Northern Cyprus

[rockyracoon]

My mum fancies a week in northern Cyprus but is worried about how much extra time is added to the flight what with having to land in Turkey first, has anyone any experience of this? Do you have to change planes? Thanks for any replies.

[dennisb66]

Surely there are direct flights to northern cyprus?

[SlackAlice]

No direct flights to Ercan (Northern Cyprus). Dependant on where your flying from layover time can be from 1hr 30 mins upwards and need a change of plane.

[sandyRoe]

There can't be much difference between north and south. A direct flight to a destination in the south would be more convenient.

[jno]

can't you fly to the south and drive to the north (or catch a bus or something)?

[jno]

the south is very touristy, the north much less so (Kyrenia is lovely).

[SlackAlice]

Going from South to North can be quite tricky. The border crossings can be a bit fickle and depends on who insulted who last.
Went there a few years ago and the borders were open, so decided to drive in to Northern Cyprus, arrived at Border crossing to be told no one was going through today. Reason? Some Southern politician had insulted a Northern politician the previous evening.

I kid you not.......

[rockyracoon]

Hmmm, food for thought then, did wonder about going from south to north but wasn't sure how tricky it was, info I have read on line gives no definite answer for anything. Shame really, it looks like such a lovely place, Kyrenia is where she fancied. I doubt she'll go there now as it'll be too much agg.

[rockyracoon]

Sorry, meant to say thanks for all your replies.

[jno]

plenty of travel companies offer package holidays or tours in North Cyprus

[Mosaic]

As others have said, flights to northern Turkey have to land in mainland Turkey first. So you get to sit on the tarmac for an hour or so.

Northern Cyprus has promoted itself for having the best beaches and unpolluted coastal water. When we were there in 2004 most of the coastline was accessible only through private beaches - concrete had been used liberally to create private sunbathing areas - the military did not allow access to the coast outwith resorts or private beaches - and although development was taking place rapidly, infrastructure such as sewage disposal was not, so the sea was becoming polluted with obvious sewage.
I was hugely saddened to see the destruction of ancient heritage - sites literally bulldozed to make the parking easier.....
The Turks love it because they can gamble legally, and huge casino resorts line the coast around Kyrenia.

Sites such as central Kyrenia, Bellapais and the 'Panhandle' were OK but obviously under growing pressure.

On balance I would recommend taking one of the packaged trips from the south to visit the north.

[tiggerblue10]

Since you can cross the border easily now its better to get a flight to Southern Cyprus and travel north. I haven't been in nearly 10 years but most of my relatives do it that way now. I think it cost less as well. I'm hoping to go next year to see family and friends I haven't seen for ages and will probably fly to the south.

[rockyracoon]

Thanks all, I think if she really wants to go she'll have to do a package flying into the south, it's up to the travel company to get them in the north then.

[jno]

I had a package deal a couple of years ago - a tour of north and south with VJV

http://www.vjv.com/de...orth-south/index.html

- fascinating. The border crossings (on a coach) were very simple - about 5-10 minutes each way. The island is quite small; driving from Nicosia (the crossing point) to Kyrenia on the north coast takes half an hour or less.