Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the traveler who can circulate on their possess schedule. The island appears to be like small on a map however once you get off the most important roads, distances sense longer, buses thin out, and taxis add up briskly. That is why so many travelers pick out up a motor vehicle the moment they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I actually have rented autos at Corfu airport for paintings and vacation trips, in excessive season and in past due October drizzle. The trend is continually the equal. The folks who did a few homework are on the street in 20 mins. The ones who rushed the reserving stand in queues, argue over coverage at the desk and discover marvel quotes on their card every week later.

If you wish a easy Corfu airport auto condo ride, the nice lesson is to be mindful in which others cross mistaken. The following ten blunders are those I see most commonly at Corfu airport, at the side of what to do instead.

1. Assuming “airport vehicle apartment” at all times skill on-site

Many site visitors lookup “Corfu airport motor vehicle apartment” or “rent automotive Corfu airport” and assume each and every outcome is throughout the terminal. It seriously isn't that undeniable.

At Corfu, some manufacturers have desks in the arrivals corridor and their vehicles inside the airport parking just across the road. Others Corfu Airport Car Rentals function “meet and greet” or shuttle products and services. You exit arrivals, seek for anyone holding a small sign, and ride a minibus to an off web page lot a couple of minutes away.

That is simply not always awful. Off website online establishments can also be less expensive and more flexible on matters which include mileage or further drivers. The hindrance looks while you expect to walk in your vehicle in five minutes and alternatively lose forty minutes monitoring down a trip in 30 stage warmness after a three hour flight from London.

If you choose a truly on site Corfu airport rent a auto selection, test rigorously. Look for clear wording along with “desk interior terminal” or “on airport”. If the confirmation mentions a go back and forth, assembly aspect or “administrative center 400 m from terminal”, build that into your timings. It concerns on arrival, and it actually subjects in case you have an early morning departure and desire to drop the automobile and nonetheless cost in on time.

2. Booking purely on fee and ignoring the assurance structure

I nevertheless see laborers brag that they discovered the “most productive auto apartment Corfu airport” for 12 euros a day in August. That base charge is incomprehensible with no information the assurance.

In Greece, hassle-free insurance plan repeatedly consists of 0.33 social gathering legal responsibility and a few model of collision damage waiver (CDW) with a excessive excess. I actually have noticeable excesses from seven-hundred to one,800 euros for an economic system vehicle. If there's injury, you pay as much as that amount except you've got extra conceal.

The familiar mistakes are two. First, humans pass any added disguise and pass their hands, then spend their break disturbing about narrow streets in Corfu Town. Second, they buy an “excess refund” coverage from a broking web site and do no longer appreciate that the rental visitors will nonetheless block the total extra on their card at assortment.

A intelligent system at Corfu airport vehicle apartment counters is to pick prematurely how you want to address hazard. Some guests are cushty with a substantial deposit given that they've got a strong credit card and revel in with apartment claims. Others sleep more beneficial with a “0 extra” equipment that rates greater in line with day yet shrinks the safety block and economic exposure.

Read the insurance plan area beforehand you click “Book”. Compare the rate of including complete quilt from the rental organization with a standalone extra coverage from a reputable insurer. There is not any unmarried precise reply, yet taking walks up to the desk with no a plan is the quickest route to rigidity and dear upsells.

three. Not checking fuel policy and mileage formerly confirming

Corfu airport apartment vehicles pretty much invariably use the similar couple of gas policies. The challenge is they seem to be same at a glance, but money very extraordinary quantities over a week.

“Full to full” approach you decide on up the automobile with a complete tank, return it full, and merely pay for what you utilize. This is mainly the fairest possibility, specially when you plan to force across the island.

“Pre purchase” or “full to empty” ability you pay for a tank of gasoline at assortment and might go back it on fumes. It sounds handy however hardly works for your favour until you would if truth be told use most of the tank and the issuer fees gasoline at virtually pump rates plus a small money. Many do no longer.

Mileage is yet one more quiet capture. Most Corfu car or truck rental businesses be offering limitless kilometres, which is right for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages with out fascinated about distance. A few low payment offers disguise a consistent with kilometre can charge above a modest each day decrease.

If your confirmation email is indistinct or makes use of phrases you do not realize, e mail or message the institution and ask for readability. You wish written affirmation of each fuel coverage and mileage. Verbal causes at a hectic airport desk are mild to misunderstand and masses tougher to dispute later.

4. Overlooking using realities on Corfu whilst making a choice on motor vehicle size

Looking at modern snap shots, it can be tempting to improve to a larger car or truck. More space for luggage, enhanced aircon, probably even an automatic for comfort. On Corfu, the larger the automobile, the extra you want to factor in wherein you intend to power.

The highway from the airport into Corfu Town is broad enough, yet as quickly as you wander into older districts, roads narrow to one lane with stone walls on equally facets and tight corners around homes. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that slightly fits a compact hatchback.

If you are staying at a lodge on the key east coast road, a bigger automobile would possibly not be a limitation. If your villa is up a steep lane within the north of the island, a small to medium car or truck with decent energy and important turning circle is a miles greater option than a bulky SUV. I even have watched persons spend 15 minutes maneuvering a colossal vehicle out of a lane that become truly designed for scooters and donkeys.

For so much friends, the sweet spot for Corfu airport vehicle rental is a small or compact automobile, guide or automatic depending for your convenience. Enough boot space for bags, however small sufficient to slip into tight parking areas and meet oncoming traffic with room to respire.

five. Ignoring studies of one-of-a-kind Corfu airport branches

Many travellers do a rapid test of the logo title and give up there. They see a sizeable worldwide agency they realize from domicile, count on a fashionable knowledge, and reserve. In perform, department first-class can range extensively.

Search notably for the corporation identify plus “Corfu airport” and study the contemporary experiences for that place. Patterns depend greater than exclusive proceedings. If one man or women mentions an extended wait time, that will simply be a hectic Saturday in August. If 20 folks throughout three months document aggressive hurt claims or unexplained fees, pay interest.

This information applies similarly to nearby companies. Some small Corfu rent a automobile vendors near the airport are incredible, with friendly provider and versatile policies. Others cut corners or rely upon technicalities to enhance income. Reviews mainly make the difference transparent.

A 15 euro change on a week’s apartment just isn't valued at an unpleasant argument over “pre current” scratches you had been under no circumstances allowed time to report.

6. Not getting ready your documents and card correctly

One of the dullest trouble, yet I still watch it unfold in line at the airport every summer. The paperwork for hiring a automotive in Greece is easy, but there are about a very important details.

You always need:

1. A legitimate using licence that you have held for as a minimum 12 months, mostly two, relying on the enterprise and automotive neighborhood.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from specific countries, an International Driving Permit alongside your own home licence. Check this beforehand, given that you can't attain an IDP when you are already in Greece.
3. A credits card inside the most important driving force’s title with ample feasible restrict to canopy the deposit or extra block.
4. Passport or country wide ID card for identity.

Where folks get stuck is with the cardboard. Many Corfu airport car rental desks do no longer settle for debit cards for the safety deposit, solely for cost. Others take delivery of them but only with dear added coverage. Prepaid playing cards are mostly refused outright.

If your confirmation does no longer without a doubt kingdom that debit playing cards are time-honored for the deposit, expect you want a commonly used credits card with embossed title and numbers. Also ensure the cardboard restrict is excessive satisfactory. I watched a couple from Germany grew to become away seeing that their modest minimize couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their inn’s pre authorisation.

Print or retailer your confirmation e-mail as a PDF, which include the voucher in case you booked simply by a dealer. Mobile net at Corfu airport is typically best, but a useless battery or roaming problem may still now not stand among you and your car or truck.

7. Chasing “no deposit” grants with no reading the small print

The word “Corfu airport automobile apartment no deposit” is enticing, above all once you dislike the inspiration of loads of euros blocked to your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit alternate options do exist, but the satan sits in the element.

Usually, when a agency advertises no deposit, it method considered one of two matters. Either they have got built the hazard right into a upper day-after-day charge with obligatory full assurance, or they are going to nonetheless hold a smaller amount as a gasoline or visitors nice assure. Sometimes either.

There is nothing incorrect with paying a bit more for the peace of brain that comes from not having 1,000 euros frozen on your card. Just consider what you're procuring. Check:

The actual volume they will grasp in your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit present is tied to a particular insurance equipment. How they cope with minor spoil, akin to small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a familiar bundle from an alternative enterprise that uses a deposit but delivers reduce costs. Over a week’s holiday, the full check can swing both means. The worst mistake is to publication at the electricity of “no deposit” by myself after which locate an extended listing of exclusions and extra fees should you succeed in the table.

8. Skipping the inspection and photograph movements at pickup

You are tired, the queue has been sluggish, and the seashore is asking. The agent aspects to the car, you signal the model, throw your bags within the boot and pressure off. That 5 minute shortcut can charge dearly if there may be current spoil that never made it onto the report.

At Corfu airport, in which dozens of autos rotate among renters each week in summer season, small bumps and scrapes are events. Most companies are sincere approximately this and mark all the things they realize. Some are usually not thorough, certainly at height occasions.

Treat your inspection as element of the rental, no longer a nuisance. Walk round the car, fee every panel, the wheels, and the entrance and rear bumpers especially. Pay focus to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap wreck. Chips or cracks in the windscreen. Any injury on the roof while you are tall sufficient or can see from an perspective.

Photograph every part, even disorders that are already marked. Capture the auto from each corner, the odometer analyzing, and the gas gauge. Time stamped photos on your cellphone create a record it really is tough to argue with later.

Encourage the team member so as to add any missing marks to the model earlier you sign. If they look reluctant, live well mannered yet company. A little while right here is value a long way extra than an irritated e mail substitute after you come house.

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

Corfu airport vehicle condo is the convenient piece. The tougher aspect, exceedingly in top season, is residing with the car if you succeed in your lodging.

Many ancient villages and some parts of Corfu Town have very restricted parking. Some beachfront motels have exclusive much, others count totally on public areas that refill cheap cars Corfu airport at once in July and August. Steep private driveways are regular for villas, once in a while with awkward angles and loose gravel.

Before you book, ask your accommodation approximately parking in unique, reasonable phrases. Do not accept “parking on hand”. Ask even if it's far inner most or public, what percentage areas they've got, how tight the get admission to is, and even if greater motors suit comfortably.

This must impact no longer solely your possibility of apartment automotive dimension, as suggested past, however also whether or not you even need a automobile for your total keep. For example, in case you are spending three nights in Corfu Town and then every week in a north coast village, you can do enhanced to spend the first component walking and taxis, then manage a Corfu airport auto condominium starting on the day you depart city.

Thinking in segments like this could retailer check, parking headaches and the rigidity of threading a motor vehicle with the aid of the the city’s one way manner in the event you are nonetheless jet lagged.

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

I have lost rely of what number of disputes bounce at drop off considering the fact that the renter is hurrying to capture a flight. When you're rushing, you disregard fuel, you park where you aren't imagined to, or you quit keys devoid of checking the final bureaucracy.

Give yourself a good buffer for return. If your flight is at thirteen:00, do now not plan to roll into the automobile park at eleven:45, surprisingly if you rented off website online and desire a go back and forth trip to come back to the terminal.

At return, purpose to:

1. Refill the tank at a station on the brink of the airport whenever you are on a full to complete coverage. Keep the receipt. There are a few petrol stations inside a quick power, but some will also be busy.
2. Remove all own gifts from the car, including door pockets and below seats.
3. Walk around the vehicle with the agent in which you'll and ask them to ensure in writing that the automobile is lower back without new hurt and with a complete tank if desirable.
4. Take remaining pictures, inclusive of the gasoline gauge and odometer.

If you want to use a key drop box for the reason that you might be returning outside office hours, portraits and a brief video walkaround turn into even greater central. Corfu airport appoint a auto vendors ordinarily handle those returns somewhat, yet a clear visual checklist protects you in case a brand new dent appears at the inspection sheet later.

A rapid pre booking checklist

Used effectively, a car or truck turns Corfu into a flexible, hassle-free island to discover. Used badly, it becomes a thread of tension strolling by using your excursion. Before you commit to any airport auto employ Corfu deal, run as a result of this brief listing.

1. Verify if the manufacturer is on airport or off website online with a shuttle, and the way that affects your timings.
2. Read latest opinions mainly for the Corfu airport branch, now not simply the logo.
3. Compare total cost, along with coverage, fuel coverage and any mileage limits, not just the base day by day charge.
4. Check parking and get right of entry to at your accommodation and decide on car or truck dimension subsequently.
5. Confirm what playing cards and paperwork you want and regardless of whether any “no deposit” be offering has restrictive conditions.

Handled with this degree of consideration, Corfu airport apartment motors believe less like a gamble and extra like a nicely controlled device in your shuttle.

Final ideas from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend 30 minutes in the arrivals hall on a busy afternoon, you will nearly expect who will breeze because of and who will turn out to be annoyed. The ones with printed confirmations, clean selections on assurance and life like expectations approximately the auto and the island generally tend to depart smiling. The ones who booked on expense alone and did no longer learn a notice of the terms are the ones arguing at the desk.

Corfu car condominium does not must be difficult. It is without difficulty a remember of matching the reality at the floor together with your personal tolerance for threat, price range and riding trust. Look beyond headline quotes, keep in mind how insurance and deposits work, determine the right length of auto for Corfu’s roads, and deliver yourself time at each pickup and return.

Do that, and your rent a motor vehicle at Corfu airport will become what it could be: an simple gateway to mountain villages, quiet shores and overdue dinners in small tavernas, for your own clock in preference to every body else’s.