Kyrenia (Girne) is the north's most popular base, and you can reach it from two very different airports: Ercan, the north's own, and Larnaca in the south. One is closer; the other has more flights. Here's how they compare on time, cost and hassle, so you can book the flight that actually suits you — and what happens on the ground once you land.
Ercan: closer, simpler
Ercan sits just east of Nicosia, about 35 minutes from Kyrenia with no border to cross. Arrival is quick, the terminal is calm, the transfer is short, and it's usually the cheapest option door to door. The trade-off is flights: almost all of them route through Turkey, so from Europe you'll typically connect through Istanbul or another Turkish hub, which adds time and a change of plane.
Larnaca: more flights, a border
Larnaca is a full international airport with direct flights from across Europe and the UK — often cheaper tickets and no connection at all. The catch is distance and the crossing: Larnaca to Kyrenia is around 75 minutes and passes through a Green Line checkpoint near Nicosia. With a private transfer the crossing is effortless — you stay in the car, show your passport briefly, and there's no passenger fee — but it does add 20–30 minutes to the drive.
At a glance
- Fastest transfer: Ercan (~35 min) vs Larnaca (~75 min)
- Lower transfer fare: Ercan
- Widest flight choice / direct from Europe: Larnaca
- No border crossing: Ercan
- Often the cheaper flight: Larnaca
How the crossing works from Larnaca
If you fly into Larnaca, the drive to Kyrenia crosses the Green Line at one of Nicosia's vehicle checkpoints (usually Metehan/Ağırdağ). You remain in the same car the whole way, an officer may glance at passports, and there's no charge for passengers. Your chauffeur does this daily and knows the quickest lanes — so what sounds complicated is, in practice, a brief pause in an otherwise ordinary drive.
Don't forget the return
Weigh the whole trip, not just the arrival. If you fly in and out of Larnaca, you'll cross the border twice — still easy, but factor in the extra time on your departure day so you reach the airport comfortably. We build that into your return pickup time automatically when you book a round trip.
Beyond the airport — local rides
Whichever airport you choose, the same fixed-price service covers getting around once you're in Kyrenia. We run şehir içi (in-town) and around-the-island journeys too — the harbour for dinner, Bellapais, a casino hotel, a hospital run, or a day trip to Famagusta — so you're looked after for the whole stay.
Our honest advice
If a convenient direct flight into Larnaca is noticeably cheaper, take it — the transfer and crossing are smooth and we handle everything. If flight prices are similar, Ercan wins on time and cost once you're on the ground. Either way, you land to a fixed-price car and a chauffeur who tracks your flight.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper overall, Ercan or Larnaca?
It depends on the flight. Ercan's transfer is cheaper, but a direct Larnaca flight can beat an Ercan connection on the total cost. Compare the fixed transfer fares alongside the ticket prices.
Is the Larnaca border crossing difficult?
No. You stay in the car, passports ready, no passenger fee — it adds about 20–30 minutes and your driver handles it.
Can I fly into one airport and out of the other?
Yes, and it's common. Just tell us both airports when you book and we'll price each leg.
Compare both routes: Ercan to Kyrenia and Larnaca to Kyrenia — or book now.