How to get to North Cyprus: routes, entry documents and crossings

Flying to Ercan Airport

The Public Information Office states that Ercan is the main airport and that Cyprus Airport Services (KIBHAS) runs bus services from it to all cities, with return routes, while taxi services and car rental companies are available in every city. Ercan Airport's passenger guide says there are 13 bus services from the airport to various parts of the island and does not list routes or timetables.

The airport guide also mentions a fast track point before arrival passport control. It prints no customs information and no general desk hours. This page does not name airlines, routes or flight times; the Public Information Office page does not list them either, so check the airport and the airline directly before booking.

Sea crossings from Türkiye

The Public Information Office says regular, continuous ferry services run between Girne and Gazimağusa and the southern coast of Türkiye, naming Antalya, Alanya, Mersin and Taşucu. The operator Akgünler Denizcilik lists Taşucu, Mersin and Anamur as its Turkish ports and Kyrenia and Famagusta as its TRNC ports in its FAQ. A port named on a page is not proof of a bookable passenger sailing on a given date, so confirm the sailing with the operator. Its schedule menu lists passenger timetables only for Taşucu-Girne, Mersin-Girne and Girne-Anamur, and the Mersin-Gazimağusa service it describes is a ro-ro cargo ship, so a Famagusta passenger sailing is unconfirmed.

Akgünler's FAQ describes boarding: passenger and vehicle admission ends 60 minutes before the departure time on the ticket, and for Taşucu ticket holders report to the company office in Taşucu city centre and to CEYPORT 2 hours before departure, with a free shuttle between them. These are the operator's statements as checked on 28 October 2026 and can change.

Larnaca, Paphos and crossing the Green Line

GOV.UK (FCDO entry requirements, checked 28 October 2026) says travellers can use any crossing point between the north and south of the island, that only pedestrians can use the Ledra Palace and the Ledra and Lokmaci Street crossings, and that the Republic of Cyprus authorities count time in the north towards the 90-day visa-free total.

Entry documents and visas

The TRNC Ministry of Interior's entry-rules page says entry and exit are through approved ports and gates with a valid passport or travel document. It states that for visa-free or visa-on-arrival nationalities from countries without a TRNC embassy, consulate or representation, entry depends on a passport valid for at least six months, and for nationals of countries with such representation and EU nationals, at least two months. The Public Information Office says visa regulations change according to the foreigner's country and that immigration officers at the port of entry decide whether to admit a traveller.

The e-visa portal lists three categories, tourism, student and other, and says the fee is paid after approval. A tourist admission is not residence or employment: the Public Information Office says employers must obtain preliminary permission in the employee's name before arrival. See TRNC residence permits and working in North Cyprus.

Vehicles and driving

For taking a vehicle out of Türkiye, Akgünler's operator FAQ states that only the person named on the registration, or a person with a notarized power of attorney, may drive a vehicle out, that rental cars may not leave the country, and that compulsory North Cyprus traffic insurance for at least 1 month is bought at customs on entering the TRNC. It also says the G-104 form given at TRNC customs on entry must be kept and shown on leaving.

The Public Information Office says traffic in the TRNC drives on the left and that foreigners may drive with a valid passport if the vehicle is registered in their name. See also driving licences in North Cyprus. These are the operator's and the office's statements; customs and import conditions for a given vehicle are not printed in the pages opened, so ask the TRNC customs authority.

Pets, private aircraft and yachts

For pets, the Akgünler FAQ states that a Pre-Import Permit Certificate from the TRNC Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Veterinary Department) is required, issued within 30 days before entry and shown on arrival. The Public Information Office page on foreigners covers only non-commercial livestock and refers readers to the veterinary quarantine information. Ask the Veterinary Department directly, and see pets, vets and bringing animals.

No official source opened for this page describes how a private aircraft or a yacht or pleasure boat is cleared into the TRNC, so this page makes no claim about permitted airports, marinas, notice periods or documents. Confirm any private aircraft, charter or vessel arrival in writing with a licensed operator and the competent port or aviation authority before departure. The Public Information Office page mentions charter flights only as an airline service.

Relocation questions to put to the official sources

The Public Information Office page for foreigners addresses residence, work, schooling and healthcare as separate procedures from entry, and each is a question to settle before booking. The cards below state what that office says; the full procedures are on the linked pages and the sibling pages of this site, including schools and admissions, hospitals and health services, utilities and government offices for expats.