in both Greek and English, and the main roads are modern and well maintained. Here is what matters most.
Speed limits
Speed limits in Cyprus are 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on motorways, unless signs state otherwise. These are the core limits to know for car hire in Cyprus. Motorways also carry a minimum speed of 65 km/h, so do not dawdle in the fast lane. Speed cameras are common and fines can be steep, so watch the signs, which are in kilometres per hour throughout.
Seat belts, phones and alcohol
Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers, and young children must use an appropriate child seat. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal, so set up a hands-free cradle first. The drink-drive limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%, and it is strictly enforced, so it is safest to avoid alcohol altogether when driving.
Roads, fuel and emergencies
Cyprus has no road tolls at all, which makes it refreshingly simple to drive compared with mainland Europe. Local driving can be assertive, so stay alert in towns, and take care on the narrow, winding mountain roads in the Troodos and the unsurfaced tracks out to spots like Lara Beach and the Blue Lagoon. The single emergency number is 112.
What You Need to Hire a Car in Cyprus
To hire a car in Cyprus you must be at least 21 years old, hold a full (not provisional) licence kept for at least one year, and carry a passport and a credit card in the main driver’s name. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge, and some larger or premium categories set a higher minimum age. There is no requirement to display a country sticker, so ignore any older advice suggesting otherwise.
Most visitors do not need an International Driving Permit for car hire in Cyprus. UK, EU, Australian and US licences are all accepted as they are, and an IDP is only required if your licence is in a non-Latin alphabet and issued outside the EU.
At pickup for your car hire in Cyprus you will present your licence, passport and credit card, and a security deposit is held to cover the insurance excess. Inspect the car for existing damage and photograph it before you drive away, and return it on time with the agreed fuel level.
Where to Base Your Car Hire in Cyprus
Cyprus is only about 140 miles end to end, so a single base reaches most of the south with day trips. Pick up at Larnaca or Paphos airport and the whole island opens up. These are the areas worth building a trip around for car hire in Cyprus.
Paphos and the West
The best base for history and wild coast: the Tombs of the Kings, Aphrodite’s Rock, and the rugged Akamas Peninsula with its dirt tracks to Lara Beach and the Blue Lagoon. A small car suits the town, an SUV the off-road spots.
Larnaca and Ayia Napa
Larnaca is the most central airport and the easiest first base for car hire in Cyprus, with the salt lake and palm-lined seafront. To the east, Ayia Napa and Protaras have the island’s best beaches and the famous Cape Greco coastline, all within an easy drive.
The Troodos Mountains
Inland, the Troodos range offers cool pine forests, painted Byzantine churches, wine villages and, in winter, even snow. The mountain roads are narrow and winding, so take your time and enjoy one of the most scenic drives you can make with car hire in Cyprus.
For official driving advice and current conditions, the UK government travel advice for Cyprus is the most reliable source, and the RAC’s guide to driving in Cyprus is a useful summary of the local rules.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Hire in Cyprus
How much does it cost to hire a car in Cyprus?
Car hire in Cyprus costs from around £5 per day for a small economy car in the off-season, rising to roughly £20 to £35 per day for a compact in summer. The cheapest months are January to March and the dearest are summer and October. Booking around five to six weeks ahead and choosing a small car secures the best price.
Which side of the road does Cyprus drive on?
Cyprus drives on the left, like the UK, so you overtake on the right and give way to the right at roundabouts. The steering wheel is on the right of the car. This makes Cyprus one of the most comfortable Mediterranean destinations for British drivers, and road signs are in both Greek and English.
Can I drive my hire car into Northern Cyprus?
Usually not. Most rental companies in the south prohibit taking the car into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and your insurance is void if you cross the Green Line. Some suppliers allow it with separate border insurance, but that cover often protects only other vehicles, not your hire car. Confirm your supplier’s policy in writing before booking.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for car hire in Cyprus?
No, for most visitors. UK, EU, Australian and US licences are accepted in Cyprus as they are. An International Driving Permit is only required if your licence is in a non-Latin alphabet and issued by a country outside the EU. UK licence holders can simply carry their normal licence.
Are there toll roads in Cyprus?
No. Cyprus has no road tolls anywhere on the island, so you can drive the motorways and main roads without any toll charges or electronic tags. This makes car hire in Cyprus one of the simplest Mediterranean island drives, with just fuel and parking to budget for.
Compare Cheap Car Hire in Cyprus
From Paphos to the Troodos and the beaches of the east, compact, sunny Cyprus was made for a self-drive trip, and driving on the left means British visitors feel at home from the moment they collect the keys. Sort your car before you fly, confirm the Northern Cyprus policy if you plan to cross the Green Line, and pick the base that fits your trip. Getcarhire.com compares cheap car hire in Cyprus across trusted suppliers in one search, with free cancellation on most bookings, so you can lock in the right car at the right price and spend your time driving, not comparing.
