Driving in Paphos: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

Cyprus drives on the left. For visitors from Continental Europe, the US, or Canada, this is the most important thing to know before collecting your rental car in Paphos. For visitors from the UK, Ireland, or Australia — you’ll feel right at home.

This guide covers everything you need to drive confidently in and around Paphos.

Left-hand traffic: adjusting quickly

Driving on the left means the driver sits on the right side of the car. The gear lever (if manual) is on your left. Roundabouts flow clockwise. You give way to traffic coming from the right on roundabouts.

The most common mistake for first-time left-hand-traffic drivers: turning left onto the wrong side of the road. After a junction or roundabout exit, your instinct may pull you right. Consciously remind yourself: stay left, hug the kerb.

Practical tip: if you’re uncertain, rent an automatic. The absence of a gear stick removes one major cognitive load and lets you focus entirely on road position. Paphos Car Rental (.com) operates an all-automatic fleet for exactly this reason.

Speed limits in Cyprus

Road type	Speed limit
Urban areas	50 km/h
Rural roads	80 km/h
Dual carriageways / motorways	100 km/h
Near schools / hospitals	30 km/h (signed)

Speed cameras are present on the main B6 road between Paphos and Limassol, and approaching Paphos town from the airport. Local police also conduct regular speed checks on the coastal road.

Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. Mobile phone use while driving is illegal and actively enforced. Drink driving limit is 0.5 mg/ml blood alcohol — lower than the UK limit.

Roads around Paphos: what to expect

Paphos town (Kato Pafos and Pano Pafos): The tourist area of Kato Pafos (near the harbour) has narrow streets, especially around the Archaeological Park. Parking is plentiful but can require a short walk. The main road (Poseidonos Avenue) runs along the seafront and handles most tourist traffic smoothly.

Airport to town: The B6 is a well-maintained dual carriageway, 20 minutes in light traffic. Speed cameras operate on this stretch.

Coral Bay and the north coast: Good two-lane roads, some narrow sections in village centres. Suitable for all rental car sizes.

Akamas Peninsula: The dirt tracks into the Akamas require a 4x4 or SUV with high clearance. Standard compact rental cars are not suitable for off-road Akamas tracks. Stick to the paved roads to Blue Lagoon access points.

Troodos Mountains: Paved roads all the way to the summit (1,952m). Narrow and winding in places, but manageable in any rental car. In winter (December–February), snow is possible above 1,200m — check conditions before driving up in a standard car without snow tyres.

Parking in Paphos

Paid parking zones operate throughout Kato Pafos and the harbour area. Blue lines indicate pay-and-display; yellow lines mean no parking.

The EasyPark app or ParkU app works in Paphos and makes payment simple — your rental company will likely mention this. Leo Opsimos customers receive advice on parking apps as part of his standard WhatsApp guidance.

Free parking is available at the Paphos Castle car park (limited), at supermarkets (Kings, Lidl, Sklavenitis), and in most residential streets outside the tourist zone.

Tip: avoid parking anywhere near the Paphos Archaeological Park without checking signs — tourist area wardens are active.

Petrol stations in Paphos

Paphos has several 24-hour petrol stations. The most convenient for visitors:

EKO station on the airport road (B6) — convenient on collection/return
BP stations on Makariou Avenue and towards Coral Bay
Petrol prices in Cyprus are regulated and consistent — typically €1.30–€1.55/litre for unleaded in 2026

Always check whether your rental car takes unleaded (βενζίνη / vendzini) or diesel (πετρέλαιο / petreleo). Misfuelling is an expensive mistake not covered by standard insurance.

Which car for which trip?

Trip	Recommended car class
Paphos town + beaches only	Group A (Nissan Micra, Toyota Aygo)
Troodos day trip	Group B/C (Yaris, Polo) — any standard car fine
Family with luggage + child seat	Group C/D (Golf, Qashqai)
Large family or group	7-seater (Nissan Serena)
Akamas off-road tracks	4x4 only — ask specifically
Prefer automatic	Paphos Car Rental .com (entire fleet automatic)

Driving to Limassol, Nicosia, or Larnaca

All inter-city driving within the Republic of Cyprus is permitted with standard rental insurance. The main routes:

Paphos → Limassol: A6 motorway, ~50 minutes, well-maintained
Paphos → Nicosia: Via B9/A1, ~1h 20min
Paphos → Larnaca Airport: Via A1/A6, ~1h 45min (useful for one-way trips)

Some local companies (Leo Opsimos for 10+ day rentals, Elephant Rent A Car) offer collection from Larnaca Airport — useful if you’re flying into LCA and out of PFO, or vice versa.

Driving into Northern Cyprus

Do not drive a standard rental car across the Green Line into Northern Cyprus. Standard rental insurance does not cover the north. If you wish to visit, cross on foot at the Ledra Palace or Agios Dometios checkpoints in Nicosia, or ask your rental company about specific cross-border cover (some companies offer it as a paid add-on).

Emergency numbers in Cyprus

Service	Number
Police	199
Ambulance	199
Fire	199
Roadside assistance (Cytanet)	1400
Your rental company	Save in your phone before driving

Always save your rental company’s WhatsApp number before leaving the office. If you break down or have an incident, a quick message with your location is the fastest way to get help.

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