- Tourists at Larnaca and Paphos airports allege night-time taxi overcharging
- One mother with children was offered a €300 ride, which was later reduced to €200
- At Paphos, fares of €70–80 were quoted for city trips, typically costing €16.77
- Official tariffs list much lower rates, e.g, Larnaca–Nicosia €47.37, Paphos–Limassol €54.26
When the Bus “Doesn’t Exist”
At Larnaca Airport, one woman traveling with her children was told by a driver that no buses were available until the morning. His solution? A lift to a nearby village for the small matter of €300. When she balked, he generously dropped the price to €200. She declined, and — unsurprisingly — later discovered that buses were indeed running from the terminal all along.
In Paphos, the game was different, but the melody was the same. Travelers reported drivers quoting €70–80 for a night trip into the city. Those who tried their luck with public transport found the buses to be equally unresponsive.
What the Fare Should Be
The Cyprus Tourism Organization publishes official indicative night tariffs (8.30 p.m. to 6 a.m.) for four-passenger vehicles. They look nothing like the numbers whispered at the curb:
- From Larnaca Airport
- To Nicosia – €47.37
- To Larnaca city center – €11.59
- To Ayia Napa – €51.88
- To Protaras – €59.70
- To Limassol – €63.86
- From Paphos Airport
- To the city center – €16.77
- To Limassol – €54.26
- To Nicosia – €124.21
The official fine print includes a few extras:
- Holiday surcharges on ten days a year (Easter, Christmas, New Year’s, and May 1)
- 20% surcharge for five-passenger vehicles
- 40% surcharge for six passengers
Cyprus taxis at night should not cost a family €200–300 for a ride into the dark. Yet tourists report exactly that. Whether it is misinformation, opportunism, or both, the effect is the same: a bad welcome.