How to Rent a Car in Cyprus as a Tourist: 2026 Guide
Renting a car in Cyprus is one of the easiest ways to explore the island beyond the main resort areas. With your own vehicle, you can travel between beaches, mountain villages, archaeological sites and cities on your own schedule instead of planning your trip around buses or taxis.
This guide explains exactly how to rent a car in Cyprus as a tourist, including the documents you need, driving licence rules, minimum age, insurance, deposits, airport pickup, driving on the left and what to know if you plan to cross into Northern Cyprus.
Can Tourists Rent a Car in Cyprus?
Yes. Visitors to Cyprus can rent a car as long as they meet the rental company’s age, driving-licence and identification requirements. For most travellers, the process is straightforward: book your vehicle online, bring your original documents, complete the rental agreement and collect the car at your selected pickup point.
Booking before you travel is recommended, especially during the summer season, school holidays and other busy travel periods when automatic cars, 7-seaters and larger vehicles can sell out earlier. If you are still comparing options, our complete Cyprus car rental guide covers pickup choices, vehicle types and planning tips in more detail.
What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car in Cyprus?
When collecting a vehicle from Infinite Car Rentals, the main driver should bring the original documents required for the rental. Copies or photos on a phone may not be sufficient.
- Original valid driving licence
- Passport or accepted identification
- Payment card for the rental and any applicable security deposit/pre-authorisation
- Booking confirmation, if available
Any additional driver must also be added to the rental agreement and present a valid driving licence that meets the same requirements.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Cyprus?
Not every tourist needs an International Driving Permit (IDP).
EU driving licences are accepted. If your valid driving licence is not written in Roman characters, you must present an International Driving Permit together with the original licence. If you hold a non-EU licence and are unsure whether it meets the rental requirements, contact Infinite Car Rentals before booking.
An IDP is a supporting document rather than a replacement for your driving licence, so always carry your original licence as well.
Minimum Age and Driving-Licence Requirements
At Infinite Car Rentals, the minimum rental age is 21 and the maximum is 80.
- Drivers aged 25 or over must normally have held their licence for at least 1 year.
- Drivers aged 21-24 must have held their licence for at least 2 years.
- Drivers aged 21-24 are limited to eligible economy-category vehicles and a young-driver surcharge applies.
These requirements are worth checking before booking, particularly when more than one person plans to drive. You can also review our dedicated car rental requirements in Cyprus page before travelling.
How to Book a Rental Car in Cyprus
The simplest option is to book your Cyprus rental car online before your trip. Enter your pickup and return details, compare the available vehicle categories and choose any extras you need.
When choosing a vehicle, consider:
- Transmission: automatic cars are popular with visitors who are not used to driving on the left.
- Luggage space: choose based on both passenger count and suitcases.
- Group size: families and larger groups may be more comfortable in an SUV, 7-seater or people carrier.
- Child seats: add the correct child seat when required.
- Additional drivers: anyone who will drive must be named on the rental agreement.
Vehicle reservations are made by category, so a particular make or model cannot always be guaranteed unless specifically confirmed.
Car Rental Insurance in Cyprus: What Is Included?
Understanding the insurance options before pickup makes the rental process much easier. For a deeper explanation of cover levels and common exclusions, read our car rental insurance in Cyprus guide.
Infinite Car Rentals includes Third-Party Liability cover and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with rentals, subject to the rental terms, exclusions and applicable excess. Optional cover can reduce the renter’s financial liability:
- CDW: included basic collision cover, subject to the applicable excess and exclusions.
- SCDW: reduces the applicable excess by 50%, subject to the policy terms and exclusions.
- FCDW: can reduce the applicable excess by 100%, subject to exclusions and the rental terms.
Insurance does not cover every situation. For example, cover can be invalidated by unauthorised drivers, driving under the influence, negligence, misuse, off-road or unpaved-road driving, or failing to report an accident correctly.
Security Deposits and Payment
A security deposit may be pre-authorised on the renter’s payment card. The amount can vary depending on the vehicle and cover selected. The pre-authorisation can also be used in accordance with the rental terms for items such as damage, missing fuel, lost keys, cleaning charges, equipment or traffic-related charges.
Before travelling, make sure the main driver has an accepted payment card available at collection.
Driving in Cyprus: Essential Rules for Tourists
If this is your first time driving in Cyprus, the most important difference for many visitors is that traffic drives on the left and the steering wheel is normally on the right side of the vehicle.
- Drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- Seat belts must be used by drivers and passengers.
- Children must use an appropriate child restraint where required.
- Speed limits are shown in kilometres per hour and you should always follow the posted signs.
- Road signs commonly use Greek and English.
- Do not use a handheld mobile phone while driving.
- Check local parking signs and restrictions before leaving the vehicle.
For a more detailed overview, read our Driving in Cyprus: Tourist Guide.
Airport Car Rental in Cyprus
For travellers arriving by air, collecting a rental car at the start of the trip can save an additional transfer and allows you to begin exploring immediately. When booking, choose the pickup location and time shown as available for your dates.
If you are flying into Larnaca, check availability and airport arrangements on our Larnaca Airport car rental page. For a detailed arrival checklist, see our Larnaca Airport pickup guide.
Fuel Policy, Mileage and Extras
Infinite Car Rentals operates a full-to-full fuel policy. Return the vehicle with the required fuel level to avoid the applicable refuelling charge. Rentals include unlimited kilometres, making it easier to explore different parts of Cyprus without worrying about a mileage cap.
Depending on availability, useful extras can include child seats, additional drivers and upgraded insurance cover.
Can You Take a Rental Car Into Northern Cyprus?
Infinite Car Rentals vehicles may be taken into Northern Cyprus provided the renter informs the pickup agent and receives the required written confirmation on the rental agreement.
You must also purchase the required separate third-party insurance at the crossing. Infinite Car Rentals’ normal insurance cover does not apply while the vehicle is in Northern Cyprus, so it is important to understand the different insurance arrangement before crossing.
Read our complete guide to driving a rental car across the Green Line into Northern Cyprus before your trip.
Common Mistakes Tourists Should Avoid
- Arriving without the original driving licence or required identification.
- Assuming every driver is automatically insured without being named on the agreement.
- Choosing a vehicle that is too small for passengers and luggage.
- Waiting until arrival to book a popular automatic or 7-seater during busy periods.
- Ignoring the fuel policy or returning the vehicle without the required fuel level.
- Crossing into Northern Cyprus without informing the rental company and obtaining the required documentation and border insurance.
- Driving on unpaved or unsuitable roads where insurance restrictions may apply.
Step-by-Step: Renting a Car in Cyprus as a Tourist
- Choose your dates and pickup location.
- Compare available vehicle categories based on passengers, luggage and transmission.
- Add any extras such as an additional driver, child seat or upgraded insurance.
- Book online and review your confirmation.
- Bring your original licence, ID/passport and payment card to collection.
- Inspect the vehicle and review the rental agreement before leaving.
- Drive on the left and follow Cyprus road rules.
- Return the vehicle on time and with the required fuel level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a US tourist rent a car in Cyprus?
Yes, provided the driver meets the applicable age, licence-history, identification and licence-format requirements. Contact Infinite Car Rentals before booking if you need confirmation for a non-EU licence.
When is an International Driving Permit required?
If your valid driving licence is not written in Roman characters, you must present an International Driving Permit together with your original physical licence.
Is it better to rent an automatic car in Cyprus?
Many tourists prefer an automatic because Cyprus drives on the left, allowing the driver to concentrate on road positioning without also adapting to changing gears with the opposite hand.
Can an additional driver use the rental car?
Yes, but the additional driver must be named on the rental agreement and meet the applicable licence and age requirements. Unauthorised drivers are not permitted.
Is unlimited mileage included?
Yes. Infinite Car Rentals includes unlimited kilometres with its rentals.
Book Your Cyprus Car Rental
Renting a car in Cyprus as a tourist is straightforward when you arrive with the correct documents and understand the basic rental and driving rules. Booking ahead also gives you a better chance of finding the vehicle category and transmission that suit your trip. For inspiration after pickup, explore our guide to the best places to visit in Cyprus by car.
Check availability and book your Cyprus car rental online with Infinite Car Rentals.
