Getting There

The political situation of Cyprus makes the logistics to access City Royal Hotel in Nicosia heavily dependent on which airport you choose to fly into. Should it be Ercan International Airport (ECN) in northern Cyprus, then you are lucky because this is the easiest way out. The airport stands just about 20-25 minutes’ drive from the hotel and a number of taxis always wait outside its terminal building together with Kibhas airport shuttle bus having one terminus at Lefkoşa (Nicosia). From there by taxi it’s very close up to reach your destination hotel; all within TRNC jurisdiction hence seamless route.

If you fly into Larnaca International Airport (LCA) in the south, Republic of Cyprus, getting here is a bit more complicated-you have to cross the border. It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Larnaca to Nicosia but you also need to find a taxi driver willing to take you all the way up north towards the border crossing (for vehicles this is usually at Metehan/Agios Dometios checkpoint). You then walk through Greek Cypriot passport control across UN buffer zone and Turkish Cypriot passport control into North. Most people arrange beforehand private transfer with company specialized on cross-border trips so they don’t have hassle switching cars.

A word to the wise for those considering a rental car. Most insurance policies from the South are not valid in the North-you have to buy additional insurance at the border-and cars rented in the North are, generally speaking, not allowed to be taken into the South. Parking is provided by the hotel which is another huge plus because trying to find street parking in this part of Lefkoşa is both chaotic and regulated! If you have your own car then you’re set up perfectly for day trips either to Kyrenia (25minutes north overthe mountains) or Famagusta (45minutes east), makingthe capital agreat central hubfrom whichto explorethenorthern region.