Larnaca Airport Arrivals Guide — Everything to Do When You Land (2026)

Non-EU travellers (UK, US, etc.): Join the standard queue for Passport Control. Cyprus is not in the Schengen Area, so full passport checks apply. Allow 15–30 minutes in peak summer season — the queues can be long after multiple simultaneous arrivals.

Cyprus entry requirements 2026: Most nationalities receive a free 90-day visitor stamp on arrival. No pre-registration or e-visa is required for UK, US, EU, Australian, and Canadian passport holders.

Larnaca has 4 baggage carousels. The display boards in the baggage hall show which carousel your flight is assigned to. Average belt-to-bag wait is 15–25 minutes.

If your bag doesn't arrive: Go to the Lost & Found desk (in the baggage hall, before customs) immediately — do not exit to arrivals first. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before leaving the airport. Most missing bags arrive on the next flight (same day or next morning) and are delivered to your hotel.

Cyprus has standard EU customs thresholds for duty-free goods:

The green channel (nothing to declare) is the route for the vast majority of holiday travellers.

Once through customs you enter the arrivals hall. Here's what's immediately available:

Cash & ATMs

SIM Cards

Duty Free (Landside)

Food & Coffee

Pre-booked private transfer: Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. They'll be in the roped waiting area directly across from the customs exit. Don't miss them — if in doubt, call the number on your booking confirmation. Pre-book through your hotel or a transfer operator before you travel; walk-up taxi queues in peak season can exceed 45 minutes.

Pre-booked shared shuttle: Your shuttle operator will have a representative in the arrivals hall. Check your booking confirmation for the company name and look for their sign. Kapnos Airport Shuttle (kapnosairportshuttle.com) offers a scheduled direct service from the airport to Ayia Napa hotels.

Public bus (Route 711): Route 711 does not stop at Larnaca Airport. To use it, you'll need to take a taxi to Larnaca Bus Station in the city (€15–20, 15–20 minutes), then board the bus to Ayia Napa. For most visitors, a direct shared shuttle is simpler and barely more expensive. See our full Bus 711 guide for details.

Walk-up taxis: Available outside arrivals to the right. Metered fares apply — expect €60–80 to Ayia Napa for a standard saloon. Agree the fare before you get in and avoid anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering rides.

Car hire: Pick-up desks for all major companies are in the arrivals hall. Allow 20–30 minutes for the paperwork. See our car hire guide for everything you need to know before you get to the desk.

Whatever transport you choose, the drive is approximately 55–58km along the A2/A3 motorway:

Larnaca is one of the most relaxed airports in the Mediterranean. Get through immigration, grab some euros, and you'll be in Ayia Napa before the afternoon beach crowd peaks.

Larnaca Airport Arrivals — Your First 20 Minutes (2026)

Step 1 — Passport Control & Immigration

Step 2 — Baggage Reclaim

Step 3 — Customs

• Alcohol: 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine per person
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes per person
• Cash: Declare if carrying over €10,000

Step 4 — Arrivals Hall

• There are 2–3 ATMs in the arrivals hall operated by Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank
• Cyprus uses the Euro (€) — UK travellers will need to exchange or withdraw
• ATM rates are generally fair; avoid the bureau de change counters (Eurochange etc.) which take a larger cut
• Withdraw €100–200 for the first day; most hotels, restaurants, and clubs accept cards but smaller beach bars are still cash-only

• CYTA and Epic both have desks in the arrivals hall
• A tourist SIM with 10–20GB of data costs €15–25 and usually includes some calling minutes
• If you have a UK/EU SIM with roaming included (like Three's "Feel at Home"), Cyprus is covered — check with your provider before travelling

• There's a small duty-free shop in the arrivals hall airside exit — wines, spirits, and local produce
• Main duty-free shopping is in the departures terminal (airside)

• A café/snack bar in the arrivals hall is open 24 hours
• Quality is airport-standard — fine for a coffee while you wait for your transfer

Step 5 — Finding Your Transfer

Useful Contacts & Links

Journey Time to Ayia Napa

• Private taxi / transfer: 40–50 minutes
• Shared shuttle: 60–90 minutes (multiple drops)
• Public bus 711: Not direct from airport — requires taxi to Larnaca Bus Station first (allow 2–2.5 hours total)
• Hire car: 40–50 minutes

Quick Tips

• Download Google Maps offline for the Larnaca/Ayia Napa area before you land — useful if you're without data in the first few minutes
• Keep your boarding pass until you're at your hotel — some airlines require it for bag claims
• Hotel check-in is usually 14:00–15:00. If you arrive early morning, most hotels will store your luggage and let you access the pool — just ask
• Don't exchange currency at the airport desk — the ATM rate is almost always better

Quick Reference