Flying from Northern Cyprus is straightforward and good value when you know how to search. Ercan International Airport gives you frequent links to major Turkish hubs, modern facilities, and quick transfers from the island’s main towns.
Ercan International Airport sits about 13 kilometers east of Nicosia in Tymbou, so the drive is about 20 minutes from the capital and around 30 minutes from Kyrenia, traffic permitting. A new terminal and a 3,200 meter runway opened in July 2023, lifting the airport’s capacity to up to 10 million passengers per year, which translates into more choice and smoother passenger flows.
The atmosphere is easygoing and practical, with free high speed Wi Fi, dining options, duty free shopping, and currency exchange. For price conscious travelers comparing cheap flights from Ercan, the strong schedule to Turkish hubs means you can build fast connections worldwide through Istanbul and other cities.
Due to the political status of Northern Cyprus, international travel requires a same day transit via Turkey. That constraint makes Ercan a very logical place to start, since the airport is geared to frequent feeder flights and short layovers that keep itineraries efficient.
Most flights from Ercan are short hops to Turkey, which is perfect for weekend flights from the island or onward long haul connections through Istanbul.
Istanbul is the standout. Multiple daily flights to both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen connect Northern Cyprus with the world, and the Ercan to Istanbul sector takes about 1 hour 45 minutes nonstop, as an example, subject to change. This route is popular for city breaks and for onward long haul itineraries the same day.
Ankara is a frequent pick for government travel and domestic connections. Several daily services usually operate, with flight times that are typically around one to one and a half hours nonstop, subject to change. Izmir and Antalya attract beach and family travelers year round and are also handy springboards into the Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean. Daily services are common on these city pairs, with flight times often around one hour to one hour twenty minutes, subject to change.
Carriers on these routes include full service and low cost operators. You will often see services from Turkish Airlines, which you can explore on Kiwi, as well as popular Turkish budget carriers for everyday fares and early morning or late evening departures that suit quick trips, all subject to schedule changes.
A little timing goes a long way. Shoulder seasons and smart alerts help you catch dips in price without constant checking.
Summer from June to August is the peak holiday period on the island and in Turkey, so booking earlier is wise. For short haul hops to Turkish hubs, many travelers find good value about four to six weeks before departure, while planning earlier for peak dates helps secure schedules you want. For cheaper shoulder season deals, look at spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant and demand is steadier. All patterns are subject to change.
Let Kiwi track fares for you. Set a route and toggle Set a Price Alert to get notified when prices change, then book when the fare fits your budget. Our Kiwi Code checks prices from hundreds of carriers constantly, so you can react quickly when the right deal appears.
Building multi city trips across Turkey or beyond is easy with the Nomad Search Tool, which finds the cheapest order to visit three or more destinations based on your dates. If you are flexible and want to unlock options other sites may not show, explore Kiwi Travel Hacks like self transfer and other advanced searches to surface creative routings, always following fare rules and local regulations.
Here is the on the ground detail you need for a smooth start, from codes and terminals to carriers and connections.
Ercan International Airport uses IATA code ECN and ICAO code LCEN. It is located near Tymbou, roughly 13 kilometers from Nicosia. Taxis are the most common way in and out, with typical journey times of about 20 minutes from Nicosia and around 30 minutes from Kyrenia, subject to traffic. Buses and shuttles operate on select routes and times, and car rental desks are available in the terminal. Facilities include free high speed Wi Fi, duty free shops, cafes and restaurants, and currency exchange.
Air service focuses on frequent links to major Turkish cities. Expect a mix of full service and low cost airlines operating to Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, and other regional gateways, schedules subject to change. Full service options such as Turkish Airlines can be handy when you value through baggage on a single carrier and lounge access, while low cost operators often provide dense frequencies and competitive fares for quick trips.
On Kiwi you can combine separate carriers into one itinerary using self transfer, which can open more departure times and prices. To add reassurance, the Kiwi.com Guarantee covers you if carrier changes stop your trip in its tracks, and it includes Automatic check in and 24 by 7 instant chat support. The Guarantee also comes with Disruption Protection, which can offer instant Kiwi.com Credit for quick rebooking or help with airline refunds when carriers cancel, reschedule, or significantly change flights. This is especially helpful when connecting through Turkish hubs on separate tickets.