Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the visitor who can move on their personal time table. The island seems to be small on a map but when you get off the principle roads, distances experience longer, buses thin out, and taxis upload up quickly. That is why so many travellers elect up a motor vehicle the moment they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I have rented automobiles at Corfu airport for paintings and holidays, in prime season and in overdue October drizzle. The development is forever the equal. 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 assurance on the table and identify shock bills on their card per week later.

If you need a delicate Corfu airport vehicle condo trip, the surest lesson is to bear in mind where others go mistaken. The following ten mistakes are the ones I see generally at Corfu airport, such as what to do as a substitute.

1. Assuming “airport motor vehicle condominium” always capacity on-site

Many travellers look up “Corfu airport car or truck condo” or “appoint motor vehicle Corfu airport” and assume every outcome is throughout the terminal. It seriously is not that uncomplicated.

At Corfu, a few manufacturers have desks in the arrivals hall and their motors in the airport parking just across the line. Others operate “meet and greet” or travel providers. You go out arrivals, search for someone protecting a small sign, and journey a minibus to an off website online lot a few minutes away.

That is not really unavoidably bad. Off web site prone might be more affordable and more bendy on things akin to mileage or extra drivers. The limitation looks when you anticipate to stroll to your motor vehicle in 5 minutes and alternatively lose 40 mins tracking down a shuttle in 30 diploma warm after a three hour flight from London.

If you would like a honestly on web page Corfu airport employ a motor vehicle option, investigate intently. Look for clean wording akin to “desk inside of terminal” or “on airport”. If the affirmation mentions a go back and forth, assembly aspect or “place of work 400 m from terminal”, construct that into your timings. It subjects on arrival, and it really concerns you probably have an early morning departure and need to drop the automobile and nonetheless inspect in on time.

2. Booking in basic terms on charge and ignoring the assurance structure

I still see persons brag that they stumbled on the “satisfactory car or truck rental Corfu airport” for 12 euros an afternoon in August. That base charge is meaningless without understanding the insurance.

In Greece, easy policy cover continually incorporates third birthday celebration liability and some kind of collision wreck waiver (CDW) with a high extra. I even have seen excesses from 700 to at least one,800 euros for an economy auto. If there's wreck, you pay up to that quantity until you will have added canopy.

The widely wide-spread mistakes are two. First, laborers bypass any additional hide and cross their fingers, then spend their trip irritating about slim streets in Corfu Town. Second, they buy an “extra refund” coverage from a broking website and do now not recognize that the condominium company will nevertheless block the overall excess on their card at choice.

A simple way at Corfu airport motor vehicle condominium counters is to pick upfront how you desire to deal with chance. Some travellers are relaxed with a significant deposit because they've got a powerful credits card and trip with condominium claims. Others sleep more suitable with a “zero excess” bundle that expenditures more consistent with day yet shrinks the safety block and economic exposure.

Read the insurance coverage phase ahead of you click “Book”. Compare the cost of including complete disguise from the apartment firm with a standalone extra coverage from a reputable insurer. There is no single exact answer, however going for walks up to the table devoid of a plan is the quickest path to stress and pricey upsells.

three. Not checking gasoline coverage and mileage sooner than confirming

Corfu airport condominium motors pretty much invariably use the similar couple of gas policies. The main issue is they appearance identical at a look, but can charge very extraordinary amounts over per week.

“Full to full” means you decide up the automobile with a complete tank, go back it complete, and simplest pay for what you utilize. This is ordinarily the fairest preference, principally once you plan to power across the island.

“Pre acquire” or “full to drain” potential you pay for a tank of gasoline at selection and will go back it on fumes. It sounds convenient however hardly works in your favour until you are going to truly use most of the tank and the corporation costs gas at virtually pump prices plus a small cost. Many do no longer.

Mileage is any other quiet entice. Most Corfu car or truck apartment Corfu rent a car groups offer unlimited kilometres, which is ideal for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages with no excited about distance. A few low price grants disguise a in line with kilometre payment above a modest every day reduce.

If your affirmation e-mail is vague or makes use of terms you do not recognise, e mail or message the guests and ask for readability. You desire written confirmation of both gasoline policy and mileage. Verbal reasons at a busy airport desk are smooth to misconceive and lots more and plenty harder to dispute later.

4. Overlooking using realities on Corfu whilst choosing automotive size

Looking at sleek graphics, it can be tempting to improve to a larger car. More house for luggage, improved air con, perhaps even an automated for remedy. On Corfu, the bigger the auto, the greater you desire to focus on where you plan to pressure.

The road from the airport into Corfu Town is wide sufficient, but as soon as you wander into older districts, roads slender to one lane with stone partitions on each aspects and tight corners round homes. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that slightly fits a compact hatchback.

If you might be staying at a lodge on the major east coast avenue, a larger auto would possibly not be a predicament. If your villa is up a steep lane inside the north of the island, a small to medium car or truck with first rate strength and terrific turning circle is a miles stronger preference than a bulky SUV. I actually have watched humans spend 15 minutes maneuvering a vast automobile out of a lane that became basically designed for scooters and donkeys.

For so much viewers, the sweet spot for Corfu airport auto apartment is a small or compact motor vehicle, guide or automatic relying for your comfort. Enough boot area for baggage, but small ample to slip into tight parking spaces and meet oncoming visitors with room to respire.

five. Ignoring opinions of extraordinary Corfu airport branches

Many guests do a instant payment of the manufacturer title and cease there. They see a vast world corporate they be aware of from dwelling, assume a normal sense, and reserve. In follow, branch quality can differ generally.

Search chiefly for the institution call plus “Corfu airport” and study the up to date studies for that vicinity. Patterns depend greater than unusual lawsuits. If one man or women mentions a longer wait time, which could just be a busy Saturday in August. If 20 individuals throughout three months file aggressive hurt claims or unexplained quotes, pay cognizance.

This assistance applies both to neighborhood providers. Some small Corfu lease a car prone close to the airport are ideal, with pleasant provider and versatile rules. Others cut corners or have faith in technicalities to raise salary. Reviews by and large make the change clear.

A 15 euro big difference on every week’s condo isn't very valued at an uncongenial argument over “pre existing” scratches you have been not ever allowed time to rfile.

6. Not making ready your documents and card correctly

One of the dullest trouble, but I nonetheless watch it unfold in line at the airport every summer. The bureaucracy for hiring a car in Greece is straightforward, but there are a few excellent details.

You traditionally want:

1. A valid driving licence that you just have held for no less than three hundred and sixty five days, many times two, depending on the provider and automotive community.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from guaranteed nations, an International Driving Permit alongside your property licence. Check this ahead, seeing that you can not get hold of an IDP after you are already in Greece.
3. A credits card inside the main driver’s name with adequate possible restrict to quilt the deposit or extra block.
4. Passport or countrywide ID card for identity.

Where laborers get stuck is with the cardboard. Many Corfu airport automotive apartment desks do not receive debit cards for the protection deposit, only for fee. Others receive them yet merely with dear excess insurance coverage. Prepaid playing cards are continuously refused outright.

If your confirmation does no longer honestly state that debit cards are conventional for the deposit, imagine you need a typical credit card with embossed title and numbers. Also be sure the card decrease is prime satisfactory. I watched a pair from Germany turned away as a result of their modest limit couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the extra plus their hotel’s pre authorisation.

Print or retailer your confirmation electronic mail as a PDF, together with the voucher while you booked because of a broking. Mobile web at Corfu airport is sometimes quality, however a dead battery or roaming subject must always no longer stand among you and your auto.

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

The phrase “Corfu airport auto condo no deposit” is nice looking, fairly should you dislike the idea of hundreds of euros blocked on your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit suggestions do exist, however the devil sits within the aspect.

Usually, while a corporation advertises no deposit, it ability one of two issues. Either they've equipped the threat right into a top every day charge with necessary full insurance, or they'll nevertheless carry a smaller amount as a fuel or traffic great assure. Sometimes the two.

There is not anything flawed with paying somewhat extra for the peace of brain that comes from no longer having 1,000 euros frozen for your card. Just keep in mind what you are purchasing. Check:

The right amount they'll carry on your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit provide is tied to a selected insurance coverage equipment. How they take care of minor injury, akin to small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a basic bundle from an additional service provider that uses a deposit however gives lower charges. Over a week’s vacation, the overall settlement can swing both way. The worst mistake is to e book on the electricity of “no deposit” by myself after which locate an extended list of exclusions and extra expenses whenever you reach the table.

eight. Skipping the inspection and photo recurring at pickup

You are worn-out, the queue has been gradual, and the sea coast is calling. The agent points to the automobile, you signal the shape, throw your luggage in the boot and drive off. That five minute shortcut can price dearly if there is existing destroy that not at all made it onto the file.

At Corfu airport, where dozens of motors rotate between renters each week in summer, small bumps and scrapes are pursuits. Most businesses are straightforward approximately this and mark the whole thing they know. Some will not be thorough, mainly at peak instances.

Treat your inspection as part of the rental, no longer a nuisance. Walk around the car, inspect each and every panel, the wheels, and the the front and rear bumpers primarily. Pay realization to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap destroy. Chips or cracks inside the windscreen. Any harm on the roof once you are tall ample or can see from an attitude.

Photograph the whole lot, even things that are already marked. Capture the automobile from both corner, the odometer examining, and the fuel gauge. Time stamped images for your cell create a rfile it's laborious to argue with later.

Encourage the crew member to feature any missing marks to the type until now you signal. If they look reluctant, reside well mannered however enterprise. A short time the following is worthy far more than an angry electronic mail substitute after you return house.

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

Corfu airport auto apartment is the clean piece. The tougher half, peculiarly in height season, is dwelling with the car while you achieve your accommodation.

Many old villages and a few portions of Corfu Town have very restrained parking. Some beachfront hotels have inner most a good deal, others matter fully on public areas that refill simply in July and August. Steep personal driveways are widely wide-spread for villas, in certain cases with awkward angles and loose gravel.

Before you ebook, ask your accommodation about parking in exact, realistic phrases. Do not settle for “parking reachable”. Ask whether it truly is confidential or public, what percentage areas they have, how tight the get right of entry to is, and whether or not higher vehicles in good shape simply.

This should effect not in simple terms your decision of rental auto measurement, as discussed previously, but additionally whether or not you even desire a motor vehicle in your accomplished remain. For example, in case you are spending three nights in Corfu Town and then every week in a north coast village, you can still do more effective to spend the first facet strolling and taxis, then set up a Corfu airport motor vehicle condo starting at the day you go away town.

Thinking in segments like this could shop fee, parking headaches and the tension of threading a automotive with the aid of the city’s one manner equipment after you are nonetheless jet lagged.

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

I have lost rely of what percentage disputes leap at drop off considering that the renter is hurrying to trap a flight. When you're rushing, you fail to remember gas, you park wherein you aren't presupposed to, otherwise you hand over keys without checking the remaining paperwork.

Give yourself a genuine buffer for return. If your flight is at 13:00, do no longer plan to roll into the automobile park at eleven:45, pretty in the event you rented off web page and desire a travel journey back to the terminal.

At return, objective to:

1. Refill the tank at a station nearly the airport while you are on a full to full policy. Keep the receipt. There are a number of petrol stations within a quick power, however a few will be busy.
2. Remove all very own items from the car, along with door pockets and underneath seats.
3. Walk round the auto with the agent in which potential and ask them to be certain in writing that the automobile is again and not using a new break and with a full tank if suited.
4. Take remaining images, adding the fuel gauge and odometer.

If you have to use a key drop container considering you might be returning external place of work hours, pix and a speedy video walkaround grow to be even extra crucial. Corfu airport employ a car vendors recurrently handle those returns somewhat, but a transparent visual listing protects you in case a new dent appears on the inspection sheet later.

A short pre booking checklist

Used nicely, a car or truck turns Corfu into a bendy, simple island to explore. Used badly, it will become a thread of hysteria walking because of your excursion. Before you decide to any airport vehicle rent Corfu deal, run by using this short checklist.

1. Verify if the institution is on airport or off website with a commute, and how that affects your timings.
2. Read up to date reviews chiefly for the Corfu airport department, now not just the emblem.
3. Compare whole payment, along with insurance plan, gasoline coverage and any mileage limits, no longer just the bottom day-to-day expense.
4. Check parking and get admission to at your accommodation and elect automotive dimension as a result.
5. Confirm what cards and records you want and whether any “no deposit” supply has restrictive situations.

Handled with this stage of interest, Corfu airport apartment vehicles feel less like a raffle and greater like a good managed software to your commute.

Final ideas from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend 30 minutes in the arrivals corridor on a busy afternoon, you'll be able to practically are expecting who will breeze via and who will become pissed off. The ones with published confirmations, transparent decisions on insurance and real looking expectations about the auto and the island tend to leave smiling. The ones who booked on payment by myself and did no longer learn a observe of the phrases are those arguing at the desk.

Corfu automobile apartment does now not need to be hard. It is only a subject of matching the truth at the flooring with your very own tolerance for risk, finances and using confidence. Look beyond headline expenses, apprehend how assurance and deposits paintings, favor the desirable size of automotive for Corfu’s roads, and deliver yourself time at the two pickup and go back.

Do that, and your lease a automobile at Corfu airport will become what it should be: an straightforward gateway to mountain villages, quiet beaches and overdue dinners in small tavernas, to your own clock rather than an individual else’s.