Are there buses that go the the border?

Trudy


Joined: 25/05/2009
Posts: 369

Message Posted:
29/05/2009 10:21

Does anyone know if there is a bus i can get to the border and if so, how far away are all the shops once i have crossed it? I never thought i would want to go because i am so stubborn and didnt want to give any of my money to the meanie greeks! But my nosey-ness and need for a debenhams spree has got the better of me and i fancy popping over for a wee look.



I dont drive though so need to bus it! Any ideas on the best way of getting across? Also, are shops open on Sundays there does anyone know?

roisin


Joined: 19/03/2009
Posts: 358

Message Posted:
29/05/2009 12:24

Catch the Lefkosa bus from Girne. Bus stop is opp.post office. Return is about 6 lira and there is a man who gives you the tickets before you get on the bus. Get off at Kyrenia gate (usually the last stop and everyone gets off) You can then walk thru the old city to Lokmaci crossing. It's about 10 mins walk. If u get lost ask anyone for Lokmaju kapusu. If you want to go over Ledra palace crossing ask the bus driver and he will drop you off a bit further up. Follow the signs or again ask. When u go thru Lokmaci you will be in the shopping area if u go thru Ledra you have to walk about 10 mins till you get to the shops. Thru experience asking for the directions on the Greek side can be a problem, We were directed twice in the completley wrong direction ! But the 3rd person was very kind and helpful.

Trudy


Joined: 25/05/2009
Posts: 369

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 09:35

Hi roisin thanks very much for replying. So i get the bus to kyrenia gate?? Do you mean lefkosa? I dont think i know where kyrenia gate is??

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 09:46

Which is the walking crossing right in the middle of Nicosia nearest the Buyuk Han.

Trudy


Joined: 25/05/2009
Posts: 369

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 09:53

Thank you. Am i right in thinking they wont stamp my passport too? Which is a good thing i presume..

roisin


Joined: 19/03/2009
Posts: 358

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 17:03

Sorry.Trudy,yes Kyrenia gate is in Lefkosa (Girne kapisi(kapusu) in Turkish.)Just outside the old walled city. At the crossing office they will give u a small white form to fill in,with yr passport number, name etc. They stamp this form on exit and entry(Turkish Cypriot side)and you can keep the form and use it for future trips until it is full of stamps and then u ask for a new one ! You don't have to show this form to the Greek Cypriot officers. They may look at yr passport but usually they wave you thru.



mint1955. The walk over crossing near Buyuk han is called Lokmaci Kapisi

Hope this helps

annie


Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 208

Message Posted:
02/06/2009 22:50

How much can you spend in the south per trip and is there a limit on trips? In other words is it acceptable to cross over and shop once a week if you wanted to. Just curious really not a keen shopper at the best of time and we would prefer to support our local shops on the whole anyway.

gerrybart


Joined: 02/06/2009
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
03/06/2009 14:35

Hi,



Gerry here. I live in the South and love the North, but this is where I work. You are far better off supporting your local shops and be aware that unless you REALLY want something here in the South then it will be a LOT cheaper (if its available) in the North. I paid £4 for half a lager on the sea front yesterday in Limassol, admittedly its usually cheaper than that, Its usually about £3 a pint elsewhere, its expensive, just be aware of that. Its much more expensive than the UK and be prepared to pay about 25 euros for a meal for 2, just an ordinary one and not 3 courses or drinks! But I suppose I am in one of the most expensive places on the island, Limassol. Pafos is a bit cheaper.



All the best,



Gerry.

Mehta


Joined: 20/04/2009
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
18/06/2009 18:36

Hi,



Looking into cheapest way of getting to the North when flying into Larnaca...Know won't be easy but want to avoid paying taxi fares if possible......

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
18/06/2009 18:54

Mehta, Why fly to Larnaca? Ercan is seemingly in the country you want to visit.

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
18/06/2009 19:32

I make you right Tom.

boglefan



Joined: 07/06/2009
Posts: 511

Message Posted:
18/06/2009 22:11

Love North Cyprus but stay in Scotland. No flights from Scotland to Ercan anymore, so unless drive to Manchester no option but to fly to Larnaca. Wish CTA would start flights again from Scotland would prefer to fly to Ercan, problem was that because of the nature of the beast CTA were not allowed to advertise flights from Glasgow to Ercan. On checking in at Glasgow the departure boards only stated the flight was for Antalya therefore only those in the know were aware where the final destination for the flight was. Time for the British Government to allow direct flights from the UK to TRNC.

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 10:08

Hi!

You can also get the bus on the Lefkoşa roundabout (up the road from Colony Hotel, it takes about 30mins 3.50ytl each way, an inspector gets on later to take your fare

I use the Ledra Street crossing, (near the Grand Inn or Buyuk Han) as soon as am over I walk about 2 minutes & the shops start, there is also an arcade with Starbucks, Macdonalds & Next.

Then there is a big Debenhams (about 5 floors I think all departments & food hall in basement),

Next (men women and childrens')

lots of good quality shoe shops including Bata maybe you know it? & Ecco shoes

Topshop

Marks & Spencers further up

Nike shop

Swatch shop

Various nice toiletry shops like Body Shop

Pull & Bear

Peacocks

Good restaurants!

PS When I shopped in Next they gave me a free card 'Ermes' card which gives you good discount next time in Next, Debenhams, Peacocks etc and you can collect points too (lke a Boots advantage card)

All the staff in the shops spoke English

Hope this helps!

Nat

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 10:09

Shops close on Wednesdays at 2pm, the bigger shops only are open on Sundays, Next Debenhams etc

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 10:12

don't forget your passport Trudy!

PS Generally on foot I have never been stopped and walked back through with loads of shopping bags over the value of 135euros but don't go so much anymore now, worth a visit though now and again as nice clothes and shoes, especially when the sales are on!

roisin


Joined: 19/03/2009
Posts: 358

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 12:57

Are you sure they are open on Sundays ? I've been a few times on Sundays and even Debenhams was closed(in Ledra,not sure of other places).

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 14:21

I have never been on a Sunday to Ledra St for shoppng, but I heard that the Ermes chain shops are open on Sundays, Next, Debenhams etc maybe this has changed for summer, you could always look up their number and call to check to be 100% sure!

Natx

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 15:29

Dear Trudy re msg 1/5



1/ for Gawds sake don't call it a "border" to the GCs - you will get a lecture about the only "borders" being the Med ! ...



2/ Passport - if you are an EU citizen passport holder the RoC cannot stamp you passport - they CAN cancel any "stamp" of "TRNC" - generally if you have the passport ready and flash it they aren't even interested to stop you - which they SHOULD !



3/ Be ready to feel the Euro exchange rate shock - and remember that old Nicosia - Ledra street area is quite "depressed" and modern shopping Nicosia is 1.5 km further south - the big mall is 6km south!



Hope you enjoy your trip.

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 16:22

mmm I think it was you that told me that some shops were open on Sunday, can you confrm for Trudy if this is still the case?

Thanks

Natx

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
19/06/2009 21:46

unless you are in nicosia central, most shops close on sundays.

Trudy


Joined: 25/05/2009
Posts: 369

Message Posted:
20/06/2009 10:49

Thanks for all your answers guys! I have also heard there is another crossing, not Ledra. It apparantly takes you straight into the centre rather than the trek through the UN bit and then to the shops - which fair enough aint too far, but in 42 deg heat would feel like miles! I only really want to go as the clothes are a bit naff, well not to my taste should i say! Oh and maybe a mcds!

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
20/06/2009 12:09

Hi NatAless



re msg 19



YES - there will be some shops open on a Sunday - but obviously Weekends and Sats is more busy..!



re msg 21



Trudy



Ledra Street Crossing - the newest one - takes you STRAIGHT into the main shopping street of OLD Nicosia ( south side)



Ledra Palace - UN "no man's land" last approx 250M - further to the west - is 0.8Km trek for any shops

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
20/06/2009 12:13

The Ledra street crossing I described above takes you instantly to all the shops & Macdonalds!

Trudy


Joined: 25/05/2009
Posts: 369

Message Posted:
20/06/2009 12:18

Ah right, okie doke. I get it now. I think i thought Ledra Palace and Ledra street crossing were the same thing. So i need to go to the street crossing. Got ya!



Thank you!

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
20/06/2009 12:27

no probs, ok, it's straight up from the gate of Lefkoşa (small tourist information inside)

keep walking past a small Lemar, a big book shop and an Iş Bank on the corner you will come to a bazar like area with lots of shops displaying their clothes/shoes etc out-side (mainly fake designer stuff) the border is straight ahead, just before there is a kiosk where you can change your Turkih money to Euros and they dont charge comission, you will also lots of police officers and portacabins/kiosks where they check your passport and ask you to fill out a paper with your full name and passport number, takes 2 minutes sometimes there are queues but there are lots of desks, you walk about 5 seconds & the Greek officer will see your British passport and normally wave you through & you are there! Have a good shopping trip!

Trudy


Joined: 25/05/2009
Posts: 369

Message Posted:
20/06/2009 12:46

Excellent! Thanks very much Nat. Im sure i will

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
10/07/2009 17:58

mmmmmm,

Is it possible to get a bus from the South side of the New Ledra St crossing point out to the Mall of Cyprus? Need milder coffee beans than I can get on this side of the line and of course a re-supply of my favourite Rizla Liquorice Coated Rolling Papers - if they sold these in the North I would never have to go South again!



Thanks

westender


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 328

Message Posted:
10/07/2009 20:04

Don't eat in Debenhams, their prices are sky high for very mediocre food!

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
10/07/2009 20:27

Hi Waddo,



re msg 27



I don't think buses can get down those narrow streets - your best bet is to take a taxi there and ask if there are buses back..sorry



Here's the web site and it doesn't mention buses, either



http://www.themallofcyprus.com/mall/GeneralInformation/GIServices/tabid/159/Default.aspx

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
10/07/2009 21:25

We went shopping on a Sunday back in June and Debenhams, Peacocks & Next were all open.



Karen

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
10/07/2009 23:00

mmmmmm, Thanks. Will have a wander over next week sometime and see what I can find.

tonyhickey



Joined: 13/06/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
10/07/2009 23:43

Hi Is the Mall of CYPRUS shopping centre the newest shopping centre and how far from Ledra street is it. Many thanks Tony.

mags1


Joined: 01/09/2008
Posts: 69

Message Posted:
11/07/2009 00:19

hI Boglefan msg 12



we live in Glasgow and have the same problem with flights but fly to Stanstead via Easy Jet and get a connection to Ercan.

When you consider the taxi from Larnaca to TRNC it works out the same if not cheaper.

Mags x

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
11/07/2009 13:57

tony,

Yes it is, and it's too far to walk!

There may be a bus service - perhaps someone else knows.....?

Keith.

kopite58


Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 19:40

flying to larnaca because i am paying for 3 people, got cheapflight with easyjet. please let me no cheapest way to girne,from larnaca airport.bus etc,cheers.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 10:48

My student son is arriving 21st Aug at Larnaca on a late Monarch flight. Anyone want to share a taxi with him?

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 19:15

Hi Kopite58



There are buses from the airport to Nicosia bus station but you will then have to cross the border and then get another bus in the north to Girne. I am sure someone else will have details of times etc.





The butlers wife

yrys88


Joined: 08/08/2009
Posts: 1140

Message Posted:
13/08/2009 00:35

Your best bet to get to or from Girne kapısı (Kyrenia Gate(which is the main entrance to the walled city)) to or from Girne (Kyrenia) is to take the KOMBOS service which leaves from opposite the Girne(Kyrenia) municipality and next to Girne Kapisi( Kyrenia Gate). Just search for Kombos on http://www.turkishcyprus.com and you should get the number(not sure they speak English though) and address. Girne Kapisi(Kyrenia Gate) is a historic short 5 min walk from the Lokmaci Border which leads directly to Ledra Street on the South side of the border.



Just a small tip, when you are in the area, just say KOMBOS(pronounced comboss in English) to anyone and they should (usually) point you in the right direction.



KOMBOS= Large mecedes TAXI's that travel between major cities of North Cyprus. Rough cost around 5TL one way per person.



Thanks

kathsj


Joined: 25/06/2009
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
13/08/2009 16:25

There are buses that g from Larnaca Airport to Nicosia South. http://www.intercity buses.com

Kath