North Cyprus Useful Information

In Northern Cyprus there are tourist information centers located in Kyrenia, Nicosia and Famagusta. Tour guides, hotel receptionists, taxi drivers as well as the locals are also a good source of information.

North Nicosia Tourist Office
Tel.: +90-392-228 9629

Kyrenia Tourist Office
Tel.: +90-392-815 2145

Famagusta Tourist Office
Tel.: +90-392-366 2864

Time zone

North Cyprus is normally 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC), and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). For summer time clocks go forward one hour at 3 am on the last Sunday in March and back again at 3 am on the last Sunday in October.

Language

Predominant language of Northern Cyprus is Turkish. However, in Cyprus, a former British colony, English is widely spoken and understood. As a second language it is taught at every school in North Cyprus. Here are some hints for English - Turkish conversation:

Hello - Merhaba
Goog morning - Günaydin
Good afternoon - Iyi aksamlar
Good evening - Iyi geceler
Good bye - Hosçakalin (bay bay)
How are you? - Nasilsiniz?
Welcome – Hos geldiniz
Please – Lütfen
Thank you - Tesekkür ederim
Yes – Evet
No – Hayir
Toilet – Tuvalet

Postage

The outgoing postal system is reliable. Incoming mail must be suffixed “Mersin 10, Turkey” and not “Northern Cyprus”. Stamps can be bought from post offices, many small shops and hotel receptions. Mail sent to Europe should arrive in seven days. You can take mail to the post office or alternatively there are small yellow post boxes, but these are not frequently emptied. Many hotels will also post your mail if you leave it at reception.

Electricity

Voltage in North Cyprus is 220/240 volts AC, supplied at 50 Hz. Standard British rectangular 3-pinned plugs at 5 amp or 13 amp are used, but also exist some 2-pinned plugs. There are widely available in the stores, supermarkets, grocery shops and electricians, or provided by holiday hotel itself. In Northern Cyprus power cuts occur quite often. Larger hotels, companies and holiday villages operate with their own generators. A torch is therefore useful to bring. Not many accommodations have a shaver point, so it is better to take wet razors.

Opening Hours

Public holidays in North Cyprus

January 1 - New Year's Day
April 23 - Turkish National Sovereignty and Children's Day
May 1 - Labour Day
May 19 - Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day
July 20 - Turkish Intervention, Peace and Freedom Day
August 1 - Establishment date of T.M.T (Social Resistance Day)
August 30 - Zafer Bayram (Victory Day)
October 29 - Turkish Republic Day
November 15 - Republic Day of T. R. N. C.

*Please note that among public holidays in the TRNC are the two Muslim religious holidays (Seker Bayram and Kurban Bayram) are not celebrated on exact days, they are timed due to local sightings of various phases of the moon.