There are two ways to reach Cyprus Hair Center in Lefkoşa (North Nicosia): fly to Ercan via Turkey and ride about 30 minutes with no border to cross, or fly direct to Larnaca and cross the Green Line by road in about 45 minutes. Plan three to four days on the island for the consultation, the operation and the first wash. Most passports need no visa; bring a UK-style plug adapter and a little Turkish lira for small expenses. Everything below is drawn from government travel advice and official airport and immigration pages, listed at the end.
Key facts
- Ercan (ECN) only has flights from Turkey; most routes connect in Istanbul, with a final leg of about 1 h 45 min.
- Larnaca (LCA) has direct flights from London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Tel Aviv, Dubai and Doha.
- Ercan to the clinic: about 23 km, 30 minutes. Larnaca to the clinic: about 49 km, 45 minutes plus 5–15 minutes at the crossing.
- EU, UK, US, Israeli, Gulf and Russian passport holders need no visa for North Cyprus (up to 90 days in any 180).
- The currency is the Turkish lira; hotels and most shops also take euros and pounds.
- Emergency numbers in the north: ambulance 112, police 155.
- Our driver collects you from Ercan, Larnaca or Paphos airport, or from your hotel anywhere in Cyprus.
Which airport should I fly into: Ercan or Larnaca?
Fly to Ercan if you want the simplest arrival and do not plan to visit the south. Fly to Larnaca if you want a direct flight, hold an Israeli passport, or want to leave through the Republic of Cyprus.
| Ercan (ECN), North Cyprus | Larnaca (LCA), Republic of Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Direct flights | Only from Turkey (Istanbul IST/SAW, Ankara, Antalya, İzmir and others) on Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet and SunExpress | London (BA, easyJet, Wizz), Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Tel Aviv, Dubai (Emirates, daily), Doha (Qatar Airways) |
| Door to door from Western Europe | 8–10 hours including the connection in Turkey | A 4–5 hour flight plus about an hour by road |
| Transfer to the clinic | About 30 minutes in our own vehicle, no border | About 45 minutes on the A2/A1 motorway and through the Metehan (Ayios Dometios) crossing |
| Passport formalities | An entry slip is stamped at Ercan; your passport is not | EU entry at the airport, then a check at the Green Line |
| Watch out for | The Republic of Cyprus treats Ercan as an unauthorised entry point (see below) | Cars hired in the south usually cannot cross; use a transfer from the north |
Ercan’s new terminal opened in July 2023, and the Istanbul–Ercan route has around 78 flights a week, so connections are frequent (Ercan airport overview, IST–ECN schedule). Larnaca’s direct routes are listed on FlightConnections.
Coming from Israel: there are no flights from Tel Aviv to Ercan, and the Turkish carriers’ Tel Aviv services were still suspended on 31 August 2026 (Tourist Israel). Take the one-hour direct flight to Larnaca and cross by road.
Coming from the Gulf: Emirates flies Dubai–Larnaca daily (about 3 h 25 min) and Qatar Airways flies Doha–Larnaca. From Riyadh, Jeddah or Kuwait, connect through Istanbul to Ercan, or through Dubai or Doha to Larnaca.
Do I need a visa for North Cyprus?
Not if you hold an EU, UK, US, Israeli, UAE, Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti or Russian passport: you get up to 90 days in any 180 on arrival. Only Syrian, Nigerian and Armenian nationals must apply in advance (TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Passport validity: six months for most non-EU passports, two months for EU passports (TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- At Ercan you fill in a small entry slip, which is stamped instead of your passport. Keep it until you leave (Visit North Cyprus).
- EU citizens can enter on a national identity card.
- Changing planes in Istanbul needs no Turkish visa as long as you stay airside (Istanbul Airport transit rules).
The one rule to know before choosing Ercan
The Republic of Cyprus does not recognise Ercan as a legal point of entry. The UK Foreign Office warns that if you enter Cyprus through the north, “authorities will consider you to have entered illegally”: you may be fined, refused entry to the south, or stopped from crossing back north (GOV.UK entry requirements). The US State Department gives the same warning (travel.state.gov).
In practice:
- In and out through Ercan, staying in the north: no problem at all.
- Into Larnaca, across to the north for your operation, back to Larnaca to fly home: no problem either. Non-Cypriots crossed the Green Line 2.05 million times in 2025 (Cyprus Mail).
- Into Ercan, then south to sightsee or to fly out of Larnaca: this is the itinerary the advisories warn about. Do not plan it.
- Days spent in the north count towards your 90-day allowance for the Republic of Cyprus and the EU.
Crossing the Green Line after your operation
If you land at Larnaca, your transfer takes you to the Ayios Dometios–Metehan crossing on the west side of Nicosia, the only Nicosia crossing open to cars, widened to three lanes each way in February 2026 (Cyprus Mail). You stay in the car while both sides check your passport, which takes 5–15 minutes. The crossing is open around the clock, and the clinic is minutes away in the Metehan district.
- Travel with the clinic’s driver — we collect patients from Larnaca and Paphos as well as Ercan, and from hotels across the island — or with a transfer company based in the north. Cars hired in the south usually carry no insurance for the north, and GOV.UK notes you will not be let through a crossing without the right insurance papers (GOV.UK safety and security).
- The pedestrian crossings in the old town (Ledra Street/Lokmacı and Ledra Palace) are fine before your operation, but avoid them in the first week afterwards: a long walk in the sun is exactly what your aftercare instructions rule out.
- Crossing back south after the operation is routine. Wear a loose, clean cap; nobody at the checkpoint will ask you to take it off.
Money, SIM cards and plugs
Currency. North Cyprus uses the Turkish lira. Hotels and most restaurants take euros and pounds and give change in lira; cards and contactless payments are standard. Cash machines charge a flat fee per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts less often (North Cyprus currency guide).
Phone. EU and UK roaming plans do not cover North Cyprus, and eSIMs sold for “Turkey” or “Cyprus” usually leave it out. Buy a KKTCELL tourist pack at the airport (your passport is needed) or a “Northern Cyprus” eSIM before you fly (SIM and roaming guide). WhatsApp works normally, which is how our team stays in touch with you after the operation.
Plugs and roads. Sockets are the UK three-pin type (type G), 220–240 V. Traffic drives on the left. Uber and Bolt do not operate in the north, so use licensed taxis or the clinic’s transfer. Emergency numbers: ambulance 112, police 155, fire 199.
When to come: sun and heat matter after a transplant
Nicosia averages 36°C in July and August with almost no rain; from October to April it sits between 15°C and 27°C (climate data). The grafts need to stay out of direct sun for the first two weeks, so autumn to spring is the easiest season to recover in; summer works too if you keep to the shade-and-cap rules. Our guide to the best season for a hair transplant in Cyprus goes through it month by month.
Where to stay
Your transfers and accommodation are arranged by the clinic: a modern city hotel a few minutes from the clinic in Lefkoşa, with the nights planned around your operation and check-up. Most patients do not need to book a hotel at all — see Travel & Stay. If you extend your trip or bring companions, these are well-known choices:
| Hotel | Area | Why it suits a recovery stay |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Lefkoşa (5★) | North Nicosia, 2 km from the centre | 24-hour room service, spa, indoor pool |
| Grand Pasha Lefkoşa | Dereboyu Street | Room service, blackout curtains, restaurants within walking distance |
| City Royal (4★) | Near the old town | Quiet rooms at a lower rate |
| Kyrenia (Girne) hotels, such as Pia Bella, the Dome or Olive Tree | On the coast, 30–40 minutes from the clinic | Sea views for the days after your check-up |
Already staying somewhere else on the island — Kyrenia, Famagusta, Bafra, Limassol, Ayia Napa or Paphos? We collect you from your hotel for the consultation, the operation and the first wash, and drive you back afterwards.
A day-by-day plan
| Day | What happens | Travel notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: arrival | You land at Ercan, Larnaca or Paphos, our driver takes you to your hotel, and you come to the clinic for the consultation and pre-operative checks | Send us your flight number; landing before the evening keeps the checks on the same day |
| Day 2: the operation | Sapphire FUE, DHI or the technique agreed at your consultation, then back to the hotel to rest | A rest day: no sightseeing, no sun |
| Day 3: first wash and check | The first wash at the clinic and your aftercare instructions; many patients fly home afterwards | Your coordinator confirms the day you can fly. A loose cap, and nothing heavy into the overhead locker |
Most patients plan three to four days on the island, and the exact schedule for your case is confirmed after your consultation. Some add a few nights in Kyrenia to recover by the sea before flying home.
What this means if you come to Cyprus Hair Center
The clinic is at CYCLINICS in Metehan, Lefkoşa, about 30 minutes from Ercan and a few minutes from the Metehan crossing. Your transfers and hotel are arranged for you; you book your flight and send us the flight number. Our driver collects you from Ercan, Larnaca or Paphos airport, or from your hotel anywhere in Cyprus, north or south. Start with a free hair analysis and tell us where you are flying from — we will plan the transfers around your flight.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Cyprus for a hair transplant?
Most patients plan three to four days: arrival and consultation, the operation, then the first wash and check before flying home. Your coordinator confirms the schedule for your case. Stay longer only if you want to recover by the sea.
Can you pick me up from Larnaca, Paphos or a hotel in the south?
Yes. Our driver collects patients from all three airports and from hotels anywhere on the island — Kyrenia, Famagusta, Nicosia, Limassol, Ayia Napa, Paphos — and brings you to the clinic and back.
Can I fly to North Cyprus directly from the UK or Germany?
No. Every flight to Ercan connects in Turkey. Direct flights from London, Frankfurt and Berlin go to Larnaca, 45 minutes by road from the clinic.
Is it safe to cross the Green Line after the operation?
Yes, by car. You stay seated, the check takes minutes, and the crossing is a short drive from the clinic. Avoid the pedestrian crossings in the heat.
Will my passport be stamped in North Cyprus?
Not normally. At Ercan a separate entry slip is stamped, and at the Green Line your details are checked but your passport is usually not stamped.
Does my EU roaming plan work in North Cyprus?
No. Buy a local KKTCELL tourist SIM or an eSIM made for Northern Cyprus.
Sources
- UK FCDO – Cyprus entry requirements and safety and security
- US State Department – Cyprus travel advisory
- TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs – visa regulations
- Visit North Cyprus – visa and entry
- Istanbul Airport – transit visa
- Cyprus Mail – Ayios Dometios crossing upgrade and Green Line crossings in 2025
- Ercan International Airport · FlightConnections – Larnaca · Emirates Dubai–Larnaca · Tourist Israel – flights
- North Cyprus Taxi – Ercan to Nicosia
- Kiprarent guides – currency, SIM and roaming, passport rules
- Climate-Data – Nicosia
Travel facts checked on 28 September 2026. Entry rules, flight routes and crossing arrangements change, so check the official sources above before you book. This article is general information and is not a substitute for individual medical or legal advice.
Cyprus Hair Center
Prepared by the team that arranges our patients’ transfers and stays, from government travel advice and official airport and immigration pages. Every procedure at Cyprus Hair Center is performed by experienced specialists in line with international standards, and carries a lifetime warranty certificate.
Related reading
Patient Guide
Travel & Stay
Transfers, hotel, arrival
Cost & Planning
Which Season Is Best for a Hair Transplant in Cyprus?
Spring and autumn are the easiest windows and summer asks the most discipline — why the season changes your first two weeks but never your result.
Cost & Planning
Turkey or Cyprus: Which Is Right for Your Hair Transplant?
Volume versus boutique: how the two countries differ on price structure, physician involvement and the experience itself — honestly, from a clinic on one side of it.