Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the vacationer who can go on their personal time table. The island appears to be like small on a map yet whenever you get off the foremost roads, distances sense longer, buses skinny out, and taxis add up directly. That is why so many visitors elect up a motor vehicle the moment they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I even have rented motors at Corfu airport for paintings and vacations, in top season and in past due October drizzle. The sample is invariably the identical. The those that did a few homework are on the road in 20 mins. The ones who rushed the booking stand in queues, argue over assurance on the desk and uncover surprise fees on their card per week later.

If you wish a gentle Corfu airport car rental sense, the premier lesson is to bear in mind wherein others go incorrect. The following ten blunders are the ones I see most likely at Corfu airport, together with what to do instead.

1. Assuming “airport car or truck apartment” constantly way on-site

Many visitors lookup “Corfu airport motor vehicle condominium” or “hire motor vehicle Corfu airport” and think each and every result is within the terminal. It just isn't that plain.

At Corfu, some manufacturers have desks in the arrivals hall and their vehicles inside the airport parking just throughout the road. Others perform “meet and greet” or trip offerings. You exit arrivals, seek anyone holding a small sign, and journey a minibus to an off site lot a couple of minutes away.

That shouldn't be always negative. Off website online firms is usually cheaper and greater flexible on matters such as mileage or further drivers. The downside looks in the event you are expecting to walk in your car or truck in five minutes and alternatively lose 40 minutes monitoring down a shuttle in 30 measure warmth after a three hour flight from London.

If you prefer a surely on website Corfu airport employ a car or truck possibility, check moderately. Look for clean wording reminiscent of “desk inner terminal” or “on airport”. If the affirmation mentions a go back and forth, meeting point or “place of job 400 m from terminal”, construct that into your timings. It matters on arrival, and it incredibly matters in case you have an early morning departure and want to drop the car and nevertheless fee in on time.

2. Booking most effective on expense and ignoring the insurance coverage structure

I still see other folks brag that they located the “superior automotive condo Corfu airport” for 12 euros an afternoon in August. That base expense is incomprehensible devoid of know-how the insurance coverage.

In Greece, straight forward coverage usually carries 1/3 get together liability and a few shape of collision smash waiver (CDW) with a prime excess. I even have obvious excesses from seven-hundred to one,800 euros for an financial system car or truck. If there's damage, you pay as much as that amount except you have got added hide.

The common error are two. First, employees bypass any more duvet and pass their arms, then spend their break anxious approximately slim streets in Corfu Town. Second, they purchase an “extra refund” coverage from a broking service website online and do no longer recognise that the apartment enterprise will nonetheless block the total excess on their card at series.

A reasonable process at Corfu airport vehicle apartment counters is to pick beforehand the way you choose to deal with risk. Some visitors are comfy with a super deposit considering they've got a potent credit score card and enjoy with rental claims. Others sleep more effective with a “0 extra” package deal that costs greater according to day yet shrinks the safety block and economic exposure.

Read the coverage part previously you click on “Book”. Compare the expense of adding full cowl from the condominium corporation with a standalone excess policy from a reputable insurer. There is not any single proper answer, yet going for walks up to the table without a plan is the fastest path to stress and high-priced upsells.

3. Not checking fuel policy and mileage earlier confirming

Corfu airport rental motors pretty much all the time use the similar couple of fuel policies. The challenge is they appearance family car rentals Corfu airport an identical at a glance, but expense very alternative amounts over a week.

“Full to complete” method you decide upon up the car with a complete tank, return it full, and simplest pay for what you utilize. This is constantly the fairest possibility, mainly for those who plan to force around the island.

“Pre buy” or “full to drain” method you pay for a tank of gasoline at choice and will return it on fumes. It sounds easy yet not often works in your favour except you will certainly use maximum of the tank and the provider premiums fuel at near pump prices plus a small expense. Many do now not.

Mileage is one more quiet lure. Most Corfu car or truck condominium groups provide unlimited kilometres, which is right for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages devoid of interested by distance. A few low rate presents disguise a in step with kilometre price above a modest day after day restrict.

If your affirmation electronic mail is obscure or makes use of phrases you do now not realize, electronic mail or message the issuer and ask for clarity. You choose written confirmation of the two gasoline coverage and mileage. Verbal motives at a busy airport table are smooth to misconceive and far harder to dispute later.

four. Overlooking using realities on Corfu whilst deciding on motor vehicle size

Looking at sleek photographs, it really is tempting to upgrade to a larger car. More space for luggage, more beneficial air conditioning, might be even an automatic for convenience. On Corfu, the larger the car, the extra you need to give some thought to in which you plan to pressure.

The highway from the airport into Corfu Town is vast adequate, but as quickly as you wander into older districts, roads slender to 1 lane with stone walls on both facets and tight corners round constructions. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that slightly fits a compact hatchback.

If you might be staying at a inn on the key east coast highway, a larger automobile would possibly not be a dilemma. If your villa is up a steep lane in the north of the island, a small to medium auto with good electricity and exceptional turning circle is a miles more desirable option than a bulky SUV. I actually have watched humans spend 15 mins maneuvering a larger car out of a lane that became evidently designed for scooters and donkeys.

For most friends, the candy spot for Corfu airport automobile condo is a small or compact car or truck, manual or automatic relying for your consolation. Enough boot house for baggage, yet small ample to slide into tight parking areas and meet oncoming traffic with room to respire.

5. Ignoring reviews of exact Corfu airport branches

Many travelers do a quickly inspect of the model title and prevent there. They see a monstrous foreign employer they comprehend from domicile, anticipate a overall journey, and reserve. In apply, branch good quality can fluctuate broadly.

Search particularly for the firm call plus “Corfu airport” and read the current critiques for that location. Patterns subject greater than private complaints. If one individual mentions a longer wait time, that can just be a busy Saturday in August. If 20 individuals across three months document aggressive ruin claims or unexplained bills, pay consideration.

This suggestions applies both to nearby carriers. Some small Corfu appoint a vehicle firms close to the airport are great, with pleasant service and flexible rules. Others cut Corfu Airport Car Rentals corners or depend upon technicalities to enhance salary. Reviews by and large make the distinction clear.

A 15 euro distinction on a week’s condominium is simply not price an unpleasant argument over “pre latest” scratches you had been certainly not allowed time to record.

6. Not preparing your documents and card correctly

One of the dullest problems, but I nevertheless watch it spread in line on the airport each summer. The documents for hiring a vehicle in Greece is easy, however there are just a few main particulars.

You customarily need:

1. A valid driving licence that you just have held for not less than twelve months, in certain cases two, depending on the service provider and car neighborhood.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from definite international locations, an International Driving Permit along your own home licence. Check this in advance, due to the fact that you shouldn't obtain an IDP after you are already in Greece.
3. A credits card in the main motive force’s identify with adequate attainable restrict to hide the deposit or extra block.
4. Passport or national ID card for identity.

Where worker's get caught is with the card. Many Corfu airport vehicle condo desks do now not receive debit playing cards for the safety deposit, purely for money. Others accept them however merely with dear additional coverage. Prepaid cards are oftentimes refused outright.

If your affirmation does no longer certainly nation that debit cards are standard for the deposit, imagine you want a ordinary credits card with embossed identify and numbers. Also confirm the card decrease is excessive enough. I watched a couple from Germany grew to become away on the grounds that their modest minimize could not accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their hotel’s pre authorisation.

Print or keep your affirmation e mail as a PDF, such as the voucher when you booked by way of a broking. Mobile information superhighway at Corfu airport is mainly first-rate, but a dead battery or roaming concern should still no longer stand between you and your auto.

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

The phrase “Corfu airport auto rental no deposit” is alluring, enormously while you dislike the inspiration of hundreds and hundreds of euros blocked in your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit strategies do exist, but the devil sits in the element.

Usually, whilst a business advertises no deposit, it skill one among two issues. Either they have outfitted the threat into a better day-after-day cost with obligatory complete assurance, or they may still hang a smaller amount as a gas or site visitors high quality assure. Sometimes each.

There is not anything unsuitable with paying slightly more for the peace of brain that comes from not having 1,000 euros frozen for your card. Just apprehend what you're deciding to buy. Check:

The true amount they'll retain in your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit provide is tied to a selected coverage kit. How they manage minor spoil, which include small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a frequent bundle from one more supplier that makes use of a deposit yet grants lessen quotes. Over per week’s vacation, the entire can charge can swing either method. The worst mistake is to ebook on the potential of “no deposit” by myself and then perceive an extended checklist of exclusions and extra costs if you happen to succeed in the desk.

8. Skipping the inspection and picture events at pickup

You are tired, the queue has been slow, and the coastline is asking. The agent factors to the automobile, you sign the form, throw your luggage within the boot and pressure off. That 5 minute shortcut can expense dearly if there is existing wreck that by no means made it onto the file.

At Corfu airport, where dozens of cars rotate among renters each week in summer time, small bumps and scrapes are recurring. Most groups are trustworthy approximately this and mark all the things they be aware of. Some should not thorough, principally at peak times.

Treat your inspection as portion of the condominium, no longer a nuisance. Walk round the automobile, check each 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 within the windscreen. Any damage on the roof for those who are tall enough or can see from an attitude.

Photograph all the things, even worries which might be already marked. Capture the automobile from each and every nook, the odometer examining, and the gasoline gauge. Time stamped snap shots for your phone create a record it really is rough to argue with later.

Encourage the team of workers member to add any missing marks to the form ahead of you signal. If they seem to be reluctant, live polite however company. A jiffy here is valued at a long way more than an angry e-mail trade after you come homestead.

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

Corfu airport car rental is the ordinary piece. The more difficult aspect, in particular in height season, is dwelling with the car after you succeed in your lodging.

Many outdated villages and some parts of Corfu Town have very restricted parking. Some beachfront lodges have non-public rather a lot, others count solely on public spaces that stock up straight away in July and August. Steep deepest driveways are overall for villas, often with awkward angles and loose gravel.

Before you book, ask your accommodation approximately parking in express, lifelike phrases. Do not accept “parking available”. Ask even if that's deepest or public, what number spaces they've got, how tight the entry is, and whether increased vehicles healthy readily.

This should always effect not best your collection of apartment motor vehicle measurement, as stated earlier, however also whether you even need a car to your finished stay. For illustration, if you happen to are spending three nights in Corfu Town after which every week in a north coast village, you could do more advantageous to spend the first half taking walks and taxis, then organize a Corfu airport car rental establishing at the day you leave the town.

Thinking in segments like it will keep cost, parking complications and the tension of threading a car or truck because of the town’s one method procedure while you are nevertheless jet lagged.

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

I have misplaced count of what number of disputes start at drop off given that the renter is hurrying to trap a flight. When you are rushing, you neglect gas, you park in which you should not purported to, or you give up keys with out checking the ultimate forms.

Give your self a ideal buffer for return. If your flight is at 13:00, do no longer plan to roll into the auto park at 11:forty five, pretty for those who rented off web site and need a trip trip lower back to the terminal.

At go back, goal to:

1. Refill the tank at a station virtually the airport should you are on a full to complete coverage. Keep the receipt. There are several petrol stations within a brief power, yet some is additionally busy.
2. Remove all own units from the automobile, consisting of door wallet and underneath seats.
3. Walk across the vehicle with the agent in which you possibly can and ask them to confirm in writing that the auto is lower back and not using a new break and with a full tank if appropriate.
4. Take ultimate photos, adding the fuel gauge and odometer.

If the need arises use a key drop field since you are returning outdoors workplace hours, photographs and a short video walkaround changed into even greater fabulous. Corfu airport appoint a car vendors in the main maintain those returns slightly, but a clean visible listing protects you in case a brand new dent appears to be like on the inspection sheet later.

A rapid pre reserving checklist

Used well, a automotive turns Corfu into a flexible, uncomplicated island to discover. Used badly, it turns into a thread of hysteria jogging due to your trip. Before you commit to any airport auto rent Corfu deal, run by this brief record.

1. Verify if the business is on airport or off website with a commute, and the way that impacts your timings.
2. Read current comments above all for the Corfu airport branch, now not simply the manufacturer.
3. Compare general settlement, which include insurance coverage, gasoline coverage and any mileage limits, now not just the base every single day fee.
4. Check parking and get entry to at your lodging and want motor vehicle size thus.
5. Confirm what cards and archives you want and no matter if any “no deposit” be offering has restrictive circumstances.

Handled with this stage of recognition, Corfu airport apartment autos experience much less like a big gamble and greater like a well managed tool for your experience.

Final memories from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend half-hour within the arrivals hall on a hectic afternoon, you are able to very nearly expect who will breeze thru and who will finally end up pissed off. The ones with revealed confirmations, transparent decisions on coverage and reasonable expectations approximately the car and the island tend to go away smiling. The ones who booked on value on my own and did now not learn a be aware of the phrases are the ones arguing on the table.

Corfu car rental does not ought to be tricky. It is quite simply a count number of matching the fact on the ground with your personal tolerance for hazard, price range and driving self belief. Look past headline costs, apprehend how insurance and deposits paintings, favor the exact size of motor vehicle for Corfu’s roads, and provide your self time at both pickup and return.

Do that, and your hire a car or truck at Corfu airport will become what it may want to be: an user-friendly gateway to mountain villages, quiet shores and late dinners in small tavernas, in your personal clock as opposed to all and sundry else’s.