Taxi Fares in Northern Cyprus Rise Sharply as Airport Rides Cost More Than Flights

Feb 5
2 min read

Taxi Fares in Northern Cyprus

Taxi fares in Northern Cyprus have increased significantly at the start of the new year, leaving residents and visitors surprised by how expensive even short journeys have become. Following a 40% rise in public transport fares, taxi tariffs have now followed the same upward trend — with some airport taxi journeys costing more than an international flight.

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Airport Taxi Fares Now Exceed Air Ticket Prices

The most striking comparison is between taxi fares and airline tickets. While Pegasus Airlines currently offers Istanbul–Ercan flights from around 997 Turkish lira, taxi prices within Northern Cyprus are far higher:

· Girne to Ercan Airport: approximately 2,300 TL

· Lefkoşa to Ercan Airport: approximately 2,500 TL

· Minimum “hop on–hop off” taxi fare: now over 500 TL

For many travellers, this means the journey to the airport can cost more than the flight itself.

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Why Have Taxi Prices Increased?

Taxi industry representatives stress that fuel costs are only part of the problem. According to union officials, taxi tariffs are influenced by a combination of rising operational expenses, including:

· Vehicle maintenance and mechanical repairs

· Increasing tyre prices

· Higher taxes and social security contributions

· Parking fees and annual licensing costs

Mehmet Kanal, Deputy Chairman of the Lefkoşa Taxi Drivers’ Union, explained that mandatory monthly contributions per driver have risen to 23,000 TL, while diesel fuel has increased from 29 TL to 48 TL per litre in just one year.

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Taxi Services Are Personal Transport

Union representatives also argue that taxis should not be directly compared to airlines or mass transport. Kanal noted:

“An airplane carries 300 passengers. A taxi provides a personal, safe, and comfortable service. Taxi fares are approved by the state — they are not set by drivers.”

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Taxi Drivers Struggling to Survive

Despite higher fares, many taxi drivers say they are earning less than ever. Driver Ahmet Bardak described the current situation as critical:

“I earn between 400 and 800 lira per day, while daily expenses reach 2,500 lira. Without my pension, it would be impossible to survive on taxi income alone.”

He also criticised authorities for continuing to issue new taxi licences, despite what he described as an already oversaturated and struggling sector.

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Can Taxi Prices Come Down?

Taxi drivers say they want fares to fall, but only if operating costs are reduced. Without relief on fuel prices, taxes, maintenance costs, and licensing fees, they believe current tariffs are unavoidable.

For residents and visitors alike, the situation highlights the growing cost of transport in Northern Cyprus — and raises questions about long-term affordability, regulation, and sustainable solutions.

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