Renting a car in Cyprus: cost and procedures

Cyprus is a relatively small island, so a car would be one of the most comfortable travelling options here. Driving your own car or renting one will give you freedom - there is no need to adjust to public transport schedules, spontaneous route changes become possible, there are no time or route restrictions.

Considering the huge number of various attractions on the island - historical, cultural and natural, tourists will certainly come across amazing places on their way that were not previously planned on the trip, but are nevertheless worth special attention. In this case, the car will give a chance to see the as many interesting places as possible within your trip.

Renting a car in Cyprus: peculiarities

Car rental in Cyprus is no different from a similar procedure in other European countries. To rent a car on the island, you need the following:

• International driving license. You can also find car rental offices in Cyprus that accept a regular driver's license, but they are not many.
• A valid passport.
• Different rental spots may have additional requirements for those wishing to rent a car. Most often, these requirements have to do with driving experience and the driver’s age. For example, many rental points only rent cars to drivers over twenty-five, others charge a fee for the “young age” - for example, a person aged 21 or older can rent a car with an additional surcharge. Such additional rental conditions are always spelled out on the website of the respective companies.

Car rental in Cyprus: cost

One of the most important issues when renting a car on the island is how much you pay. The cost of renting a car on the island depends on several factors, including the following:

• Season. During the peak of the tourist season, the rental prices rise. In winter you can find a good option for as low as 10 euros per day. In some companies, the price changes even during big holidays and festivals.
• Car brand. For example, a Toyota Passo can be rented from 20 euros per day, Nissan Cub - from 27 euros, the price of convertibles starts from 44 euros. The more expensive a car is, the higher its rent and deposit will be.
• Duration of the rent. The longer the duration, the cheaper the rent per day will be.
• CDW. Renting a car in Cyprus without a Collision Damage Waiver will cost more than with one. But when you rent a car with CDW, you should be confident in your driving skills - otherwise, it is recommended to take extended insurance.
• Deposit. Renting a car in Cyprus without a deposit will also cost more. This is because the rental company wants to insure itself against unforeseen situations.

Car rental in Cyprus: insurance, CDW, deposit

Every car in Cyprus must have an insurance. In case of rental cars it is provided by the agencies, as a rule the very basic one. If the driver wants, he (she) can take out extended insurance, but will need to pay extra for it. There are two types of insurance - with and without a CDW. It is the amount that the renter pays if the car needs to be repaired. Let's say the renter damaged the bumper and it costs 100 euros to repair it. With a deductible amount of 400 euros, the rental company will not have to pay for repairs - the funds will be taken from the CDW. If the repair of the same bumper costs 700 euros, then the company uses all the renter's money + its own 300 euros on top.

If the renter returns the car without damage, the entire amount of the deposit is returned to him. The CDW amount is determined by the car category and quite often would cost more than the car rental itself. The CDW makes car rental cheaper. Renting a car in Cyprus without one will cost significantly more.

Almost all rental companies take a deposit - this is an amount that is temporarily frozen on the renter's bank card. Thus, the rental office protects itself from possible financial losses. The bail can be used to pay, for instance, traffic fines. If no claims are made against the renter, the amount of the deposit is released when the car is returned. You should be prepared that if there is no amount on the card that can cover the deposit, you will most likely be unable to rent one. Renting a car in Cyprus without a deposit will cost significantly more.

Car rental in Cyprus: tips for choosing and operating

• It is worth booking a car in advance, at the stage of planning your vacation. This will allow you to save a little, and to have a better choice of cars. Moreover, it is also worth booking accommodation in advance, at least in those places where you plan to stay longer. Cyprus offers great variety of properties for long and short rent.
• We would recommend renting an automatic car. In Cyprus the steering wheel is on the right, so, if you are from a country with a different wheel position, it might be difficult to get used to switching the gearbox with your left hand.
• Make sure the car has good air conditioning, as it might get hot traveling around the island in the summer.
• For trips in mountains, powerful cars with an engine of 1.4 l or more are better suited.
• Before signing the rental agreement, you should carefully inspect the car for any damage or scratches. If there are any, then information about them must be recorded in a special document. This will guarantee that when you return the car, you will not have to pay for other people's mistakes.
• Do not run low on gasoline. There are places in Cyprus where it is almost impossible to find a gas station. To avoid any problems, top it up during the trip whenever possible, even if the tank is half-full.

Holidays in Cyprus with a car is definitely more comfortable and rewarding. You can visit the most remote, but incredibly beautiful places, get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the island from the inside. If you study the rules of driving and renting a car in Cyprus in advance, drive and park carefully, the whole experience will be pleasant.