Everything you need to know before picking up your hire car at Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Cyprus.
The cheapest car hire at LCA starts from £20/day for mini and economy cars such as the Ford Focus, Kia Rio and Mazda Demio. Prices are consistently lowest in January and March. Booking one week ahead and selecting a local Cypriot company over an international brand typically reduces the daily rate by 20–40%.
The average daily price at LCA is around £30/day across all car types. Economy cars average £20–23/day; SUVs and larger cars average £33–45/day. TravelSupermarket data puts the overall Larnaca average at £30.12/day.
January, February and March offer the lowest prices, typically from £20/day. Summer (July–August) and Easter are peak periods with higher prices and limited stock — book at least 4–6 weeks ahead. The Skyscanner average for January is £22/day versus a yearly average of £56/day.
Data from Skyscanner and TravelSupermarket consistently shows booking one week ahead gives the best daily rate. For July–August and Easter, book 4–6 weeks ahead to secure availability and avoid significant price increases.
Yes — 171 cars at LCA are listed as no deposit. Many local Cypriot companies accept a small cash deposit or no deposit at all. Use the "No deposit" filter when searching to see all available options.
Not always. Many local companies at Larnaca Airport accept debit cards or cash deposits. International brands (Hertz, Sixt, Europcar) typically require a credit card for the security deposit. Filter by "No credit card" to find flexible options.
A deposit is blocked on your card when you collect the car. The amount depends on the company and insurance level chosen — typically £150–600. It is released in full when you return the car without damage. Details are in each car's listing before you book.
Companies with desks inside the arrivals hall at LCA include Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Europcar and Aercar. Many well-reviewed local companies (Cosmos, Trusted Rent, Sure Drive, Lanarent) operate off-airport with free shuttle transfers — typically 20–40% cheaper.
Off-airport companies are significantly cheaper and most offer free delivery to the terminal or a short free shuttle. Terminal desks are convenient for immediate collection without waiting. For budget travellers, off-airport is almost always the better value.
Top-rated companies by Google reviews: SS Duke's (5.0★, 373 reviews), Sure Drive (5.0★, 340 reviews), Trusted Rent (5.0★, 363 reviews), Cosmos (4.9★, 686 reviews) and Lanarent (4.9★, 631 reviews). Aercar is the most popular provider by booking volume according to Skyscanner data.
Yes — Cyprus drives on the left, identical to the UK. Roads are modern and well-signed. Hire cars have red number plates so other drivers recognise you as a visitor. Most rental companies recommend automatic transmission for visitors not used to left-hand junctions.
UK licence holders do not need an IDP if the licence is in English and legible. Drivers from most EU countries also do not need one. Check with your rental company if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet.
No. Driving a rental car across the Green Line into Northern Cyprus is not permitted by any rental company. Your insurance will be invalid and you may face penalties. This is stated clearly in all LCA rental contracts.
Yes. 7-seater SUVs (Kia Sorento and similar) are available at LCA from around £33/day. Availability is limited, especially in summer — book well in advance for July and August.