Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the visitor who can pass on their own agenda. The island appears to be like small on a map however if you get off the principle roads, distances think longer, buses skinny out, and taxis add up right away. That is why so many guests decide upon up a car the instant they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I have rented cars at Corfu airport for paintings and vacation trips, in excessive season and in overdue October drizzle. The trend is at all times the equal. The those who did some homework are on the line in 20 minutes. The ones who rushed the booking stand in queues, argue over insurance at the table and uncover shock bills on their card a week later.

If you wish a smooth Corfu airport auto condo revel in, the premier lesson is to remember in which others pass improper. The Website link following ten error are the ones I see commonly at Corfu airport, which include what to do as a replacement.

1. Assuming “airport motor vehicle condominium” invariably potential on-site

Many travellers search for “Corfu airport vehicle condominium” or “hire car or truck Corfu airport” and suppose every end result is within the terminal. It just isn't that uncomplicated.

At Corfu, a few brands have desks within the arrivals corridor and their motors inside the airport parking simply across the line. Others perform “meet and greet” or go back and forth capabilities. You go out arrivals, search for anyone retaining a small sign, and ride a minibus to an off site lot a couple of minutes away.

That isn't always essentially unhealthy. Off web site prone can also be more cost-effective and greater bendy on issues reminiscent of mileage or extra drivers. The obstacle seems while you predict to stroll in your motor vehicle in five mins and as an alternative lose 40 minutes monitoring down a commute in 30 stage heat after a three hour flight from London.

If you choose a easily on website Corfu airport hire a vehicle selection, cost fastidiously. Look for transparent wording similar to “table internal terminal” or “on airport”. If the affirmation mentions a commute, meeting factor or “place of job 400 m from terminal”, construct that into your timings. It things on arrival, and it definitely concerns if in case you have an early morning departure and need to drop the car and nevertheless payment in on time.

2. Booking only on expense and ignoring the assurance structure

I still see men and women brag that they found the “highest vehicle condominium Corfu airport” for 12 euros a day in August. That base fee is incomprehensible without working out the insurance plan.

In Greece, universal coverage in most cases contains 1/3 birthday party legal responsibility and some model of collision destroy waiver (CDW) with a excessive excess. I actually have noticed excesses from seven-hundred to one,800 euros for an economic climate automotive. If there may be damage, you pay up to that quantity unless you've got you have got added disguise.

The time-honored error are two. First, folks bypass any added quilt and cross their arms, then spend their excursion demanding about narrow streets in Corfu Town. Second, they purchase an “excess refund” policy from a broking site and do not realize that the condo provider will nonetheless block the overall excess on their card at collection.

A really apt strategy at Corfu airport vehicle rental counters is to make a decision beforehand the way you would like to handle probability. Some visitors are comfortable with a extensive deposit because they have a amazing credit card and expertise with apartment claims. Others sleep stronger with a “0 excess” package deal that quotes extra in step with day but shrinks the security block and financial publicity.

Read the coverage segment formerly you click on “Book”. Compare the price of including complete conceal from the condo visitors with a standalone excess coverage from a credible insurer. There is no unmarried accurate solution, yet taking walks up to the table with no a plan is the fastest course to pressure and high-priced upsells.

3. Not checking gas coverage and mileage beforehand confirming

Corfu airport rental motors close to all the time use the identical couple of fuel policies. The quandary is that they look an identical at a glance, yet charge very various quantities over every week.

“Full to complete” skill you opt for up the auto with a complete tank, return it complete, and only pay for what you utilize. This is in the main the fairest possibility, tremendously if you happen to plan to drive across the island.

“Pre purchase” or “complete to drain” potential you pay for a tank of fuel at series and may go back it on fumes. It sounds effortless but infrequently works to your favour unless you can actually in fact use maximum of the tank and the guests quotes gas at practically pump quotes plus a small price. Many do not.

Mileage is yet one more quiet catch. Most Corfu car condominium organizations provide limitless kilometres, which is right for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages without occupied with distance. A few low payment affords cover a in step with kilometre fee above a modest every single day reduce.

If your confirmation email is vague or uses phrases you do no longer realize, e-mail or message the organization and ask for readability. You need written affirmation of both fuel coverage and mileage. Verbal factors at a hectic airport desk are undemanding to misconceive and masses more durable to dispute later.

four. Overlooking riding realities on Corfu when settling on auto size

Looking at sleek images, this is tempting to improve to a bigger automotive. More space for bags, higher aircon, per chance even an automated for consolation. On Corfu, the bigger the auto, the more you need to consider in which you plan to power.

The avenue from the airport into Corfu Town is large satisfactory, yet as soon as you wander into older districts, roads narrow to at least one lane with stone walls on equally sides and tight corners round buildings. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that slightly suits a compact hatchback.

If you might be staying at a lodge on the most east coast highway, a larger auto might not be a concern. If your villa is up a steep lane inside the north of the island, a small to medium car with respectable power and strong turning circle is a far more advantageous desire than a bulky SUV. I even have watched persons spend 15 mins maneuvering a significant car or truck out of a lane that changed into obviously designed for scooters and donkeys.

For so much travelers, the candy spot for Corfu airport vehicle condo is a small or compact motor vehicle, manual or computerized depending on your comfort. Enough boot area for luggage, however small adequate to slip into tight parking spaces and meet oncoming visitors with room to breathe.

five. Ignoring reports of actual Corfu airport branches

Many travelers do a fast determine of the manufacturer title and discontinue there. They see a enormous foreign business they recognize from abode, imagine a ordinary enjoy, and reserve. In perform, branch caliber can differ largely.

Search peculiarly for the brand call plus “Corfu airport” and learn the up to date comments for that position. Patterns topic extra than character court cases. If one user mentions an extended wait time, that will just be a busy Saturday in August. If 20 folks across three months record competitive spoil claims or unexplained charges, pay realization.

This assistance applies equally to regional services. Some small Corfu rent a auto groups near the airport are correct, with pleasant carrier and versatile policies. Others minimize corners or place confidence in technicalities to boost sales. Reviews most often make the change clean.

A 15 euro difference on a week’s apartment is not very price an unpleasant argument over “pre current” scratches you were never allowed time to file.

6. Not making ready your paperwork and card correctly

One of the dullest issues, but I nevertheless watch it unfold in line at the airport every summer season. The paperwork for hiring a car in Greece is easy, but there are about a major info.

You by and large need:

1. A valid using licence that you just have held for at the very least three hundred and sixty five days, frequently two, relying on the employer and motor vehicle team.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from targeted international locations, an International Driving Permit alongside your own home licence. Check this earlier, given that you won't be able to achieve an IDP once you are already in Greece.
3. A credit score card in the leading driver’s call with adequate to be had minimize to hide the deposit or excess block.
4. Passport or countrywide ID card for identity.

Where worker's get caught is with the card. Many Corfu airport vehicle rental desks do now not receive debit cards for the security deposit, handiest for settlement. Others receive them however purely with high-priced added insurance. Prepaid playing cards are most of the time refused outright.

If your confirmation does no longer virtually nation that debit cards are typical for the deposit, imagine you need a widely used credit score card with embossed call and numbers. Also determine the cardboard limit is excessive sufficient. I watched a pair from Germany became away because their modest decrease couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their inn’s pre authorisation.

Print or store your affirmation electronic mail as a PDF, together with the voucher if you booked as a result of a broking service. Mobile net at Corfu airport is broadly speaking nice, however a dead battery or roaming obstacle should always no longer stand between you and your motor vehicle.

7. Chasing “no deposit” provides with out studying the small print

The word “Corfu airport automobile condominium no deposit” is sexy, fantastically while you dislike the proposal of 1000's of euros blocked in your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit features do exist, however the satan sits within the aspect.

Usually, when a enterprise advertises no deposit, it approach one of two issues. Either they have got built the threat right into a higher on a daily basis cost with vital full insurance, or they may nonetheless keep a smaller quantity as a fuel or traffic great warrantly. Sometimes the two.

There is nothing improper with paying a bit more for the peace of mind that comes from now not having 1,000 euros frozen for your card. Just consider what you are shopping for. Check:

The correct quantity they're going to cling for your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit supply is tied to a particular coverage kit. How they maintain minor injury, consisting of small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a simple equipment from some other service provider that uses a deposit but offers cut premiums. Over every week’s excursion, the complete cost can swing either means. The worst mistake is to booklet on the capability of “no deposit” by myself after which uncover a long listing of exclusions and extra quotes if you happen to reach the table.

8. Skipping the inspection and picture hobbies at pickup

You are tired, the queue has been sluggish, and the beach is looking. The agent aspects to the automobile, you sign the style, throw your bags in the boot and pressure off. That 5 minute shortcut can expense dearly if there's current injury that on no account made it onto the document.

At Corfu airport, where dozens of automobiles rotate among renters each and every week in summer season, small bumps and scrapes are recurring. Most carriers are sincere about this and mark the entirety they recognise. Some aren't thorough, particularly at peak times.

Treat your inspection as a part of the rental, no longer a nuisance. Walk round the auto, inspect each and every panel, the wheels, and the front and rear bumpers particularly. Pay focus to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap wreck. Chips or cracks in the windscreen. Any destroy on the roof if you happen to are tall ample or can see from an perspective.

Photograph the whole lot, even points which are already marked. Capture the auto from each and every corner, the odometer analyzing, and the fuel gauge. Time stamped graphics on your mobilephone create a list it really is not easy to argue with later.

Encourage the staff member so as to add any lacking marks to the kind formerly you sign. If they appear reluctant, reside polite however corporation. A short time right here is well worth a ways more than an irritated email alternate after you come dwelling house.

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

Corfu airport automobile condo is the hassle-free piece. The tougher component, quite in height season, is dwelling with the car when you achieve your accommodation.

Many old villages and a few ingredients of Corfu Town have very restrained parking. Some beachfront hotels have exclusive a whole lot, others count wholly on public spaces that replenish directly in July and August. Steep non-public driveways are effortless for villas, every now and then with awkward angles and free gravel.

Before you ebook, ask your accommodation about parking in specified, simple phrases. Do now not accept “parking plausible”. Ask whether it is confidential or public, how many areas they have, how tight the get right of entry to is, and even if better automobiles more healthy easily.

This may still outcome now not in simple terms your possibility of condo automobile dimension, as recounted prior, but additionally whether you even need a automotive on your whole reside. For illustration, if you happen to are spending 3 nights in Corfu Town after which every week in a north coast village, one could do larger to spend the 1st edge walking and taxis, then organize a Corfu airport automobile apartment commencing on the day you leave the town.

Thinking in segments like this may save check, parking headaches and the tension of threading a automotive by using the city’s one approach system if you happen to are nevertheless jet lagged.

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

I have misplaced count number of how many disputes start at drop off on account that the renter is hurrying to catch a flight. When you might be rushing, you omit fuel, you park in which you don't seem to be presupposed to, or you quit keys without checking the last bureaucracy.

Give yourself a precise buffer for go back. If your flight is at 13:00, do no longer plan to roll into the car park at eleven:forty five, rather if you rented off website online and want a commute journey lower back to the terminal.

At go back, objective to:

1. Refill the tank at a station with reference to the airport should you are on a full to full coverage. Keep the receipt. There are several petrol stations within a short drive, yet a few might be busy.
2. Remove all very own gifts from the car, along with door wallet and underneath seats.
3. Walk around the motor vehicle with the agent where potential and ask them to verify in writing that the auto is back without new break and with a complete tank if relevant.
4. Take last footage, including the fuel gauge and odometer.

If you need to use a key drop box considering the fact that you're returning outdoor place of business hours, pix and a instant video walkaround emerge as even more fundamental. Corfu airport rent a automotive services mainly address those returns really, but a clear visible record protects you in case a brand new dent appears at the inspection sheet later.

A speedy pre reserving checklist

Used effectively, a auto turns Corfu into a flexible, undemanding island to discover. Used badly, it will become a thread of anxiety walking by way of your holiday. Before you commit to any airport vehicle hire Corfu deal, run simply by this quick list.

1. Verify if the manufacturer is on airport or off web site with a travel, and how that affects your timings.
2. Read latest experiences primarily for the Corfu airport department, not simply the manufacturer.
3. Compare overall value, including insurance coverage, fuel coverage and any mileage limits, not simply the bottom day-after-day price.
4. Check parking and get entry to at your lodging and determine auto dimension as a consequence.
5. Confirm what cards and records you desire and regardless of whether any “no deposit” offer has restrictive stipulations.

Handled with this point of realization, Corfu airport condo autos experience much less like a chance and extra like a well managed device to your vacation.

Final strategies from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend half-hour inside the arrivals hall on a busy afternoon, you can still basically expect who will breeze due to and who will end up annoyed. The ones with revealed confirmations, clear judgements on assurance and realistic expectations about the auto and the island generally tend to go away smiling. The ones who booked on cost by myself and did now not examine a notice of the terms are those arguing on the table.

Corfu vehicle condominium does no longer ought to be tricky. It is just a be counted of matching the truth at the floor along with your very own tolerance for probability, finances and using self assurance. Look beyond headline expenses, keep in mind how assurance and deposits work, determine the excellent size of car for Corfu’s roads, and supply yourself time at equally pickup and return.

Do that, and your appoint a automotive at Corfu airport turns into what it have to be: an gentle gateway to mountain villages, quiet seashores and overdue dinners in small tavernas, to your personal clock rather than every body else’s.