Navigating the Scenic Roads and Practical Tips for Renting a Car in Corfu: Your Comprehensive 2024 Guide
Meta Description: Discover the ultimate guide to renting a car in Corfu! From costs to driving tips, explore the Ionian island freely. Visit Corfu City Cars for a hassle-free rental experience.
Are you planning for a vacation on the romantic Ionian Island of Corfu? If you are to visit such a beautiful location, renting your own car would give you the freedom and flexibility to visit all that this incredible place has to offer. In this guide, we bring to you everything that you should know about the basics of renting a car in Corfu. From the cost of rentals to the necessary documentation, driving rules, and recommended road trip itineraries, we have you covered. So, let's embark on an unforgettable adventure on the roads of Corfu!
Do You Need to Rent a Car in Corfu?
Whether you will have to rent a car in Corfuor not really depends on your time and preferences. If you'll be setting up base in the old town of Corfu and making a day trip away from there, then public transport could very well suffice. An excellent intercity bus network can quickly transport you to places like Kanoni, Paleokastritsa, Dassia, and Kavos. These buses are well connected and frequent due to which the comfort provided by them and their affordability lure several travelers to this island.
Yet, to explore different parts of the island and get to the extreme, it's highly advised to take a Corfu car rental. By providing yourself with a rental car, you will easily reach unknown villages and secluded beaches, as well as build your own schedule.
The Cost of Renting a Car in Corfu
The renting price of a car might vary due to some factors. Generally, prices in the high tourist season on the Ionian islands from the end of May through to the beginning of September, when both prices and demand hit its inception. For up to four-five people in an economy-sized small car, it may be closer to €125 per week in May. However, by the time August rolls around, that same economy-sized small car can cost as much as €278 per week for the same rental.
These costs usually include mileage with no limits, third party liability insurance cover, on road protection, kidnap indemnity, and collision damage waiver. It's advisable to consider adding full coverage insurance for additional protection, which may cost an extra €9 per day. Keep in mind that larger and high-end cars will have higher rental prices.
What You Need to Rent a Car in Corfu
The minimum and maximum ages to rent a car in Corfu. Though the driving age in Greece is 18, many rental firms require the driver's age to be at least 25 years old. Some rental companies might allow drivers who fall under 21 years but with hiking insurance premiums.
A valid full driving license is needed to hire a car in Corfu. Besides, an international driver's permit isn't required for those travelers coming from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Gibraltar, and EU countries. Nevertheless, if you possess a driving license of some country which is not indicated in the list above, you will have to get an international driver's license before your arrival. The procedure and demands may differ depending on the departing country you are traveling from, so please be sure to sort this information out on time.
Booking Your Rental Car in Advance
If you are traveling to Corfu at its peak of summer, be sure to make your car rental booking early enough before arrival. These are the months that the island attracts its highest number of tourists and making a pre-booking not only guarantees you cheaper rates but also better availability.
Most cars in Corfu are small in size and very good for navigating the narrow streets found within the diverse towns and villages of the island. Consider purchasing rental car insurance at the same time as your reservation to ensure everything is organized before the departure.
For anything extra, such as an infant car seat or a bike rack, you can often add these on to your booking for a small fee. You may also offer these items during the rental process. Comparison platforms, such as Discover Cars, offer options for getting not only free quotes for Corfu car rentals but also getting an idea about how much insurance would cost.
Pick up and Drop off Points
The most convenient point to pick up your Corfu rental car is at Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport immediately after touchdown. However, picking up in Corfu Town may offer you some cost savings especially if you plan to explore the old town for a couple of days before hitting the road.
Although it is possible to arrange one-way rentals, it usually incurs added fees and does not work out to be cheaper than picking up and dropping off at exactly the same location. If you're considering dropping your car off in another part of Greece, beware of the difference in price.
Taking Rental Cars on Greek Ferries
When you fly to Corfu and you want to visit other Ionian islands or even if you travel to the Greek mainland, a common question is whether you may take your rental car on the ferry. However, many rental companies do not permit the handling of their cars on ferries. It's better to consult the chosen rental company regarding its particular policies and limits.
The ferry with the rental car can bring not only questions with insurance but practical problems as well – the distant location makes any help from the rental company come with a necessity for them to travel to your place in case of any problems. Also, booking ferry tickets in good time is key especially during the summer peak season when car tickets are likely to go out of stock.
Crossing Borders with Rental Cars
Greece is bordered by Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey which makes the tourists tread on those countries. However, most of the rental companies do not allow for crossing the border with their vehicles. With a visit to multiple countries, one may have to rent a car at every destination or after cross-border as well. It is important, therefore, to check with the rental company their policies on border crossing to avoid being in trouble along your trip.
Returning Your Rental Vehicle
When returning your rental vehicle back to Corfu, there are certain mandates that the company rented from will have set. Most companies will make you bring back the vehicle with a full tank to save you from incurring extra charges. Therefore, conduct an inspection for faults or damages and take photo documentation before you pick it up, and ensure that this information is also passed on to the company when returning it.
First of all, take a photo of the condition of the car using your cell phone for time stamped evidence in case of any disputes. Also drive with important documents such as your license, papers renting the car out and the ID around you. Make photocopies and upload them to the cloud for additional safety.
Recommended Stops on Your Corfu Road Trip
The number of routes and the places to go for an ideal road trip in Corfu will blow out your mind. They extend from beautiful beaches to highlights of the island. However, here are two recommended itineraries:
Road Trip through Corfu Beaches: Start from the Corfu Old Town, moving northwards and exploring places like Dassia, Ipsos, Barbati, Nissaki, and San Stefanos fishing village. Don't miss going to the lovely fishing port of Kalami to see the white house of Gerald Durrell. Continue to Kassiopi village or extend your journey to Sidari and Paleokastritsa before returning to the old town.
Corfu Highlights Road Trip: It will be interesting for hiking and nature lovers to follow parts of the Corfu Trail, a 220 km walking route starting south of Kavos and ending at Saint Spiridon Beach. Or plan a self-driving route so that you can visit places of interest such as the Valley of Gardeno, Golden Beach, Ano and Kato Pavliana villages, and Paleokastritsa with its lovely village of Lakones.
Corfu Travel Tips - GPS and Data for Navigating
Although the roads in Corfu are correctly well signed-posted, it can never be detrimental to the traveler to have access to a GPS navigation system. Most rental companies provide sat navs or you can use smartphone apps like Google Maps or offline maps like Maps Me. Ensure that you secure a Greek SIM card after landing for a smooth flow of your navigation while traveling in Greece. This will give you mobile data with no roaming barriers and exaggerated tariffs. Operating on 4G in all the regions in Corfu, look for locations via GPS and drop a call even when hanging out in the hinterlands with no hustle at all.
Driving Tips for Corfu
When driving in Corfu the following tips should be considered.
Driving with care and adjustment to the narrow and winding roads mostly on mountainous areas.
Adhere to the speed limits, which are 50 km/h within urban areas, 110 km/h on open roads, and 120km/h on highways.
Put safety belts at all times while avoiding the usage of mobile phones while behind the wheel.
Motorists are generally not allowed to use horns in towns and urban areas unless it is an emergency for the policemen on the sirens or as a signal to other drivers along the narrow mountain passes and country lanes.
Mopeds that move fast have motorbike riders of Greek heritage.
On Sundays, gas stations in Corfu may be closed, so it's considered better to fuel your car before that.
Get to know Greece's driving rules and regulations to enjoy a memorable journey without much hassle.
Ready to Explore Corfu in Your Rental Car?
For an unforgettable and hassle-free experience renting a car in Corfu, visit our website atCorfu City Cars. As a local company based in the heart of Corfu, Greece, our primary goal is to provide top-notch service to our customers. We aim to ensure a seamless and immediate car rental experience upon your arrival at the airport or port. At Corfu City Cars, we believe in a friendly, direct approach, ready to assist you through WhatsApp or a simple call to our mobile number in case of any concerns or issues.
Your journey through Corfu's captivating landscapes awaits—let Corfu City Cars be your trusted companion for a remarkable adventure!Visit Corfu City Cars now for a hassle-free rental experience!
