Overview
Cyprus lies at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean, geographically closer to the Middle East than to mainland Europe, yet it is one of the most hassle-free sunshine trips for UK travellers. English is widely spoken, cars drive on the left and the plug sockets are the UK three-pin type. With around 320 days of sunshine a year, Blue Flag beaches, ancient sites and pine-covered mountains, flights to Cyprus stay busy all year round. This hub covers every Cypriot city we fly to.
Best time to fly to Cyprus
Peak season is June to September, when temperatures often top 35°C and both prices and crowds are at their highest. Many UK travellers prefer the shoulder months – May, early June, September and October – when the sea is still warm, sightseeing is comfortable and fares tend to ease. Coastal winters are mild and good for walking, golf and city breaks, while the Troodos Mountains usually hold enough snow for a short ski season in January and February. See the When to book chart above for how fares move through the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Cyprus has two international airports in the south, both well served from the UK:
- Larnaca (LCA): the island's main airport, handy for Larnaca, Nicosia, Ayia Napa and Protaras, with transfers of roughly 15–50 minutes.
- Paphos (PFO): the smaller western gateway, best for Paphos, Coral Bay, Polis and Limassol (about 45–60 minutes to Limassol).
Ercan airport in the north is reachable only via Turkey and has no direct UK flights.
Airlines and routes
Direct flights from London to Cyprus run year-round, with the most choice in summer. Larnaca and Paphos are both served nonstop by British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI and Wizz Air from London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Luton, plus regional airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bristol. Flight time is about 4 hours 30 minutes from London, and a similar time from Manchester. In low season, connecting via Athens with Aegean or another European hub can sometimes beat direct fares.
Popular places to visit in Cyprus
- Paphos: UNESCO-listed mosaics, the Tombs of the Kings and a relaxed harbour, all steeped in Aphrodite legend.
- Ayia Napa & Protaras: the island's best-known beach resorts, home to Nissi Beach and the clear water of Fig Tree Bay.
- Limassol: a lively coastal city with a restored old town, marina dining and the nearby ruins of ancient Kourion.
- Troodos Mountains: frescoed Byzantine churches, walking trails, hillside wineries and the island's only ski slopes.
- Nicosia: the world's last divided capital, with a walled Venetian old town and pedestrian crossing points to the north.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cyprus
- Travel in the shoulder months of May, June, September or October, and sidestep the school holidays where you can.
- Compare Larnaca and Paphos – flying into one and out of the other is often cheaper and saves backtracking.
- Use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest weeks, then build your dates around them.
- Book two to four months ahead for summer, and look at midweek departures, which usually beat weekend fares.
Travel essentials
Cyprus is in the EU but not the Schengen area. UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; your passport should be valid for the length of your stay. The currency is the euro (€), and cards are widely accepted, though some cash is handy for kiosks and rural cafes. Cyprus is two hours ahead of the UK. For the best value, book early for peak summer and use the When to book chart above to time your purchase.
