Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu rewards the vacationer who can pass on their very own agenda. The island appears to be like small on a map yet while you get off the major roads, distances feel longer, buses thin out, and taxis upload up right now. That is why so many guests decide on up a vehicle the instant they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I actually have rented cars at Corfu airport for paintings and vacation trips, in high season and in overdue October drizzle. The trend is normally the similar. The folks that did some homework are on the road in 20 minutes. The ones who rushed the booking stand in queues, argue over coverage at the table and observe surprise bills on their card per week later.

If you want a delicate Corfu airport vehicle condo enjoy, the choicest lesson is to notice the place others cross fallacious. The following ten blunders are the ones I see in general at Corfu airport, in addition to what to do as a substitute.

1. Assuming “airport motor vehicle apartment” necessarily ability on-site

Many visitors look for “Corfu airport automotive condominium” or “hire automobile Corfu airport” and expect each outcomes is in the terminal. It isn't very that basic.

At Corfu, some brands have desks in the arrivals corridor and their cars within the airport parking just across the road. Others perform “meet and greet” or go back and forth products and services. You go out arrivals, look for anyone protecting a small sign, and experience a minibus to an off web page lot a couple of minutes away.

That will not be unavoidably awful. Off website businesses is additionally more cost effective and greater bendy on issues such as mileage or further drivers. The problem looks whilst you expect to stroll in your auto in five minutes and as a replacement lose 40 mins monitoring down a go back and forth in 30 measure warmness after a 3 hour flight from London.

If you choose a if truth be told on website Corfu airport rent a car possibility, check intently. Look for transparent wording equivalent to “table inside of terminal” or “on airport”. If the confirmation mentions a trip, assembly level or “workplace 400 m from terminal”, build that into your timings. It topics on arrival, and it certainly topics if in case you have an early morning departure and want to drop the car and nevertheless check in on time.

2. Booking merely on cost and ignoring the insurance plan structure

I nonetheless see other people brag that they observed the “top-rated automotive condominium Corfu airport” for 12 euros a day in August. That base value is meaningless with out information the coverage.

corfu airport car rental deals

In Greece, overall assurance commonly carries third social gathering liability and some style of collision damage waiver (CDW) with a high excess. I even have considered excesses from seven-hundred to 1,800 euros for an economic climate car. If there's spoil, you pay up to that quantity until you've extra quilt.

The time-honored mistakes are two. First, other folks skip any more cover and go their hands, then spend their holiday aggravating approximately slim streets in Corfu Town. Second, they buy an “extra refund” policy from a broker web site and do no longer comprehend that the rental organisation will nevertheless block the whole excess on their card at assortment.

A lifelike way at Corfu airport automotive apartment counters is to settle on in advance the way you need to address chance. Some guests are pleased with a gigantic deposit considering the fact that they have got a effective credit card and journey with apartment claims. Others sleep more advantageous with a “zero excess” package that prices greater in keeping with day however shrinks the security block and economic publicity.

Read the coverage area earlier than you click on “Book”. Compare the payment of adding complete duvet from the apartment manufacturer with a standalone extra coverage from a reputable insurer. There isn't any single accurate solution, however on foot as much as the desk devoid of a plan is the quickest path to stress and costly upsells.

three. Not checking gasoline coverage and mileage before confirming

Corfu airport condominium vehicles nearly all the time use the equal couple of fuel policies. The quandary is they glance similar at a look, but charge very one-of-a-kind quantities over every week.

“Full to full” method you elect up the auto with a full tank, return it complete, and simplest pay for what you employ. This is commonly the fairest possibility, chiefly when you plan to pressure around the island.

“Pre acquire” or “complete to empty” manner you pay for a tank of gasoline at sequence and might go back it on fumes. It sounds convenient however hardly ever works in your favour except you may sincerely use most of the tank and the supplier fees gas at on the point of pump fees plus a small payment. Many do now not.

Mileage is another quiet lure. Most Corfu car rental organizations provide limitless kilometres, which is good for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages without concerned about distance. A few low worth deals conceal a in line with kilometre rate above a modest on a daily basis minimize.

If your affirmation e-mail is indistinct or uses phrases you do no longer realise, email or message the enterprise and ask for clarity. You need written affirmation of either gas coverage and mileage. Verbal reasons at a busy airport desk are undemanding to misunderstand and far harder to dispute later.

4. Overlooking using realities on Corfu whilst determining motor vehicle size

Looking at modern photos, it can be tempting to upgrade to a bigger car. More space for baggage, more effective air-con, probably even an automatic for consolation. On Corfu, the bigger the car, the more you need to think about the place you plan to power.

The road from the airport into Corfu Town is extensive enough, yet as soon as you wander into older districts, roads narrow to one lane with stone walls on the two aspects and tight corners around constructions. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that slightly matches a compact hatchback.

If you're staying at a lodge on the principle east coast avenue, a larger auto won't be a complication. If your villa is up a steep lane in the north of the island, a small to medium automotive with respectable vigour and superb turning circle is a much better desire than a cumbersome SUV. I actually have watched persons spend 15 mins maneuvering a great car or truck out of a lane that turned into definitely designed for scooters and donkeys.

For most guests, the sweet spot for Corfu airport vehicle apartment is a small or compact auto, guide or automatic depending on your remedy. Enough boot area for bags, however small adequate to slip into tight parking areas and meet oncoming site visitors with room to respire.

5. Ignoring reports of definite Corfu airport branches

Many travellers do a swift test of the logo call and prevent there. They see a tremendous global manufacturer they realize from residence, assume a time-honored adventure, and reserve. In apply, branch exceptional can range broadly.

Search namely for the organization identify plus “Corfu airport” and read the up to date reviews for that region. Patterns subject greater than character complaints. If one adult mentions a longer wait time, that could just be a hectic Saturday in August. If 20 workers throughout three months document competitive destroy claims short term rent a car Corfu or unexplained fees, pay concentration.

This information applies similarly to native suppliers. Some small Corfu employ a car corporations near the airport are supreme, with friendly carrier and flexible regulations. Others reduce corners or rely on technicalities to boost salary. Reviews most often make the change clear.

A 15 euro change on per week’s rental is not really worth an uncongenial argument over “pre latest” scratches you had been not ever allowed time to rfile.

6. Not preparing your information and card correctly

One of the dullest disorders, but I nonetheless watch it spread in line on the airport each summer. The office work for hiring a automotive in Greece is straightforward, however there are a number of substantive facts.

You constantly need:

1. A valid riding licence which you have held for at the least one year, usually two, relying on the institution and car or truck community.
2. For non EU / EEA drivers from yes countries, an International Driving Permit along your house licence. Check this ahead, when you consider that you should not receive an IDP whenever you are already in Greece.
3. A credit score card in the predominant motive force’s identify with ample obtainable restriction to conceal the deposit or extra block.
4. Passport or national ID card for identity.

Where americans get caught is with the card. Many Corfu airport auto condo desks do no longer be given debit playing cards for the protection deposit, most effective for price. Others settle for them however simply with pricey further insurance plan. Prepaid playing cards are more often than not refused outright.

If your confirmation does now not without a doubt state that debit cards are favourite for the deposit, think you desire a ordinary credit card with embossed call and numbers. Also be sure the card limit is excessive ample. I watched a couple from Germany grew to become away because their modest decrease couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the extra plus their motel’s pre authorisation.

Print or store your affirmation electronic mail as a PDF, which includes the voucher whenever you booked due to a broking service. Mobile net at Corfu airport is aas a rule first-class, but a lifeless battery or roaming hindrance ought to not stand between you and your car.

7. Chasing “no deposit” can provide with no examining the small print

The word “Corfu airport automobile rental no deposit” is attractive, chiefly for those who dislike the suggestion of countless numbers of euros blocked for your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit options do exist, however the satan sits within the aspect.

Usually, whilst a friends advertises no deposit, it potential one in all two matters. Either they've got constructed the probability into a greater day after day expense with necessary full assurance, or they will nonetheless dangle a smaller amount as a gas or traffic superb warranty. Sometimes both.

There is nothing fallacious with paying a bit greater for the peace of mind that comes from no longer having 1,000 euros frozen on your card. Just take note what you might be acquiring. Check:

The unique amount they are going to hold for your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit be offering is tied to a particular assurance equipment. How they manage minor ruin, inclusive of small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a primary equipment from one more friends that uses a deposit yet can provide shrink fees. Over every week’s vacation, the overall check can swing either manner. The worst mistake is to e book on the energy of “no deposit” by myself after which stumble on a long list of exclusions and further prices while you achieve the desk.

8. Skipping the inspection and snapshot hobbies at pickup

You are worn-out, the queue has been slow, and the sea coast is asking. The agent factors to the automobile, you signal the form, throw your baggage within the boot and drive off. That 5 minute shortcut can rate dearly if there's current break that not at all made it onto the record.

At Corfu airport, the place dozens of cars rotate between renters each and every week in summer, small bumps and scrapes are pursuits. Most firms are trustworthy approximately this and mark the entirety they recognise. Some usually are not thorough, fairly at peak occasions.

Treat your inspection as part of the condo, no longer a nuisance. Walk round the auto, check each panel, the wheels, and the front and rear bumpers primarily. Pay consciousness to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap break. Chips or cracks inside the windscreen. Any break at the roof when you are tall satisfactory or can see from an perspective.

Photograph every thing, even matters which can be already marked. Capture the automobile from each and every nook, the odometer reading, and the fuel gauge. Time stamped images for your cell create a record it's challenging to argue with later.

Encourage the workforce member so as to add any lacking marks to the kind ahead of you signal. If they appear reluctant, reside polite however corporation. A little while here is really worth some distance greater than an irritated electronic mail substitute after you come home.

9. Forgetting to plot parking and entry at your accommodation

Corfu airport vehicle rental is the effortless piece. The tougher aspect, fairly in top season, is residing with the auto if you reach your accommodation.

Many historical villages and a few constituents of Corfu Town have very confined parking. Some beachfront hotels have inner most a lot, others count utterly on public areas that fill up easily in July and August. Steep private driveways are popular for villas, in certain cases with awkward angles and free gravel.

Before you e book, ask your accommodation approximately parking in designated, simple terms. Do no longer accept “parking accessible”. Ask even if it is personal or public, what number of spaces they've got, how tight the get right of entry to is, and no matter if greater autos in good shape comfortably.

This deserve to affect no longer in basic terms your collection of rental automobile dimension, as mentioned previously, but additionally no matter if you even desire a motor vehicle to your accomplished remain. For illustration, if you are spending 3 nights in Corfu Town and then per week in a north coast village, you could possibly do more advantageous to spend the 1st component strolling and taxis, then prepare a Corfu airport car or truck apartment starting at the day you go away city.

Thinking in segments like this would keep money, parking headaches and the stress of threading a car via the the town’s one manner system whilst you are nonetheless jet lagged.

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

I even have lost count number of what percentage disputes jump at drop off seeing that the renter is hurrying to capture a flight. When you're dashing, you disregard gasoline, you park in which you should not imagined to, otherwise you give up keys with out checking the very last bureaucracy.

Give your self a right buffer for return. If your flight is at thirteen:00, do no longer plan to roll into the automobile park at eleven:forty five, above all whenever you rented off website and need a go back and forth trip returned to the terminal.

At go back, goal to:

1. Refill the tank at a station as regards to the airport for those who are on a complete to full policy. Keep the receipt. There are various petrol stations within a brief pressure, but a few is also busy.
2. Remove all personal presents from the automobile, such as door pockets and less than seats.
3. Walk around the vehicle with the agent the place conceivable and ask them to be sure in writing that the auto is returned with out a new hurt and with a full tank if suited.
4. Take remaining photos, which include the gas gauge and odometer.

If that you have to use a key drop box considering the fact that you are returning external workplace hours, photos and a quickly video walkaround change into even more significant. Corfu airport hire a car or truck suppliers often handle these returns relatively, however a transparent visible record protects you in case a brand new dent appears to be like on the inspection sheet later.

A rapid pre booking checklist

Used properly, a automotive turns Corfu into a flexible, straight forward island to explore. Used badly, it turns into a thread of anxiety going for walks simply by your holiday. Before you commit to any airport automobile employ Corfu deal, run thru this quick list.

1. Verify if the employer is on airport or off web site with a travel, and how that impacts your timings.
2. Read fresh stories certainly for the Corfu airport branch, not just the manufacturer.
3. Compare total fee, inclusive of insurance coverage, gasoline policy and any mileage limits, no longer simply the base day-to-day price.
4. Check parking and entry at your lodging and decide upon motor vehicle dimension consequently.
5. Confirm what playing cards and documents you want and no matter if any “no deposit” offer has restrictive circumstances.

Handled with this level of cognizance, Corfu airport apartment cars experience less like a raffle and more like a smartly controlled tool for your go back and forth.

Final ideas from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend 30 minutes in the arrivals hall on a busy afternoon, one could virtually expect who will breeze by means of and who will grow to be annoyed. The ones with revealed confirmations, clear selections on coverage and practical expectancies approximately the auto and the island tend to leave smiling. The ones who booked on expense on my own and did not learn a be aware of the terms are those arguing on the desk.

Corfu automobile condominium does now not must be troublesome. It is conveniently a count number of matching the actuality on the flooring with your possess tolerance for risk, funds and driving trust. Look beyond headline rates, remember how insurance and deposits paintings, come to a decision the suitable size of automobile for Corfu’s roads, and supply your self time at both pickup and return.

Do that, and your employ a motor vehicle at Corfu airport turns into what it need to be: an clean gateway to mountain villages, quiet shores and overdue dinners in small tavernas, in your very own clock as opposed to everyone else’s.