Europe > 🇬🇧 Akrotiri and Dhekelia

The city by city Car or no Car advice for Akrotiri and Dhekelia can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Akrotiri and Dhekelia;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Akrotiri and Dhekelia?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇬🇧 Mode

Score

🚆 Trains trains score 0
🚌 Buses buses score 6
🚶‍♂️ Walking walking score 6
🚴 Cycling cycling score 5
⛴️ Ferries & Cruises ferries score 2

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Akrotiri and Dhekelia?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇬🇧 Factor

Score

🚗 Car Availability & Cost car rental availability score 0
⛽ Fuel & Toll Costs fuel and tolls score 7
🛣️ Road Quality road quality score 7
⚠️ Road Safety road safety score 7
🅿️ Parking Availability & Cost parking score 6

🏙️ Main Cities in Akrotiri and Dhekelia

CITYIATAScore

🚗Do we need a car in Akrotiri and Dhekelia? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Akrotiri and Dhekelia aren’t typical tourist destinations — they’re British military bases with limited civilian settlements. However, parts of these areas are open to the public, including beaches, nature reserves, archaeological sites, and some Cypriot villages located within the boundaries.

So the big question: Do you need a car to visit them?


🚫 First Things First – Are You Even Allowed In?

  • The bases themselves are not open to casual visitors.

  • However, public roads, beaches, and villages located within the Sovereign Base Areas are accessible just like any other part of Cyprus.

  • You won’t go through border control — they are not separate countries.

➡ So yes — you can pass through and visit the parts open to the public without any special permits.


🚗 Should You Use a Car?

Yes — if you want to actually explore anything.

Akrotiri and Dhekelia are spread-out coastal areas, not walkable towns. They include:

  • Lady’s Mile Beach

  • Akrotiri Salt Lake (flamingo spotting!)

  • Kourion Archaeological Site

  • Cape Zevgari Nature Areas

  • Villages and farmland

There is almost no public transport in these zones. So if you plan to visit, a car is highly recommended.


🚌 Can You Get Around Without a Car?

You can, but it will be very limited.

Option Reality
Taxi Works, but not always available on demand
Walking Only practical within one small area (e.g. around Lady’s Mile Beach)
Cycling Possible, but distances are long and it can be hot
Public buses Very limited or nonexistent in some SBA zones

➡ If you don’t drive, it’s best to join a tour that includes Akrotiri or Kourion as a stop.


🏁 Final Recommendation

Traveller Type Car Needed? Why
Visiting beaches & salt lake ✅ Yes No buses, spread-out coastline
Interested in nature & archaeology ✅ Yes Sites are remote
Just passing through from Limassol ❌ No You’ll stay on main road
Military personnel or family Depends Many use cars due to distances on base

✨ Final Take

  • Akrotiri and Dhekelia are not traditional travel destinations.

  • They are drive-through regions with a few beautiful stops, especially for nature lovers and archaeology fans.

  • Therefore: If you want to actually experience them, you should absolutely rent a car.


🚗Do we need a car in Akrotiri and Dhekelia? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary brings together taxis*, how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation. *Taxis act as a hybrid between private cars and public transport, so they aren’t counted in the overall public-transport or non-car scores. 🚕

🇬🇧 Factor

Score

🚕 Taxis taxis score 5
🚦 Overall Need for a Car need score 3
💶 Is It Worth It? worth score 0
🧑‍✈️ With a Driver?

🔴

🛣️ Which Side of the Road?

⬅️

🚗Should You Rent a Car in Akrotiri and Dhekelia?
overall should you rent a car score 1
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