Useful
Telephone Numbers
Transportation
Airlines
There are three airlines which fly to Northern Cyprus. These airlines provide regular daily flights, via Turkey to Ercan. For information about time tables, prices and reservations, please contact the numbers below: Cyprus Turkish Airlines Tel: +90 392 228 39 01 Turkish Airlines Tel: +90 392 227 1061 Istanbul Airlines Tel: +90 392 227 8324
Airports
Northern Cyprus has two international airports. The larger of the two is Ercan near Lefkosa (Nicosia), the other is Gecitkale near Famagusta.
Boats (Ferries)
There are regular ferry services from Kyrenia and Famagusta to towns on the Southern coast of Turkey, namely Mersin, Antalya and Tasucu. From Mersin, it is possible to sail to Syria, Lebanon and Israel.
Bus Tours
Some hotels organize their own tours of the island. If your hotel does not do so and you wish to join a tour you may contact with your hotel reception who will put you in touch with a tour company.
Car Rental
This service is available in all major towns and some hotels. A British or international drivers licence is required. Rental cars have red number plates.
Flight Information
For information on all flights in and out of Ercan Airport Tel: +90 392 231 4806 (For more info see Airlines)
Hitch-hiking
This form of travel is popular with the young and is generally not thought to be dangerous in any way
Marinas
There are yacht mooring facilities in Kyrenia and Famagusta.
Ports
The main industrial port in Northern Cyprus is in Famagusta and Kyrenia.
Public Transport
A good inexpensive network of buses and mini-buses operates between all the main towns, in addition there are Dolmush (shared taxis) operating on the same routes. Taxis are widely available but do not carry a meter. However, there are standard journey charges.
Traffic Information
Please drive on the left. Traffic and road signs are international. Maximum speed is 100 km/hr. Vehicles entering Northern Cyprus must be insured upon arrival. Seat belts must be worn. Drivers are prohibited to drive under the influence of alcohol. The limit is 50mgr.
Economy
Banking
Commercial banks in Northern Cyprus are of two kinds. There are banks which are branches of large organisations based in Turkey, and local banks. Many of these banks have correspondents in other countries. Transactions can be carried out in all leading currencies. The Central Bank of Northern Cyprus is responsible for the monetary, credit and exchange policy, and acts as banker to the government. Banking hours for the public: 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in summer. On Mondays also open from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Cost of Living
Compared with most countries in Western Europe, the cost of living in Northern Cyprus is low. Locally produced products or those produced in Turkey are generally cheaper than thier European counterparts. However, goods imported from Europe tend to tend to be higher in price than their country of origin. Very cheap are cigarettes and alchohol.
Credit Cards
The use of credit cards is increasing in Northern Cyprus, but visitors are advised not to rely on them as their only financial resource as the majority of establishments still do not have the facilities to accept them.
Currency/Exchange Rates
The legal tender of Northern Cyprus is the Turkish Lira. As exchange rates change, daily to the visitior's advantage it is advisable not to buy large amounts of the currency before embarking on your holiday. Most shops will also be quite happy to accept major foreign currencies.
Economy
Development activities in Northern Cyprus are carried out according to economic planning in accordance with the constitution. In Northern Cyprus, tourism plays a large role followed by tertiary studies, industry, agriculture, transportation and health sector respectively. Ont of the most important steps of the structural change to spur the economic development in Northern Cyprus is privatisation of state owned industries.
Foreign Investment
Investing in Northern Cyprus` banks can be highly lucrative as interest rates on foreign currencies tend to be much higher than those in Europe. There are also an increasing number of off-shore banking opportunities opening up which visitors may be interested in looking into.
Produce & Product
Carobs, Carpet weaving, Hellim, Lefkara ambroidery and lace, Nuts, Olives, Tobacco, Wicker basket weaving
Government
Government
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a democratic, secular republic based on the principles of social justice and the rule of law. The Constitution provides for a semi-presidential system with a president as head of state, and a council of ministers composed of a prime minister and 10 ministers. Legislative power is vested in the Legislative Assembly, composed of 50 deputies elected by universal suffrage for a period of five years. Judicial power is exercised through independent courts.
The President
The President is elected for a period of five years. He has to be of Cypriot parentage. There is also a five-year residence qualification. He has to be over thirty years of age. He must also be a graduate of an institution of higher education. In case of vacancy in the office of President, or in case of his temporary absence, the Speaker of the Republican Assembly deputizes for him. H.E. Rauf R. Denktas became the first President of the TRNC on 15 November 1983. He was later re-elected in June 1985, April 1990 and April 1995.
Council of Ministers
Council of Ministers appointed by president on the advice of the prime minister. The present government is a coalition consisting of the Democrat Party and the Republican Turkish Party.
Foreign Missions in Northern Cyprus
Australian Representative Tel: 2277332 French Cultural Assosiation Tel: 2283328 German Representative Tel: 2275161 Turkish Embassy Tel: 2272314 - Fax: 2282209 UK Representative Tel: 2283861 - Fax: 2287054 USA Representative Tel: 2252440 - Fax: 2252442
TRNC Representative Offices
Ankara Embassy
Rabat Sokak No:20 Gaziosmanpasa 06700 Ankara-Turkey
Tel: (0312) 446 2920/446 0185
Fax: (0312) 446 5238
Istanbul Consulate General
Yeni Gelin Sokak, No: B 24/1 Balmumcu,
Besiktas-Istanbul-Turkey
Tel: (0212) 227 3490/ 3491 / 3492
Fax: (0212) 227 3493
Mersin Consultate
Ataturk caddesi, No: 71/3 Mersin 33016, Turkey
Tel: (0324)237 2482
Fax:(0324)237 2520
London Representative Office
Office of the London Representative, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,
29 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3EG, United Kingdom
Tel: (00 44) 207-631 19 20 (3 Line) 207-631 19 30 (2 Line) Tourism
Fax: (00 44) 207-631 19 48 / 207-631 18 73 Tourism
Bruxelle Representative Office
Avenue Louise 284 BTE-10, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgique
Tel: (00-32) 26484870/ 26484756
Fax: (00-32) 26487088
Washington Representative Office
1667, K.Street, NW. Suite:690 Washington D.C. 20006 USA
Tel: (00-1-202) 887 6198
Fax: (00-1-202) 467 0685
USA New York Representative Office
821, United Nations Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017, USA
Tel: (00-1-212) 687 2350
Fax: (00-1-212) 949 6872
Pakistan (Islamabad) Representative Office
315-B Khayaban - E Iqbal, F-7/2 P.O.Box 2165, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 00-92-51-2278064 / 2278066 / 2278067
Fax: 00-92-51-2278065
B.A.E. Abu-Dhabi Representative Office
Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, The Blue Tower-Suite 704-A, (P.O Box 45061), Abu-Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Tel: (00-971-2) 6272977
Fax: (00-971-2) 6270844
Azerbaycan Baku Representative Office
Fuzuli Kuc. No:69, Kat.5, Baku, Azerbeycan
Tel./Fax: (0099412) 959351/(0099412) 932086
Canada Honorary Representative Office
328 Highway 7 East, Suite 308, Richmond Hill, Ortario, L4B 3P7, Canada
Tel: 00-1-905-7314000
Fax: 00-1-905-7311458
Germany Honorary Representative Office
Auf Dem Platz 3, 53577 Neustadt Wied, Deutschland
Tel: 00-49 (0) 2683 32748
Fax: 00-49 (0) 2683 31723
Saudi Arabia (Cidde) Honorary Representative Office
King Abdulaziz Hospital, P.O.Box:31467 Jeddah, 21497 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: 6375 555
Fax: 966 263 79442
Italy Honorary Representative Office
14 Viale Gorizia, 00198 Rome, Italy
Tel: 00-39-6-8412353/00-39-6-8412349
Fax: 00-39-6-8412354
Germany Bavyera Honorary Representative Office
Sieiner Strasse 13.91161, HILPOLTSTEIN, Germany
Tel: (09174) 889
Chinese Honorary Representative Office
RM 701, A International Trade Building, No Longkun Rd. , Haikou,
Hainan, 570125, People's Republic of China
Tel: 86-898-677-9481
Fax: 86-898-679-5625
South Africa Honorary Representative Office
P.O.Box 1203, Meyerton 1960, Republic of South Africa
Fax: 27063620292
Australia Honorary Representative Office
295 Clyde Street, Granville South, N.S.W. 2142, Australia
Tel: 612 97595133
Fax: 612 88705150
Antalya Honorary Consulate
P.K.633 Antalya-Turkey
Tel/Fax: (0242)248 9847
Melblurne Honorary Representative Office
547 Ballarat Road Sunshine P.O. Box.687
Sunshine Vic 3020 Australia
Tel-Fax: 93069628
Tel: 93125628
Macaristan Honorary Representative Office
European Office Karinthy F.U.14 H-1111 Budapest Hungary
Tel-Fax: 361 361 0009 - 361 386 6582
Germany Honorary Atache
Hauptstr 12 A, 92369 Buchberg/Sengenthal, Germany
Tel: (0049) (0) 9181/907343
Fax: (0049) (0) 9181/296376
France Honorary Representative Office
4, Rue Andre'Colledebousuf-75016 Paris, France
Tel: (33) 0140500177
Fax: (33) 0146476868
Izmir Student Inspectorship
Ziya Gokalp Bulvari , No:11/2 Alsancak, Izmir-Turkiye
Tel: (0232) 421 7704
Police
Crime levels are relatively low in Northern Cyprus and police are always willing to assist if you need them.
Narcotics
It is illegal to import narcotics into Northern Cyprus.
Passports and Visas
A valid passsport is necessary for entering and a visa is granted on entrance to Northern Cyprus. Since 1993 Turkish citizens can visit Northern Cyprus by identity card.
