Compare cheap 7 seater car hire at Cypriot airports. Driving on the left, camera fines, crossing to the north and why EES does not apply.
Planning a day trip to the north? GOV.UK says cars hired in the Republic often have no insurance cover there. Read the crossing section below before you drive to the Green Line.
Cyprus airports had a record year in 2025, handling 13.75 million passengers, up 12%, with the UK among their five biggest markets (Hermes Airports via Routes). In September 2025, UK visitors made up 31.4% of all tourist arrivals, more than any other country (Cyprus Mail).
For UK families, Cyprus is one of the easiest places abroad to drive. Traffic keeps to the left, like at home, and the motorways are fast and modern. The things to watch are the cameras and the rules on crossing to the north.
Where to hire a 7 Seater in Cyprus
Passenger numbers are for 2025, from airport operator Hermes (Routes). Where we have a full airport guide, the name links to it, and we add new guides regularly.
- Larnaca. 9.91 million passengers, up 14%. For Ayia Napa and Protaras.
- Paphos. 3.84 million, up 5%. For Coral Bay and the Akamas.
Four-lane motorways link Nicosia with Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa (Visit Cyprus), so either airport puts most of the island within reach.
Driving on the left, with red plates
Cyprus drives on the left, like the UK and unlike most of Europe (Visit Cyprus).
Self-drive hire cars carry red number plates (Visit Cyprus). Locals know what they mean, so give yourself space and take your time at roundabouts.
GOV.UK warns that driving standards are poor and that the risk of dying on the roads is higher than in the UK (GOV.UK). In a heavy 7 seater full of children, leave a bigger gap than you would at home.
Licences and the hire desk
A UK photocard licence is valid in EU countries, and you must carry it. You only need an international driving permit with an old paper licence or one issued in Gibraltar or the Crown Dependencies (GOV.UK).
GOV.UK also says some hire firms ask to keep your passport as a deposit. That is illegal, and you should refuse (GOV.UK).
Cypriot airport 7 Seaters, compared
One search lines up the 7 seaters at Larnaca or Paphos, with the deposit and excess shown for each.
Road rules and child seats
The motorway limit is 100 km/h, and there is a minimum of 65 km/h. In residential areas it is 50 km/h. Seat belts are compulsory in the front and back, and hand-held phones are banned (Visit Cyprus).
The drink-drive limit is 0.5 g per litre, and 0.2 g for drivers with under three years’ experience (Your Europe).
Police advise that children up to 135 cm use a child seat, with a booster up to 150 cm, and that children under 16 sit in the back (Cyprus Mail). In a 7 seater there is room for that, so plan the seats before you load up.
Traffic cameras and fines
Cyprus runs a large network of traffic cameras. More than 850,000 fines have been issued since the system began (Sigmalive).
Since 6 March 2026, running a red light at a junction costs about £255 (€300) plus 3 penalty points, and at a pedestrian crossing about £72 (€85) (Sigmalive). Using a phone or skipping a seat belt costs about £128 (€150) each (AGP Law).
Keep to the limits and stop well short of the line at every light.
Crossing to the north
GOV.UK says cars hired in the Republic often have no insurance cover in the north, and hire firms will not let you cross without the right documents. Insurance can be bought at some crossing points, such as Agios Dometios (GOV.UK).
Ask the hire firm in writing before you plan a trip across. If it says no, leave the car on the Republic side and book a guided trip instead.
No EES, but stamps still matter
Cyprus is in the EU but not in the Schengen area. GOV.UK says you will not need to register for the EU Entry/Exit System when you enter Cyprus. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for 3 months after you leave (GOV.UK).
Summer wildfires
GOV.UK rates the wildfire risk as high from April to October (GOV.UK). In July 2025 a fire in Limassol district closed several roads into the Troodos foothills, with detours for drivers heading up to the mountains (Cyprus Mail).
In summer, check for closures before a mountain day, and never park on dry grass.
Seven people, seven cases
A large suitcase holds 80 to 110 litres (Markenkoffer). With all seven seats in use, the roomiest common 7 seaters manage about 340 to 350 litres of boot (Auto Express).
For a big case each, look for the ACRISS FV class, meaning seven or more seats plus more space, or book an 8 or 9 seater. Village lanes in the Troodos are narrow, so do not oversize without need.
How to pay less for a 7 Seater in Cyprus
- Compare the total, not the daily rate. Deposit, excess, fuel policy and extra driver fees all sit outside the headline price.
- Never hand over your passport. A firm that asks for it as a deposit is breaking the law, so walk away.
- Respect the cameras. One red light fine of about £255 (€300) wipes out a week of careful comparing.
- Book early for summer. UK school holidays bring the highest demand, so lock in a cancellable rate and search again later.
Check Cyprus 7 Seater prices for your dates
Enter your airport and flight times to compare low-cost rates at Larnaca or Paphos.
Questions people ask
Which side of the road do they drive on in Cyprus?
The left, like the UK.
Do I need an international driving permit in Cyprus?
Not with a UK photocard licence. Holders of an old paper licence may need one.
Can I take a hire car to the north of Cyprus?
Only with the hire firm’s permission and separate insurance, which GOV.UK says is sold at some crossing points.
Does the EU Entry/Exit System apply in Cyprus?
No. Cyprus is not in the Schengen area, so you will not register for EES on arrival.
How do I compare cheap 7 Seater deals in Cyprus?
Use one search across several hire firms. Ours shows the 7 seaters at Larnaca and Paphos with the total price for each.
