Is Cyprus expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Cyprus is moderately priced for southern Europe: a budget day costs about €88 per person and a mid-range day about €165, similar to Greece and cheaper than Malta in high season. Hotels in Limassol and the beach resorts and a hire car are the main costs; archaeological sites are cheap (€2.50-4.50) and a full meze is good value.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €70 | €170 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €50 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €8 | €20 | €50 |
| Local transport | €15 | €25 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €88 | €165 | €350 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Cyprus day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Frappé or Cypriot coffee in a kafeneio | €2-4 |
| Souvlaki pitta | about €4-7 |
| Full meze (20-odd dishes) in Paphos Ktima | about €20-28 per person |
| Paphos Archaeological Park or Kourion | about €4.50 |
| Intercity bus between main towns | about €4-5 |
| Hire car, per day | roughly €25-50 |
| Boat from Latchi to the Blue Lagoon | about €25-40 per person |
| Mid-range seafront double in Limassol | €100-180 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost, especially in Limassol, Paphos and the Ayia Napa and Protaras resorts in July and August. Most visitors also need a hire car (roughly €25-50 a day plus fuel), because buses barely reach Troodos and many beaches. Food is fair value: a meze feeds you for the day, and the sights are cheap, with most Department of Antiquities sites costing €2.50-4.50.
When it is cheaper
From November to March, coastal hotel rates often drop by a third or more and hire cars are cheaper; April-May and October are also noticeably cheaper than July and August while still warm.
How to spend less
- Order a meze for a group instead of separate mains: it is usually the best value meal on the island.
- Book a hire car early for summer and check whether insurance covers unpaved roads and the north.
- Use intercity buses (about €4-5) between towns if you are not exploring the mountains.
- Stay in Larnaca or Troodos villages for cheaper rooms (from about €55-90 a double).
- Visit the free sites: the Baths of Aphrodite, Cape Greco and Aphrodite's Rock.
- Bring your own snorkel gear and pick free public beaches over sunbed rentals (€7-10 each).
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Common questions
How much does a day in Cyprus cost?
About €88 per person on a budget, €165 mid-range and €350 for comfort, sharing a double and a hire car.
Is Cyprus cheaper than Greece?
Prices are broadly similar; hotels in Limassol can be pricier, while village tavernas and sites are cheap.
Do I need a car in Cyprus?
For Troodos, Akamas and many beaches, yes. Buses link the main towns for about €4-5 but barely reach the mountains.