Flights to Northern Cyprus – Our experiences, airports, prices and the best way to get there

Tip & Recommendation · Posted on June 11, 2026 · Philipp Herrmann

Anyone planning a holiday in Northern Cyprus for the first time will sooner or later ask themselves the same question:

What's the best way to get to Northern Cyprus?

The answer is somewhat more complex than for many other holiday destinations. At the same time, getting there is significantly easier than many travelers initially assume.

After many trips to Northern Cyprus, we've now tried almost all the travel options. In this post, we share our experiences and explain which airports are suitable for your holiday and which option is best for which type of trip.

The three most important airports for Northern Cyprus

For holidaymakers from Germany, there are basically three airports to consider:

1. Ercan Airport (Northern Cyprus)

Ercan International Airport

Ercan Airport is located in the north of the island and is the most important airport in Northern Cyprus.

Important to know:

There are currently no direct flights from Germany to Northern Cyprus.

All flights to Ercan transit through Turkey. Typical layover locations include:

• Istanbul

• Ankara

• Antalya

• Izmir

For many travelers, this initially sounds complicated. However, our experience is different.

A layover often offers a welcome break, especially for families with children. Transfer times are frequently manageable and connections generally run smoothly.

The big advantage:

After landing, you will already be in Northern Cyprus.

Depending on your holiday destination, you will often reach your accommodation within 20 to 60 minutes.

2. Larnaca Airport

Larnaca International Airport

Larnaca Airport is located in the south of the island and is served directly by numerous European airlines.

For many holidaymakers, Larnaca is the classic alternative to Ercan airport.

Our experience:

Flight prices to Larnaca and Ercan often differ less in the long term than many people assume.

Sometimes the connection to Larnaca is cheaper, sometimes the connection to Ercan.

Therefore, a direct price comparison is always worthwhile.

The great advantage of Larnaca:

• many direct flights

• good flight times

• wide selection of airlines

• large selection of car rental providers

Those wishing to travel on to Northern Cyprus can usually reach the border within about an hour, depending on traffic.

3. Paphos Airport

Paphos International Airport

Paphos Airport is not usually the first choice for many holidaymakers.

For us as a family, however, he is regularly one of the most interesting options.

The reason:

Paphos is frequently served by budget airlines and often offers particularly attractive ticket prices.

This can result in significant savings, especially for families.

Our personal favorite combination

When we travel as a family, we often choose:

• cheap flight to Paphos

• pick up rental car

• Continue to Northern Cyprus

Why?

Because the savings from buying multiple plane tickets are often significantly higher than the additional costs for the rental car.

This often more than compensates for the longer journey.

Beware of rental cars at the airport

A tip from personal experience:

Don't automatically accept the first rental car offer you see directly at the airport.

If you want to travel to Northern Cyprus, you should definitely check whether the landlord allows travel to the north.

Not every car rental company allows this.

Especially with cheap offers, it's worth taking a close look at the rental conditions.

Taxi or rental car?

We hear this question regularly.

Taxi from Paphos to Northern Cyprus

Based on our experience, you should expect approximately the following costs:

• approximately 150 to 180 euros

At first glance, that sounds expensive.

Considering that the driver often has to drive for two hours there and then back again, the price seems quite reasonable.

Taxi from Larnaca to Northern Cyprus

Our experiences:

• often around 70 to 100 euros

Prices can vary depending on the destination and time of day.

Taxi from Ercan

Since the airport is already located in the north, the transfer costs are significantly lower.

Our experiences:

• often around 50 to 70 euros

depending on the holiday destination.

When is renting a car particularly worthwhile?

In our experience, almost always.

Especially for families or stays of several days, a rental car is often financially worthwhile.

For example, who:

• cheap flights to Paphos

• a rental car

• then explored Northern Cyprus

is often cheaper than travelers who first book a taxi transfer and later rent a car on site.

Airports in comparison

Ercan

Advantages:

• directly in Northern Cyprus

• short transfer times

• modern airport

Disadvantages:

• A transfer in Turkey is always required.

Larnaca

Advantages:

• many direct flights

• large selection of flights

• good rental car deals

Disadvantages:

• Border crossing required

Paphos

Advantages:

• often very cheap flights

• especially interesting for families

Disadvantages:

• longest journey to Northern Cyprus

Our experiences with airports

We find Paphos to be pleasantly small and easy to navigate.

Larnaca appears significantly larger and more international, yet remains well-organized.

We were particularly impressed by the new Ercan Airport. The airport has undergone significant modernization and expansion in recent years. Although there are currently no direct international flights, the terminal already gives the impression of a modern international airport.

Our conclusion

There is no perfect way to travel to Northern Cyprus.

It always depends on:

• Are you traveling alone or as a family?

• Would you like to rent a car?

• Are you planning any trips to the south?

• How important are cheap flight prices to you?

For a holiday focused solely on Northern Cyprus, Ercan is often the most convenient solution.

Those looking for cheap direct flights will find an excellent alternative in Larnaca.

And those who are particularly price-conscious or traveling as a family should definitely include Paphos in their price comparison.

We ourselves have used all three airports over the years and would not rule out any of the options in principle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to fly directly to Northern Cyprus?

No. Flights to Ercan currently always go via Turkey.

Which airport is closest to Northern Cyprus?

Ercan is located directly in Northern Cyprus.

Is Larnaca or Ercan cheaper?

It's impossible to give a general answer. Prices are constantly changing. It's always worth comparing.

Why do so many tourists fly to Paphos?

Especially because of the often cheap flight prices, particularly for families.

Can I travel directly from Paphos to Northern Cyprus?

Yes. This is easily possible by taxi or rental car.

Which airport is suitable for families?

In our experience, Paphos can be particularly interesting due to the often low flight prices.

How long does the journey from Paphos to Northern Cyprus take?

Depending on the destination, usually between two and three hours.

Do I need any special documents to cross the border?

At the time of our trips, a valid passport or identity card was sufficient. However, always check the current entry requirements before traveling.

Note regarding timeliness and liability

The information in this article is based on personal experience and information available at the time of publication. Flight connections, border regulations, transfer prices, and entry requirements are subject to change at any time.

Please check the latest information with the respective airlines, authorities, and service providers before traveling. We assume no liability for the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of this information.