Step 1 — Disembark and head to passport control
Both Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO) are single-terminal airports, so wayfinding is simple: follow the "Arrivals" signs from the jet bridge or bus gate. Passport control is the first stop and usually within a 3–5 minute walk of the gate.
Cyprus is in the EU but not in Schengen. EU and EEA citizens use the dedicated EU lane with ID card or passport. UK, US, Canadian, Australian and most other non-EU citizens use the "All passports" lane — visa-free for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Have your accommodation address ready in case the officer asks.
Step 2 — Baggage reclaim
Screens above the carousels show your flight number. Larnaca typically has 6–8 carousels in use; Paphos has fewer. Bags from short-haul European flights usually appear within 15–20 minutes; charter flights can take 25–35 during summer peaks.
If a bag is missing, the lost luggage desk is inside the baggage hall — file the report before you exit, because you cannot return airside afterwards.
Step 3 — Customs and the arrivals hall
Customs is the green/red channel after baggage. Tourists almost always walk through the green channel. The doors open straight into the arrivals hall.
The arrivals hall is small and well-lit at both airports. You will see, in roughly this order: ATMs and currency exchange, car rental desks, Cyta and Epic mobile kiosks, a small café, and — directly facing the exit — drivers holding name signs.
If a driver is waiting for you
Walk straight to them. With Only Cyprus Intercity, your driver is inside the hall before your flight lands — no calls, no taxi rank, no wandering outside. We send you a photo of the driver and the car plate the day before, so identification is instant.
Step 4 — Money, SIM and Wi-Fi
Cyprus uses the Euro. ATMs in both airports dispense EUR with the usual international card networks — fees are reasonable and rates are better than the exchange counters. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere on the island, including for transfers.
For data, the modern answer is an eSIM purchased before the flight; it activates the moment you land. If you prefer a physical SIM, Cyta and Epic kiosks are inside arrivals, both offer tourist packages and both have English-speaking staff. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole terminal in the meantime.
Step 5 — Leaving the airport
Your three real options are the same at both airports: a pre-booked private transfer, the licensed taxi rank outside arrivals, or a public bus. The right choice depends almost entirely on your destination and time of arrival.
- Going to the city the airport serves (Larnaca, Paphos) during the day — a taxi is fine.
- Going to any other region (Ayia Napa, Protaras, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos from LCA) — a private transfer is almost always the better trade-off.
- Arriving late at night or very early morning — public buses thin out; book a transfer in advance.
- Travelling with children — bring child seats or book a transfer that provides them free of charge.
For a full comparison of all three options, see our Cyprus Transport Guide.