Larnaca Airport SIM Card (2026): Options, Prices & ID Rules
· 3 min read
If you're landing at Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO), you have two ways to get mobile data: buy a local prepaid SIM after you arrive, or install a travel eSIM at home before you fly. Both work. This guide compares them honestly, with current prices and the registration rule that changed in 2025.
Prices checked on the operators' websites on 21 October 2026. Operators change bundles often, so confirm before you buy.
Can you buy a SIM at Larnaca Airport?
Travel guides report Cyta and Epic desks in the Larnaca arrivals hall, after baggage reclaim and customs. They aren't listed on the airport's official shop directory, and opening hours vary, especially for late-night flights, so don't count on them being open. There's no SIM shop airside (before passport control).
Since 2025, Cyprus law (Law 63(I)/2024) requires every prepaid SIM and eSIM to be registered with ID. Visitors from outside the EU need a passport; EU citizens can use an ID card. New SIMs are being sold through the operators' own shops and websites rather than corner shops, so expect to show your passport at the desk.
Local prepaid SIM prices (Republic of Cyprus)
| Operator | Bundle | Data | Validity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyta soeasy | Combo 10 | 50GB + 500 min + 500 SMS | 31 days | €10 | Plus the connection pack. Also sold as a prepaid eSIM online (€12 incl. 50GB) |
| Cyta soeasy | Unlimited (Cyprus only) | Unlimited | 7 days | €4.90 | Add-on to an active soeasy line |
| Epic | Holiday Internet | Unlimited | 15 days* | €15 | Physical SIM or eSIM by email; passport registration required |
*Epic's page describes the Holiday Internet pack as 15 days of unlimited data, but one section of the same page mentions 5 days, so confirm at purchase.
The honest bottom line: a local SIM is usually cheaper per gigabyte, especially for long stays and heavy use. You also get a Cypriot (+357) number.
When a travel eSIM is the easier choice
A travel eSIM costs more per GB, but it saves time and hassle, which matters most on short trips:
| Local SIM at the airport | Travel eSIM installed at home | |
|---|---|---|
| When you're online | After you find an open desk and register | The moment you land |
| ID registration | Passport required at purchase | Not required |
| Your home SIM | Removed (physical SIM) or kept (eSIM) | Stays in the phone for calls and SMS |
| Late or early flights | Desks may be closed | No difference |
| Cypriot phone number | Yes | Data only |
| Price per GB | Lower | Higher |
Pick a local SIM if you're staying for weeks, need lots of data, want a local number, and don't mind visiting a shop with your passport.
Pick a travel eSIM if you want data the moment the plane lands (taxi apps, your host's directions, WhatsApp), you're arriving late at night, or you're on a short trip where a few euros' difference doesn't matter.
Paphos Airport (PFO)
Paphos is smaller than Larnaca, and SIM options in the terminal are more limited. If you're flying into Paphos, plan to either install an eSIM before you travel or buy a local SIM at an operator shop in Paphos town.
Getting set up with an eSIM before you fly
- Check your phone supports eSIM: dial *#06#. If you see an EID, it does. (Compatibility checker)
- Buy a plan and install it at home over Wi-Fi. Validity starts only when it first connects in Cyprus.
- When you land, switch the eSIM on, set it as your mobile data line and turn on Data Roaming for it.
FAQ
Is there a SIM card shop at Larnaca Airport?
Travel guides report Cyta and Epic desks in the arrivals hall, after customs. They aren't officially listed and hours vary, so they may be closed for late arrivals.
Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in Cyprus?
Yes. Since 2025, all prepaid SIMs and eSIMs in Cyprus must be registered with ID. Non-EU visitors need a passport.
What is the cheapest SIM card in Cyprus for tourists?
On the operators' own price lists, Cyta's soeasy Combo 10 (€10 for 50GB over 31 days) and Epic's Holiday Internet pack (€15 for unlimited data) are among the cheapest options. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Is an eSIM better than a local SIM in Cyprus?
It depends on the trip. A local SIM is cheaper per GB; an eSIM is faster and easier because you install it at home and are online the moment you land, with no ID registration at a desk.