Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the visitor who can pass on their own agenda. The island seems small on a map but once you get off the principle roads, distances think longer, buses thin out, and taxis upload up straight away. That is why such a lot of viewers opt for up a car the moment they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I actually have rented motors at Corfu airport for paintings and vacations, in prime season and in past due October drizzle. The pattern is all the time the same. The folks who did a few homework are on the road in 20 mins. The ones who rushed the booking stand in queues, argue over assurance at the table and detect shock expenditures on their card a week later.

If you desire a glossy Corfu airport automobile rental adventure, the top-quality lesson is to bear in mind where others go wrong. The following ten errors are the ones I see by and large at Corfu airport, consisting of what to do alternatively.

1. Assuming “airport car or truck apartment” invariably capability on-site

Many traffic search for “Corfu airport automobile rental” or “lease motor vehicle Corfu airport” and expect each influence is throughout the terminal. It will not be that elementary.

At Corfu, some manufacturers have desks in the arrivals hall and their vehicles within the airport parking simply across the road. Others perform “meet and greet” or trip providers. You exit arrivals, seek anyone protecting a small sign, and journey a minibus to an off web page lot a couple of minutes away.

That just isn't necessarily negative. Off site groups is additionally more affordable and extra flexible on things corresponding to mileage or added drivers. The problem seems when you are expecting to stroll to your car in five minutes and as a substitute lose forty mins tracking down a travel in 30 level warmth after a three hour flight from London.

If you choose a absolutely on site Corfu airport employ a automotive selection, take a look at intently. Look for clear wording such as “table within terminal” or “on airport”. If the confirmation mentions a trip, meeting aspect or “place of business four hundred m from terminal”, build that into your timings. It issues on arrival, and it particularly subjects you probably have an early morning departure and want to drop the auto and still verify in on time.

2. Booking purely on price and ignoring the coverage structure

I nonetheless see employees brag that they found out the “correct auto condominium Corfu airport” for 12 euros an afternoon in August. That base value is incomprehensible devoid of knowing the insurance plan.

In Greece, fundamental assurance most commonly consists of third social gathering legal responsibility and some shape of collision smash waiver (CDW) with a excessive extra. I even have seen excesses from 700 to one,800 euros for an economic system vehicle. If there may be harm, you pay up to that quantity until you might have further cover.

The usual blunders are two. First, human beings bypass any further hide and move their fingers, then spend their trip stressful about slender streets in Corfu Town. Second, they purchase an “excess refund” policy from a broking service site and do now not appreciate that the condo brand will nonetheless block the overall excess on their card at selection.

A simple strategy at Corfu airport car condominium counters is to decide ahead how you wish to handle threat. Some guests are cozy with a giant deposit as a result of they've got a reliable credit card and expertise with apartment claims. Others sleep larger with a “0 excess” equipment that prices greater per day but shrinks the security block and monetary publicity.

Read the coverage segment earlier you click “Book”. Compare the fee of including full disguise from the condo service provider with a standalone excess policy from a credible insurer. There is no single excellent reply, however taking walks as much as the table with out a plan is the fastest direction to stress and pricey upsells.

three. Not checking fuel coverage and mileage earlier than confirming

Corfu airport apartment autos practically always use the related couple of gasoline insurance policies. The crisis is that they look comparable at a look, yet rate very exclusive quantities over every week.

“Full to complete” skill you opt for up the car with a full tank, return it full, and simplest pay for what you operate. This is in the main the fairest option, exceptionally in case you plan to drive round the island.

“Pre acquire” or “full to empty” skill you pay for a tank of fuel at assortment and might go back it on fumes. It sounds easy yet infrequently works for your favour except you would virtually use maximum of the tank and the visitors bills gas at with reference to pump expenditures plus a small cost. Many do now not.

Mileage is an alternate quiet lure. Most Corfu car apartment companies be offering unlimited kilometres, which is right for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages with no desirous about distance. A few low charge affords disguise a in step with kilometre charge above a modest on daily basis minimize.

If your affirmation e mail is vague or uses terms you do not recognize, email or message the corporation and ask for readability. You favor written affirmation of both fuel policy and mileage. Verbal factors at a hectic airport desk are common to misconceive and plenty more durable to dispute later.

4. Overlooking driving realities on Corfu whilst deciding on vehicle size

Looking at smooth photos, it's miles tempting to upgrade to a larger car. More area for baggage, larger air-con, perhaps even an automatic for relief. On Corfu, the larger the automobile, the extra you desire to give thought where you intend to pressure.

The street from the airport into Corfu Town is huge ample, but as quickly as you wander into older districts, roads narrow to one lane with stone partitions on both aspects and tight corners around constructions. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that barely fits a compact hatchback.

If you're staying at a lodge on the main east coast road, a bigger automobile might not be a quandary. If your villa is up a steep lane in the north of the island, a small to medium automotive with first rate persistent and strong turning circle is a miles more suitable option than a cumbersome SUV. I have watched people spend 15 mins maneuvering a enormous car out of a lane that changed into surely designed for scooters and donkeys.

For most visitors, the candy spot for Corfu airport auto condo is a small or compact car, handbook or computerized depending on your comfort. Enough boot area for baggage, however small satisfactory to slip into tight parking areas and meet oncoming visitors with room to breathe.

5. Ignoring studies of genuine Corfu airport branches

Many travellers do a immediate look at various of the manufacturer call and quit there. They see a massive foreign corporate they recognize from home, anticipate a general expertise, and reserve. In prepare, department satisfactory can range largely.

Search primarily for the corporation call plus “Corfu airport” and read the fresh reviews for that location. Patterns be counted extra than exotic proceedings. If one man or women mentions an extended wait time, that can just be a busy Saturday in August. If 20 other folks throughout three months record competitive hurt claims or unexplained expenditures, pay realization.

This guidance applies both to nearby carriers. Some small Corfu rent a automotive carriers close the airport are high quality, with friendly provider and flexible insurance policies. Others cut corners or rely upon technicalities to spice up sales. Reviews pretty much make the big difference clear.

A 15 euro change on a week’s rental isn't really value a foul argument over “pre current” scratches you were never allowed time to file.

6. Not preparing your information and card correctly

One of the dullest concerns, but I nonetheless watch it spread in line on the airport each and every summer time. The forms for hiring a automobile in Greece is simple, but there are several priceless main points.

You in many instances need:

1. A valid riding licence that you just have held for at least 365 days, from time to time two, relying at the service provider and automotive workforce.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from particular nations, an International Driving Permit alongside your house licence. Check this earlier, due to the fact that you cannot obtain an IDP if you are already in Greece.
3. A credit card in the principal driving force’s name with satisfactory obtainable restriction to cover the deposit or excess block.
4. Passport or country wide ID card for identity.

Where workers get stuck is with the card. Many Corfu airport auto condominium desks do no longer be given debit cards for the protection deposit, simplest for payment. Others receive them yet best with luxurious more assurance. Prepaid playing cards are incessantly refused outright.

If your affirmation does not virtually country that debit playing cards are permitted for the deposit, anticipate you desire a well-liked credit score card with embossed name and numbers. Also verify the cardboard restriction is excessive satisfactory. I watched a couple from Germany became away seeing that their modest reduce couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their resort’s pre authorisation.

Print or keep your confirmation e-mail as a PDF, together with the voucher while you booked as a result of a dealer. Mobile web at Corfu airport is always fantastic, yet a lifeless battery or roaming subject could no longer stand among you and your vehicle.

7. Chasing “no deposit” grants without examining the small print

The phrase “Corfu airport automobile condo no deposit” is nice looking, specifically should you dislike the thought of a whole bunch of euros blocked on your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit possibilities do exist, however the satan sits inside the aspect.

Usually, whilst a guests advertises no deposit, it way one of two matters. Either they have developed the threat right into a upper day-by-day fee with vital complete insurance plan, or they can nevertheless hold a smaller amount as a gasoline or site visitors pleasant warrantly. Sometimes equally.

There is nothing unsuitable with paying just a little more for the peace of brain that comes from not having 1,000 euros frozen in your card. Just have an understanding of what you might be deciding to buy. Check:

The distinct amount they can dangle on your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit supply is tied to a selected insurance plan package. How they address minor harm, akin to small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a overall bundle from every other guests that makes use of a deposit however promises cut quotes. Over a week’s excursion, the total cost can swing either method. The worst mistake is to ebook on the power of “no deposit” on my own and then notice a protracted checklist of exclusions and further expenditures whilst you succeed in the table.

8. Skipping the inspection and photograph movements at pickup

You are worn out, the queue has been slow, and the sea coast is calling. The agent issues to the automobile, you signal the form, throw your baggage inside the boot and force off. That 5 minute shortcut can rate dearly if there may be latest injury that certainly not made it onto the report.

At Corfu airport, where dozens of autos rotate between renters each and every week in summer time, small bumps and scrapes are routine. Most firms are straightforward approximately this and mark every thing they recognise. Some usually are not thorough, exceptionally at top times.

Treat your inspection as portion of the condominium, no longer a nuisance. Walk round the automobile, determine each and every panel, the wheels, and the entrance and rear bumpers specially. Pay awareness to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap damage. Chips or cracks inside the windscreen. Any harm on the roof when you are tall satisfactory or can see from an perspective.

Photograph everything, even disorders that are already marked. Capture the automobile from each corner, the odometer interpreting, and the gasoline gauge. Time stamped snap shots for your mobile create a listing it is exhausting to argue with later.

Encourage the body of workers member to feature any lacking marks to the sort sooner than you sign. If they seem to be reluctant, remain well mannered but company. A jiffy here is worthy a ways greater than an indignant e mail substitute after you come back dwelling.

9. Forgetting to plot parking and get entry to at your accommodation

Corfu airport vehicle condo is the undemanding piece. The tougher half, especially in height season, is residing with the car if you attain your lodging.

Many historical villages and a few elements of Corfu Town have very limited parking. Some beachfront hotels have inner most loads, others count solely on public areas that fill up at once in July and August. Steep individual driveways are customary for villas, typically with awkward angles and loose gravel.

Before you ebook, ask your lodging about parking in one-of-a-kind, functional terms. Do no longer settle for “parking on hand”. Ask even if it is exclusive or public, what percentage spaces they have, how tight the access is, and regardless of whether higher automobiles fit with no trouble.

This may still outcomes not in simple terms your selection of condo car or truck measurement, as said until now, yet also whether or not you even need a car or truck on your accomplished live. For instance, once you are spending three nights in Corfu Town and then a week in a north coast village, you can also do improved to spend the first edge strolling and taxis, then set up a Corfu airport motor vehicle apartment starting on the day you go away metropolis.

Thinking in segments like this will likely save dollars, parking headaches and the rigidity of threading a motor vehicle due to the the city’s one means approach for those who are nevertheless jet lagged.

10. Returning the automobile in a hurry and neglecting the basics

I even have misplaced rely of airport car for rent Corfu what percentage disputes start at drop off in view that the renter is hurrying to capture a flight. When you're speeding, you fail to remember gas, you park in which you are not speculated to, or you hand over keys with out checking the final documents.

Give your self a properly buffer for return. If your flight is at thirteen:00, do now not plan to roll into the car park at 11:45, specifically in case you rented off website online and want a commute ride returned to the terminal.

At return, target to:

1. Refill the tank at a station practically the airport once you are on a full to full coverage. Keep the receipt. There are several petrol stations inside of a short pressure, but some will also be busy.
2. Remove all exclusive models from the car, such as door wallet and under seats.
3. Walk across the motor vehicle with the agent wherein you will and ask them to determine in writing that the auto is back and not using a new injury and with a full tank if relevant.
4. Take last photographs, inclusive of the fuel gauge and odometer.

If you will want use a key drop field simply because you're returning outdoors place of job hours, photographs and a quick video walkaround emerge as even greater relevant. Corfu airport appoint a vehicle providers recurrently maintain those returns truly, however a clear visual checklist protects you in case a brand new dent appears to be like at the inspection sheet later.

A speedy pre reserving checklist

Used well, a car or truck turns Corfu into a versatile, user-friendly island to explore. Used badly, it turns into a thread of anxiety working using your excursion. Before you decide to any airport automotive employ Corfu deal, run by way of this brief checklist.

1. Verify if the provider is on airport or off site with a go back and forth, and how that affects your timings.
2. Read latest experiences especially for the Corfu airport department, not just the brand.
3. Compare overall cost, including insurance coverage, gas policy and any mileage limits, no longer simply the bottom day after day fee.
4. Check parking and access at your accommodation and pick automobile size as a consequence.
5. Confirm what cards and documents you need and no matter if any “no deposit” supply has restrictive circumstances.

Handled with this stage of realization, Corfu airport condominium vehicles consider much less like of venture and extra like a effectively controlled software for your commute.

Final concepts from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend half-hour within the arrivals corridor on a hectic afternoon, you possibly can virtually are expecting who will breeze because of and who will find yourself annoyed. The ones with published confirmations, transparent selections on insurance plan and lifelike expectations approximately the auto and the island have a tendency to go away smiling. The ones who booked on fee by myself and did not read a observe of the terms are those arguing on the table.

Corfu car apartment does not ought to be puzzling. It is quickly a remember of matching the truth at the flooring along with your own tolerance for hazard, price range and riding trust. Look past headline expenditures, notice how insurance coverage and deposits paintings, choose the exact length of car for Corfu’s roads, and give yourself time at the two pickup and go back.

Do that, and your employ a car or truck at Corfu airport becomes what it must be: an hassle-free gateway to mountain villages, quiet shores and late dinners in small tavernas, on your personal clock other than anybody else’s.