Motoring and Caravanning

Driving in Cyprus is on the left. A British legacy, and most of the road signs used to be the same, however, there is a spelling/ pronunciation/name thing which has been ongoing now for some years which can make things more confusing than they used to be.

A simple example would be place names.

Nicosia - Lefkosia
Limassol - Lemessos
Ayia Napa - Agia Napa
Larnaca - Larnaka
Paphos - Pafos

I personally think it may have been to give sign writers more work, as the signs everywhere used to be in the 3 official languages, which are rapidly dwindling to one.

There is a good network of main roads and motorways.

Seat belts must be worn in the front seats of a car and the speed limits on the roads are clearly labelled ( not that much notice is still taken of them) In fact the greatest hazards on the roads in Cyprus are;
(a) The speeds at which some people drive.
(b) The lack of clear white lines on smaller roads, making them difficult to see at night.
(c) If someone flashes their lights at you at a crossing it doesn't mean 'please come out' it means' DON'T come out or I will ram you'
(d) Playing dare at traffic lights... red means 'put your foot down, you might make it', amber means 'put your foot down you will make it 'and green means 'put your foot down'

(e) Pavements. Everyone here understands that pavements are for parking on. No one walks on them if they can help it, they're dangerous. Apart from the fact that they are generally so uneven that you risk tripping over, they have more potholes than the roads, so pushing a pram or navigating in a wheelchair is very difficult, but for parking on.. they're perfect !

You used to be able to import a car for 3 months without any restriction, then you had to apply for an extension. We are not sure of the rules anymore since joining the EC.

If you do want to bring your car or camping van/ caravan with you, there is a service where you may accompany it on board ship from a few places in Europe. The nearest is Italy. Do not make the mistake of thinking it stands to reason that if you drive to Greece you will be able to jump on one of those little island hopping ferries. We don't have a ferry anymore. We haven't had for some years. (Since the Olympic games in Greece in fact, but that's another storry) Progress.

You may be entitled to a Duty free car, take a look at your options before assuming. You are entitled to relief from excise duty if you are an alien national having taken up permanent residence in Cyprus without exercising a profession or occupation of any sort. Relief is granted on the whole amount of excise duty for one vehicle per person. However import duty and VAT is payable.

Petrol is about the standard price, but diesel is no longer very cheap, since we got everyone to change to deisel cars because it was cheaper! There is a higher road tax on diesel cars, however if you were doing lots of mileage, it quickly became a viable option. Now it isn't.

You will find a list of petrol prices here.....

Road tax is required if you keep a car here for over a certain time.

Caravans are still very expensive here and we have yet to find a place where you can hire them, so if you know different then let us know please.

Hire Cars are easily available and you can arrange to have one waiting for you at Larnaca or Paphos airport.
The prices vary, so shop around.

Duty free and second hand car information is here