Is PFO or Kato Paphos the better place to rent a car in Paphos?

Car Hire at Paphos International Airport (PFO) and in Town

Most arrivals land at Paphos International Airport (PFO), on the coast south-east of the town. In this snapshot Paphos is a City or airport pick-up point in Cyprus. It lists 464 cars from local companies.

Each car card names the rental company and shows where the handover happens. Pick-up details differ by company, so read your voucher before you fly. It holds your conditions and the contact for the local company.

Town pick-ups suit travellers already staying in Kato Paphos, near the harbour, or in the old town of Ktima. Free delivery appears on 13% of cars, so it is the exception rather than the rule. Want a car brought to a hotel in Coral Bay or Peyia? Check that option on the card first.

Cyprus drives on the left. Leave time to adjust before the first roundabouts outside the airport.

Car Rental Paphos No Deposit: How the Numbers Compare

Only 34% of cars in Paphos need no deposit. That is well below the median destination tracked by this guide. It sits slightly above the Cyprus island average, so the whole island leans towards deposits.

Cash deposits are common here. 47% of cars allow a cash deposit, a higher share than across Cyprus as a whole. Use the no deposit filter or the cash deposit list to narrow the search.

Credit cards are rarely demanded. 99% of cars can be collected without one. The amount and accepted payment for any deposit are shown on each car card.

Payment comes in two parts:

• an advance paid online by bank card, as cash is not accepted for it;
• the rest paid to the local company at pick-up, by the methods listed for that car.

The deposits guide explains what to check before you pay.

Choosing a Car for Rent in Paphos for Coast and Mountain Roads

The most listed models are Nissan Note, Nissan Serena, Toyota Vitz, Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2. The median model year is 2020, and 44% of cars are marked as new. Automatics make up 97% of the fleet, which helps on hilly streets.

• The Nissan Note is a compact hatchback that suits the narrow lanes of Kato Paphos and Ktima.
• The Nissan Serena is a minivan with three rows of seats that fits families on the A6 motorway to Limassol.
• The Toyota Vitz and Toyota Yaris are small hatchbacks that park easily along Poseidonos Avenue.
• The Mazda 2 is a supermini that handles the B6 coastal road to Petra tou Romiou comfortably.

In the Troodos Mountains, a small car copes with the bends but climbs slowly when full. A minivan gives more room and luggage space for longer trips. Check the car card for the year and photos of the exact car you book.

Cancellation, Mileage and Delivery: Paphos, Larnaca or Limassol

Free cancellation is offered on 69% of cars. That is far above the median destination, though slightly below the island-wide figure for Cyprus. The free cancellation list shows only those cars.

Mileage is unlimited on 100% of cars. Long loops to Troodos or Ayia Napa carry no distance limit. Free delivery is rarer, at 13% of cars.

The other Cyprus pick-up points differ in small ways:

• Larnaca lists more cars, a similar no-deposit share and fewer cash deposits.
• Limassol lists fewer cars and a lower no-deposit share, but more free cancellation and delivery.

Paphos ranks 20 of 36 with a score of 6.3. Its strongest points are mileage and card rules. Its weakest point is the deposit share.

Day Trips From Paphos: Petra tou Romiou, Akamas and Troodos

Paphos sits at the western end of the island, so most trips head east or north.

• Petra tou Romiou lies east along the B6, a scenic coastal road above the sea.
• Limassol is reached quickly on the A6 motorway, with ancient Kourion close to the route.
• Polis and Latchi lie north on the B7, at the edge of the Akamas peninsula.
• Troodos and Kykkos Monastery sit up winding mountain roads through vineyards and pine forest.

The Akamas has unpaved tracks towards Lara Bay and the Blue Lagoon. Some rental contracts may restrict driving on dirt roads. Insurance terms differ by company, so read them on the car card before you go.

Coral Bay and the Avakas Gorge make easy half-day trips from Kato Paphos. Both are reached from the coast road north of town.

How a Cyprus Rent a Car Paphos Booking Works

Localrent is an online booking service that lists cars of local, independent companies. It is an intermediary and does not own cars. This guide is independent and built on public search results.

• Search Paphos for your dates and apply filters such as no deposit or no credit card.
• Open the car card for model, year, photos, deposit, payment methods, mileage, insurance and cancellation terms.
• Pay the advance online by bank card to confirm the booking.
• Keep the voucher, which holds your conditions.
• Sign the rental contract with the local company at pick-up and pay the rest.

Minimum driver age and licence rules are set by each company and shown on the card. The car card checklist and the is it legit guide cover what to check. The methodology page explains how scores are built.

Our verdict

Paphos is a dependable pick-up point, with automatics, unlimited mileage and flexible cancellation. The weak point is deposits, so filter early if you want to avoid one. Compare with Larnaca if you need a wider choice of cars.