How To Get from Paphos to Ayia Napa: Best vs. Cheapest Way

The main Cyprus gateways by air for international travelers are Larnaca and Paphos airports. From either airport you can connect by rental car, bus or taxi to the other cities and resorts in Cyprus like Ayia Napa, Limassol, and the Troodos Mountains region. This means that you can’t land directly near Ayia Napa, regardless of your starting point.

The fastest and most convenient route is to fly into Larnaca and take a bus or a taxi from there to Ayia Napa, or to rent a car and drive yourself to your destination. Here’s my article about Larnaca. I love this beach resort in Cyprus and I return there for a few days whenever I get a chance.

If your airline doesn’t have a direct connection to Larnaca, you’ll need to land in Paphos.

Paphos is a lovely destination. Its lively marina, the Kato Paphos archeological park, the Tombs of the Kings, the romantic Coral Bay, and the Aphrodite Baths are only a few of the tourist objectives to visit in the area. Paphos beaches are not too shabby, either.

Yet, Paphos can’t live up to Ayia Napa when it comes to nightlife, beaches and beach entertainment. If you like noise, crowds, music and dynamic holidays, Ayia Napa is the place to go.

Ayia Napa is located on the southeastern coast, while Paphos is on the western side. Here are some options for making the transfer between these two resort towns:

Paphos to Ayia Napa: At a Glance

The Best Way To Get from Paphos to Ayia Napa: By Rental Car

Renting a car is one of the easiest ways to get from Paphos to Ayia Napa. That’s if you don’t mind driving on the left side of the road.

Fun fact: rental cars in Cyprus have special license plates, so that everyone can see at a glance the driver may be a foreigner who might be prone to making silly mistakes on the road.

The drive takes about 2.5-3 hours covering around 160 km along the A6 highway. Make sure to get a GPS or use Google Maps to navigate. Stop along the way to see attractions like Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock) and Kolossi Castle.

Some car rental companies in Paphos include Budget, Paphos Car Hire, and Sixt. I haven’t used any, so I can’t recommend you the best one.

What to See Along the Way

The drive from Paphos to Ayia Napa along the southern coast passes some of Cyprus’s most iconic sights. It’s well worth building in a couple of stops:

Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock) — about 30 minutes east of Paphos, this is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, with a striking sea stack rising from turquoise water. Stunning at sunrise.

Kolossi Castle — a compact medieval castle near Limassol, free to enter and easy to visit in 30 minutes.

Limassol — Cyprus’s second city is a natural midpoint. The old town, the castle, and the marina are all worth a brief stop if you’re not in a rush.

🔗 Compare car rental prices in Paphos on Booking.com — check availability and compare across all major rental companies

🔗 Book a Paphos to Limassol guided day trip — if you’d rather not drive yourself

The Best Way to Get To Ayia Napa from Paphos without a Car: By Intercity Bus

The public bus is the cheapest option for getting from Paphos to Ayia Napa.

Buses run frequently along the coastal road. Key operators include Kapnos Airport Shuttle and Travel Express.

Make sure you carefully check the bus schedule and you show up on time to board the bus.

The trip takes around 3 hours and it costs less than 10 Euro. Buses stop in Larnaca along the way.

The Fastest Way To Get from Paphos to Ayia Napa: Private Transfers

For convenience, consider a private taxi or shuttle service from Paphos to Ayia Napa.

Companies like Welcome Pickups offer direct transfers in luxury cars and vans. Prices are higher but this option is faster and more flexible. The driver would wait for you at the Paphos International Airport and take you to your hotel in Ayia Napa. Nonetheless, expect to pay about 300 Euro each way for this kind of convenience.

The main street in Ayia Napa, right before the sunset – restaurants are already full of people

Consider a Stopover in Larnaca

Some travelers break up the Paphos to Ayia Napa trip with a stopover in Larnaca. This city on the southern coast is home to the main international airport.

You can take a bus, get a taxi or continue by rental car from Larnaca to Ayia Napa. This allows you to explore Larnaca as well.

Larnaca is a city featuring many historical buildings and religious settlements

If you’re not in a rush, breaking the journey with a night or two in Larnaca is genuinely worth it. Larnaca sits almost exactly halfway between Paphos and Ayia Napa, and it’s a far more laid-back, characterful city than either resort.

The salt lake, Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, Finikoudes promenade, and the Larnaca Fort are all within easy walking distance of most hotels. It’s also where you’ll find Larnaca International Airport, which is the main gateway to eastern Cyprus and often has better flight connections than Paphos.

🔗 Browse hotels in Larnaca on Booking.com — good value options close to the beach and old town

Plan Your Cyprus Island Trip the Smart Way

However you choose to travel between the two resorts, Paphos and Ayia Napa make for a great Cyprus two-center holiday. Spend time beach-hopping, seeing ancient sites, and enjoying Mediterranean cuisine. Traveling around Cyprus is easy, so you can see a lot on one visit.

There’s an endless debate among Cyprus holiday lovers, in regard to which resort is better, Paphos or Ayia Napa. What do you think?

Paphos vs Ayia Napa: Which Should You Stay In?

The two resorts are very different in character, and a lot of travellers end up doing a split stay — a few days in each — which works really well.

Paphos suits you if you’re after archaeology, history, a lively marina, scenic beaches, and a more relaxed pace. The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park and the Tombs of the Kings are genuinely world-class. Coral Bay is one of the prettiest beaches on the island.

Ayia Napa suits you if you want the best beaches in Cyprus (Nissi Beach is routinely ranked among the finest in Europe), a busy nightlife scene, water parks, boat trips, and non-stop beach entertainment.

If you can only choose one, it depends what you’re there for. Most first-time visitors to Cyprus who want beaches and atmosphere choose Ayia Napa. Those who want history, archaeology, and a slower pace tend to prefer Paphos.

🔗 Browse hotels in Ayia Napa on Booking.com — from budget studios to all-inclusive resorts

🔗 Browse hotels in Paphos on Booking.com

Things to Do in Ayia Napa

Once you arrive, Ayia Napa is easy to navigate. Here are the highlights worth booking in advance:

Nissi Beach — the most iconic beach in Cyprus. Shallow turquoise water, white sand, and reliably lively atmosphere.

Cape Greco National Forest Park — sea caves, cliff walks, and some of the clearest water in Cyprus. Perfect for snorkelling.

Boat trips — half-day and full-day cruises around Cape Greco are popular and great value.

🔗 Book a lazy day cruise to Turtle Cove have fun and enjoy the sun and the sea

Ayia Napa Monastery — the old monastery in the centre of town is one of the best-preserved in Cyprus and free to visit. Worth a look even if you’re not particularly into history.

Practical Tips

• Paphos Airport to Ayia Napa — if you’re arriving by air, a private transfer booked in advance is the easiest option. The airport is about 15 minutes from Paphos city centre, and transfers run directly to Ayia Napa.
• Driving in Cyprus — traffic drives on the left. Roads are generally good. Petrol stations are plentiful on the main motorway.
• Peak season (July–August) — everything is busier and pricier. Book transfers, rentals, and hotels well in advance.
• Currency — Cyprus uses the Euro.
• Language — English is widely spoken throughout Cyprus; you’ll have no trouble getting around.

FAQ

How long does it take to get from Paphos to Ayia Napa? By car or private transfer it’s about 2.5 hours. By intercity bus it takes around 3 hours with a stop in Larnaca.

How much does a taxi from Paphos to Ayia Napa cost? Expect to pay €150–220 for a private taxi. Pre-booked private transfers with operators like Welcome Pickups typically cost €120–180.

Is there a direct bus from Paphos to Ayia Napa? Yes — intercity buses run the route daily, stopping in Limassol and Larnaca along the way. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs around €8–10.

Can you drive from Paphos to Ayia Napa? Yes — the drive is about 160 km along the A6 motorway and takes roughly 2.5 hours. Remember that Cyprus drives on the left.

Is Paphos or Ayia Napa better? It depends on what you want. Ayia Napa has better beaches and nightlife; Paphos has more history and a more relaxed atmosphere. Many visitors split their trip between both.

What is the cheapest way to get from Paphos to Ayia Napa? The intercity bus is the cheapest option at around €8–10 per person one way.