Renting a car gives you more freedom than public transport. Here are seven of the best car rental companies in Cyprus.
Photo Credit: Facebook
How many countries are on the island of Cyprus?
Before we delve into car renting, car lending, car hiring, car borrowing or even “carpacking”, the island of Cyprus begs us a specific question… How many countries are on the island of Cyprus? The answer is either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 depending on your mindset and method of classifying countries. The island has a lot of curiosities we need to explore as avid long term nomadic backpacker. Have a look at these options…
- Would be just Cyprus. All island one country.
- Would be Northern Cyprus and The Republic of Cyprus. One island, 2 countries.
- Would be Northern Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom overseas territories (in the case that you classify geographically separate Akrotiri and Dhekelia as one country). One island, 3 countries.
- Would be Northern Cyprus, The Republic of Cyprus and the two separate United Kingdom overseas territories Akrotiri and Dhekelia (in the case that you classify geographically separate Akrotiri and Dhekelia as two separate countries). I’ve backpacked all 4 of course! One island, 4 countries.
Wait, is there a fifth? Yes there is…
Add in the United Nations buffer zone to the last 4. One island, 5 countries! I crossed the UN Buffer Zone using the Ledra Street pedestrian crossing in Nicosia.
Backpacking the Ancient City of Salamis, in Northern Cyprus, which, without a car, wasn’t the easiest of places to get to; I walked one way, think, 10 km, 38 degrees C and hitched back:
Nomadic Backpacker in Akrotiri, one of two Sovereign base Areas in Cyprus:
The smart blog reader will tell you I backpacked them all using public transport and my feet, but let’s do it by car this time. These are the hottest wheels on the Cyprus circuit. And it doesn’t matter how many countries you count, the island is called Cyprus.
Here’s a top 7 car hire companies. So get your flights, boats or ships booked in. Head to Cyprus (or Northern Cyprus) and get ready to drive your way all around the island.
1. Oscar Rent A Car
Based: Northern Cyprus.
The avid island explorer in you will want to ensure you can drive to both Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. Oscar Rent A Car are based in the north part, with locations including Ercan International Airport (Nicosia) and Kyrenia (Girne).
You can contact them for details to ensure everything runs smoothly. Basically, they can provide you with the paperwork to ensure you can legally and easily visit the whole island and make the most of your holiday. They are based at Ercan Airport in the north.
Website: Oscar Renta Cars
2. Falak Rent a Car
Based: Northern Cyprus.
Quirky hire company Falak states that “you can take hired cars from Northern Cyprus to Southern Cyprus” (with proper documentation). Again, they are based at Ercan Airport in the north side, Nicosia (Lefkoşa). Of course, it’s worth checking all these companies do as they say, as you don’t want to get caught on the wrong side of the law.
Website: Falak Car Rental
3. Sixt
Based: Republic Of Cyprus.
Sometimes the standard companies come in handy, as you can trust them due to their track record, the fact that they have built a reputation and the fact that you can find them at many major international airports. Sixt are in Cyprus, as they also are in Malta if you read my recent post on car hire in Malta.
If you want reliable, reputable and simple then this is your choice. Just be sure to ask them if they allow you to travel to Northern Cyprus, as their Cypriot HQ is in the Republic of Cyprus. They have offices at both Paphos and Larnaca Airports. Sixt in Cyprus has several local branches. Here are their 4 locations:
- Nicosia: Lemesou Avenue 57, Strovolos, Nicosia 2121, Cyprus
- Limassol: Georgiou 1st Avenue, Belmar Complex 5C, Limassol, Cyprus
- Paphos: Tombs of the Kings Ave 58, Paphos 8046, Cyprus
- Larnaca Airport: Arrival Hall, Larnaca Airport, Cyprus
Website: SIXT
4. Petsas (Andreas Petsas & Sons)
Based: Republic Of Cyprus
Andreas Petsas and Sons Public Ltd has been a leading name in Cyprus car rentals since 1962, making it one of the country’s most established self-drive hire and leasing companies.
Its fleet of around 1,800 vehicles includes everything from economy cars and saloons to luxury models, cabriolets, 4×4 jeeps, and minibuses—meeting nearly every need in the car hire market. This could be your ticket to exploring the island and keeping local businesses booming.
The company operates offices in all major towns and popular resorts across the Republic of Cyprus, as well as at both Larnaca and Paphos International Airports, offering customers year-round, 24-hour service.
Website: Petsas Rent A Car
5. Airport Paphos
Based: Republic Of Cyprus
If you feel like using the local airport’s guidance in Paphos, look no further than the official website of Paphos Airport. Known for their local expertise and safe treatment of tourists, the third-party part of their site is a great way to compare prices, vehicle size and other specifications to ensure you have an epic holiday. So once you have passed through immigration, head to the Paphos Airport car hire desks.
Website: Car hire in Paphos
6. Paphos Car Hire/ABC Car Rental
Based: Republic Of Cyprus
Paphos Car Hire might be their domain name and search quirk, but the company use the ABC Car Rental moniker…ABC Car Rental is a well-established, value-focused car hire company based in Paphos.
They were founded way back in 1989 so you can bet your bottom pound they know the game inside out. From the very beginning, they recognised the need for an affordable alternative to the high-priced multinational car rental brands.
Since then, ABC/Paphos Car Hire have dedicated themselves to building a company that offers a wide range of quality rental vehicles at competitive prices.
As an independent, family-owned business, they take pride in delivering friendly, personalised service to every customer. With over 25 years of experience in the Cyprus car rental industry, they provide a level of customer care that many larger companies cannot match, while ensuring the most competitive Paphos car hire rates. Longevity counts in this game – give them a try.
Website: ABC Car Rental
7. Drive Cyprus
Based: Republic Of Cyprus
Last but by no means least is the cool “Drive Cyprus”. This company know their stuff and their slogan is “stress free car hire in Cyprus”. It really sounds like you will get a smooth process with Drive Cyprus. Their website details all the options for size od car, or van and the prices by day, days, weeks or even months for longer stays. Their headquarters are in the seaside city of Limassol, but they have offices all over, including both main airports in the Republic of Cyprus.
Facebook: Drive Cyprus
Others:
Reliable global names such as Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Astra are also available of course, but it’s nice to keep thing local as a nomadic backpacker or car renter. Mostly those bigger global companies are popular for collection and returns to Larnaca & Paphos Airports.
Important!
Please make sure you check with the provider though, to ensure you can cross the borders between the UN Buffer Zone, Northern Cyprus, The Republic Of Cyprus (EU), Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
*** Please Note – Even though crossing is allowed, insurance from the rental company is often not valid in Northern Cyprus. You may need to buy additional insurance (often sold at the border) so please check all of that with the rental company you choose. Things can change very quickly, as can the political situation in places like this.