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General
Cyprus is still a divided Island and it is not possible to fly directly from Europe into North Cyprus. From the tourist's point of view this is a little inconvenient, but this is probably why you want to go there in the first place. Thirty years of isolation has its advantages. No mass tourism, no horribly crowded beaches, no english burgers and chips on every corner. Instead you can still enjoy the Mediterranean as it used to be, largely unspoilt and stunningly beautiful.
You basically have two choices -
1) Fly into the South which is quicker, offers a wide choice of flights, is cheaper but results in a longer, more expensive and less convenient transfer from the South to your Villa in the North, or
2) Fly into the North via Turkey which takes longer, offers limited choice of flights, is more expensive but provides for a shorter, cheaper and more convenient journey from airport to Villa.
At present we would recommend Option 1 .
Actually crossing the border between North and South is now straightforward. It is merely a Passport formality like crossing any border. There is no problem crossing in either direction but don't be tempted to take cigarettes or spirits, in excess of the very small limits allowed, from North to South. Hiring a car in the South and taking it North requires agreement by the company and special insurance which you purchase at the border but is only third party so very risky. We recommend you hire your car in the North. We can help you with that.
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Flying to Larnaca in the South
Larnaca International Airport is a very busy tourist airport situated 3 miles from Larnaca on the south coast of Cyprus. There are many scheduled and chartered flights from most UK airports to Larnaca so it is advisable to shop around for the best deals.
We have found these Flight Search Websites very good
Cheap Flights Avro A1 Travel Major Travel Online Travel
Alternatively contact the airlines direct, here's a few that fly to Larnaca
Thomsons Monarch British Airways Olympic Cyprus KLM
Flight time to Larnaca from the UK is about 4 hours 15 minutes. Typical prices £100 - £200.
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From Larnaca Airport to your Villa
We can arrange for you to be met at Larnaca by a taxi driver, with your name on a board, and taken to your villa, they will already be briefed on where you are staying. You will normally remain in the taxi at the border and the driver will help you with the brief passport formalities. The whole journey will take about ninety minutes and cost about £90 return
You can hire a car from some companies at Larnaca in the south, and take it into the north. The insurance is not valid in the north so you have to pay for extra insurance at the border. This will be third party insurance only which is very risky. If you have an accident which is your fault or damage the car in any way you will be liable up to the full value of the car. Also if the car breaks down you will have to sort out the problem yourself, the hire car company in the south will be unable to help. Consequently we don't recommend this.
Alternatively if you prefer to be independant you can probably pick up a taxi at the airport to take you all the way. You can certainly take a taxi to the Ledras Palace border crossing, walk through the passport control and pick up another taxi on the other side to take you to your villa. You will have directions from us to show the driver.
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Flying to Ercan in the North
Ercan
Airport is modern and is situated about seven miles east of Nicosia and about twenty miles south east of Kyrenia (Girne).
Transit Travel have good information on flights to Ercan and the options available.
Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA) fly to Ercan, via Turkey, from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead, Manchester and Birmingham. Passengers remain on board during a one hour stop in Turkey.
Journey time is approximately 6 hours 15 mins.
Typical Prices - £185 - £310
Website Link - You can book through Transit Travel
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Turkish Airlines
(THY) fly from Heathrow, Stanstead and Manchester to Ercan via Istanbul. The daily Stanstead service is usually a through flight so you remain on the aircraft. The other services involve changing planes in Istanbul.
Journey time to Istanbul is approximately 3 hours 45 mins. Istanbul to Ercan is about 1 Hour 30 mins
Typical Prices - £220 - £250
You can book through Transit Travel
or contact the airline direct -
Website Link - Turkish Airlines
email - info@turkish-airlines.co.uk
Tel - 0207 766 9300
Fax - 0207 976 1738
UK Office - 125 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EA
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Pegasus Airlines operate a service from Stanstead to Ercan via Istanbul, you remain on the aircraft at Istanbul.
Total journey time is about 6 hours
Typical Prices - £185 - £250
You can book through Transit Travel
or contact the airline direct -
Website Link - Pegasus Airlines
Tel Call Centre 00 90 444 0737
Tel Ercan Sales Office 00 90 392 231 4288
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From Ercan Airport to your Villa
Ercan is only twenty miles from Kyrenia (Girne) so it's about thirty minutes by taxi depending on which villa you are staying in. You can easily pick a taxi up at the airport and they will accept payment in pounds sterling. You will have an address and directions from us to show to the taxi driver.
If you prefer it, we can arrange a taxi for you. You will be met by someone holding a board with your name on it and they will already be briefed on where you are staying. If you are hiring a car, always recommended, then they will usually collect you free of charge.
Of course you can also collect your hire car at the airport and find your own way to your villa, again following our directions. If you get lost a few times, that's part of the fun!
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Car Hire
To fully enjoy your stay in north cyprus
and to explore the mountains and beaches, the villages and restaurants, we strongly recommend you have a hire car, for at least some of your holiday.
Hire cars are relatively inexpensive, about £20 a day inclusive, and you'll feel at home driving on the left!
We can arrange a hire car for you, small, medium, large or jeep. Let us know what you fancy.
You can hire a car from some companies at Larnaca in the south, and take it into the north. The insurance is not valid in the north so you have to pay for extra insurance at the border. This will be third party insurance only which is very risky. If you have an accident which is your fault or damage the car in any way you will be liable up to the full value of the car. Also if the car breaks down you will have to sort out the problem yourself, the hire car company in the south will be unable to help. Consequently we don't recommend this.
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