Strategically positioned in the centre of the Mediterranean, Cyprus has long been a major travel hub, connecting Africa, Middle East and Europe. And, whilst it might have an occasional summer fairy to Greece, the island heavily relies on air transportation in most cases. Luckily there are many flight options available and South Cyprus has two international airports — in Larnaca and Paphos.
So, if you’re looking to find out more on how to get in and out of Cyprus, stay tuned! We’ll tell you all you need to know to make your journey smooth and comfortable and provide handy tips on how to save on your next flight to Cyprus.
Cyprus airports
Larnaca
Larnaca airport is notably the largest airport of South Cyprus and most Cyprus flights depart and arrive there. Built in 2009 it boasts modern, state-of-the-art facilities. Serving as headquarters for most international airlines, the Larnaca airport has become a true international flights hub. With that in mind, however, it is very compact, featuring only one terminal. So it is absolutely impossible to get lost there. The airport is conveniently located only 4 km from the city of Larnaca and about 40 min drive from Nicosia. Also it's in a close proximity to McKenzie beach from where you can just watch planes take off and land almost over your head.
Paphos
Paphos airport is slightly smaller than Larnaca airport and serves mainly British routes, connecting cities like Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, and, of course, London with Cyprus. This absolutely makes sense since the majority of UK expats and tourists are coming to Paphos.
However, flights to other international destinations are also available. Being a part of Hermes Group, Paphos airport also has modern facilities, just like Larnaca airport. It is located just 6,5 km outside of the city of Paphos and around 1 hour drive from Limassol. From other cities, however, it would take more time to get to Paphos airport, so it's good to keep it in mind and plan ahead.
Getting to/from airports in Cyprus
There are many options on getting to the airports in Cyprus. Taxis could be slightly more on the expensive side, starting from 50 euros to 100 euros, depending on the distance. Bus shuttle services are also available, departing from all major cities: Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and Aiya Napa. There are various bus shuttle companies operating in Cyprus, amongst which the most popular one is Kapnos Express. Normally, the bus shuttles depart with the frequency of 40 to 60 minutes and the fare costs approximately 10 euros. You can buy the tickets online or at a dedicated desk at the airport. There are also private transfers available, although they are more expensive.
Driving to the airports is also convenient — there are free waiting spots nearby, where you can wait for the arrivals. Or, if you are living in Cyprus and going on a trip, you can use airport parking for either short or long-term, depending on your needs and budget.
Airlines flying to Cyprus
Cyprus Airways
This flagship national operator carries the legacy of the original company founded in 1947. After the brief seizure in operations, the airline has regained its momentum, being officially relaunched as «Cyprus Airways» in 2017. Currently it offers flights to over 15 destinations with the plans to double them in 2026. Amongst some of the major destinations are Paris, Tel Aviv, Sharm El Sheikh, Athens, Beirut. Cyprus Airways also runs seasonal flights to some popular European cities and beyond. With its hub at Larnaca airport, Cyprus Airways offers around 100 flights per week to various destinations.
TUS Air
With its headquarters in Larnaca, TUS Air is another regional airline. Founded in 2015, it is a relatively new small regional carrier. Its major destinations include Israel, Greece, Middle East and Europe. TUS Air also offers charter international city flights.
Aegean Airlines
It is probably the most popular choice amongst locals for all Greek destinations. Aegean runs over 159 weekly flights to Larnaca. The most popular flights are from Larnaca to Athens or Thessaloniki, from where you can find easy connections to other Greek cities and smaller islands.
Ryanair
It's one of the most popular low-cost airlines, connecting Cyprus with many European destinations as well as Jordan and the UK. With its hub in Paphos, Ryanair is quite popular with the Brits, offering frequent flights to London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. Although some flights also depart from Larnaca. In total, Ryanair offers around 260 flights to Cyprus per week, with the prices starting from as low as 20 euros one-way.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air is yet another popular low-cost airline, offering regular flights to Larnaca and Armenia. In addition the airline is planning to introduce new flight routes connecting Cyprus with Spain (Barcelona), Italy (Venice) and Bosnia, departing from Larnaca, as well as regular flights to Warsaw, departing from Paphos. In total, Wizz Air serves up to 300 flights to and from Cyprus each week, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious travellers. With its main hub at Larnaca airport, it is a convenient, reliable and cost-savvy option for those who want to get from point A to point B without paying a fortune.
Other destinations
Those flying to the UK have a wide selection of airlines offering connections with major UK airports. Options include low-costers like EasyJet and Jet2, package tour airlines, such as TUI, as well as a national legacy carrier — British Airways.
Despite not having direct flights to and from Russia, travellers still have some sound options with convenient connections. The cheapest and quickest alternatives are through Armenia (Yerevan) with Wizz Air and Kuwait with Jazeera Airlines. There is also an option to fly via Tbilisi (Georgia) with Georgian Airways and Belgrade (Serbia) with Serbian Airlines. These options can be a little more expensive, depending on the time of booking.
Located in proximity to the Middle East, Cyprus has regular flights to Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai with Qatar, Emirates and Etihad. For flights to Germany and northern Europe Lufthansa and Finnair offer regular weekly routes, whilst El Al links Cyprus with Israel, offering frequent flights to Tel Aviv.
How to book Cyprus flights
Of course, the first option that comes to mind is to book flights directly from the airline's official website. It is easy, secure and convenient and you can get to know about seasonal sales and promotions.
For those who want to find the best deals on flights to Cyprus, it is best to use flight comparison engines, like Google flights, Skyscanner, Momondo and many others. There you can find cheap flights to Cyprus within minutes and search flights, based on your preferences, without being limited to one specific airline.
Flight booking tips
It is best to book flights well in advance for best deals. For cheap flights it's advisable to travel in off-peak season. You can book your flight and hotel through the flight and hotel app. A round trip is usually cheaper than booking separate flights. Keep in mind that mid-week flights are usually less expensive than weekend flights.
Check airline’s policies, for instance baggage allowances and other extras, as it may significantly impact the cost of your trip. Take advantage of fare comparison tools and websites to find the best deal. Sign up for fare alerts on your selected route.
With beautiful and compact airports and modern facilities, flying to Cyprus is a breeze. The island is very well-connected not only to most European destinations, but also to the Middle East, Egypt and North Africa. There is a plethora of flight options for both budget-savvy travellers with low-costers like Wizz and Ryanair and for those who opt for service and comfort of large flagship carriers. So, if you are planning your next trip to Cyprus, just hop online for best deals and then onto the plane and experience one of the most beautiful locations in the Mediterranean!
