Cyprus transport guide
How to Use Buses in Cyprus: A Complete Guide
Cyprus has no single national bus company. Four district operators plus a long-distance Intercity service cover the island between them, each with its own fares and timetables. This guide walks through planning a trip, paying for a ticket, using the official app and the practical habits that make riding the bus in Cyprus straightforward.
Step by step
How to catch a bus in Cyprus
Bus operators by district
Which operator you need depends on where you are travelling, not which city you started in — check the operator for your destination district too if you are crossing borders.
Cyprus Public Transport (CPT)
Urban, suburban and rural routes across the Nicosia and Larnaca districts.
Official site ↗LimassolEMEL
City, suburban and village routes throughout the Limassol district.
Official site ↗PaphosPafos Buses (OSYPA)
Town, coastal resort and village routes across the Paphos district.
Official site ↗Famagusta areaOSEA
Ayia Napa, Protaras, Paralimni and the wider Famagusta district.
Official site ↗Between townsIntercity Buses
Long-distance routes linking Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos.
Official site ↗Bus tickets and fares
Every operator sells a paper single ticket from the driver, and most also sell the reloadable Motion smart card, which is noticeably cheaper per trip and includes the free transfer window above. Typical published fares look like this:
Nicosia & Larnaca (CPT)
- Single, cash: €2.70 (€4.70 after 21:00)
- Single, smart card: €2.00 (€3.50 at night)
- 7-day card pass: from €33.40
- 30-day card pass: from €66.90
Limassol (EMEL)
- Single: €2.00 (€3.00 after 21:00)
- Unlimited day pass: €6.00
- 7-day pass: €25.00
- 30-day pass: €45.00
Paphos (Pafos Buses)
- Single: €2.00 (€3.00 after 21:00)
- Daily pass: €6.50
- Weekly pass: from €25.00
- Monthly pass: from €50.00
Nationwide, all operators
- Day pass: around €20
- Week pass: roughly €75–€100
- Month pass: roughly €225–€300
- Prices vary slightly by operator — confirm at the point of sale
Most operators give about a 50% discount to students, pensioners and teenagers with valid ID, and free travel to young children, soldiers on national service, and disabled passengers and their companions. Rules and age cut-offs differ slightly by district, so check the relevant operator's site above before you travel.
Fares change periodically and this page cannot guarantee today's exact price — always confirm on the operator's website or with the driver before boarding. See our tickets and fares overview for more.
Ways to pay
Cash works on every operator's buses — carry small notes and coins, since drivers do not always carry much change.
The Motion smart card is a reloadable plastic card (around €2–€5 to issue) that unlocks cheaper fares and the free-transfer window. It is sold at kiosks, supermarkets and some bus terminals, and can usually be topped up through the PAME app.
Contactless bank-card payment is being piloted on some routes (starting in the Famagusta area) but is not yet available everywhere, so do not rely on tapping a bank card or phone as your only payment method.
The PAME app
PAME is the official Cyprus public transport app, showing live vehicle positions, estimated arrival times, route maps and timetables for every operator, plus the ability to top up a Motion card.
Download it from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Our own live map and journey planner are useful companions for comparing routes side by side.
Getting to and from the airports
Larnaca and Paphos airports are both served by scheduled bus and shuttle connections into the nearest towns, and onward Intercity links to other cities. These routes run less frequently than city buses, so check times in advance, especially for early or late flights.
Browse airport route guides →Travelling between cities
Intercity Buses runs the main long-distance routes linking Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos, generally every 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the route and time of day. Intercity fares are separate from local city tickets, so budget for each leg if you are combining a city bus with an Intercity journey.
Tips for first-time riders
- Services are noticeably less frequent on Sundays and public holidays — check before you rely on a Sunday bus.
- Night fares (after around 21:00) cost more than daytime fares on most routes.
- Air conditioning is standard on modern buses, useful in the summer heat.
- Reasonable hand luggage is normally included in the fare; oversized bags or multiple large suitcases may be at the driver's discretion.
- Card fares are cheaper than cash, so a smart card is worth it if you are staying more than a couple of days.
- Village and rural routes can run only a handful of times a day — always check the specific timetable, not just the general city schedule.
Alternative options
Planning your Cyprus trip?
Before you travel, you can arrange mobile data, compare car rental options, or find tours and activities near your destination.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there one company that runs all the buses in Cyprus?
No. Cyprus is divided into four district networks — Cyprus Public Transport (CPT) for Nicosia and Larnaca, EMEL for Limassol, Pafos Buses (OSYPA) for Paphos, and OSEA for the Famagusta area — plus the separate long-distance Intercity service. Each has its own timetables and, in places, slightly different fares.
How much does a bus ticket cost in Cyprus?
A single cash ticket typically costs €2.00–€2.70 depending on the district, with a small surcharge at night. Paying with the reloadable Motion smart card is usually cheaper per trip. Day, week, month and year passes are also available. Always confirm the current fare with the operator before travelling.
Can I pay for a Cyprus bus with a credit or debit card?
Cash and the Motion smart card are accepted everywhere. Contactless bank-card payment is being piloted on some routes but is not yet available on every bus, so do not rely on tapping a bank card or phone as your only payment option.
What is the Motion card and do I need one?
Motion is the shared smart-card ticketing brand used across Cyprus bus operators. It costs a few euros to issue, offers lower fares than cash, and includes a free transfer to a second bus within about 60 minutes. It is worth getting if you plan to ride more than once or twice, but occasional cash payment works fine for a single trip.
What app should I use to track Cyprus buses?
PAME is the official app, with live vehicle positions, timetables and card top-ups for every operator. This site's own live map and journey planner are useful for comparing routes and operators side by side before you travel.
Do Cyprus buses run late at night or on Sundays?
Service is much less frequent on Sundays and public holidays, and most routes wind down by the evening with a higher night fare after around 21:00. Always check the specific timetable for your route rather than assuming a weekday frequency.
How do I get from Larnaca or Paphos Airport into town by bus?
Both airports have scheduled bus or shuttle connections to the nearest city centre, with onward Intercity links to other towns. See our airport route guides for the current stops, journey times and fares for each airport.
Can I bring luggage on a Cyprus public bus?
Reasonable hand luggage is normally included in the fare. Large suitcases or multiple bags may be limited at the driver's discretion, and space is not guaranteed on a crowded service, so travellers with a lot of luggage often prefer a pre-booked airport transfer instead.