Getting There

If you come from western Cyprus, there is only one possibility to cross the borderline - Pafos Gate in Nicosia/Levkosa. You are only allowed to enter on foot (no cars or motorbikes), it is forbidden by Greek authorities to stay overnight or to purchase any goods in the 'occupied area', like the Greeks still call northern Cyprus.

Pafos Gate is near the old Ledra Palace Hotel west of the ancient city walls. Enter the Green Line area only with a valid passport. The first thing you will see is a huge wall billboard, beckoning the tourists to visit the dilapidated and empty homes and the ruined sanctuaries. At the Greek border control your name will be registered and you will be asked to reenter the Greek zone by 5pm when the gate closes. On the Turkish side you will be asked to fill in another form, to pay a small fee and to present your passport (normally you will not get a stamp). You can enter Levkosa on foot (10min walk) or take one of the taxis, which are always waiting at the borderline. Probably they will offer you a 'perfect' daytour with all places of interest - for quite a lot of US$ or pounds. We recommend to enter the city and to catch a normal bus line to Girne or somewhere else. Then you will pay less, see much more of daily life and get an impression of both situation and mood in Northern Cyprus.

By airplane you can only enter Northern Cyprus via Turkey, there are no international flights to the both airports near Levkosa (Ilker and Ercan). From Amkara, Istanbul, Adana or Antalya you can transfer to a local flight of the 'Cyprus Turkish Airline' (KTHY). The London office of KTHY is at: Tel. 421 55 11. The Istanbul office you will reach by Tel. (212) 24 65 137.

By ship: A regular ship line connects Kyrenia (Girne) with the port of Mersin/Turkey. Both Kyrenia and Famagusta have adequate facilities for visiting yachts.