Cyprus
Trains in Cyprus: tickets, passes and routes
There is no train service in Cyprus, so skip rail passes entirely and plan on buses, shared taxis or a hire car instead. The island's rail lines closed decades ago and nothing has reopened. If you were counting on trains to link Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos, book an intercity bus or a car before you arrive.
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GuideCyprus
Key facts
- Passenger trains in Cyprus
- None — no scheduled rail service on the island
- Rail passes
- Not sold and not usable; no operator exists
- Best substitute
- Hire car (€25–60 a day) for villages, beaches and the Troodos
- Cheapest substitute
- Intercity bus, roughly €4–7 between main towns (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi
- €15–25 a seat, door to door between main towns
- Historic railcheck
- Cyprus Government Railway ran 1905–1951; traces remain near some villages
- Booking ahead
- Not applicable for trains; book car hire and airport coaches in advance in summer
Details
Cyprus has no passenger railway. The Cyprus Government Railway linked Famagusta, Nicosia and the Morphou area from 1905 until it closed in 1951, and no line has carried passengers since. That means no tickets, no timetables, no rail passes and no station to turn up at. Anyone selling you a Cyprus rail pass is selling something that does not exist.
So the practical question is not which train to take but what to use instead. The island's spine is the motorway network: Nicosia to Limassol takes about an hour by car, Larnaca to Paphos about 1 hour 40. Intercity buses run hourly between the main towns on weekdays at roughly €4–7 a trip (2026 estimate), with thinner service on Sundays and public holidays. Shared service taxis cover the same corridors door to door for €15–25 a seat and need booking about a day ahead.
For anything off the main corridors — Troodos villages, the Akamas, quiet beaches — a hire car is the realistic answer. Expect €25–60 a day, cheaper in winter, and remember Cyprus drives on the left. If you would rather not drive, base yourself in one town and take day trips, or use taxis and Bolt in the towns.
The one rail-flavoured experience left is scenery, not transport: a few old station buildings, bridges and cuttings survive along the former route, and some are marked on local walking routes. Treat them as a half-hour stop, not a way to get anywhere.
- No passenger trains anywhere on the island
- No rail passes, no rail tickets, no rail timetables
- Intercity buses: hourly on weekdays, €4–7 (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxis: €15–25 a seat, book a day ahead
- Hire car: €25–60 a day, left-hand driving
Summary table
What actually moves you around Cyprus, with the numbers from the country facts.
| Mode | Typical time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Does not exist | — | Nothing; ignore rail passes |
| Hire car | Larnaca–Paphos 1 h 40; Nicosia–Limassol 1 h | €25–60 a day; €15–30 in winter | Villages, beaches, Troodos, Akamas |
| Intercity bus | Nicosia–Limassol 1 h 15; Limassol–Paphos 1 h 10 | €4–7 (2026 estimate) | City-to-city hops on weekdays |
| Shared taxi | Door to door between towns | €15–25 a seat | Luggage, odd hours, no driving |
| Airport shuttle | LCA–Nicosia 45 min; PFO–Limassol 1 h | €8–15 | Arrivals timed to flights |
| Town bus | Local | €1.50–2.50 a ride | Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos seafronts |
| Taxi / Bolt | Across town | €10–20 across town; €45–60 LCA–Nicosia | Short trips, late nights |
Costs are 2026 estimates; confirm current fares and Sunday service before relying on them.
Tips
Book car hire and airport coaches ahead for July, August and the Easter period, when demand is highest and automatic cars run short. If you plan to cross the Green Line with a hire car, check the rental terms first: crossing north usually voids the insurance.
- Ignore any site or agent offering a Cyprus rail pass
- Check Sunday and public holiday bus timetables before you commit to a bus-only trip
- Ask your hotel about shared taxis if you do not want to drive
- Carry exact change or a card for town buses
- In summer, do long drives early and avoid the 14:00–17:00 heat
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is the train a good way to get around Cyprus?
No. Cyprus has no passenger train service at all, so there is nothing to ride. Use intercity buses (€4–7, 2026 estimate), shared taxis (€15–25 a seat) or a hire car (€25–60 a day) instead.
Do I need a rail pass for Cyprus?
No. There is no rail operator, so no pass exists to buy or use. Money spent on a Cyprus rail pass is money wasted; put it towards car hire or bus fares.
How far in advance should I book trains in Cyprus?
There are no trains to book. Book hire cars and airport coaches ahead for summer and Easter, and reserve shared taxis about a day in advance; intercity buses do not take reservations.
Did Cyprus ever have trains?
Yes. The Cyprus Government Railway ran from 1905 until 1951, linking Famagusta, Nicosia and the Morphou area. Old bridges, cuttings and station buildings survive in places, but no line carries passengers today.
What is the closest thing to a scenic rail trip in Cyprus?
A drive or walk along parts of the old railway route, plus the Troodos mountain roads. The views are the point; none of it is public transport.
Deep dive
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