For most arrivals, a pre-booked private transfer is the best value: you know the price before you fly, a named chauffeur meets you at arrivals, and there is nothing to arrange once you land. An airport taxi can be cheaper on a short hop but the fare is not fixed; a rental car only pays off if you plan to drive every day; and the kombi is the cheapest of all but does not go door to door. Here is how the four options really compare.
The four ways to get from the airport
| Option | Price known upfront? | Door to door? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Yes — fixed | Yes | Arrivals who want zero hassle |
| Airport taxi | No — meter or on-the-spot quote | Yes | Very short, one-off hops |
| Rental car | Car yes, extras no | You drive | Daily touring, several stops |
| Kombi (minibus) | Yes — low, per person | No — set stops | Solo budget travel, no luggage |
How much does an airport transfer cost in North Cyprus?
A private transfer is priced per vehicle, not per person, and it is fixed when you book. As a guide, Ercan Airport to Kyrenia is around £45–£55, and Larnaca to Kyrenia — which crosses the border — is roughly £80–£95. Because tolls, parking and the first 45 minutes of airport waiting are included, the number you see when you book is the number you pay.
Is an airport taxi cheaper than a transfer?
Sometimes, on a very short trip — but the fare is not fixed. Airport taxis in North Cyprus rarely run a meter, so you agree a price at the rank, often late at night, with luggage, after a flight. A typical Ercan–Kyrenia taxi is quoted at roughly €50–€63, and a night or a busy arrival can push it higher. If you value knowing the cost in advance, that uncertainty is the real difference, not the headline number.
Should I hire a car instead?
Rent a car only if you intend to drive most days. Two things surprise first-time visitors. Cyprus drives on the left, so the roads take a day to get used to. And if you land in the south and drive to the north, you must buy separate North Cyprus insurance at the border — a rental booked in the south is not covered across the Green Line by default. For a beach-and-hotel holiday with a few outings, a transfer in and a couple of day trips usually costs less than a week of hire, fuel and parking.
What about the kombi or public minibus?
The kombi is the cheapest way to move around and a fine choice for a solo traveller with a small bag. The trade-offs are simple: it runs set routes to set stops, not to your hotel door; it does not wait for a delayed flight; and with cases, late at night, or as a family it stops being practical. It is a great way to explore on a spare afternoon — just not the way most people want to start a holiday at 1 a.m.
So which should you choose?
- Landing tired, with luggage or family, or crossing the border: a private transfer — fixed price, met at arrivals, flight tracked.
- One very short hop and you enjoy haggling: an airport taxi can work, if you agree the price first.
- Touring the island most days: hire a car, and buy the border insurance if you cross.
- Solo, light, and counting every pound: the kombi for getting around once you have arrived.
Why our price is worth it
We are not the cheapest quote at the rank, and we do not pretend to be. What the fixed fare buys is certainty: a chauffeur who drives these routes every day, knows which border lane moves fastest and which hotel entrance to use, waits without charge when your flight is late, and never adds a surcharge at the door. For the first hour of a holiday, in an unfamiliar place, that is usually the part worth paying for.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay per person or per car?
Per car. The fixed fare covers the whole vehicle up to its seat count, so a family or group shares one price rather than paying each.
Can a taxi or transfer cross from Larnaca to the north?
A pre-booked transfer can and does daily — you stay in the same car through the Green Line checkpoint, with no passenger fee. Many south-based taxis do not cross, so book a driver who does.
What happens to my transfer if my flight is delayed?
Nothing changes and nothing extra is charged. We track the flight and move your pickup to match it, with the first 45 minutes of waiting included.
See real fares on our routes and prices page, compare the two Kyrenia options — Ercan to Kyrenia and Larnaca to Kyrenia — or book your transfer.