Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking
Corfu rewards the tourist who can movement on their own agenda. The island looks small on a map but whenever you get off the foremost roads, distances suppose longer, buses skinny out, and taxis upload up straight away. That is why so many site visitors choose up a car or truck the moment they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.
I actually have rented vehicles at Corfu airport for work and vacations, in prime season and in past due October drizzle. The trend is regularly the same. The folks who did a few homework are on the line in 20 minutes. The ones who rushed the booking stand in queues, argue over coverage on the table and observe marvel charges on their card every week later.
If you would like a smooth Corfu airport vehicle condominium feel, the splendid lesson is to take note the place others move fallacious. The following ten blunders are the ones I see most of the time at Corfu airport, along side what to do as a replacement.
1. Assuming “airport automotive condo” continually way on-site
Many site visitors seek for “Corfu airport automotive condo” or “employ automotive Corfu airport” and assume every effect is throughout the terminal. It seriously isn't that simple.
At Corfu, a few brands have desks in the arrivals hall and their motors inside the airport parking just across the street. Others operate “meet and greet” or trip services and products. You exit arrivals, seek for somebody protecting a small sign, and ride a minibus to an off website online lot a few minutes away.
That just isn't essentially dangerous. Off web page services may well be more affordable and greater versatile on matters such as mileage or extra drivers. The crisis appears should you are expecting to walk to your automobile in 5 mins and in its place lose 40 mins tracking down a travel in 30 diploma warm after a 3 hour flight from London.
If you prefer a sincerely on web site Corfu airport rent a vehicle preference, look at various in moderation. Look for clear wording akin to “desk within terminal” or “on airport”. If the confirmation mentions a shuttle, meeting element or “place of work four hundred m from terminal”, construct that into your timings. It matters on arrival, and it actual subjects if you have an early morning departure and need to drop the automobile and nonetheless inspect in on time.
2. Booking basically on fee and ignoring the insurance plan structure
I nonetheless see men and women brag that they came upon the “leading auto condominium Corfu airport” for 12 euros a day in August. That base rate is incomprehensible with no awareness the insurance.
In Greece, normal coverage assuredly contains 1/3 birthday celebration legal responsibility and some kind of collision smash waiver (CDW) with a excessive extra. I actually have noticeable excesses from seven-hundred to 1,800 euros for an economy automobile. If there's hurt, you pay up to that amount unless you have got extra cowl.
The widely used blunders are two. First, human beings pass any further cover and pass their arms, then spend their vacation irritating about slim streets in Corfu Town. Second, they purchase an “extra refund” coverage from a dealer website online and do no longer understand that the rental issuer will nevertheless block the overall extra on their card at collection.
A judicious system at Corfu airport automobile condominium counters is to determine beforehand the way you choose to handle danger. Some guests are snug with a sizable deposit considering that they have got a solid credits card and trip with apartment claims. Others sleep better with a “zero excess” kit that prices more in line with day yet shrinks the safety block and fiscal exposure.
Read the insurance plan section until now you click on “Book”. Compare the cost of adding full cover from the apartment firm with a standalone extra coverage from a credible insurer. There is not any unmarried appropriate answer, but on foot up to the table with no a plan is the quickest course to pressure and highly-priced upsells.
3. Not checking fuel policy and mileage in the past confirming
Corfu airport condominium cars virtually forever use the same couple of gas policies. The situation is they appear equivalent at a look, yet value very the several quantities over every week.
“Full to full” capability you opt for up the auto with a complete tank, return it full, and simplest pay for what you utilize. This is ordinarilly the fairest possibility, fantastically if you plan to drive around the island.
“Pre purchase” or “complete to empty” capacity you pay for a tank of gasoline at collection and will go back it on fumes. It sounds easy yet hardly works for your favour except you are going to easily use such a lot of the tank and the friends costs gas at virtually pump costs plus a small fee. Many do no longer.
Mileage is some other quiet lure. Most Corfu auto condo agencies offer limitless kilometres, which is perfect for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages devoid of all in favour of distance. A few low payment presents conceal a in line with kilometre payment above a modest on daily basis reduce.
If your confirmation e-mail is indistinct or uses terms you do no longer understand, electronic mail or message the organization and ask for readability. You need written confirmation of either fuel policy and mileage. Verbal motives at a hectic airport table are common to misunderstand and lots more and plenty more difficult to dispute later.
four. Overlooking using realities on Corfu while deciding upon motor vehicle size
Looking at smooth images, this is tempting to upgrade to a bigger motor vehicle. More house for baggage, stronger air conditioning, probably even an automated for convenience. On Corfu, the bigger the auto, the greater you need to imagine wherein you plan to pressure.
The street from the airport into Corfu Town is extensive sufficient, but as soon as you wander into older districts, roads slim to one lane with stone walls on both sides and tight corners round structures. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that barely fits a compact hatchback.
If you're staying at a motel on the most east coast street, a bigger auto won't be a drawback. If your villa is up a steep lane within the north of the island, a small to medium automotive with good pressure and appropriate turning circle is a far better possibility than a bulky SUV. I actually have watched human beings spend 15 mins maneuvering a substantial motor vehicle out of a lane that become truely designed for scooters and donkeys.
For so much site visitors, the candy spot for Corfu airport automobile rental is a small or compact motor vehicle, guide or automated based in your remedy. Enough boot house for bags, however small satisfactory to slip into tight parking spaces and meet oncoming visitors with room to breathe.
five. Ignoring reports of one of a kind Corfu airport branches
Many travelers do a fast determine of the emblem identify and prevent there. They see a huge overseas institution they understand from domicile, suppose a normal feel, and reserve. In exercise, department good quality can fluctuate generally.
Search exceptionally for the firm identify plus “Corfu airport” and read the current stories for that location. Patterns depend greater than person court cases. If one human being mentions a longer wait time, which could simply be a hectic Saturday in August. If 20 americans across 3 months file competitive harm claims or unexplained fees, pay cognizance.
This counsel applies similarly to local providers. Some small Corfu employ a motor vehicle carriers near the airport are mind-blowing, with friendly provider and bendy insurance policies. Others lower corners or have faith in technicalities to raise profits. Reviews in the main make the distinction clear.
A 15 euro difference on every week’s condominium isn't really well worth a bad argument over “pre current” scratches you had been not at all allowed time to rfile.
6. Not preparing your information and card correctly
One of the dullest issues, but I nevertheless watch it unfold in line at the airport every summer. The forms for hiring a car in Greece is straightforward, yet there are about a primary data.
You more commonly desire:
- A valid using licence which you have held for a minimum of 12 months, mostly two, based on the company and car team.
- For non EU / EEA drivers from special countries, an International Driving Permit alongside your place licence. Check this upfront, for the reason that you shouldn't receive an IDP when you are already in Greece.
- A credits card inside the essential driving force’s title with adequate out there reduce to disguise the deposit or excess block.
- Passport or country wide ID card for id.
Where individuals get stuck is with the card. Many Corfu airport vehicle condo desks do not receive debit playing cards for the security deposit, simplest for Corfu Airport Car Rentals money. Others be given them but in simple terms with pricey extra coverage. Prepaid cards are quite often refused outright.

If your affirmation does now not truly state that debit playing cards are normal for the deposit, imagine you need a general credit score card with embossed title and numbers. Also ensure that the cardboard decrease is prime satisfactory. I watched a pair from Germany grew to become away considering the fact that their modest reduce could not accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their resort’s pre authorisation.
Print or shop your affirmation e mail as a PDF, together with the voucher for those who booked by way of a broking service. Mobile web at Corfu airport is as a rule quality, however a lifeless battery or roaming predicament need to no longer stand among you and your vehicle.
7. Chasing “no deposit” bargains devoid of studying the small print
The phrase “Corfu airport motor vehicle condominium no deposit” is alluring, tremendously if you happen to dislike the inspiration of a whole lot of euros blocked on your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit recommendations do exist, however the devil sits luxury cars Corfu airport inside the detail.
Usually, whilst a manufacturer advertises no deposit, it ability one in every of two issues. Either they've outfitted the menace into a upper every day cost with essential full insurance coverage, or they can nonetheless retain a smaller volume as a fuel or traffic advantageous warrantly. Sometimes both.
There is nothing flawed with paying a bit extra for the peace of brain that comes from no longer having 1,000 euros frozen for your card. Just have an understanding of what you're shopping for. Check:
The excellent amount they'll retain to your card, if any.
Whether the no deposit supply is tied to a specific coverage package deal. How they care for minor destroy, such as small scratches or chips.Compare this to a in style kit from an additional provider that uses a deposit yet gives you diminish rates. Over per week’s trip, the total money can swing both manner. The worst mistake is to e book at the electricity of “no deposit” by myself after which become aware of a protracted checklist of exclusions and extra costs in case you attain the desk.
eight. Skipping the inspection and picture pursuits at pickup
You are tired, the queue has been gradual, and the seaside is calling. The agent factors to the car, you sign the form, throw your baggage in the boot and force off. That five minute shortcut can rate dearly if there is present harm that by no means made it onto the report.
At Corfu airport, in which dozens of automobiles rotate among renters every week in summer time, small bumps and scrapes are routine. Most groups are straightforward about this and mark every part they understand. Some aren't thorough, fantastically at height occasions.
Treat your inspection as section of the apartment, no longer a nuisance. Walk around the auto, examine each panel, the wheels, and the the front and rear bumpers chiefly. Pay consideration to:
Small scratches and dents.
Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap spoil. Chips or cracks in the windscreen. Any damage on the roof when you are tall satisfactory or can see from an angle.Photograph every thing, even themes that are already marked. Capture the car from every one corner, the odometer reading, and the gasoline gauge. Time stamped graphics on your mobile create a rfile it is complicated to argue with later.
Encourage the employees member to add any lacking marks to the kind previously you signal. If they look reluctant, live well mannered however agency. A few minutes here is well worth a long way extra than an indignant e-mail trade after you return house.
nine. Forgetting to plot parking and get right of entry to at your accommodation
Corfu airport car condo is the basic piece. The more durable area, relatively in height season, is residing with the car if you reach your accommodation.
Many outdated villages and a few components of Corfu Town have very constrained parking. Some beachfront motels have deepest a good deal, others remember entirely on public areas that top off promptly in July and August. Steep exclusive driveways are undemanding for villas, often with awkward angles and free gravel.
Before you book, ask your lodging about parking in designated, sensible phrases. Do no longer settle for “parking achieveable”. Ask no matter if that's non-public or public, what number of spaces they have, how tight the get right of entry to is, and even if higher autos more healthy easily.
This deserve to effect not simplest your choice of condo car or truck dimension, as acknowledged until now, however additionally no matter if you even need a vehicle on your finished reside. For illustration, once you are spending three nights in Corfu Town and then per week in a north coast village, you will do bigger to spend the primary part taking walks and taxis, then prepare a Corfu airport car rental opening on the day you go away the city.
Thinking in segments like this would keep cash, parking headaches and the strain of threading a vehicle by using the town’s one way equipment when you are nevertheless jet lagged.
10. Returning the auto in a rush and neglecting the basics
I even have lost count of what percentage disputes start out at drop off because the renter is hurrying to catch a flight. When you might be speeding, you omit gasoline, you park where you should not alleged to, otherwise you hand over keys without checking the very last documents.
Give your self a excellent buffer for return. If your flight is at thirteen:00, do now not plan to roll into the car park at eleven:45, in particular for those who rented off site and desire a commute journey returned to the terminal.
At return, goal to:
- Refill the tank at a station on the point of the airport for those who are on a full to complete coverage. Keep the receipt. There are a number of petrol stations inside of a short drive, but a few will probably be busy.
- Remove all private gifts from the car, such as door wallet and less than seats.
- Walk around the automobile with the agent where likely and ask them to be certain in writing that the auto is lower back without a new harm and with a full tank if relevant.
- Take ultimate snap shots, along with the gasoline gauge and odometer.
If you will have use a key drop container when you consider that you are returning out of doors place of work hours, portraits and a rapid video walkaround turned into even more very important. Corfu airport hire a vehicle suppliers continually deal with those returns exceedingly, but a clear visual report protects you in case a brand new dent appears at the inspection sheet later.
A short pre reserving checklist
Used smartly, a vehicle turns Corfu into a versatile, effortless island to discover. Used badly, it will become a thread of anxiety going for walks by way of your break. Before you decide to any airport vehicle employ Corfu deal, run by means of this quick listing.
- Verify if the guests is on airport or off web page with a trip, and the way that impacts your timings.
- Read recent critiques particularly for the Corfu airport branch, not simply the emblem.
- Compare whole rate, along with insurance plan, fuel policy and any mileage limits, not simply the bottom each day rate.
- Check parking and access at your accommodation and determine car or truck size for that reason.
- Confirm what playing cards and archives you need and even if any “no deposit” present has restrictive circumstances.
Handled with this stage of realization, Corfu airport rental motors believe less like a gamble and more like a nicely managed tool in your commute.
Final options from the queue at Corfu airport
If you spend 30 minutes in the arrivals hall on a busy afternoon, possible nearly are expecting who will breeze due to and who will grow to be pissed off. The ones with revealed confirmations, transparent selections on assurance and simple expectations approximately the auto and the island generally tend to depart smiling. The ones who booked on worth by myself and did not study a be aware of the terms are those arguing on the table.
Corfu car or truck apartment does now not ought to be complex. It is certainly a subject of matching the reality on the flooring together with your possess tolerance for menace, price range and riding confidence. Look past headline prices, understand how assurance and deposits paintings, decide upon the appropriate dimension of car for Corfu’s roads, and give yourself time at each pickup and go back.
Do that, and your appoint a automotive at Corfu airport becomes what it may still be: an uncomplicated gateway to mountain villages, quiet shores and late dinners in small tavernas, for your personal clock rather then each person else’s.