Crossing Between North and South Cyprus: 8 Myths, Checked

Half of what people say about the crossings is wrong. We are KARTAL, a tavla and PlayStation café in Famagusta, and before your first trip south we have taken the eight things you will hear most and set each one straight. The rules belong to the south and can change, so check the latest before you set off.

“There’s only one crossing, and it’s in Nicosia”

Wrong. The Green Line has nine crossings, all open both ways. Nicosia has two for walkers and one for cars; the rest are spread east and west:

• Ledra Street (Lokmacı): Nicosia, pedestrians only, open since 2008.
• Ledra Palace: also in Nicosia, also walkers only.
• Ayios Dometios (Metehan): the one most drivers use, in Nicosia.
• Deryneia (Derinya): right by Famagusta, opened in 2018.
• Pergamos (Beyarmudu) and Strovilia (Akyar): on the Larnaca–Famagusta side, both cutting through Dhekelia, a British Sovereign Base area.
• Astromeritis–Zodia (Bostancı): in the west.
• Limnitis (Yeşilırmak): on the north-west coast.
• Lefka–Apliki: in the west, opened in 2018.

“From Famagusta you have to drive to Nicosia to cross”

No need. From Famagusta the nearest crossing is Deryneia, on the edge of town. Heading for Larnaca? Pergamos and Strovilia are on this side too, and the drive from Larnaca to Famagusta takes roughly an hour. Go to Nicosia only if you want to walk both halves of the old city.

“A Turkish citizen just shows an ID card”

This is the myth that costs the most. A Turkish citizen cannot go south on an ID card. It takes a passport, and Turkish passport holders as a rule need a Republic of Cyprus visa too. Those are the south’s rules, so check the Republic of Cyprus’ current position before the trip. EU citizens, by contrast, cross on an ID card or a passport. Papers for entering the north are in our entry guide.

“The crossings shut at night”

Most don’t. The majority are open around the clock. Even so, if you plan to cross late at night, make sure that crossing is open that night. When in doubt, cross in daylight.

“I flew into Ercan, so the south won’t mind”

It might. In the Republic of Cyprus’ eyes, Ercan is not a legal way in. The ways in it accepts are the airports at Paphos and Larnaca and the harbours at Paphos, Latsi, Limassol and Larnaca. EU citizens mostly get waved through in practice, but a fine, a refusal or questions when you leave are a real possibility. If you want both sides of the island, the honest advice is to fly into Larnaca. Getting from Ercan into town is in our airport guide.

“My northern rental car can come south with me”

Usually not. Cars rented in the north are generally not allowed south. The other way round can work: a southern rental may drive north when the contract allows it. Its insurance stops at the line, though, so you buy northern third-party cover at the booth by the crossing, for a few days or a month; prices change. Northern insurance does not cover the south either. For the roads up here, see our driving guide.

“New crossings have opened — you can use Mia Milia now”

Not yet. Louroujina (Akıncılar), Athienou–Aglandjia and Mia Milia (Haspolat) are all still under negotiation in 2026, and none is open (Cyprus Mail, 27 October 2026). If social media tells you one has opened, confirm it with an official source first.

“Whatever you buy in the north, you can take south”

No. Southbound, you are under the EU’s Green Line rules, which let through just a little tobacco and a little alcohol. A boot full of cartons and bottles will cause trouble. If customs asks, say plainly what you are carrying.