Cyprus transport guide
Cyprus Bus Tickets and Fares
Every Cyprus bus operator sells its own paper single ticket and a reloadable Motion smart card, and prices differ slightly by district. This page breaks down what a ticket actually costs, when a pass pays for itself, and how to pay so you are not caught out at the door.
How much is a bus ticket in Cyprus?
A single cash fare typically runs €2.00–€2.70 during the day, with a surcharge after roughly 21:00. Tapping a Motion smart card instead of paying cash is consistently cheaper per ride, and if you are riding more than a handful of times, a day, week or month pass usually works out cheaper still. Published fares by district:
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
Fares change periodically and this page cannot guarantee today's exact price — always confirm on the operator's official site or with the driver before boarding: CPT ↗, EMEL ↗, Pafos Buses ↗, OSEA ↗.
Cyprus bus fare changes in 2026: what to check
Bus prices in Cyprus are not changed through one nationwide fare table. Each district operator publishes its own fares, while Intercity and dedicated airport services use separate tickets. If you saw an older price online, check these four details before travelling:
- Operator and district: confirm whether the journey is with CPT, EMEL, Pafos Buses, OSEA, Intercity Buses or a dedicated airport shuttle.
- Payment method: the cash fare and Motion smart-card fare can be different, and night fares may cost more.
- Pass coverage: a local day or weekly pass may not cover another district, an Intercity connection or an airport shuttle.
- Travel date: use the official operator links below the fare table to confirm the published price before boarding. This page records the latest operator information available to us, but operators can revise it.
Single ticket, smart card, or pass — which should you buy?
For a one-off trip, a cash single ticket bought from the driver is the simplest option — no card to carry, no top-up to manage. Past a second ride in the same day, the Motion smart card almost always wins: it's cheaper per trip than cash and it unlocks a free transfer to a second bus within about 60 minutes of your first tap, which a cash single does not. If you're travelling on more than a couple of days, compare the weekly or monthly pass price above against how many single fares you'd otherwise pay — the passes typically break even after 6–10 rides.
The Motion smart card
Motion is the shared smart-card ticketing brand used across Cyprus bus operators. It's a reloadable plastic card, costing roughly €2–€5 to issue, sold at kiosks, supermarkets and some bus terminals. Top it up through the official PAME app or wherever you bought it, then tap it on the validator by the door every time you board.
Ways to pay
Cash works on every operator — carry small notes and coins, since drivers don't always carry much change. The Motion smart card is accepted everywhere and is the cheaper option. Contactless bank-card or phone payment is being piloted on some routes, starting in the Famagusta area, but is not yet available on every bus, so don't rely on it as your only payment method.
Discounts and free travel
Most operators give around a 50% discount to students, pensioners and teenagers who show valid ID, and free travel to young children, soldiers on national service, and disabled passengers and their companions. Exact age cut-offs and required documents differ slightly by district, so check the relevant operator's site above before you travel.
Tickets for the airport and between cities
Scheduled buses connect both Larnaca and Paphos airports to the nearest town, but these are usually run as a separate route from the local city network with their own fare — see the specific airport route guide for current prices. Journeys between towns run on the separate Intercity Buses network — fares vary by distance rather than a single flat price (for example, Intercity currently publishes a €5 single fare for its Larnaca–Ayia Napa/Paralimni route), and Intercity tickets are bought separately from local city or Motion card fares, so budget for each leg if you're combining the two.
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.
Some links may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a bus ticket in Cyprus?
A single cash fare typically costs €2.00–€2.70 depending on the district, with a surcharge at night. Paying with the reloadable Motion smart card is cheaper per ride, and day, week or month passes bring the cost down further if you are riding regularly. See the fare table above for current published prices by operator.
What is the Motion smart card and where do I buy one?
Motion is the shared smart-card ticketing brand used across Cyprus's bus operators. It costs roughly €2–€5 to issue and is sold at kiosks, supermarkets and some bus terminals. You can usually top it up through the official PAME app.
Is it cheaper to pay by card or cash on Cyprus buses?
Card. Tapping a Motion smart card is consistently cheaper per ride than paying the driver in cash, and it also unlocks a free transfer to a second bus within about 60 minutes — a cash single ticket does not include that transfer.
Can I pay by contactless bank card or phone on a Cyprus bus?
On some routes, yes — contactless bank-card and phone payment is being piloted, starting in the Famagusta area. It is not yet available on every bus, so do not rely on tapping a bank card or phone as your only way to pay.
Who gets a discounted or free bus ticket in Cyprus?
Most operators give around a 50% discount to students, pensioners and teenagers who show valid ID, and free travel to young children, soldiers on national service, and disabled passengers with a companion. Exact age cut-offs and required documents differ slightly by district.
Does one bus pass work with every Cyprus operator?
No — there is no single nationwide ticket or pass. Passes are sold per district operator (CPT, EMEL, Pafos Buses or OSEA), even though most now share the Motion smart-card branding. Check the relevant operator before assuming a pass carries over to another district.
How much is the bus from Larnaca or Paphos Airport into town?
The scheduled airport buses run as their own route with their own fare, separate from the general city network — see the specific airport route guide for current prices, journey times and stops for each airport.
Do city bus tickets or passes work on Intercity buses?
No. Intercity Buses, which runs the main routes between Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos, sells separate tickets from the local city and Motion card fares, and its prices vary by distance rather than a single flat fare. Budget for each leg separately if you are combining a city bus with an Intercity journey.