Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the traveller who can stream on their own schedule. The island seems to be small on a map yet while you get off the foremost roads, distances experience longer, buses thin out, and taxis upload up in a timely fashion. That is why such a lot of viewers opt for up a automobile the moment they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I have rented vehicles at Corfu airport for work and vacations, in prime season and in overdue October drizzle. The trend is forever the same. The people who did some homework are on the road in 20 minutes. The ones who rushed the reserving stand in queues, argue over assurance on the table and observe shock quotes on their card a week later.

If you want a soft Corfu airport automobile condo knowledge, the terrific lesson is to realize where others go flawed. The following ten errors are those I see normally at Corfu airport, which include what to do rather.

1. Assuming “airport car or truck condo” constantly skill on-site

Many friends seek for “Corfu airport auto condominium” or “appoint vehicle Corfu airport” and anticipate every influence is in the terminal. It isn't really that undemanding.

At Corfu, some brands have desks in the arrivals hall and their automobiles within the airport parking simply across the road. Others function “meet and greet” or shuttle expertise. You exit arrivals, seek for someone holding a small sign, and trip a minibus to an off web page lot a couple of minutes away.

That is simply not necessarily awful. Off web site companies is additionally less expensive and more bendy on things corresponding to mileage or added drivers. The hardship appears when you are expecting to stroll for your motor vehicle in five minutes and rather lose forty minutes tracking down a travel in 30 diploma warmness after a 3 hour flight from London.

If you choose a certainly on site Corfu airport hire a motor vehicle selection, verify intently. Look for transparent wording corresponding to “desk inside terminal” or “on airport”. If the affirmation mentions a go back and forth, assembly aspect or “office 400 m from terminal”, construct that into your timings. It matters on arrival, and it in truth issues if in case you have an early morning departure and desire to drop the automobile and nevertheless investigate in on time.

2. Booking simply on charge and ignoring the insurance plan structure

I nonetheless see individuals brag that they located the “fabulous automobile condominium Corfu airport” for 12 euros an afternoon in August. That base cost is meaningless with no figuring out the insurance.

In Greece, fundamental insurance policy characteristically involves third birthday party legal responsibility and some style of collision wreck waiver (CDW) with a excessive excess. I actually have viewed excesses from seven hundred to 1,800 euros for an economy vehicle. If there is ruin, you pay as much as that amount until you might have extra duvet.

The primary error are two. First, folks pass any more canopy and go their arms, then spend their trip tense about slender streets in Corfu Town. Second, they purchase an “extra refund” coverage from a dealer website online and do no longer comprehend that the condo corporate will nevertheless block the total extra on their card at selection.

A functional mindset at Corfu airport automobile rental counters is to determine beforehand how you choose to address danger. Some travelers are tender with a massive deposit on the grounds that they've got a effective credit score card and revel in with rental claims. Others sleep greater with a “zero excess” package deal that fees greater in line with day however shrinks the protection block and monetary publicity.

Read the assurance phase before you click on “Book”. Compare the value of adding complete cowl from the condominium company with a standalone excess coverage from a reputable insurer. There is not any unmarried true reply, however taking walks as much as the desk with no a plan is the fastest path to stress and highly-priced upsells.

3. Not checking gas policy and mileage prior to confirming

Corfu airport condo motors almost perpetually use the same couple of gasoline insurance policies. The hardship is they glance related at a look, yet fee very different amounts over a week.

“Full to full” way you opt for up the car with a full tank, go back it complete, and best pay for what you employ. This is ordinarily the fairest possibility, enormously when you plan to power across the island.

“Pre acquire” or “full to empty” approach you pay for a tank of gasoline at sequence and may return it on fumes. It sounds effortless however infrequently works for your favour until you can still in reality use so much of the tank and the service provider premiums gas at close to pump fees plus a small check. Many do no longer.

Mileage is every other quiet capture. Most Corfu automobile apartment companies supply limitless kilometres, which is ideal for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages without taken with distance. A few low expense supplies conceal a consistent with kilometre payment above a modest each day restrict.

corfu airport car rental deals

If your confirmation e-mail is obscure or uses phrases you do not recognize, email or message the institution and ask for clarity. You wish written affirmation of either fuel policy and mileage. Verbal causes at a hectic airport desk are handy to misconceive and lots more difficult to dispute later.

4. Overlooking riding realities on Corfu while making a choice on vehicle size

Looking at smooth photos, it really is tempting to improve to a larger car. More area for luggage, enhanced air conditioning, perchance even an automatic for consolation. On Corfu, the bigger the auto, the more you need to take into consideration in which you propose to power.

The avenue from the airport into Corfu Town is broad adequate, however as soon as you wander into older districts, roads narrow to 1 lane with stone walls on either facets and tight corners round homes. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that barely fits a compact hatchback.

If you are staying at a lodge on the most important east coast highway, a larger auto might not be a concern. If your villa is up a steep lane within the north of the island, a small to medium vehicle with decent force and decent turning circle is a much more effective collection than a bulky SUV. I actually have watched individuals spend 15 mins maneuvering a larger motor vehicle out of a lane that turned into basically designed for scooters and donkeys.

For such a lot visitors, the sweet spot for Corfu airport vehicle rental is a small or compact car, manual or automated depending in your alleviation. Enough boot space for bags, yet small ample to slide into tight parking areas and meet oncoming site visitors with room to breathe.

5. Ignoring comments of definite Corfu airport branches

Many visitors do a rapid money of the emblem name and discontinue there. They see a giant world agency they realize from domicile, think a prevalent sense, and reserve. In perform, branch exceptional can range generally.

Search particularly for the corporation name plus “Corfu airport” and read the fresh stories for that vicinity. Patterns be counted greater than personal proceedings. If one grownup mentions a longer wait time, that can simply be a hectic Saturday in August. If 20 laborers throughout 3 months report aggressive injury claims or unexplained prices, pay consideration.

This counsel applies equally to neighborhood providers. Some small Corfu hire a auto firms close to the airport are superb, with pleasant service and versatile rules. Others cut corners or rely upon technicalities to enhance profits. Reviews more commonly make the difference transparent.

A 15 euro distinction on per week’s condo is absolutely not price a bad argument over “pre existing” scratches you were not at all allowed time to file.

6. Not making ready your paperwork and card correctly

One of the dullest problems, yet I nevertheless watch it unfold in line at the airport each and every summer time. The documents for hiring a auto in Greece is easy, however there are a few major main points.

You most likely need:

1. A valid driving licence that you simply have held for in any case 12 months, from time to time two, relying at the guests and automobile team.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from distinctive nations, an International Driving Permit along your property licence. Check this earlier, because you won't be able to obtain an IDP after you are already in Greece.
3. A credits card in the essential driver’s title with ample on hand prohibit to canopy the deposit or extra block.
4. Passport or nationwide ID card for identity.

Where folk get caught is with the card. Many Corfu airport car apartment desks do now not accept debit cards for the protection deposit, basically for settlement. Others accept them yet in simple terms with expensive greater insurance plan. Prepaid playing cards are in general refused outright.

If your confirmation does no longer actually country that debit cards are usual for the deposit, assume you need a accepted credits card with embossed name and numbers. Also make sure the card reduce is excessive satisfactory. I watched a couple from Germany became away seeing that their modest limit couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their inn’s pre authorisation.

Print or retailer your affirmation e-mail as a PDF, adding the voucher if you booked with the aid of a dealer. Mobile web at Corfu airport is sometimes pleasant, yet a useless battery or roaming subject should always not stand among you and your auto.

7. Chasing “no deposit” gives you with no interpreting the small print

The phrase “Corfu airport vehicle condominium no deposit” is captivating, enormously should you dislike the suggestion of hundreds of euros blocked on your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit selections do exist, however the devil sits in the element.

Usually, while a guests advertises no deposit, it approach one in all two matters. Either they've developed the threat into a higher each day fee with needed complete coverage, or they're going to nevertheless carry a smaller quantity as a gasoline or traffic pleasant guarantee. Sometimes equally.

There is nothing incorrect with paying slightly greater for the peace of mind that comes from now not having 1,000 euros frozen to your card. Just know what you might be procuring. Check:

The accurate volume they're going to hold to your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit provide is tied to a specific coverage equipment. How they address minor break, equivalent to small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a general kit from an alternate company that makes use of a deposit yet promises reduce quotes. Over per week’s break, the whole price can swing both method. The worst mistake is to e-book at the power of “no deposit” alone after which explore a long listing of exclusions and further costs if you achieve the table.

8. Skipping the inspection and photo habitual at pickup

You are worn out, the queue has been gradual, and the sea coast is asking. The agent issues to the auto, you sign the shape, throw your luggage inside the boot and power off. That 5 minute shortcut can check dearly if there is current injury that under no circumstances made it onto the record.

At Corfu airport, the place dozens of vehicles rotate among renters every week in summer time, small bumps and scrapes are routine. Most vendors are fair about this and mark every thing they recognize. Some aren't thorough, noticeably at top instances.

Treat your inspection as component to the apartment, not a nuisance. Walk round the automobile, test each and every panel, the wheels, and the front and rear bumpers in particular. Pay cognizance to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap injury. Chips or cracks within the windscreen. Any smash at the roof once you are tall enough or can see from an angle.

Photograph everything, even points which can be already marked. Capture the auto from both corner, the odometer analyzing, and the fuel gauge. Time stamped pix on your cellphone create a document this is onerous to argue with later.

Encourage the employees member to add any missing marks to the type ahead of you signal. If they seem to be reluctant, reside polite but corporation. A jiffy right here is valued at a ways greater than an offended email change after you return dwelling.

nine. Forgetting to plan parking and get entry to at your accommodation

Corfu airport auto condo is the simple piece. The tougher phase, specially in height season, is dwelling with the automobile if you reach your lodging.

Many old villages and a few areas of Corfu Town have very confined parking. Some beachfront resorts have private so much, others https://ant1fm.gr/corfu-airport-car-rental-best-deal/ count number entirely on public areas that stock up at once in July and August. Steep deepest driveways are regular for villas, regularly with awkward angles and free gravel.

Before you e-book, ask your lodging about parking in different, purposeful terms. Do not settle for “parking attainable”. Ask no matter if it truly is personal or public, what number of spaces they have got, how tight the get admission to is, and regardless of whether bigger motors more healthy simply.

This should always influence no longer basically your option of condo motor vehicle measurement, as stated in the past, yet also no matter if you even desire a vehicle for your comprehensive reside. For instance, once you are spending three nights in Corfu Town after which a week in a north coast village, you'll do better to spend the first half walking and taxis, then prepare a Corfu airport vehicle rental establishing on the day you depart the city.

Thinking in segments like this could save dollars, parking complications and the strain of threading a vehicle because of the town’s one means procedure if you are nonetheless jet lagged.

10. Returning the car in a rush and neglecting the basics

I even have misplaced matter of what percentage disputes begin at drop off simply because the renter is hurrying to trap a flight. When you're dashing, you overlook fuel, you park where you usually are not speculated to, or you quit keys with no checking the ultimate paperwork.

Give your self a excellent buffer for return. If your flight is at 13:00, do now not plan to roll into the automobile park at 11:forty five, chiefly whenever you rented off website and need a shuttle trip returned to the terminal.

At go back, purpose to:

1. Refill the tank at a station as regards to the airport while you are on a full to complete policy. Keep the receipt. There are quite a few petrol stations within a brief power, but some may also be busy.
2. Remove all exclusive units from the car, such as door pockets and underneath seats.
3. Walk round the automobile with the agent in which available and ask them to make sure in writing that the car is lower back and not using a new destroy and with a full tank if proper.
4. Take ultimate photographs, along with the gasoline gauge and odometer.

If it's essential to use a key drop field since you're returning outside office hours, pix and a swift video walkaround develop into even extra impressive. Corfu airport rent a automotive providers ordinarilly care for these returns tremendously, but a clear visual list protects you in case a brand new dent seems to be at the inspection sheet later.

A immediate pre booking checklist

Used good, a automobile turns Corfu into a bendy, uncomplicated island to discover. Used badly, it becomes a thread of tension operating by way of your vacation. Before you commit to any airport vehicle hire Corfu deal, run as a result of this quick record.

1. Verify if the organization is on airport or off web page with a trip, and how that affects your timings.
2. Read fresh critiques mainly for the Corfu airport department, now not just the manufacturer.
3. Compare whole charge, inclusive of insurance, gasoline policy and any mileage limits, no longer simply the base everyday rate.
4. Check parking and get admission to at your accommodation and elect automobile dimension for this reason.
5. Confirm what cards and documents you need and whether any “no deposit” offer has restrictive conditions.

Handled with this degree of awareness, Corfu airport apartment vehicles really feel much less like of venture and greater like a neatly managed device in your vacation.

Final concepts from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend 30 minutes in the arrivals hall on a busy afternoon, which you could basically are expecting who will breeze simply by and who will come to be pissed off. The ones with published confirmations, clear decisions on assurance and realistic expectations about the auto and the island have a tendency to depart smiling. The ones who booked on worth alone and did now not study a observe of the terms are the ones arguing at the table.

Corfu auto condo does no longer need to be advanced. It is conveniently a depend of matching the truth on the floor along with your personal tolerance for risk, price range and using self assurance. Look beyond headline costs, bear in mind how insurance plan and deposits paintings, opt for the proper length of car or truck for Corfu’s roads, and provide yourself time at equally pickup and return.

Do that, and your employ a motor vehicle at Corfu airport becomes what it have to be: an undemanding gateway to mountain villages, quiet shores and past due dinners in small tavernas, on your very own clock as opposed to an individual else’s.