Last Updated on: 30th October 2023, 11:02 am
Paphos and Ayia Napa are two popular beach destinations in Cyprus.
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:
Main Topics of How To Get from Paphos to Ayia Napa: Best vs. Cheapest Way
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.
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
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?
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