Transport
Getting Around Paphos
Short answer
Kato Paphos is walkable, and local buses link it with the Old Town, Coral Bay and the airport. To see the Akamas, the wine villages and most day-trip destinations on your own schedule, you will want a car for at least part of the trip — or book tours.
Walking
The seafront promenade links the harbour, the Archaeological Park, hotels and town beaches on flat ground. The Tombs of the Kings is about 2 km from the harbour. The Old Town is roughly 3 km uphill — fine in the cool of the evening, hard work at midday in summer.
| From the harbour to… | Distance | On foot |
|---|---|---|
| Paphos Castle | On the harbour itself | A few minutes |
| Kato Paphos Archaeological Park | Next to the harbour | A few minutes to the entrance |
| Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa | A short way inland | About 10 minutes |
| Tombs of the Kings | About 2 km | Roughly 25–30 minutes, mostly along the coast |
| Paphos Old Town | About 3 km, uphill | Roughly 40 minutes; easier by bus or taxi in summer |
| Coral Bay | About 12–15 km | Not walkable — bus, taxi or car |
Local buses
Pafos Buses runs routes connecting Kato Paphos, the Old Town bus station, Coral Bay, the airport and surrounding villages, plus a regional route to Polis. Buses are inexpensive but frequencies drop in the evenings and outside summer. Check current routes and timetables on the official website.
Intercity buses link Paphos with Limassol, Nicosia and Larnaca; the Cyprus by Bus website brings the island's routes together. For a car-free trip, see Paphos without a car.
Do you need a car? Area by area
| Where | Car needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kato Paphos | No | Walkable, with buses and taxis everywhere |
| Paphos Old Town | No | Buses and taxis down to the harbour |
| Coral Bay and Peyia | Helpful | Buses run to Coral Bay; Peyia's upper village and the coast beyond are easier by car |
| Akamas | Car or tour | Rough tracks; many hire policies exclude unpaved roads |
| Polis and Latchi | Recommended | Reachable by bus, but a car makes the coast and villages easy |
| Petra tou Romiou | Recommended | Sunset visits are hard without one |
| Wine villages and Troodos | Yes, or a tour | Little public transport; winding mountain roads |
Car hire
- Cyprus drives on the left.
- Check whether your rental covers unpaved roads — many do not, which matters for the Akamas.
- Parking in Kato Paphos is tight in summer evenings; use municipal car parks.
- Book child seats in advance.
Driving tips
- Roundabouts: you go round clockwise and give way to traffic already on the roundabout, coming from your right. There are a lot of them around Paphos.
- Speed limits: typically 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on open roads and 100 km/h on motorways, but always follow the signs.
- Speed cameras: fixed and mobile cameras are in use. Assume you can be caught anywhere.
- Yellow lines: yellow markings along the kerb mean parking or stopping is restricted. Use a car park instead.
- Mountain roads: routes into the Troodos and up to the wine villages are slow and winding, so allow more time than the distance suggests and fill up before you head into the hills.
- Drink-driving and phones: limits are strict and enforced. Do not use a handheld phone while driving.
Taxis
Taxis are easy to find in Kato Paphos and at the airport. For short hops — the Tombs of the Kings, the Old Town, a dinner out of town — they are often the most practical choice. Confirm the expected fare before setting off.
Getting around in the evening
Buses thin out in the evening, so plan the journey back before you head out, especially from Coral Bay or the Old Town. Taxis are the usual answer after dinner. If you are staying out of town and want to eat in Kato Paphos, decide in advance who is driving, or book a taxi back. Unlit village roads and roundabouts are harder to read in the dark.
Cycling and e-scooters
The flat seafront between the harbour and the hotel strip is the most pleasant place to cycle, ideally early in the morning or in the evening. Bikes and e-scooters can be rented in Kato Paphos, but rules on where you can ride and on helmets apply, so check the conditions before you set off and give way to pedestrians on the busy promenade. Away from the seafront, traffic, heat and hills make cycling hard work for casual riders.
Tours instead of driving
Jeep safaris, boat trips with hotel transfers and organised Troodos tours cover the places that are hardest without a car. See experiences in Paphos, especially Akamas jeep safaris and Paphos boat trips.
Frequently asked questions
Is it easy to drive in Paphos?
Generally yes. Roads are good and well signposted, but you drive on the left and mountain roads are slow and winding.
Can you get to Coral Bay by bus?
Yes — local buses run between Kato Paphos and Coral Bay. Check the current timetable.
Is Paphos walkable?
Kato Paphos is. The harbour, castle, Archaeological Park and seafront are all within a short, flat walk, and the Tombs of the Kings is about 2 km away. The Old Town is roughly 3 km uphill, so most people take a bus or taxi in summer.
Do you need a car in Paphos?
Not for Paphos town. For the Akamas, the wine villages, Troodos and sunset at Petra tou Romiou, you will want a car or tours.
Are there speed cameras in Cyprus?
Yes. Fixed and mobile speed cameras are in use, so stick to the posted limits.
Can you walk from Kato Paphos to the Old Town?
Yes, it is roughly 3 km uphill. It is a pleasant walk in the cooler evening or in winter, but hard going at midday in summer.
Keep planning
Transport
Paphos Without a Car
Can you do Paphos without a car? Where to stay, what is walkable, what the buses cover, and which tours replace a car for the Akamas and day trips.
Getting here
Paphos Airport to Paphos Town
How to get from Paphos Airport (PFO) to Kato Paphos, Coral Bay and the Old Town: bus, taxi, pre-booked transfer or car hire — with the trade-offs of each.
Planning
Where to Stay in Paphos
Where to stay in Paphos by trip type: Kato Paphos for first-timers, Coral Bay for beaches, the Old Town for local life, Polis for quiet — and without a car.