Paphos International Airport

Pafos International Airport (PFO) sits on the western coast of Cyprus, roughly 10 kilometres southeast of the city of Paphos and 50 kilometres west of Limassol. Opened in 1983 and expanded in the 2000s, the single-terminal facility serves as the main gateway for the southwest part of the island. The airport handled over two million passengers in 2023, mostly holidaymakers bound for the coastal resorts of Paphos, Coral Bay, and the Akamas Peninsula. It is operated by Hermes Airports, the same company that manages Larnaca International Airport.

Getting There

From Paphos city centre, the airport is about a 15-minute drive via the A6 motorway (exit at the airport sign). Taxis are widely available at a fixed rate of around €25 between the city and the terminal; the journey takes roughly 20 minutes. Local buses (route 612) operate from the central bus station in Paphos (near the harbour) to the airport, running every 30 to 60 minutes from early morning until late evening; the fare is €1.50 per person and the trip takes about 35 minutes with several stops. For travellers coming from Limassol, the A6 motorway connects directly — a taxi costs approximately €50 and takes 40 minutes; bus route 614 from Limassol to Paphos then transfer to the 612 is possible but not seamless. Rental car agencies at the terminal offer services, and parking is available in a paid lot directly in front of the terminal (short-term) and a larger long-term lot a short walk away. The airport has a paid parking lot with both covered and uncovered spaces; rates start at €2 per hour for short stays and cap at €30 per day for long-term parking. For those staying more than a week, off-site parking services offer cheaper rates with shuttle transfers.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Pafos International is compact and straightforward — a single building with two levels: arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the upper floor. On entry, passengers encounter a small shopping area (duty-free, newsagent, souvenir shop) and a handful of food and drink outlets (cafés, a sandwich bar). The check-in desks are arranged in a row along the departures hall, with self-service kiosks available for several airlines. Security screening is at the far end of the departures area; queues can be long during peak times (especially Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and Monday evenings). The airport is wheelchair-accessible throughout, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, accessible toilets that include a changing table in the accessible toilet, and trained staff to assist passengers with reduced mobility. There is baggage storage available in the arrivals hall — rates are €5 per bag per 24 hours. The airport provides free Wi-Fi (with a 30-minute limit per session) and charging stations near the seating areas. The departure lounge after security is modest: a duty-free shop, a café/bar, and seating for about 300 people. Gate areas have no additional amenities, so food and drink should be purchased before passing through security. The airport has no lounges for general use, but some airlines offer lounge access to premium passengers in a small shared space. Toilets are available throughout the terminal, including accessible and baby-changing facilities. The one-piece layout makes navigating between gates and exits simple, but the trade-off is limited space during holiday rushes.

Pafos International Airport and Acheleia

The airport lies just north of the village of Acheleia, a small settlement of around 200 people that blends into the agricultural landscape of citrus groves and olive trees. Acheleia itself is quiet — a cluster of houses, a church, and a single taverna — but its surroundings are what draw visitors from around the world. The airport serves the Paphos region, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient ruins, mosaic floors, and coastal scenery. Within a 20-minute drive from the terminal are the Tombs of the Kings (a vast necropolis carved from solid rock), the Paphos Archaeological Park (home to the House of Dionysos mosaics), and the medieval Paphos Castle at the harbour. The area is also a base for exploring the Akamas Peninsula — a protected natural area with hiking trails, sea caves, and the famous Blue Lagoon — about 30 kilometres north of the airport. Culture aside, Paphos offers beaches ranging from sandy resort stretches (Coral Bay) to rocky coves (St. George's Island). The local cuisine emphasizes seafood, halloumi, and souvlaki, and traditional tavernas are found in every village. The airport’s location is strategic for tourists staying in Paphos or the resorts that line the coast from Kato Paphos to Polis. But it also serves seasonal expatriate residents and business travellers visiting the growing conference and tourism infrastructure. For the independent traveller, the airport is small enough that picking up a rental car and heading into the hills or along the coast takes minimal time — a major advantage over larger airports. The region’s main draw is its historical depth; Paphos has been inhabited for over 6,000 years, and its archaeological layers are visible from the terminal’s own site — the airport was built over a former British airforce base and retains a single military hangar on the perimeter. Acheleia itself offers little for the tourist beyond a quiet rural stop, but its proximity to the airport makes it a convenient point for understanding the rural side of Cypriot life before diving into the ancient marvels nearby.

Practical Information

Pafos International Airport is open daily from approximately 4:00 AM to midnight, though the terminal can be accessed any time for departing passengers. The official phone number is +357 77 778833, available from 8 AM to 6 PM local time. The website for Hermes Airports (www.hermesairports.com) provides real-time flight information, parking booking, and contact details. The busiest times are Monday and Tuesday evenings (around 9 PM) and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons (around 3 PM) — plan to arrive extra early if flying during these windows, as security and check-in queues can be long. The airport accepts euros; ATMs are available in the arrivals hall (no surcharge for withdrawals if your bank does not charge). Smoking is prohibited inside, but designated smoking areas exist just outside the main entrance. No luggage wrapping service is available on site. One concrete piece of advice: if you are flying out during peak season or the busy times above, consider using the online check-in and printing your boarding pass at home — the airport's check-in counters have limited staff and can back up significantly.