Travelling to Larnaca with us passport, then crossing border to north

zealgalore


Joined: 04/03/2011
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
04/03/2011 20:54

Hi,

I am visiting family in June (they live in Beirut, Lebanon) and then I'm hoping to be able to see a friend of mine who lives on the N. side of Cyprus. She said that I can probably fly into Larnaca, and then she'll have a friend pick me up (not sure if she meant from the border, or from Larnaca airport) and then drive me 30 minutes north. I have many questions like, 1) do I need a visa if I carry a US passport to enter Larnaca? 2) what kind of paperwork do I need to cross the border? 3) can someone from the N. cross the border and meet me south at the airport- if not, what are my transportation options and 4) how difficult will it be for me to reverse the trip in 5 days and go back to south cyprus and fly back out to Beirut?



Any help would be appreciated.

Zeal

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
04/03/2011 21:14

Your passaport is enough to all.

Enjoy your time over.

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
04/03/2011 22:22

Zeal



Yorg is right of course, you can book a North Cyprus Taxi to pick you up at Larnaca. Get your freind to sort it for you.



As Yorg says





Have a great time







H

zealgalore


Joined: 04/03/2011
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
04/03/2011 23:22

Great... thank you.. Will they stamp my passport at the border, and will i have any trouble going back south? Also, can you please tell me how far the airport is from the border? approximate cost? Currency is Euro? I'd have to exchange some funds (I never use Euros), or can I use $USD? Thanks a bunch. You guys are better the consulate, ha ha ha... (who has not responded back yet).

Zeal.

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
04/03/2011 23:56

They are unlikely to stamp your passport as they issue you with a paper visa on entry and stamp that instead.

Even if they do stamp your passport you wouldn't have any trouble going South again, just mind the strict duty free allowances.



As to how far is it to the crossing, it depends on which one you are going to. I am based just outside Famagusta when in TRNC so I cross at the Famagusta or Pyla crossings. Both are less than 30 minutes from Larnaca. If you are going to Kyrenia or Nicosia then you would use another crossing and I am afraid, never having done it, that I don't know the times. I would be suprised if it is more than an hour.



The currency is Turkish Lira. In emergency many places will take Euro or US dollar. Use an ATM to get currency once you are here.





Harold

zealgalore


Joined: 04/03/2011
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
05/03/2011 07:42

Thank you so much... I'm kinda new to this and although it's scary not to know, it's doable.



I will probably need to take a taxi from Larnaca to Nicosia and then my friend will meet me at the check point on the Turkish side. my plane will be landing after 10 pm to larnaca, and I don't know that there are any buses at that time.

- Do cars take you all the way to the check point or would I have to walk too far?

- Any idea how much that might run me in $us or Euro and how far it is? Sorry to be asking too many questions (just want to be prepared is all).



I truly appreciate your help if you or someone else might know.

Zeal

gazmufc78


Joined: 03/09/2009
Posts: 366

Message Posted:
05/03/2011 08:04

Hi, not quite sure of the distance from Larnaca to Nicosia but it takes about 45 mins. you can arrange to have a taxi pick you up at Larnaca airport and take you to your final destination. I book with a company called A-ONE rent a car and the cost is approx 80 dollars(50 pounds). They will probably want to be paid in sterling though. See link below

: http://www.aone-cyprusrentacar.com



email: aone.rentacar@yahoo.comtr



hope this helps.

have a nice holiday! Steve

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
05/03/2011 08:27

It is more then likely that your friend'll pick you up direct from Larnaca airport.

It is probably best to speak/contact your friend before arranging anything.

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
05/03/2011 16:15

You should have no problem. My American partner entered TRNC in January on a US passport without difficulty.

zealgalore


Joined: 04/03/2011
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
05/03/2011 18:08

My friend lives in the north and said that she can't cross the border... Do people from the north cross to the south to go to airports?

LondonCypriot


Joined: 15/12/2008
Posts: 426

Message Posted:
06/03/2011 02:36

If you come from An Eu member state or are a native Turkish Cypriot than you can cross to the South. However if you are from Turkey or live out side the EU you are not able to enter the South without the visa paper work.





Europeans and native Turkish Cypriots do use the South Airports as well as the North Airports. Greek Cypriots use the North Airport - Ercan - ECN as it is quicker to fly to Turkey.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
06/03/2011 09:17

Hi zealgalore - welcome to the board !



As a US citizen you DO require a Visa to enter the Republicof Cyprus - but it is granted at the port of entry - (say) Larnaca airport.



IF you enter via an unrecognised port of entry ( say- Ercan / Tymbou airport) - in the 'north' and try to cross south over the UN 'green line' - do NOT call it a 'border' when in the 'rump' RoC - unless you want a history lesson ! You may be refused entry as LC has said as you are a Visa national attempting to enter via without the valid RoC stamp !



Folks travelling with US passports N-S don't normally get hassle if they are with their EU passport holding partners.... but from what you say - you won't have this 'right'



*I'd* advice entering Cyprus via Larnaca / Paphos and you can leave via 'the north' for your onward journey if you wish.



cont

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
06/03/2011 09:24

You can get a bus to Nicosia and then a taxi to one of two crossing points.. if your friend is picking you up via car - I'd recommend you cross at Ayios Dometios - known as Metahan (sp?) on the 'Turkish' side.



To Nicosia : http://www.kapnosairportshuttle.com/



Within Nicosia ( 'south') - you can take take the 23/26 bus route to the Ay.Dometios crossing point



http://www.nicosiabuses.com.cy/routes.html