Hi, we have a villa booked in Kyrenia for summer 2008, i have read the existing forums on the above topic, and am still wondering which option is best? the only reason for posting this topic again is to get the latest info. ie. from people who have travelled this last summer. i was particularily put off the flights to ercan as i read that the stop over was pretty uncomfortable in the plane, the flight staff were unfriendly and the planes were sometimes old and the seats uncomfortable. Maybe things have improved lately though? we live near gatwick and need to fly out on a monday. i thought that there was also probably more flight choice to larnaca.
Grateful for any light travellers can throw on this subject.
Thanks,
Jane
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Personally, I generally prefer to fly into Ercan. There are new airlines flying in now - Sun Express and Pegasus as well as the old favourites Cyprus Turkish Airlines. I havent personally flown the new two but I have read good reports - they fly from Stansted though, not Gatwick. Again, personally, I have no complaint against the flights on Cyprus Turkish Airlines, although you do read bad ones, generally from people who are flying back and forth a lot. I found them perfectly fine and the 45 min stopover in Dalaman was not uncomfortable. You don%26#39;t get off but you can move about and stretch your legs. The benefit is that you have such a quick transfer after landing, generally about 30 minutes. Ercan airport itself is very nice, pretty modern.
There are more flights into Larnaca but in all honesty, charter flights are subject to the same amount of discomfort as any and then at the other end you have at least 90 minutes transfer. There are more flights though and you -might- get a deal. The other downside of Larnaca is only applicable if you intend to take duty free home to the UK. The duty free - particularly cigarettes - are light years cheaper in the north but you cannot take them back across the border into the south if you are flying home from Larnaca because the customs officers at the border will confiscate the lot.
My advice to guests coming out to our villa is to pick the flight that best fits their desired times and price and not to worry too much about it. Air travel is never fantastic and these flights are no better or worse than anywhere else and relatively shorter than many.
Allie
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I agree with the previous poster that you shouldn%26#39;t really get too hung up on what the plane and the staff are like. Personally, I wouldn%26#39;t know whether a plane was old or brand new. They all look the same to me.
I have always found CTA to be perfectly functional. OK, so the flight staff are a bit surly and the food leaves a lot to be desired but they get me from the UK to Ercan, which is all I want.
Flying into Larnaca you have to consider not just the transfer time but the time it takes to collect your luggage and pass through immigration. As often as not, the luggage is waiting on the carousel for the passengers at Ercan but you can be waiting quite a while for your luggage off the flight at Larnaca.
The stopover at Dalaman/Antalya/Izmir isn%26#39;t a big deal either. It seems that no sooner have you landed than you are being asked to put on your seatbelts to take off again.
On CTA there aren%26#39;t the refinements that you come to expect from other airlines in terms of entertainment and catering but, if you are like me and you just want to read a book and have a nap to pass the time, they are perfectly adequate. I never think of the food on a flight to be a way of filling my tummy anyway; rather just something to break up the monotony of the flight (the anticipation of whether it will be chicken, chicken or chicken).
Each way has pros and cons but just go for the flight that offers the right price, convenient timings and uses your local airport. As soon as you step into your villa in Kyrenia, all memories of the travelling will be erased from your mind and you will wonder why you had any reservations at all.
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We have been holidaying in Northern Cyprus for the last 8 years and up to this year always flew with CTA.
We thought we would try flying into Larnaca this year and had no problems.We too live near Gatwick and found you have a lot of choice of Airlines,but you might find a problem with flying out on a Monday,most charter Airlines seem to fly only on Wednesdays and Sundays from Gatwick.As others have said the transfers from Larnaca do take about 90 minutes so the journey time is about the same.The biggest advantage we found is the return flight times.With CTA you have to get up in the middle of the night.about 3.30am.Flying from Larnaca you don%26#39;t have to leave until about 11.30am so you get to have breakfast before you leave and no need to go to bed early the night before.
we have already booked for next year and are going via Larnaca with First Choice for £160 per person,much cheaper than CTA .
Transfers to and from Larnaca will cost you £50 each way for up to 7 people.
Hope this information helps,any questions,please ask.
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Hi,
Like the last poster we flew into Larnaca this July/Aug. We chose to do this rather than Ercan purely bcause the flying times suited us better and we could fly from our local airport (B%26#39;ham)The last poster is right in saying that journeys back to England from Ercan seem to take off at unsociable times. The luggage retrieval at Larnaca didn%26#39;t seem to take longer than other airports and the place where we were staying (Almond Holiday Village ) arranged our transfers into N Cyprus for us. The journey took under 90 mins and we had no hold ups. I would say choose the flights which suit you best for timings and of course prices and don%26#39;t worry too much about airline food/entertainment/flight attendants etc!
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Thanks to you all for replying. I think I have it sorted, in my mind at least now. I%26#39;ll end up picking the most convenient flight at the right cost! I must say i am not too chuffed with our changeover day being Monday, doesn%26#39;t tie in too well with the charter flights as you say. However the thought of travelling Sunday and finding somewhere to stay for a night is just too bothersome to consider. I agree whatever flight you%26#39;re on it%26#39;s only a means to getting there, so it%26#39;s a case of grinning and bearing it most of the time anyway.
Thanks,
Jane
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If you can only travel on a Monday,you might consider British Airways,they fly to Larnaca every day.The only problem is its from Heathrow,
Friends of mine went this route last year and said it was a very good service and the price was very reasonable.
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regards previous post, British Airways routes that were operated by GB Airways are now operated by easyjet. If you have no aversion to bright orange , this could be an option worth exploring further.
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Hi
Its probably best to speak to some specialist tour operators i have spoken to a few in the past Cyprus paradise is a big one but most help full was Direct traveller seemed to know a lot about the flights into Larnaca and Ercan.
hope this is helpful.
Holly
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I thought I would provide an update on this one as I have just used Cyprus Airways from Manchester to Larnaca.
Firstly, the check in at Manchester was completely painless and the flight was bang on time.
We flew via Paphos. The plane let some passengers off then continued on to Larnaca, arriving about 30 minutes after touchdown at Paphos. The food, as is always to be expected, was mediocre. Lasagne, oily pasta and a piece of chocolate cake. The drink was free flowing (two rounds with the trolley then as much as you wanted by buzzing your buzzer for a steward).
My transfer by taxi to Kyrenia took approximately one and a quarter hours. There was no hold up at the border (just a flash of the passport - likewise on the return). My flight cost £250 plus £90 taxi fare.
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I have been to North Cyprus 8 times. 6 of them have been with Direct Traveller who specialise in holidays to kyrenia with flights into Larnaca.
Once i tried the direct flights route i couldnt go back to Ercan.
It distresses me there are still airlines around like Cyprus Turkish Airways, as their service is rubbish, and stewardesses dont know how to smile to say the least.
I fly to Larnaca now its the so much easier. Flight is 4 hours 15 mins with British Airways, excellent service, then get picked up in a private taxi and get brought to my hotel. This is not only a shorter flight, without sitting around looking at flies in Turkey, but also the transfer is nice and scenic, bringing me staright to the hotel.
Wont say no to Ercan, as its always going to be an option, i hear its nice airport now as its been renovated, but why go the long way when you can fly straight to Cyprus, with british service standards onflight, and an excellent service while you are there too.
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