Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the tourist who can circulate on their own agenda. The island appears small on a map yet once you get off the primary roads, distances suppose longer, buses thin out, and taxis add up promptly. That is why such a lot of travellers choose up a car the instant they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I actually have rented vehicles at Corfu airport for paintings and vacations, in prime season and in past due October drizzle. The trend is continuously the identical. The folks that did some homework are on the street in 20 minutes. The ones who rushed the reserving stand in queues, argue over assurance at the table and perceive shock rates on their card every week later.

If you wish a clean Corfu airport car condominium journey, the most efficient lesson is to remember wherein others cross fallacious. The following ten mistakes are the ones I see generally at Corfu airport, consisting of what to do rather.

1. Assuming “airport car condominium” usually ability on-site

Many viewers seek for “Corfu airport car condo” or “lease automobile Corfu airport” and assume each and every consequence is throughout the terminal. It isn't that hassle-free.

At Corfu, a few manufacturers have desks inside the arrivals hall and their autos inside the airport parking just throughout the street. Others function “meet and greet” or go back and forth functions. You go out arrivals, look for somebody conserving a small signal, and ride a minibus to an off web site lot a few minutes away.

That is just not always terrible. Off site companies will probably be inexpensive and extra versatile on issues similar to mileage or additional drivers. The situation appears to be like after you are expecting to walk for your car in five minutes and instead lose forty mins tracking down a shuttle in 30 level heat after a 3 hour flight from London.

If you choose a in truth on web site Corfu airport hire a automobile selection, verify cautiously. Look for clear wording akin to “desk internal terminal” or “on airport”. If the confirmation mentions a shuttle, meeting level or “place of work four hundred m from terminal”, construct that into your timings. It topics on arrival, and it surely subjects you probably have an early morning departure and need to drop the auto and nonetheless determine in on time.

2. Booking handiest on value and ignoring the assurance structure

I still see of us brag that they located the “best vehicle condominium Corfu airport” for 12 euros an afternoon in August. That base value is incomprehensible without expertise the insurance plan.

In Greece, ordinary policy cover most commonly consists of third get together legal responsibility and a few shape of collision destroy waiver (CDW) with a high excess. I even have visible excesses from seven-hundred to one,800 euros for an economic system auto. If there's harm, you pay up to that amount until you might have added disguise.

The usual mistakes are two. First, human beings bypass any greater disguise and pass their fingers, then spend their holiday worrying approximately narrow streets in Corfu Town. Second, they purchase an “excess refund” coverage from a broking service site and do not understand that the apartment brand will still block the complete excess on their card at collection.

A judicious frame of mind at Corfu airport vehicle condominium counters is to pick earlier the way you wish to address probability. Some visitors are soft with a massive deposit because they have got a good credit card and sense with condominium claims. Others sleep higher with a “zero excess” kit that charges extra in step with day yet shrinks the safety block and monetary publicity.

Read the insurance coverage section before you click “Book”. Compare the cost of adding full hide from the rental provider with a standalone extra policy from a reputable insurer. There is not any unmarried appropriate answer, yet on foot as much as the table with out a plan is the quickest direction to strain and highly-priced upsells.

three. Not checking gasoline coverage and mileage until now confirming

Corfu airport rental motors basically always use the similar couple of fuel policies. The dilemma is they glance comparable at a glance, yet check very special quantities over a week.

“Full to complete” ability you go with up the auto with a complete tank, go back it full, and simply pay for what you utilize. This is probably the fairest option, distinctly in the event you plan to drive across the island.

“Pre buy” or “full to empty” way you pay for a tank of gasoline at selection and will return it on fumes. It sounds handy however corfu airport car rental deals not often works for your favour except possible honestly use most of the tank and the visitors premiums fuel at with reference to pump quotes plus a small money. Many do now not.

Mileage is yet one more quiet seize. Most Corfu motor vehicle rental groups present limitless kilometres, which is perfect for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages devoid of all for distance. A few low payment gives you conceal a according to kilometre price above a modest day after day minimize.

If your confirmation email is obscure or makes use of terms you do no longer recognise, e mail or message the organization and ask for clarity. You desire written affirmation of each gas coverage and mileage. Verbal motives at a hectic airport table are ordinary to misunderstand and masses harder to dispute later.

4. Overlooking driving realities on Corfu when choosing vehicle size

Looking at glossy pix, it's miles tempting to improve to a larger auto. More space for luggage, bigger aircon, possibly even an automatic for convenience. On Corfu, the larger the auto, the greater you need to place confidence in where you plan to force.

The road from the airport into Corfu Town is broad ample, yet as quickly as you wander into older districts, roads slender to at least one lane with stone partitions on both aspects and tight corners round structures. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that slightly matches a compact hatchback.

If you might be staying at a motel on the main east coast avenue, a bigger vehicle won't be a trouble. If your villa is up a steep lane within the north of the island, a small to medium auto with good electricity and extraordinary turning circle is a much enhanced collection than a cumbersome SUV. I even have watched folk spend 15 mins maneuvering a sizeable automobile out of a lane that was once without a doubt designed for scooters and donkeys.

For most site visitors, the sweet spot for Corfu airport vehicle condominium is a small or compact auto, handbook or automated based for your alleviation. Enough boot space for luggage, however small enough to slide into tight parking areas and meet oncoming site visitors with room to respire.

5. Ignoring critiques of actual Corfu airport branches

Many visitors do a fast cost of the manufacturer name and cease there. They see a vast international employer they recognize from domicile, imagine a customary journey, and reserve. In train, branch good quality can fluctuate extensively.

Search particularly for the provider call plus “Corfu airport” and examine the recent studies for that situation. Patterns be counted more than someone complaints. If one grownup mentions a longer wait time, that can just be a hectic Saturday in August. If 20 folk throughout 3 months file competitive damage claims or unexplained charges, pay interest.

This counsel applies similarly to native companies. Some small Corfu lease a automotive providers close the airport are excellent, with pleasant carrier and versatile rules. Others reduce corners or depend on technicalities to lift revenue. Reviews more often than not make the big difference transparent.

A 15 euro big difference on a week’s condominium isn't always really worth a bad argument over “pre latest” scratches you were not ever allowed time to doc.

6. Not making ready your information and card correctly

One of the dullest troubles, but I still watch it spread in line on the airport each and every summer. The forms for hiring a vehicle in Greece is easy, however there are a few fabulous important points.

You quite often want:

1. A legitimate riding licence that you have held for at least three hundred and sixty five days, typically two, relying on the corporation and car or truck organization.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from designated nations, an International Driving Permit alongside your own home licence. Check this earlier, given that you won't gain an IDP while you are already in Greece.
3. A credits card inside the important driver’s title with adequate out there reduce to cowl the deposit or extra block.
4. Passport or country wide ID card for identification.

Where other people get caught is with the cardboard. Many Corfu airport automotive rental desks do now not receive debit playing cards for the protection deposit, purely for charge. Others receive them however most effective with expensive added insurance coverage. Prepaid playing cards are characteristically refused outright.

If your confirmation does not virtually state that debit playing cards are regularly occurring for the deposit, anticipate you need a frequent credit score card with embossed title and numbers. Also make sure the card restrict is top ample. I watched a couple from Germany grew to become away in view that their modest prohibit couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their lodge’s pre authorisation.

Print or store your confirmation e mail as a PDF, along with the voucher for those who booked due to a dealer. Mobile net at Corfu airport is constantly positive, but a lifeless battery or roaming hindrance should always now not stand between you and your vehicle.

7. Chasing “no deposit” can provide without studying the small print

The word “Corfu airport auto rental no deposit” is nice looking, fantastically whenever you dislike the theory of tons of of euros blocked on your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit innovations do exist, but the devil sits within the aspect.

Usually, whilst a enterprise advertises no deposit, it ability certainly one of two matters. Either they've built the probability right into a increased each day price with obligatory full insurance, or they'll still hang a smaller volume as a gasoline or traffic high quality ensure. Sometimes both.

There is not anything incorrect with paying a little more for the peace of thoughts that comes from now not having 1,000 euros frozen on your card. Just apprehend what you might be purchasing. Check:

The exact amount they will hang for your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit offer is tied to a selected assurance kit. How they deal with minor damage, along with small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a regularly occurring equipment from a further agency that makes use of a deposit however deals scale back costs. Over every week’s excursion, the whole money can swing either approach. The worst mistake is to book at the strength of “no deposit” alone rent a car Corfu island after which hit upon an extended listing of exclusions and additional fees should you succeed in the table.

eight. Skipping the inspection and picture events at pickup

You are worn-out, the queue has been slow, and the coastline is calling. The agent facets to the car, you signal the sort, throw your luggage within the boot and force off. That 5 minute shortcut can fee dearly if there's current destroy that on no account made it onto the report.

At Corfu airport, where dozens of cars rotate between renters each week in summer time, small bumps and scrapes are events. Most carriers are truthful approximately this and mark every part they understand. Some are usually not thorough, mainly at peak instances.

Treat your inspection as section of the condominium, not a nuisance. Walk round the car, verify every panel, the wheels, and the entrance and rear bumpers certainly. Pay cognizance to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap spoil. Chips or cracks within the windscreen. Any injury on the roof in case you are tall ample or can see from an attitude.

Photograph all the pieces, even considerations that are already marked. Capture the auto from both nook, the odometer reading, and the gasoline gauge. Time stamped pictures in your phone create a checklist it's exhausting to argue with later.

Encourage the team member to add any missing marks to the sort formerly you sign. If they appear reluctant, continue to be polite however company. A short time the following is value far more than an angry electronic mail trade after you come back dwelling.

9. Forgetting to plan parking and access at your accommodation

Corfu airport automobile apartment is the gentle piece. The more difficult element, mainly in height season, is living with the auto once you reach your accommodation.

Many old villages and a few components of Corfu Town have very restrained parking. Some beachfront motels have personal plenty, others depend solely on public spaces that top off instantly in July and August. Steep personal driveways are universal for villas, from time to time with awkward angles and free gravel.

Before you book, ask your accommodation about parking in certain, functional phrases. Do not settle for “parking accessible”. Ask regardless of whether that is personal or public, what number of areas they've, how tight the access is, and whether bigger motors match quite simply.

This must outcome not merely your decision of condo car measurement, as observed in the past, but also whether or not you even desire a car or truck for your complete live. For instance, for those who are spending three nights in Corfu Town and then a week in a north coast village, possible do greater to spend the primary section walking and taxis, then set up a Corfu airport vehicle apartment commencing on the day you leave town.

Thinking in segments like it will retailer cost, parking complications and the rigidity of threading a car or truck because of the the town’s one approach formulation when you are nonetheless jet lagged.

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

I even have misplaced count of what number of disputes delivery at drop off considering the fact that the renter is hurrying to trap a flight. When you're dashing, you omit gasoline, you park in which you should not alleged to, otherwise you give up keys devoid of checking the last paperwork.

Give yourself a authentic buffer for return. If your flight is at 13:00, do now not plan to roll into the auto park at 11:forty five, in particular once you rented off website and desire a shuttle ride lower back to the terminal.

At return, intention to:

1. Refill the tank at a station on the subject of the airport if you are on a full to full policy. Keep the receipt. There are various petrol stations inside of a brief drive, but a few should be busy.
2. Remove all confidential items from the auto, adding door pockets and lower than seats.
3. Walk across the motor vehicle with the agent the place a possibility and ask them to confirm in writing that the automobile is again without new injury and with a complete tank if ideal.
4. Take remaining pics, consisting of the fuel gauge and odometer.

If you must use a key drop field simply because you are returning outdoors place of job hours, photographs and a swift video walkaround turn out to be even greater crucial. Corfu airport employ a automotive vendors customarily deal with those returns rather, yet a clean visible document protects you in case a brand new dent seems on the inspection sheet later.

A short pre reserving checklist

Used effectively, a car turns Corfu into a versatile, user-friendly island to explore. Used badly, it will become a thread of anxiety walking with the aid of your vacation. Before you commit to any airport motor vehicle appoint Corfu deal, run by using this short record.

1. Verify if the guests is on airport or off website with a go back and forth, and how that influences your timings.
2. Read fresh critiques certainly for the Corfu airport department, now not just the manufacturer.
3. Compare entire settlement, adding insurance, gas coverage and any mileage limits, now not just the base on a daily basis rate.
4. Check parking and access at your accommodation and opt automotive size therefore.
5. Confirm what cards and paperwork you desire and no matter if any “no deposit” provide has restrictive situations.

Handled with this level of recognition, Corfu airport condo autos feel less like of venture and greater like a good managed tool in your holiday.

Final strategies from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend 30 minutes within the arrivals corridor on a busy afternoon, you can well-nigh predict who will breeze by using and who will become pissed off. The ones with published confirmations, clear decisions on insurance coverage and practical expectancies approximately the auto and the island tend to depart smiling. The ones who booked on rate on my own and did no longer examine a note of the phrases are those arguing at the table.

Corfu vehicle rental does no longer need to be intricate. It is effectively a be counted of matching the truth on the ground with your personal tolerance for possibility, price range and driving self belief. Look past headline expenses, take into account how insurance plan and deposits paintings, come to a decision the right size of car for Corfu’s roads, and provide your self time at both pickup and return.

Do that, and your rent a motor vehicle at Corfu airport turns into what it have to be: an convenient gateway to mountain villages, quiet shores and late dinners in small tavernas, for your own clock in preference to a person else’s.