Paphos International Airport: history and present

If you are travelling to Pafos, Limassol or Coral Bay you are most likely to arrive at Paphos Airport. This airport is the only one in the western part of the island and the second largest in the country. Every year it receives around two and a half million passengers. The airport is situated 14km outside Pafos with a shuttle bus running regularly to the town - Pafos harbour and Karavella bus station).

Paphos Airport History

The airport was built in 1983. However its modern history begins in May 2006, when Hermes Airports Limited took over the construction and development of the two airports in Cyprus, in Pafos and Larnaca. The company began to make improvements to the infrastructure of the airport, and a new passenger terminal was soon available. This happened in November 2008.

Apart from the terminal other facilities were also upgraded. The runway and cargo terminal were significantly improved. An event that further contributed to the airport's development was when the famous low-cost airline Ryanair chose the airport as its hub. After that, large sums of money were invested in the development of the complex.

In ten years, the airport has increased its passenger traffic by almost one million passengers. In the future, Paphos Airport is expected to handle up to 10 million passengers each year.

Paphos Airport today

The airport has a friendly and clear infrastructure, facilities for disabled people, flights to many different countries. You can also hire a car at the airport, get first aid, use of the Mother and Child room or travel agency services.

You can also make use of:

• Information Service, located on the first floor of the airport building. If you have any questions concerning your stay at the airport or if you can't find something you're looking for, you can ask there. The Information Desk is also able to help you choose a hotel or advise on a variety of cultural events to enjoy in Pafos. The service is absolutely free and many of the staff are multilingual.
• VIP Lounge. Also on the first floor. Here you can use the lounge with soft furniture, a meeting room and a bar. Moreover, passengers in VIP-lounge have access to Internet, can order meals from airport's restaurants, they are also constantly informed about status of their flight.
• Airport signage. You can get the latest flight information - arrivals, departures or delays - on the airport notice board in English. You can get the necessary information by calling the airport on the phone or visiting the relevant internet resource. The Paphos Airport website is in English and Greek.

How to get to the airport

One of the best ways to get to and from the airport is by car. The car hire point is on the first floor. Here customers are offered a good selection of cars of different types and price. It is easier to rent a car in Cyprus than it might seem. The only thing you need is an international driving licence and a sufficient amount of money. Cars can be rented for up to one month.

Alternatively, you can take a bus or taxi from the airport to the city. The bus schedules vary depending on the day of the week and season but on average they run once an hour. There are direct bus services to Pafos and Larnaca.

• Paphos Airport to Pafos town. If you have a property in Pafos or rented a house or apartment, it is easy to get to the town. You can either use a taxi or a bus N 612 or 613 buses. 612 departs for Kato Pafos and 613 for the Karavella Bus Station in Pano Pafos.
• Paphos Airport to Nicosia. Unfortunately, there is no direct bus connection to the capital from Paphos Airport. You must first get to Pafos Caravella bus station on route 613, and from Caravella take the bus to the capital. Alternatively you can get to the city by taxi.
• Paphos Airport to Limassol. The bus to Limassol also leaves from Karavella Bus Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Buses leave every 1.5 hours.
• Paphos Airport to Larnaca Airport. Paphos Airport can be reached from Larnaca Airport by taxi. Alternatively, there is a direct bus service available several times a day. The journey is about 1,5 hours.

So, Paphos airport is excellent for welcoming visitors to the island. Flights to many countries in Europe and around the world depart from here.