Let me guess – you’re soon landing at Larnaca Airport (LCA) and wondering how to get to Protaras the fastest and cheapest.
Well, the options are many, from public buses to pre-booked private taxis. The question is: What budget do you have planned? Are you travelling in a larger group? How much luggage do you have? Are you arriving after midnight?
Find below all the possible ways to travel from the airport to Protaras, and see which fits you better.
Booking your transfers with AtoB is simple. In just a few clicks, you ensure safe and reliable transportation, anywhere.
Here’s a quick way to narrow down your choice before you read the details:
| Transport Option | Travel Time | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public bus | 1h 45 min – 2h 30 min (with connection) | €3 in total | Backpackers and travellers on a budget |
| Kapnos shuttle | 1h – 1h 5 min | €15 per adult €5 per child aged 2 – 12 | Free for infants |
| Taxi & ride-hailing | 50 – 60 min | €40 – €60 | Direct transfer without pre-booking |
| Car rental | 50 – 60 min | €25 – €60/day + fuel | Travellers planning to explore Cyprus beyond Protaras |
| Pre-booked transfer | 50 – 60 min | From €94 (full economy sedan) | Families, larger groups, business travellers, and late-night arrivals |
If you’ve never been to Protaras before, it’s a very popular seaside resort on Cyprus’s south-east coast, about 65 km from Larnaca airport. The whole journey from the airport to this beautiful resort usually takes about 45 – 60 min by road.
Protaras is best known for its long (really long) sandy beaches, turquoise water, and super-relaxed vibe. Safe to say, it’s a fave with families and couples. And with those who are looking for a quieter alternative to Ayia Napa (which is just 10-15 min away).
FYI: Locals don’t use Protaras to refer to the city centre only, but also the whole holiday area, including Pernera, Fig Tree Bay, Sunrise Beach, Kapparis, and Ayia Triada. This is important to know when you book transport.
Although there’s no direct public bus from LCA to Protaras, there’s a direct airport shuttle bus operated by Kapnos.
The whole trip takes about 65 minutes, with shuttle buses departing from the airport daily from 02:30 to 23:25. Feel free to check the Kapnos timetable for your arrival date.
A shuttle transfer will cost you €15 one way (€5 for children aged 2 – 12, and free travel for infants under 2). Plus, 1 suitcase of up to 20 kg is allowed per passenger (+1 hand luggage).
Travel Tip: Book a seat online (at least 60 minutes before departure) since buying a ticket on the spot is subject to availability.
If you want to travel budget-friendly using only the public bus, you’ll need to make two connections within a journey of about 1h 45 min to 2.5h. Depends on waiting times between buses.
Here’s a clear step-by-step so you don’t get confused along the way:
| Step | Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Local bus to Larnaca city (407, 409, 418, 419, 431, 440) from Larnaca Airport to Finikoudes | 20 – 30 min | €1.50 |
| 2 | Bus 711 from Finikoudes to Protaras | 110 min | €1.50 |
After getting off at Finikoudes, walk to the seaside bus stops on Athenon Avenue and find Bus 711, which runs along the Protaras resort strip. You can get off bus 711 near beaches or hotels.
Good to know: Bus 711 does run on a daily fixed timetable, but it’s an intercity bus, and from where you should take it, it’s almost impossible to guess the exact time it will arrive. If you miss one, you may wait up to 2 hours for another bus.
Travel Tip: Tickets are usually bought directly from the driver, so it’s good to have some cash with you. Plus, you might want to pre-book a private transfer or take a taxi if you arrive late in the evening or after midnight (public transport is limited at late hours).
You can find a taxi right outside the airport terminal. Although all taxis use a meter, it’s always a good idea to confirm the fare with your driver before you start the journey.
The average price for a taxi from the Larnaca Airport to Protaras is between €55 and €65. The transfer time is less than 1 hour.
Good to know: If you were to arrive late at night or early in the morning, you might have to pay considerably more for a taxi to Protaras. Higher fares apply at night.
Yes, you can use ride-hailing apps like Bolt to book a taxi from the airport to any destination along the Protaras resort strip.
You’ll be picked up from the designated airport pick-up area. The whole trip will take about 50 – 60 minutes. And prices? Expect a taxi fare of €40 – €60, not much different from a metered airport taxi. But prices can easily go higher depending on demand and time.
Renting a car at Larnaca airport could be a good idea if you want flexibility, plus to explore the island outside Protaras.
Pros
Cons
It’ll cost you between €25 and €60/day to rent a car from the airport. There are many companies at LCA that you can compare prices between. But don’t forget about the extra expenses, such as fuel.
Heads-up: Driving is on the left side in Cyprus. Plus, make sure to book your rental car in advance on the airport’s website for a better price.
Yes – if you want predictability (count me in), comfort, and an overall smooth arrival without queues, bus timetables, waiting times, and luggage stress. Not the cheapest option for sure, but for many travellers (especially late-night arrivals), it’s the most practical.
Pre-booked transfers are more about removing all the stress from your airport-to-hotel trip (or whatever accommodation you’re heading to).
On the ground, it means:
Anyone can use this service, really, but private airport transfers are mostly a fave with:
Travel Insight: Larnaca Airport can get pretty busy in summer, especially when multiple flights land at once. The last thing most travellers want is to figure out bus timetables or taxi queues. So, for many visitors, especially first-timers, a private taxi to Protaras makes perfect sense.
Imagine you just landed at Larnaca Airport after a long flight. You’ll see a few scenarios outside arrivals: a long queue at the taxi rank, a bus counter with a timetable you have yet to decode, and somewhere in the crowd, a driver holding a sign with your name. And just like that, instead of managing logistics, you’re switching into holiday mode.
There’s no such thing as a single winner in this debate. Depends on what type of traveller you are and what you expect:
| If you are | Choose |
|---|---|
| Family with children | Private transfer |
| Couple | Taxi or private transfer |
| Group of four or more | Private transfer (split the cost) |
| Backpacker | Public bus or shuttle bus |
| Arriving after midnight | Taxi or private transfer |
| Exploring Cyprus | Rental car |
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The fastest option is by car, whether it’s an airport taxi, ride-hailing (Bolt), or private transfer. It takes about 50-60 minutes, without extra stops.
Public buses depart from the bus stop outside the arrivals area. That’s also where you’ll find the pick-up point of the shuttle buses operated by Kapnos.
No, regular public buses or Kapnos shuttle buses don’t run overnight from Larnaca Airport or between cities. Late arrivals usually require a taxi, Bolt, or a pre-booked airport transfer.
Yes, but with specific limitations. Standard suitcases are usually allowed in the lower compartments (on intercity buses). So, you might need an airport taxi or private transfer if you have multiple oversized bags.
No, there’s currently no operating railway network in Cyprus. You’ll have to catch a bus if you want to use public transport.
No, Uber doesn’t operate in Cyprus. The main ride-hailing app available here is Bolt, plus local taxi services.
Not really. Larnaca Airport is not walkable to any nearby resorts or towns. Larnaca city itself is a few km away.
Drivers usually meet Larnaca travellers inside the arrivals hall, holding a name sign. It could also be outside the exit (if you book with AtoB, you receive an email with your driver’s contact info closer to your arrival so that you can get in touch).
Many Larnaca airport taxis accept card payments, but not all vehicles are guaranteed to have working card machines. It’s best to confirm with your driver before you start the trip.