Car Sharing in Cyprus – RideNow

Cyprus is a country of scenic landscapes, warm weather, and cities spread far apart — a place where having a car often becomes a necessity, even if you’re visiting only for a few days. Among the various car rental options in Cyprus, RideNow stands out as a modern car sharing service that lets you book a car directly through the app — no office visits, no deposits. Let’s take a closer look at how it works and whether this service is right for you.

What Is RideNow and Where Does It Operate

RideNow is the first and, so far, the only car sharing service in Cyprus that offers minute-based rentals and operates under the free-floating model. This means you can pick up a car in one place (point A) and leave it in another (point B) — as long as both are located within designated “home zones,” which are clearly marked in the app.

As of now, RideNow operates in Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos, and Ayia Napa, and also serves Larnaca and Paphos International Airports. You can drive freely between these cities without extra fees — throughout the entire Republic of Cyprus, except for the northern part of the island.

This short-term car rental format is especially convenient for both locals and visitors. The company’s website is available in English, Greek, and Russian.

Who Can Rent a Car

Anyone 18 years or older can rent a RideNow car. However, if you’re under 21 or have a limited credit history, a temporary hold of around €100 may be placed on your card.

Registration is open to foreign residents — all you need is a valid driver’s license, an ID, and a bank card. The process is done entirely online, and account approval typically takes up to 24 hours.

What Cars Are Available

RideNow’s fleet consists of compact cars equipped with automatic transmission, air conditioning, and multimedia systems. The most common models are city hatchbacks and small vehicles such as Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Micra.

All cars use gasoline engines. Electric cars are not yet available, but the company plans to add them soon.

In addition, users can rent minivans, which are marked as special vehicles in the app.

How to Unlock and Refuel the Car

Once your registration is complete, you’ll see a map of available vehicles in the app. To start your trip, simply select a car and tap “Unlock” — no physical keys are needed. Inside the car, you’ll find a fuel card for refueling.

Fuel is included in the price, but if the fuel level drops below 25%, you’ll be asked to refuel the car for at least €30 at one of the partner gas stations (such as Petrolina or Eni). You’ll receive a €3 bonus as a thank-you, which can be used for future trips.

Where You Can End Your Rental

You can end your trip only within designated “home zones” — typically city centers, tourist areas, beaches, major free parking lots, and airports.

The final parking spot must be free, public, and compliant with RideNow’s parking rules. Ending your trip at a paid parking area may result in an extra fee.

Airports (for example, in Paphos and Larnaca) have special RideNow parking areas, where ending your rental is possible for an additional €10 to €19, depending on the location.

Ending a rental outside major cities is allowed only at official RideNow parking zones and comes with a fixed charge of €10.

RideNow vehicles are tracked via GPS. If you drive outside the allowed zone, the system automatically detects the violation and applies a fine of €10 plus €1 per extra kilometer driven outside the permitted area.

Restricted areas and routes:

• Lara Beach (Turtle Beach)
• Toxeftra Beach
• Fontana Amorosa Beach
• Lady’s Mile Beach
• Manolis Bay
• Akamas National Park
• Akrotiri Sand Dunes
• Adonis Baths

These locations are restricted due to difficult terrain, environmental protection rules, or lack of infrastructure.

Car Rental Rates in Cyprus

RideNow uses a flexible pricing system with several options:

• Base rate: approximately €1 + €0.07 per minute + €0.27 per kilometer
• Packages for 3, 6, or 24 hours — with included minutes and kilometers
• Night rental (00:00–08:00): only mileage is charged; minutes are free
• First 20 minutes of reservation are free (up to twice a day)

Dynamic pricing also applies — the cost may vary depending on the time of day, location, and demand level.

Extra Bonuses from RideNow

• When renting a car marked with a pink icon, you can get up to 2 hours of free time under the minute-based tariff (only mileage is charged).
• If you end your trip at a designated pink parking area, you receive a €1 bonus (not valid for returns to the same spot or at airports).
• When you refuel for €30 or more (at Petrolina or Eni Autofuel) with fuel level below 25%, you’ll receive a €3 bonus as a thank-you.

These features make the service especially appealing to attentive and active users.

Parking, Insurance, and Risks

Parking at public free parking lots is included in the rental cost. Paid parking is covered by the customer.

The standard tariff includes basic insurance with a deductible of about €1500. For an additional fee, you can reduce your deductible almost to zero — for example, with the CDW+ Protection package, your maximum liability drops to €99.

Keep in mind that violating service rules (such as smoking inside the car, leaving it dirty, or driving outside the zone) may result in fines.

More Bonuses

• Ending your rental in “green” or “pink” zones can earn you up to €1 bonus.
• Using a car that hasn’t been driven for a while gives you up to €1 bonus and an hour of free parking.
• Refueling with €30 or more when fuel level is below 25% gives you a €3 bonus.
• There’s also a referral program: share your personal invite code (found in the app) — after your friend completes their first trip, both of you get €5 in bonus credits.

App Ratings in App Store and Google Play

Conclusions

RideNow is a minute- and hour-based car sharing service in Cyprus — the most convenient way to move around the island without office visits or security deposits.

It’s especially useful for travelers and locals who need a car for just a few hours or a day.

On the Cypriot market, RideNow currently has no real competitors and fully occupies its niche. In the future, the company plans to expand its fleet, introduce electric cars, and improve the app experience.