Before you plan a trip to Cyprus, make sure you read my comprehensive and informative motorcycle travel guide. It includes all the details you may need for a fantastic riding trip in Cyprus.
Cyprus is a small island with 340 sunny days annually and a lot of narrow, rarely used roads. The easiest way to find this little treasure is via motorbike. It is ranked as the fifth safest country in the world due to its spectacular Mediterranean environment, which features lengthy, hot summers and warm, slightly wet winters with beautifully delightful weather in between. There are plenty of mouthwatering wine routes, delicious local cuisine, friendly islanders, and a burgeoning cycling scene. You can’t go wrong if you add some breathtaking countryside, beaches, and ancient Greek history.
Cyprus boasts a racetrack in addition to roads suitable for all skill levels. All skill levels may enjoy our coastal roads, and there are mountain bike paths that are accessible to most people, as well as more difficult, daring, and technical riding routes. You will love Cyprus as it offers everything!
Motorcycle Touring in Cyprus
Cyclades bike trips are the definition of perfection for a bike ride. It’s a great area to ride a motorbike, moderately priced, and conveniently accessible year-round. But there are many other fantastic things to do as well, so you can really vary your vacation and take advantage of everything that this wonderful nation has to offer!
History
Greek ruins can be found everywhere, and the island’s religious legacy is amply demonstrated by the abundance of ancient history. There are some really striking monasteries in Cyprus. These monasteries, many of which are true architectural marvels, attract tourists from near and far, both religious and not, in the most serene and beautiful rural surroundings and along some breathtaking cycling routes. While others have been abandoned but yet have an undeniably alluring appeal, many continue to operate in the same manner as they did years before.
Paperwork
- British nationals are permitted 90 days of visa-free travel to and habitation in Cyprus. Is there anything simpler?
- Other nationalities must verify the prerequisites for admission.
- Your driver’s license will be required if you wish to rent a bike or embark on a tour. The new EU legislation may also demand a valid International Driver’s Permit.
- Motorcycle insurance Third-party insurance is the bare minimum that must be carried by all automobiles. If you are traveling with your own bicycle, be sure you are covered to ride in Cyprus and throughout Europe by checking with your insurance provider.
- The firm will supply basic third-party cover insurance together with the hired bike or automobile if you are renting one here.
Traveling to Cyprus on a personal motorbike
Since this has already been done, it is feasible, but the laws may alter depending on how things stand between the Republic of Cyprus and North Cyprus. Checking the situation before making travel plans is the best course of action in this case. See the list below for possible cycling routes from Europe to Cyprus.
You will need:
UK driver’s license, passport, and insurance proof It is required for vehicles to have two caution triangles. Details about a vehicle’s registration When traveling, a GPS and a road map of the region might be quite useful.
Routes From the UK to Cyprus
Route 1 (which can be a little difficult)
Turkey, Belgium, France, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Since Romania and Bulgaria are EU members but not Schengen area members you will need to inform the authorities at the crossings with Hungary and Bulgaria that you are leaving the Schengen region. This is only an outdated version of the regular passport check procedure.
Although you may go through Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Turkey in a more direct manner, doing so will require obtaining a visa through Bosnia and Serbia, which may present some challenges in light of Brexit.
Once in Turkey, you may travel through the nation until you reach Tasucu, from where you can take a daily vehicle ferry to Kyrenia. It is simple to locate the border crossing into the Republic of Cyprus from Kyrenia. For now, you will have to leave Cyprus in the same manner. But as things can change quickly, we urge all travelers to do their research thoroughly before departing.
Route 2 (easy and nice)
Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, and Switzerland. This route, which starts in France (Reims), travels via the Voges Mountains (tunnel) to Basel, Switzerland, and then on to Bari via Milan, Bologna, Rimini, and the Gothard Pass (which is only passable in the summer). The lengthy freeway stretches make this route ideal for cruising.
You take a boat from Bari to Igoumenitsa, Greece, which takes around six or seven hours, I believe. The truck drivers choose this route to get to Turkey and other nations in Eastern Europe. You take the autoroute to Thessalonika at Igoumenitsa and continue on to Turkey from there. Once in Turkey, you may travel through the nation until you reach Tasucu, from where you can take a daily vehicle ferry to Kyrenia. It is simple to locate the border crossing into the Republic of Cyprus from Kyrenia. Due diligence should be done by all travelers, though, since this can change at any time.
Route 3: Longer but better
There will be a Mediterranean sea cruise along this route. Provence (Aix le Provence) to Lyon (autoroute de soleil), Avignon (where the bridge is located, “sur le pont avignon”). The Mediterranean coast (tunnels and bridges with views of the sea) leads from here to Salerno, passing through St Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, and into Italy, Genoa, Livorno, Rome, and Naples. At Naples, you can cross to Bari if you’d like to take the ferry to Greece (see above); otherwise, continue to Salerno. You board a freighter ship at Salerno.
If a freighter ship can accommodate more than 12 passengers, it is considered a ferry. Otherwise, it is a normal cargo vessel (it does not carry containers). You ride your bikes aboard the RoRo ship and park it there. You are given a cabin with a shower and toilet; these are often indoor rooms because the staff cabins are outdoors. In the officer’s mess, you dine with the officers of the ship. There isn’t a swimming pool because the ship is still in operation; instead, there is a table tennis table and a running machine. The ship follows a usual path rather than a set schedule, so even if it is scheduled to arrive in Salerno on Monday, it can really arrive on Wednesday because that is the route it takes.
Let me explain. The voyage is around ten days at sea. The route departs from Salerno and travels along the Italian coast, passing by the active volcano Stromboli just off the coast, through the Straits of Messina, and into Greece at Pireas, Athens. Here, you must declare yourself to the authorities as you are leaving the Schengen area, but this is handled by the ship’s captain as he will likely need to do this for some of his crew. Due to a 1974 law prohibiting ships from docking in Limassol after they have been in a Turkish port, most travelers from here travel to Izmir, Turkey, and then on to Ashdod, Israel.
You must ask the captain for permission to go off the boat for a little sightseeing. If you don’t return in time, he will leave without you based on how much time he has in port for offloading and loading. During our 42-hour port stay in Ashdod, a buddy of mine who had done this journey previously made arrangements with the captain for a car and guide and spent the day seeing Jerusalem. You return to Limassol after visiting Israel, where you park your car and pay port fees (about €200). You obtain a temporary import license for your bike at the dock office, and you are now in Cyprus.
When to go
Although we occasionally experience a very rainy winter, the best riding weather usually occurs from March to the end of June. It’s hot from July to August, with highs of over 40C.
Most days from September to December are ideal for bicycling.
Baggage, equipment, and riding gear for Cyprus I can ride in summer gear for seventy percent of the year! A combination of long sleeve/thermal layers and t-shirts will be enough if you ride from April to November. A summer mesh outfit is also recommended.
These more in-depth instructions can assist you in selecting the appropriate clothing, baggage, and equipment for your motorbike journey.
Cost and accommodations
The average cost of hotels and guest homes, which range in star rating from 1 to 5, is between 20 and 350 euros per night. Even though there are plenty of places to stay in every town and hamlet, it is usually preferable to plan in advance. Cyprus’ primary source of income is tourism.
A reasonably good lunch costs 15 euros at a hamlet taverna. A hotel restaurant may set you back up to 50 euros per person. 3.50 to 4 euros for beer, depending on whether it’s domestic or imported. Spirits cost three to five euros. Wine costs between 1 and 3 euros. Per liter, fuel costs 1.10. A large-cc motorcycle should easily be able to get by on 15 euros a day. If you are riding one of our motorcycles on a tour, gas is covered.
Security and safety
Cyprus is ranked as the world’s fifth safest nation. Although I am aware that terrible things happen all across the world, I can genuinely state that I have never heard of or met anybody who has experienced any issues or safety concerns here. For this reason, I believe that although general travel advice is useful, it is not really essential for Cyprus.
The conventional wisdom is to remain alert and watch out for scams and small-time larceny.
Remember that drug offenses carry harsh consequences, including the possibility of life in prison. You risk jail time if you carry even modest amounts of an illegal narcotic.
Police and laws
Numerous infractions are punished with a set fine and penalty ticket. Cyprus has instituted a handheld computer system that is centralized for the purpose of ticket issuance. Refusing a ticket will result in a complaint being made and a summons to appear in court. The cop at the roadside does not collect fines.
While you are not now affected by the points if you are a tourist, you should be aware that the EU is working to implement an EU driving license and make more serious traffic offenses punishable outside its boundaries. Getting consensus, though, can take some time.
Riding conditions
Cyprus offers a variety of riding situations. Although some of the older back roads have problems, such as cracked asphalt and rock falls during certain seasons, overall the roads are excellent, even under less than ideal circumstances. The island offers plenty of opportunities for off-roading as well.
Road Rules
- The speed limit is 80 kph on open highways, 100 kph on motorways, and 50/65 kph in urban areas. Cyprus follows the UK’s driving habit of having left-hand drivers and right hand pass drivers.
- The permissible limit for blood alcohol content is 0.049 percent. A blood test may be conducted on individuals who are suspected of driving while drunk (0.05 percent and higher). Police have been known to conduct arbitrary breathalyzer tests; if you test positive, you’ll receive six points on your license that you may take home with you.
- It is required for vehicles to use their lights from thirty minutes after dusk to thirty minutes before dawn. It is not permitted to use spotlights.
- It is not permitted to use a cell phone while driving.
- The minimum age to drive is eighteen and all national driving licenses are recognized. UK drivers licenses will still be accepted following Brexit.
- There is no LPG available. Diesel and unleaded gasoline (95 and 98) are readily accessible. Carrying gasoline in a can is prohibited and there is no lead-based gasoline (a lead alternative ingredient is available).
- Using the horn in the proximity of hospitals and between 2200 and 0600 hours is forbidden. On winter mountain roads, snow chains and spiked tires are both acceptable and frequently required.
- The majority of signage is in Greek and English.
- You need to always have a copy of your driver’s license and your insurance policy with you. Police checks at random are not unusual!
- In the event of an accident notify the police by calling 112 right away.
- Refrain from attempting to move your motorcycle even if it completely blocks the path. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, doing this will hold you accountable for the full cost of it. Simply dial the police number and wait for them to come with more directives.
- If you are caught speeding or breaking any other traffic law you might face instant consequences from the police. You should get a ticket with payment instructions that you may follow at a later time, rather than paying fines directly to the police.
- The majority of gas stations have staff on duty who are responsible for filling up your automobile. Although not necessary tips are much appreciated! When they refill for you, you’ll find them to be cheerful, accommodating, and extremely cautious with your paintwork. Some smaller stations leave you on your own on Sundays, and you’ll be required to use a payment system that’s connected to the pumps. This is quite self-explanatory, and if you run into trouble, there’s always a fellow client nearby who will be happy to assist you. Cyprus is a really amiable country.
Top Tips
- If you are planning a fly-and-ride trip, make sure to include your boots, gloves, and helmet at minimum. We understand that it may seem like a problem, but with a little planning, everything is possible, especially when it comes to packing.
- If you want to go by road on your own bicycle, check your documentation and ferry tickets at least one month in advance of your journey. Check the expiration dates on your credit/debit cards, passport (minimum of 6 weeks required), motorcycle insurance and tax, travel health insurance, and international driving permits (if applicable) for everyone else.
- Spend time appreciating the blooms, pause frequently to take pictures, relax, and drink water.
- Cypriot motorcycle riders are really amiable and come from all over the world. If you get the opportunity, strike up a conversation with them.
