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Travelling to North CyprusTravel information about North Cyprus Airlines & Airport Facilities North Cyprus has direct air links only with Turkey where all planes from Europe must first touch down. The waiting period is normally under 1 hour. From Turkey, you can choose a number of scheduled flights from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana, Dalaman and Antalya. There are five airlines which fly to North Cyprus. These airlines provide regular daily flights via Turkey to Ercan Airport. The two airlines that regularly fly internationally to Ercan Airport in North Cyprus and these airlines are Cyprus Turkish Airlines and Turkish Airlines. For information, please see below telephone numbers and names of the airlines companies. Cyprus Turkish Airlines ( KTHY): 00 90 392 2283901 Turkish Airlines ( THY) : 0090 392 2271061 Onur Air/ TWI Flights: 0090 392 2200121 Atlasjet International Airlines: 0090 392 8156278 Fly Air : 0090 392 2280082 More than 60 flights per week arrive at Ercan Airport during the summer. There are approximately 15 flights that leave from 3 airports of London which are Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow. Flying Direct to South Cyprus and Border Crossing It also possible to fly direct from UK airports and EU airports to Larnaca or Baphos in Southern Cyprus and cross the border via Taxi or rental car to North Cyprus. The travel time from Larnaca airport to say Kyrenia in North Cyprus takes just over 1 hour. Boats & Ferries There are regular ferry services from Kyrenia and Famagusta to towns of the southern coast of the Turkey, namely Mersin, Antalya and Tasucu. The journey takes about 5-6 hours. From Mersin, it is possible to sail Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Marinas There are yacht mooring facilities in Kyrenia and Famagusta. There are also yacht and boat tours are available throughout the summer from Kyrenia Horbour. Public Transport ( mini-buses and taxi ) An inexpensive network of buses and mini-buses operates between all the main towns during the day, and in addition there are ‘dolmush’ (shuttles) operating on the same routes as well. Taxis are widely available but they do not carry a meter. They work on a fix price basis. However, there are standard journey charges. Driving in North Cyprus In Cyprus, traffic flows on the left, so please show care! Driving is most advisable form of transport in Northern Cyprus as the bus services to many of the more remote areas of the country are very infrequent; in any case, such services cease to operate after 5: 00pm. The condition of roads between major towns and villages are very good for the most part, but a few mountain and village roads are still not paved, so care should be taken especially in rainy weather. Visitors wishing to bring their own cars from abroad may do so for a period of up to 3 months provided the vehicle has a valid registration license from its country of origin. Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid international driving license or a valid driving license from their country of origin. Visitors bringing their own cars from abroad will need to purchase insurance upon entry to Northern Cyprus. Generally most tourists choose the option of renting a car in Cyprus, services that is very reliable and readily available all around the island. Traffic and road signs are international. The speed limit on city/village streets is 45km/hour, on main roads is 65km/hour, on intercity highways when outside of villages, is 100km/hour. Please do pay attention to speed limit signs while driving, and make sure to show care to see whether they are in kilometres or in miles. Seat belt must be worn. Drivers are prohibited to drink. Most petrol stations are open from 7 am. and close around 8 pm. Some, however, stay open late and there is an increasing number of stations which operate 24 hours a day. Municipal parking is available in all major towns. Car Rental This service is available in all main towns and some hotels. A British or International drivers licence required. Rental cars have red number plates. Border Crossing between North and South Cyprus In recent years the unification of the island or at least the idea of it has come much closer to being realty. As of 2003 the borders were opened and there has been a free flow of citizens and foreign nationals from both parts of the island. People from both sides cross the border on a daily basis for shopping, tourism, business, etc. This process has also allowed tourists to cross the border and explore the whole island. In doing so, the people of the world also get a closer look at the two sides and they themselves can compare what they heard to what they see to be true. As a result of this they too can be taken out of the game of “they did this”. At the border tourists will get a form stamped and with that they will be allowed to cross to the south. Please note that the form will be stamped and not your passport. Also while nationals of most countries including E.U. countries and the U.S. may enter the South, countries that would otherwise be required to have a visa in order to enter by other ports may not cross the border. Restrictions for E.U. countries, the US, and others where lifted once the crossing was opened and Cyprus joined the E.U. Although some of the laws have not changed they are disregarded and for the most part there is free crossing. Restrictions are mostly held to 50 Cypriot Pounds worth of goods crossing to either side. Crossing the border with a car You may rent a car in the South and cross over to the North. On the other hand, when you rent a car in the North, you are not allowed to cross over the south. Only personally owned cars can cross over to the South (basically a car that is not a rental car or displaying the rental license plates which are red). For your connivance there are also rental agencies near the crossing points so you may rent a car once you cross over. However, please note that insurance purchased from one side is not applicable to the other. So when you cross you will need to purchase insurance if you plan to drive on the other side. Car insurance for South Cyprus: 10 CYP per Month (£11) Car insurance for North Cyprus: 100 YTL / 40CYP per Year (£44)
All in all it seems that by opening the border the two sides may be coming together in terms of at least an acceptance of the other community. There will be talk, there might be some understanding, but most importantly there may be some dispelling of myths. Everybody knows that this is an island that is deeply rooted in mythological lore, but its people must look for some thing beyond the myths that abound. There must be action that is based on reality and not myth. Differences do exist between the two sides and no amount of uzo or raki will erase those differences. They must be aired and then maybe, maybe an acceptance, a trust, a respect will be established. Then and only then when the people of today are gone and their descendants look back may they wonder if it was a myth, what brave ancestors they had that reached across the divide and said take my hand for I trust you. Border crossing points There are currently 5 active check points for crossing the green line in Cyprus. The last crossing point that was established was the Zohdia crossing that is located in Morphou. Current active Green Line Crossing Checkpoints:
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North Cyprus Property Place Overseas Central House, No 1 Ballards Lane, Finchley, London, N3 1LQ, United Kingdom - Show map - Tel: 0800 068 3359 Email: info@propertycyprussales.com Copyright © North Cyprus Property Place Overseas 2008. |