Why you need to hire a car in Cyprus
Cyprus has long been a very popular destination for tourists due to it's superb climate, beautiful beaches, mountain trails and interesting history. Public transport is not very abundant on the island, so booking cheap car hire in Cyprus before you go is a must if you want to sample everything this beautiful island has going for it. The island has an excellent variety of rental cars to choose from ranging from economy, compact, 4x4, 7+ seaters and convertibles.
Rental cars are available from locations dotted all over the island where you can pick up your car and it's usually possible to return your car to another location. For example if you were flying into Larnaca Airport and flying our of Paphos Airport, returning to a different location is not a problem provided the rental agent have offices at both locations. Expect to pay a small surcharge or one-way fee for the benefit, however we will always display that when quoting for one-way car hire in Cyprus.
Most popular locations to collect car hire in Cyprus:
A guide to Cyprus
Cyprus is officially named the Republic of Cyprus, and is an island sitting in the Mediterranean Sea. To the east is Greece, the south is Egypt, to the north is Turkey and to the east are the multiple borders of Lebanon, Israel and Syria. Cyprus is the third largest island to be found in the Mediterranean Sea, a popular tourist destination with a long and varied history. Indeed, Cyprus has often been cited as the world's largest open air museum, and surely no other nation can offer such a wealth of fascinating historical and archaeological sites in such a small area.
Cyprus has a history that is intricately tied into Greek mythology, the mythical birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite and the homeland of King Cinyras. Cyprus has seen a host of rulers through the ages, beginning with the Assyrians at around 700 BC, a short period of Egyptian rule, with Persian rulers taking control in 545 BC. More recent history has seen Cyprus as part the Roman Empire, and it was brought under Greek rule by Alexander the Great. In more recent times it has been Ottoman and British controlled before gaining independence in 1960.
Although public transport is somewhat limited on the island of Cyprus, it is an incredible place to explore in your own vehicle. Indeed, if we check the transport figures of recent years it is clear to see that privately owned vehicles are the primary form of transport throughout the island by far. Cyprus is also served by two international airports, Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport. The third airport, Nicosia International Airport was closed down in 1974. There is a privately operated bus service in Cyprus, and a wealth of taxis, although a hire car is probably still the best way to get around while staying in Cyprus.
There are plenty of things to do in Cyprus, a new riding school has just opened, www.horseridingpaphos.com. We have arranged a 10% discount deal, just say "rhino" and they will apply the discount at time of booking. Famagusta is arguably the most impressive place on Cyprus from a historical viewpoint, certainly no other area of Cyprus contain such a density of important archaeological and historical sites.
In the Northern part of Famagusta can be found the Salamis ruins, this was once a large city which was founded around the 11th century BC and was once the capital of the island. The city withheld invasions from many would-be conquerors; the most determined being the Romans and in 648 A.D. was finally abandoned following a combination of disasters including pirate raids and earthquakes. These ruins are still fairly well preserved, and contain examples of Roman baths, a gymnasium and an amphitheatre.
Should you rent a car in Cyprus?
Whether you plan to hit the beaches and nightlife of the world famous Ayia Napa region, or prefer something a little more sedate and relax on the stunning beaches at Paphos and Protaras, hiring a car in Cyprus is definitely the most convenient and easiest method of traveling around the island. Some of the most beautiful areas are not serviced by public transport, such as the Troodos mountains and the charming Akamas penisula, so the only way to see these sights is to hire a car.
Particularly popular to hire in Cyprus is an open top jeep, like the Suzuki Jimny which allows you to enjoy the fresh air and soak up the sun as you drive along.