Protaras car hire

Home to beautiful beaches, ancient ruins and sensational scuba spots, there’s plenty to see and do in Protaras on the east coast of Cyprus. Add a hire car to your package holiday and you can explore the resort and the island without ever having to worry about public transport.

From Protaras, you can reach beachy Larnaca in around 50 minutes. Historic Limassol, with its archaeological gems and gorgeous sunbathing spots, is approximately an hour and a half away. Or drive the two hours to Paphos, which is renowned for its sandy beaches, UNESCO-crowned ancient ruins, and connection to the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

• Min. age required to hire a car: Usually 21
• Which side of the road: Left
• Credit card requirements: Most companies prefer credit cards
• Any additional requirements: Drivers under 25 may need to pay a surcharge

You’ll find most car hire providers in Protaras close to the coast, where many hotels are located. Pick from local firms or international brands, including:

• 7777 Rent: +35 723 822 382
• Champion Rent a Car: +35 723 721 700
• Phelena Rent a Car: +35 799 577 771
• Platon: +35 723 833 130
• Sixt: +35 725 312 345
• Windmills: +35 799 605 212

Try to avoid on-the-day pick-ups as it generally costs more than booking in advance.

There are several things to be aware of when driving a hire car in Protaras and the rest of Cyprus.

Firstly, motorists in Cyprus drive on the left-hand side of the road, just like the UK. However, unlike in the UK, you must keep your dipped headlights on at all times when driving in Cyprus. Full headlights must be switched on half an hour after sunset and used until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Furthermore, if you’re planning to explore further afield, make sure you take out the right insurance policy. The north and south of the island of Cyprus are divided by the Green Line. While tourists can cross from the south to the north and back again at specified points on the border, most local car hire companies will not insure you to drive in the northern region.

Finally, standard speed limits are 50km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas, 65km/h (40 mph) on country roads and between 65km/h and 100km/h (62 mph) on motorways.