How to Get from Kyrenia — Alsancak — Lapta and Back: Buses, Schedule, Price

Between Girne, Alsancak, and Lapta in Northern Cyprus, the easiest way to travel is by dolmuş (shared minibuses) along the western coastal route. According to the fare board in the dolmuş: boarding at “Bin-in” (short trip) — 80 TL, Girne — GAU/Karaoğlanoğlu — 80 TL, Girne — Alsancak — Lapta — 120 TL. There is usually no fixed schedule: during the day, intervals are often 5–15 minutes, in the evening less frequent; service often ends around 19:00–20:00 (may vary by season and day of the week).

• Which transport to take
• Route and key stops
• Schedule and frequency
• Fare
• How to board and pay
• How to return
• Useful tips
• Glossary
• Frequently asked questions

Which transport to take

• Dolmuş (shared minibus) — the main option between Girne, Alsancak, and Lapta. It runs along a fixed corridor and can stop on request.
• Taxi/transfer — for late evenings or door-to-door travel.

If you are traveling late (after roughly 19:00–20:00) or with luggage, you can check transfer options in advance: KiwiTaxi or GetTransfer (availability and conditions depend on the route).

Route and key stops

The route goes west from Girne toward the Karaoğlanoğlu area (including GAU), then through Alsancak and onward to Lapta. The signs on the windshield usually read “Alsancak”, “Lapta”, sometimes “Karaoğlanoğlu”.

Where to catch a dolmuş in Girne

• Girne center: westbound dolmuş usually gather in the central part of the city and on main streets.
• Practical tip: look for a minibus with a sign “Alsancak” or “Lapta” and confirm the direction with the driver.

Where to board in Alsancak and Lapta

• Alsancak: along the main route road (often picking up passengers near major shops/hotels and roadside stops).
• Lapta: along the main road through the Lapta area; you can board at stops or “on request” at a safe spot on the roadside.

Schedule and frequency

The Girne — Alsancak — Lapta line usually operates with interval service without a strict timetable. You arrive at the route, and the next dolmuş usually comes within a few minutes.

• During the day: often 5–15 minutes between vehicles (sometimes more frequent on busy sections).
• In the evening: intervals increase; in winter usually less frequent than in summer.
• End of service: roughly around 19:00–20:00, but this depends on the season and day of the week.

Fare

Below are fares according to the “Fiyat listesi” (fare board in the dolmuş; date not indicated). Payment is usually in cash (TL) on the dolmuş.

If you need to go “to a specific point” (hotel, beach, supermarket), tell the driver your destination before boarding and confirm the fare, especially if not traveling to a “major” stop like Lapta or Alsancak.

How to board and pay

How to do it

1. Go to the main route and find a dolmuş with a sign “Alsancak” or “Lapta” (in Girne — in the center; in Alsancak/Lapta — on the main road).
2. Signal the minibus to stop in a safe place or board at a stop where dolmuş usually pick up passengers.
3. Tell the driver your destination (for example, “Alsancak” or “Lapta”, or the name of a hotel/landmark).
4. Pay the fare in cash (TL) — having small bills is convenient.
5. Before your stop, ask in advance to be dropped off: “Stop, please” or in Turkish “İnecek var”.

How to return

The return works the same way: in Lapta and Alsancak, stand on the main road and catch a dolmuş heading “Girne”. In the evening, allow extra time: after 19:00–20:00, service may be noticeably less frequent.

If there are no dolmuş available or you don’t want to wait, you can check travel options in advance: KiwiTaxi or GetTransfer.

Useful tips

• Check the sign: sometimes a dolmuş only goes to a certain section (e.g., to Alsancak), and you may need to transfer to the next one.
• On-request stops: this is normal practice, but choose a safe spot where the driver can stop easily.
• Evening trips: if returning late, plan a backup option (taxi/transfer).
• Confirm landmarks: if going to a “beach/hotel”, it’s better to tell the driver the exact point — it makes it easier to know where to drop you off.

For navigation and connectivity on the road, a travel eSIM can be convenient: Drimsim (conditions and rates depend on the package).

Glossary

• Dolmuş (dolmuş) — a shared minibus that runs along a fixed corridor and can stop on passenger request.
• GAU — Girne American University (landmark in the Karaoğlanoğlu area west of Girne).
• Alsancak / Lapta — settlements west of Girne along the coastal route.

Frequently asked questions

• Is there a precise timetable by the minute?
  Usually not: service is interval-based. During the day, dolmuş run frequently; in the evening, intervals become longer.
• How much is Girne — Alsancak — Lapta?
  According to the fare board: 120 TL one-way for the route “Girne — Alsancak — Lapta”.
• How much is a short trip?
  According to the fare board: “Bin-in” — 80 TL.
• Can I pay by card?
  Usually not: cash in TL is most commonly accepted.
• How do I know where to get off?
  Tell the driver a landmark (hotel, shop, intersection) and ask in advance to stop.