Useful Things

Here are a few bits of information that might be useful to know when you go to Cyprus...

By Nils E. Bjørnæs

- You drive on the left-hand side.

- The official languages are Greek and Turkish, but English is often used as a second language and is widely understood.

- You may not cross the border to the South with a rented car from the North. However, you may cross to the North with a rented car from the South.

- You can only bring goods worth 135€ over the border (both directions).

- You can bring your own car and drive it for a period of three months, after that it has to be registered and tax paid.

- Water is scarce, and you should not be surprised if there is no water for the shower in the morning, especially during the hot summer months.

- Voltage is supplied at 220/240 volts AC, and plugs are generally of British type with three pins.

- Bus services are very infrequent, although there are the so-called ‘run-around buses' (mini vans), that operate in the cities.

- Taxi services are widely available and at reasonable prices.

- A 10 per cent service charge is added to the bill in most hotels and restaurants, so tipping is not obligatory, but small change is always welcome. Restaurants are very child-friendly.

- There is a very high standard of health and medical services, and most hospitals and clinics have English-speaking doctors.

- Shops are usually open from 8am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm in winter, and from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm in summer. In tourist areas, supermarkets remain open until late in the evenings.

- Banks are open for the public from 8:30 to 12pm in the summer, and on Mondays also from 2pm to 4:30pm. In the winter, banking hours are from 8am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm.

- Watch out for speed cameras! There are a lot of them about.

- The speed limit in villages and cities is 45km/hr, on main roads 65km/hr, and on highways 100km/hr.

- Restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs in the South are allowed to have designated smoking area as long as there is sufficient ventilation. In North Cyprus, new smoking laws are yet to be in place.

- All major credit cards are accepted in restaurants and shops.

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