Can I fly directly to Northern Cyprus?

No. Due to the political situation, all flights to Ercan Airport must stop in Turkey first (typically Istanbul or Ankara). Many travellers instead fly to Larnaca (south Cyprus) and cross to the north by road.

How do I get from Ercan Airport to Kyrenia?

Taxi costs approximately 600–800 TL (30 minutes). There is also a shuttle to Nicosia city centre (~50 TL), from where you can take a dolmuş (minibus) to Kyrenia (~40 TL).

Which side of the road does Northern Cyprus drive on?

Left — the same as the UK. Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 85 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on highways.

Northern Cyprus Airports & Transport — How to Get There and Around

Ercan Airport, flights, car rental, public transport, taxis, and driving in the TRNC — your complete transport guide.

Flying to Northern Cyprus

Ercan Airport (ECN)

The only airport in the TRNC, located east of Nicosia. All flights to Northern Cyprus land here.

Note: Due to the political situation, there are no direct international flights to Ercan from outside Turkey. All international flights must touch down in Turkey first (typically Istanbul, Ankara, or Izmir).

Airlines Operating at Ercan

•Turkish Airlines (THY): Flights via Istanbul (IST, SAW) to Ercan
•Pegasus Airlines: Flights via Istanbul (SAW), Ankara, Izmir
•Anadolujet: Budget flights via Ankara or Istanbul
•Corendon: Charter flights from European cities via Turkey

Flight Durations

Route	Duration
London → Istanbul → Ercan	~6 hours total
London → Ankara → Ercan	~7 hours total
Frankfurt → Istanbul → Ercan	~5.5 hours total
Istanbul → Ercan	~1.5 hours

Alternative: Larnaca Airport (LCA)

Located in the south of Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus). Many international travellers fly to Larnaca and cross to the north by car or taxi. Crossing the border is straightforward with a valid passport.

Getting from Ercan Airport

Taxi

•To Nicosia: ~400–500 TL (20 min)
•To Kyrenia: ~600–800 TL (30 min)
•To Famagusta: ~500–600 TL (30 min)
•Taxis are available outside the terminal 24/7

Car Rental

Multiple car rental desks at the airport:

•Daily rate: 500–1,200 TL
•Deposit: Credit card required
•Documents: Valid driving licence, passport
•Insurance: Third-party included, comprehensive optional

Airport Shuttle (Havaş)

•Runs between Ercan Airport and Nicosia city centre
•Cost: ~50 TL
•Frequency: Every 30–60 min during operating hours

Public Transport

Dolmuş (Minibus)

The cheapest way to get around. Dolmuş routes connect all major towns:

•Nicosia ↔ Kyrenia: ~40 TL, every 15 min
•Nicosia ↔ Famagusta: ~40 TL, every 30 min
•Nicosia ↔ Güzelyurt: ~35 TL, every 30 min
•Dolmuş stops are marked and you can flag them down

Buses

Longer-distance buses operated by Kıbrıs Türk Şirketi and private operators connect all cities.

Taxis

•Within city: Meter starts at 20 TL, ~50–100 TL for short trips
•Between cities: Negotiate or use meter — 300–800 TL
•Taxis are yellow with "TAXI" on the roof
•Ride-hailing: Not widely available; taxis are the norm

Car Rental Tips

•Book in advance during July–August
•Check insurance — ensure comprehensive coverage
•Driving side: Left (same as UK)
•Speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 85 km/h rural, 100 km/h highway
•Fuel: Petrol (benzin) and diesel (motorin) available; cheaper than EU
•Fuel cost: ~45–50 TL/litre