Following the collapse of KTHY most of the flights to North Cyprus have been taken over by the Atlasjet airline. Their website is www.atlasjet.com - although their website is not available in English. Alternatively we recommend booking flights through Cyprus Paradise or Transit Management Ltd. The other airline that is flying to North Cyprus is Pegasus Airlines, their website is at www.flypgs.com and is in English. Visitors can also travel to the North via Larnaca airport in the South, although this does mean crossing the border, and an extra charge for airport pickup/drop offs. Flights to Larnaca are found through the usual travel agents or online booking agencies. It is worth checking with your particular villa owner, as some will have recommended agents. Back to top of page
The North -South border (Green Line)
Following the referendum on 24th April 2004 (in which the North voted "Yes" and the South voted "No" to a re-unification of the divided island) the position with regards to the border and the "rules" by which one may cross the border seem to be quite fluid and can change overnight. The border is considered "open", although you can only cross at designated crossing points. If you are traveling from the South you have to complete an entry visa to the enter the North. From North to South you have to have a current valid EU passport. Hired cars may not cross the border, as insurance is not transferable. There are also certain restrictions on the transport of goods across the border - best to check this with the locals as it seems to change regularly. Back to top of page
The Turkish Republic of North Cyprus has not become member of the EU. Customs limitations are that of a non-EU country. At the moment only the Greek South of the island has joined the EU as of the 1st May 2004. There was a referendum held in both the North and South of the island on the 24th April 2004 to vote for the UN's plan (the Annan plan) for re-unification of the divided island. The North voted overwhelmingly for acceptance of the plan, but the South voted overwhelmingly against acceptance, so as yet the island remains divided. Many voices have called for a relaxation of the embargoes against the North following the referendum, but as yet there has been little change. To keep up with the latest developments see the news section on the CYPRUSIVE website. Back to top of page
There is no need of a visa for North Cyprus, but you will require a valid passport, and it should have at least 3 months to run, or you may have problems. If you intend traveling to Greece or the South of Cyprus in the future then do not allow the passport control to stamp your passport, but request a temporary page. Back to top of page
There are good modern medical facilities on North Cyprus. Emergency casualties are dealt with free, but secondary care is charged for. It is important to have adequate medical travel insurance. If you require regular prescriptions then take a note from your Doctor, or a copy of the prescription. Most common medicines etc are readily available through local pharmacies. Back to top of page
The electrical system on North Cyprus is exactly the same as the UK. 240V, three pin plugs. All UK appliances work normally. The power supply can be interrupted at any time, as the power plant does have a tendency to break down causing power cuts - if you intend to use sensitive equipment like a laptop etc then it is a good idea to use a surge protector. Back to top of page
The water on North Cyprus is considered safe to drink, but in common with all the Mediterranean islands it can give you a bit of a funny tummy! Bottled water is readily available at all shops and restaurants. Back to top of page
In North Cyprus you drive on the left, exactly the same as the UK. You will need a valid UK or other National domestic Driving Licence to hire a car. Many hire companies won't hire to anyone under the age of 25, except by prior arrangement. Back to top of page
The main language in North Cyprus is Turkish. Almost all of the Turkish Cypriots know enough English to get by. Many are fluent English speakers. Knowing at least a few pleasantries in Turkish will go a long way with the locals, although they will almost always answer in English! Back to top of page
The local currency in North Cyprus is New Turkish Lira (YTL). Generally you will get a better rate of exchange for UK Sterling over there - there are many "Speedcash" Bureau de Change to be found in the main towns and cities - check around for the best deal on the day. Debit and Credit cards are becoming acceptable in most places. There are cash machines around, but are expensive to draw cash from. Most local shops and restaurants will change Sterling, but at a lower rate than the Bureaux de Change. Scottish holidaymakers should ensure that they take English bank notes as not all Bureaux accept Scottish currency. Back to top of page
Animals: There are no dangerous animals to speak of on Cyprus. There are a couple of venomous snakes, but they are not considered dangerous and are generally only found up in the mountains or in the wilds of the Karpas.
Insects: There are mosquitoes whose bites can be extremely irritating but they do not carry malaria. It is advisable to take some good insect/mosquito repellent. Research would seem to show that repellents that contain DEET are the most effective. Having after-bite "sticks" or anti-histamines (if required) is a good idea too, especially for children. Beaches are best avoided around dawn and dusk as the sand-flies bite your ankles! It's always a good idea to have some Benedryl around, it can alleviate the worst of any reaction or allergies encountered.
Fish: In the water it is always advisable to advise children not to touch or try to catch any of the small fish, are some are like our sticklebacks and have a poisonous spine which can cause quite severe pain and swelling if stung. Back to top of page
From about May/June through to August/September the sun in Cyprus is fierce! It is important to take all the recommended precautions ie. regular use of sunscreen, keeping covered up in the sun and making sure that you keep taking plenty of fluids (especially children). Your holiday can be ruined if the children get badly burned in the first day or two, and while it might seem that they are having a great time on the beach swimming for hours in the water it is very easy to allow them to overdo exposure to the sun. The best local remedy for sunburn is plain fresh yoghurt applied liberally. Prickly heat is the other main allergy that children can suffer from if they are not used to strong sun, this can be extremely distressing for them - the symptoms are best described as a prickly itch you can't scratch and at worst the skin will come up in tiny water-blisters - it is recommended that you take some Benedryl or similar anti-histamine which will provide some relief. The chart below shows the average monthly temperatures for North Cyprus.
