crossing the border FROM north cyprus TO south cyprus

rob73


Joined: 04/09/2011
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 18:34

Hi all



Hopefully you can help me. I'm flying into Istanbul from London in a few weeks time and then travelling down to the south coast to get a ferry over to North Cyprus. then the tricky bit starts! I'm best man at a friend's wedding in Laranca and wondered if anyone knows if i'll have trouble crossing the border at Nicosia ( I assume?) to get into the south. I am then flying home from Larnaca back to london which i hope is also ok !!



I would be gratefully for any advice



thanks



Rob

ozankoys


Joined: 20/06/2008
Posts: 905

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 18:58

Hi as long as you have EU passport you will have no problems at all have a good time!

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 18:59

EU citizens have an absolute right of free movement within and across EU boundaries.



You should have no trouble.



DD

styliana85


Joined: 30/06/2010
Posts: 101

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 19:05

U can cross whenever u want...your british?

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 19:09

There is always the chance that you may be held up for entering Cyprus through an illegal border. Stand your ground and insist on passing through. If you are on foot I would recommend Lokmaci crossing in the centre of Lefkosia (Nicosia) that opens onto Ledra Street from where a short journey will get you to a bus for Larnaca.

Geejay


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 475

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 19:35

All passports are inspected on the T/C side. Stamped either on the passport or a "visa" sheet (recomended). British & EU passports are rarely inspected on the south side. You should have no problem.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 21:04

I crossed at Lokmaci (Ledra Street) last Wednesday and was not required to show my passport on the South side. I held it up as I walked towards the the customs lady and she just said "you are British" and I said yes and she motioned for me to keep walking.

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 21:14

There's a link on this site which may be of help. Slightly out of date as it talks about opening of Lokmaci (Ledra Street) when it's been opened a while now.

http://www.cyprus44.com/holidays/border-crossings.asp

rejela


Joined: 09/02/2011
Posts: 293

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 22:02

Re You will be travelling to the south coast to get a ferry.

It might be better for you to take a flight from Adana to Ercan, rather than use the ferry.A shuttle bus service is available from Mersin to Adana (all included in the ticket price). Depending on when you fly, you can fly cheaper than the ferry if you are lucky. Try Pegasus airlines or Atlas Jet http://www.flypgs.com or http://www.atlasjet.com for prices / availability. Not wishing to change your plans, just showing a alternative.

rejela


Joined: 09/02/2011
Posts: 293

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 22:04

Flying time is 45 minutes Adana to Ercan, much quicker than the ferry crossing!

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
04/09/2011 22:37

Rob73,



As an EU citizen - since the Rep of Cyprus joined the EU on May 1st 2004 you have freedom of movement..what the folks DON'T say on here is that the UK / EU / UN do NOT refer to the crossing points as 'borders' - merely the first point that the govt. can implement EU customs / immigration controls.



Imagine that you are entering France / Belgium, etc. - form an immigration perspective you are fine..



However, from a customs perspective you are entering from 'outside' the the EU and subject to more rigorous controls :( e.g cigarette / alcohol allowances )



Latest report from EU re crossings here :



http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/turkish_cypriot_community/20110531_annual_report_green_line_regulation.pdf

rob73


Joined: 04/09/2011
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
05/09/2011 07:07

wow - cheers all. thanks for all your advice. sounds like a few of my sources have been painting a bleaker picture about me not being able to get across! And the flight idea sounds a good one although I do have a soft spot for a nice ferry ride. will check out times etc.



thanks again



Rob73