Car rental in Northern Cyprus — where to get a car, prices, companies and tips

Public transport in Northern Cyprus is poorly developed, so if you want to feel freedom and comfort while getting around, renting a car is the best option for exploring the island.

Due to the unique status of the republic, international rental chains (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, etc.) are not represented on the market, and popular aggregators show a limited number of offers. Nevertheless, there are several ways to rent a car in Northern Cyprus.

• Rental through a search aggregator
• Rental through car rental companies
• Rental from private owners
• Rental through a hotel
• Rental via Telegram forums
• Frequently asked questions

Rental through a search aggregator

Despite the limitations, there are international services that allow you to search for cars in Northern Cyprus. The most popular ones are:

• Localrent
• Economy Bookings
• Auto Europe
• Discover Cars

Discover Cars is an aggregator where you can book a car specifically in the northern part of the island, including Kyrenia (Girne) and Ercan Airport. Other platforms usually show only southern locations.

Through Economy Booking—an aggregator through which you can rent a car in Northern Cyprus, but only at Ercan Airport.

The booking process is similar to searching for hotels: enter the city, dates, filter offers, choose a suitable car, and make a prepayment. The main amount is paid upon receiving the car and signing the contract.

Book a car in Kyrenia through Discover Cars

Rental through car rental companies

There are dozens of official companies operating in Northern Cyprus, providing cars with red license plates (a special category for rental). When renting, a contract is signed, the car has insurance coverage, and it is registered in the rent-a-car registry.

• Magic Island (RU, Cyprus-FAQ partner)
• Peto Rentacar
• Oscar Rent a Cars
• Bellapais Rentacar
• Sun Rentacar
• Koc Rentacar
• Dark and Blue
• Kibris Tatilin
• SLEIPNIR Rent a Car

Before signing the contract, make sure that the car is registered as a rental vehicle (with red plates) and has valid insurance. More about license plate colors can be read here.

Rental from private owners

Some private owners rent out cars with white plates, but this option is extremely legally unsafe. In case of an accident, insurance does not cover the damage, and the contract between you and the owner has no legal force. Read more about the risks in the article on private car rentals.

Rental through a hotel

Many hotels cooperate with rental companies and can offer the rental service directly at the reception. This is convenient, but the cost is usually higher due to the intermediary commission. Nevertheless, it is a reliable and legal way to get a car without extra hassle.

Rental via Telegram forums

On the largest Russian-language Telegram forum for Northern Cyprus, there is a section "Car Rental" where current offers are posted. Local agencies and private renters are often represented here. Before choosing, check for insurance and red plates.

Frequently asked questions about car rental in Northern Cyprus

How much does it cost to rent a car?

The average rental cost is from 30 euros per day. For long-term rentals (a week or more), you can negotiate a discount of up to 20–25 euros per day. However, cheap cars are often older and less fuel-efficient, so it is optimal to choose the mid-range segment.

What should I pay attention to when renting?

Check for red plates, third-party insurance, and the technical condition of the car. Inspect the body for damage and note it in the contract to avoid disputes upon return.

Can I rent a convertible or luxury car?

Yes, some companies offer convertibles, SUVs, and luxury segment vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover). The cost of such cars is higher, but they are perfect for traveling along the coast.