Driving on the Other Side – How to Drive in Cyprus

by Traveling Seouls

(UPDATE #2: September 13, 2019. Added driving tip #7 to get around Cyprus.)

(UPDATE #1: July 20, 2016. Content updated and edited with driving tips in Cyprus.)

I can barely remember where I was going when I sat behind the wheel and drove on my own for the first time. But I remember the sheer nervousness. I felt those same feelings back from my teenage years. Prof thought it would be a good time as any to drive on my own…on the left side.

After safely securing Linus in his car seat, I sat on the right side of the car. Feeling weird. I checked the mirrors, adjusted the seat, and rechecked the mirrors. I habitually reached behind my left for the shoulder belt but felt nothing but air.  Then I made the switch to my right. I turned on the ignition switch and then had to make the mental switch again to use my left hand to change the gear into drive.

Off I went. I knew the local roads pretty well since I walked it many times. But when I got onto a larger four-lane road that was a bit more intimidating.

That’s driving on the left side for you. And that’s how they do it in Cyprus.

(Photo: Prof sitting in the passenger seat of our taxi ride.)

We tried to live without a car in Nicosia, but with unreliable bus transportation and the number of groceries trips took, it became increasingly clear that we needed a car. If you’re thinking about getting a car in Cyprus….

Here Are Some Tips to Driving on the Other Side:

1. When you think you are far enough to the right, turn your steering wheel one inch more. 

There were too many times when Prof would say scoot over. You’re driving too close to the middle lane. Your eyes can deceive you if you’re not alert and paying attention.

2. Cypriots give drivers in the turning lane right of way.

I have to say that this unspoken rule is a nice one. In the States, those in the turning lane have to wait for those going straight to pass before turning. Not in Cyprus. They give a few drivers permission to turn before they go straight, even though the signal has turned green.

3. There are many roundabouts in Cyprus and knowing when to go is very important. 

While driving on the other side, it can feel disorienting to drive on the left side. It can feel even more confusing when adding a turnabout to the mix. I had to look it up on Wikipedia to get some general tips about navigating through a pretty busy turnabout at the nearby AlphaMega.

4. You will find road signs to be too small to read or non-existent.

I used to walk quite a lot in Cyprus, and I noticed that the street signs were no bigger than the size of A4 paper. That’s difficult to read.

5. Parking spaces in lots are optional.

It amazed me to see how many people purposefully park in two spots.

6. And if you can’t find a parking space, then park on the sidewalk. 

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, even if that means when people with children in strollers have to walk along the road then walk back onto the sidewalk. I’ve done this and have found that some Cypriots will wait for you, so you can walk back onto the sidewalk safely. Others, however, could care less, so be careful if you do on the street – even more so if you are in the driver’s seat.

7. If you’re thinking of traveling to Cyprus, consider which airport of arrival. Larnaca? Paphos?

If you are traveling to Nicosia for a conference or work function, your best bet is to fly into Larnaca. Taking a flight to Paphos and then having to drive to Nicosia is at least a 2-2.5 hour drive. Take that into consideration, if you’re short on time. But if you’re on a budget and flying in on one of the budget airlines like Ryan Air to Paphos and works best for you, then go for it. Personally, I prefer to fly into Larnaca and make a 45-minute drive to the capital.

TRAVEL TIP: If you’re thinking about flying to the occupied territory in the north. Think again. There are political issues since that area is not technically recognized. And to get your passport stamped and then flying out of Larnaca is a no-no too.

Remember, Cyprus is a divided country with a ratio 2/3 to 1/3 – the 1/3 is occupied territory. And since the UN controls the green line (the border in Nicosia between the two), I don’t recommend that you risk your passport coming into question when crossing the border.

Do you drive on the left side? Have you driven around in Cyprus? Got any tips for driving on the island? Share in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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3 comments

Mark August 7, 2017 - 4:27 pm

Funny, that last bit about parking in the sidewalk is the way it used to be in Budapest until about 2000, when the city started to get serious about stopping that.

And I’m still amazed by how many Americans are confounded by roundabouts. I never found them confusing.

I think a lot of Asian countries drive on the left. I’ve driven in Japan, which does. I think Korea does, too. Maybe China. Then there is Australia and probably India.

Reply
betty August 11, 2017 - 8:14 pm

Hi Mark, thanks for sharing that about Budapest. South Koreans drive on the right as far as I remember from my visits back in the day. I have never been to Japan, so the practice in Cyprus will help me when we visit Japan someday. =) If you have any tips for living in NYC and the surrounding areas, please let me know too. Have an excellent week!

Reply
Mark Haas August 12, 2017 - 1:18 pm

Betty,

Although I grew up in NYC (Brooklyn) and lived there more than 30 years, and even drove a taxi there, I cannot provide too much guidance, as I have not even visited there since 1999. NYC is a rapidly changing place, and even the demographics have changed a lot since I lived there. That said, perhaps the hardest thing to get used to in NYC is the pace. Everything is fast, fast, fast. People are impatient. It is also a place of very high standards, especially in the business world. A great place to start a career. And you find just about anything you want there, too.

I never lived in Manhattan. I grew up in Brooklyn and spent quite a bit of time in the northwestern part of The Bronx, Riverdale, specifically. I liked the proximity to Manhattan, but not the noise of it, and the boroughs are generally much quieter. I did the same thing when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and here in Budapest, too. Always about a 30-minute train ride into the city.

Enjoy your time in NYC!

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