Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking

Corfu Airport Auto Rental: 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking


Corfu rewards the vacationer who can circulate on their very own time table. The island appears small on a map but after you get off the most roads, distances suppose longer, buses thin out, and taxis upload up in a timely fashion. That is why so many travellers elect up a motor vehicle the instant they land at Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias.

I have rented autos at Corfu airport for work and vacation trips, in high season and in past due October drizzle. The sample is perpetually the same. The individuals who did a few homework are on the street in 20 minutes. The ones who rushed the booking stand in queues, argue over coverage at the desk and observe surprise prices on their card a week later.

If you need a glossy Corfu airport auto rental event, the fine lesson is to comprehend where others pass fallacious. The following ten blunders are those I see mainly at Corfu airport, together with what to do in its place.

1. Assuming “airport vehicle condo” continuously means on-site

Many visitors lookup “Corfu airport motor vehicle condo” or “rent car or truck Corfu airport” and think each consequence is throughout the terminal. It seriously is not that realistic.

At Corfu, a few manufacturers have desks within the arrivals hall and their vehicles in the airport parking simply throughout the road. Others perform “meet and greet” or shuttle offerings. You exit arrivals, look for somebody preserving a small sign, and trip a minibus to an off website lot a couple of minutes away.

That is not very always negative. Off web page establishments may be more cost effective and more bendy on matters which includes mileage or added drivers. The downside appears to be like after you be expecting to walk for your car in five minutes and in its place lose 40 minutes tracking down a shuttle in 30 degree warm after a three hour flight from London.

If you choose a simply on website Corfu airport appoint a car or truck selection, examine fastidiously. Look for clear wording such as “desk interior terminal” or “on airport”. If the confirmation mentions a shuttle, assembly point or “administrative center four hundred m from terminal”, build that into your timings. It concerns on arrival, and it clearly concerns if in case you have an early morning departure and want to drop the car and still investigate in on time.

2. Booking in simple terms on price and ignoring the assurance structure

I still see workers brag that they came upon the “most efficient automobile rental Corfu airport” for 12 euros an afternoon in August. That base payment is incomprehensible devoid of information the assurance.

In Greece, typical coverage ordinarily consists of third birthday party liability and some sort of collision hurt waiver (CDW) with a high extra. I even have noticed excesses from seven-hundred to one,800 euros for an financial system motor vehicle. If there is damage, you pay as much as that quantity until you will have further canopy.

The widely used errors are two. First, workers skip any further cowl and cross their hands, then spend their excursion demanding approximately narrow streets in Corfu Town. Second, they buy an “excess refund” policy from a broking website and do now not fully grasp that the condominium brand will still block the overall extra on their card at choice.

A realistic mindset at Corfu airport automotive apartment counters is to make a decision ahead how you wish to address hazard. Some travelers are relaxed with a sizable deposit because they have got a amazing credit card and revel in with condo claims. Others sleep superior with a “0 excess” kit that expenses extra consistent with day however shrinks the security block and economic publicity.

Read the insurance area beforehand you click on “Book”. cheap deals car hire Corfu Compare the fee of including complete duvet from the apartment corporation with a standalone excess policy from a credible insurer. There is no unmarried perfect answer, yet running up to the desk with out a plan is the quickest direction to stress and expensive upsells.

three. Not checking gas coverage and mileage ahead of confirming

Corfu airport condominium automobiles essentially forever use the same couple of gasoline guidelines. The problem is they appearance comparable at a look, but rate very varied amounts over every week.

“Full to complete” skill you go with up the automobile with a complete tank, return it complete, and simplest pay for what you use. This is probably the fairest possibility, incredibly should you plan to force around the island.

“Pre acquire” or “complete to empty” manner you pay for a tank of gas at selection and may go back it on fumes. It sounds easy however not often works in your favour until you will virtually use most of the tank and the business enterprise rates gasoline at practically pump rates plus a small price. Many do now not.

Mileage is some other quiet seize. Most Corfu automobile rental organisations offer limitless kilometres, which is ideal for exploring Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, the south coast and inland villages devoid of inquisitive about distance. A few low charge delivers disguise a according to kilometre payment above a modest day after day prohibit.

If your affirmation electronic mail is vague or uses phrases you do not understand, e-mail or message the supplier and ask for clarity. You need written affirmation of the two fuel coverage and mileage. Verbal reasons at a hectic airport desk are straight forward to misunderstand and lots more and plenty tougher to dispute later.

4. Overlooking driving realities on Corfu whilst making a choice on motor vehicle size

Looking at shiny footage, it is tempting to upgrade to a larger motor vehicle. More space for luggage, more effective air conditioning, perchance even an automatic for consolation. On Corfu, the larger the car, the extra you want to you have got where you intend to power.

The street from the airport into Corfu Town is vast enough, but as soon as you wander into older districts, roads slim to one lane with stone partitions on equally aspects and tight corners around homes. Some coastal villages and hilltop settlements are even tighter, with parking that barely fits a compact hatchback.

If you're staying at a resort on the major east coast road, a larger automotive may not be a subject. If your villa is up a steep lane within the north of the island, a small to medium vehicle with good vigor and really good turning circle is a miles more suitable desire than a cumbersome SUV. I actually have watched folks spend 15 mins maneuvering a extensive car or truck out of a lane that was naturally designed for scooters and donkeys.

For so much traffic, the candy spot for Corfu airport automobile apartment is a small or compact car or truck, manual or automatic relying on your remedy. Enough boot house for baggage, but small ample to slide into tight parking spaces and meet oncoming site visitors with room to breathe.

five. Ignoring experiences of distinctive Corfu airport branches

Many guests do a rapid look at various of the emblem identify and discontinue there. They see a extensive international business enterprise they comprehend from dwelling, count on a ordinary sense, and reserve. In perform, branch nice can range generally.

Search notably for the visitors identify plus “Corfu airport” and study the fresh comments for that situation. Patterns count extra than distinct complaints. If one human being mentions an extended wait time, that will simply be a busy Saturday in August. If 20 other people across 3 months file competitive destroy claims or unexplained rates, pay consciousness.

This tips applies both to regional providers. Some small Corfu employ a car or truck businesses close to the airport are impressive, with pleasant carrier and bendy policies. Others minimize corners or have faith in technicalities to enhance earnings. Reviews always make the distinction clear.

A 15 euro big difference on per week’s apartment is absolutely not well worth an uncongenial argument over “pre existing” scratches you had been not at all allowed time to record.

6. Not making ready your files and card correctly

One of the dullest disorders, yet I nevertheless watch it unfold in line on the airport each summer time. The documents for hiring a motor vehicle in Greece is simple, however there are a number of very good important points.

You mostly want:

A valid driving licence which you have held for a minimum of three hundred and sixty five days, in some cases two, relying on the organization and auto team. For non EU / EEA drivers from positive international locations, an International Driving Permit along your own home licence. Check this earlier, for the reason that you can't obtain an IDP when you are already in Greece. A credit score card inside the foremost driving force’s title with ample readily available decrease to disguise the deposit or excess block. Passport or countrywide ID card for identification.

Where of us get caught is with the card. Many Corfu airport car condo desks do not take delivery of debit playing cards for the protection deposit, most effective for cost. Others receive them however simply with pricey additional assurance. Prepaid cards are repeatedly refused outright.

If your confirmation does not in actual fact state that debit cards are authorised for the deposit, expect you desire a widely used credits card with embossed title and numbers. Also confirm the card decrease is high satisfactory. I watched a couple from Germany grew to become away considering their modest reduce couldn't accommodate a 1,500 euro block for the excess plus their motel’s pre authorisation.

Print or store your affirmation e mail as a PDF, consisting of the voucher whenever you booked as a result of a broking. Mobile web at Corfu airport is mostly best, yet a lifeless battery or roaming quandary need to not stand between you and your car or truck.

7. Chasing “no deposit” deals devoid of examining the small print

The phrase “Corfu airport automotive condominium no deposit” is wonderful, relatively if you happen to dislike the notion of lots of of euros blocked on your card. Genuine low deposit or no deposit selections do exist, however the devil sits in the aspect.

Usually, whilst a provider advertises no deposit, it approach one in every of two matters. Either they have got constructed the threat into a upper daily expense with obligatory complete assurance, or they may nevertheless grasp a smaller amount as a gasoline or site visitors exceptional ensure. Sometimes either.

There is not anything unsuitable with paying just a little extra for the peace of intellect that comes from not having 1,000 euros frozen to your card. Just be mindful what you're acquiring. Check:

The correct quantity they can cling for your card, if any.

Whether the no deposit offer is tied to a selected assurance package deal. How they maintain minor wreck, reminiscent of small scratches or chips.

Compare this to a overall package from another provider that makes use of a deposit however presents lower rates. Over a week’s excursion, the overall price can swing either manner. The worst mistake is to e-book at the strength of “no deposit” alone and then observe an extended list of exclusions and additional expenditures in the event you succeed in the table.

eight. Skipping the inspection and snapshot ordinary at pickup

You are tired, the queue has been sluggish, and the beach is asking. The agent facets to the auto, you sign the shape, throw your bags in the boot and power off. That five minute shortcut can charge dearly if there may be latest wreck that never made it onto the report.

At Corfu airport, where dozens of autos rotate between renters every week in summer time, small bumps and scrapes are movements. Most businesses are truthful approximately this and mark every thing they recognize. Some usually are not thorough, mainly at height times.

Treat your inspection as portion of the rental, no longer a nuisance. Walk around the car, look at various every panel, the wheels, and the entrance and rear bumpers notably. Pay recognition to:

Small scratches and dents.

Alloy wheel scuffs and hubcap hurt. Chips or cracks inside the windscreen. Any ruin on the roof when you are tall sufficient or can see from an angle.

Photograph all the pieces, even disorders which might be already marked. Capture the car from every single corner, the odometer analyzing, and the gasoline gauge. Time stamped photographs for your cell create a listing this is rough to argue with later.

Encourage the personnel member so as to add any missing marks to the variety previously you sign. If they appear reluctant, reside well mannered however organization. A short while here is really worth a long way greater than an angry e mail change after you return domestic.

9. Forgetting to plot parking and get admission to at your accommodation

Corfu airport automobile condominium is the trouble-free piece. The more durable side, primarily in top season, is residing with the automobile when you achieve your accommodation.

Many ancient villages and a few parts of Corfu Town have very confined parking. Some beachfront motels have personal rather a lot, others count solely on public areas that stock up briefly in July and August. Steep private driveways are prevalent for villas, at times with awkward angles and loose gravel.

Before you book, ask your lodging about parking in definite, purposeful phrases. Do now not settle for “parking readily available”. Ask whether or not it's miles individual or public, what percentage spaces they have, how tight the get admission to is, and whether large vehicles fit readily.

This may still outcomes not only your collection of rental auto length, as recounted past, however also whether you even want a auto for your whole dwell. For example, should you are spending 3 nights in Corfu Town and then a week in a north coast village, you may also do better to spend the first component walking and taxis, then set up a Corfu airport car or truck condo opening at the day you go away the town.

Thinking in segments like this would retailer dollars, parking complications and the tension of threading a automobile because of the town’s one way formula after you are nonetheless jet lagged.

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

I actually have misplaced rely of what number disputes start off at drop off considering the fact that the renter is hurrying to seize a flight. When you are rushing, you forget about gas, you park in which you should not purported to, otherwise you quit keys with out checking the last office work.

Give yourself a proper buffer for go back. If your flight is at thirteen:00, do now not plan to roll into the car park at eleven:forty five, peculiarly should you rented off web page and want a travel journey back to the terminal.

At return, objective to:

Refill the tank at a station on the subject of the airport should you are on a complete to full coverage. Keep the receipt. There are a number of petrol stations inside a quick force, however a few can be busy. Remove all non-public gifts from the car, inclusive of door wallet and less than seats. Walk around the car with the agent where you can and ask them to make sure in writing that the auto is returned with out new wreck and with a full tank if suitable. Take very last pix, including the gasoline gauge and odometer.

If the need arises use a key drop box considering the fact that you are returning outside place of job hours, images and a instant video walkaround emerge as even greater main. Corfu airport lease a motor vehicle suppliers veritably deal with these returns extraordinarily, but a clear visible document protects you in case a new dent appears on the inspection sheet later.

A speedy pre reserving checklist

Used neatly, a automobile turns Corfu right into a flexible, convenient island to explore. Used badly, it turns into a thread of anxiety operating using your break. Before you decide to any airport car or truck appoint Corfu deal, run by way of this brief listing.

Verify if the guests is on airport or off web page with a trip, and the way that affects your timings. Read latest opinions namely for the Corfu airport branch, now not simply the manufacturer. Compare entire can charge, together with insurance, gas policy and any mileage limits, not just the bottom day to day rate. Check parking and get right of entry to at your accommodation and pick out car length consequently. Confirm what playing cards and information you want and whether any “no deposit” provide has restrictive stipulations.

Handled with this degree of interest, Corfu airport condominium autos suppose much less like of venture and greater like a well managed tool on your day out.

Final ideas from the queue at Corfu airport

If you spend half-hour inside the arrivals corridor on a hectic afternoon, you would close to predict who will breeze simply by and who will find yourself annoyed. The ones with printed confirmations, transparent selections on coverage and simple expectancies about the automobile and the island generally tend to go away smiling. The ones who booked on fee by myself and did now not examine a notice of the terms are the ones arguing on the desk.

Corfu motor vehicle rental does no longer ought to be tough. It is in basic terms a be counted of matching the truth on the flooring with your very own tolerance for danger, price range and driving confidence. Look beyond headline prices, corfu airport car rental deals consider how insurance coverage and deposits paintings, settle on the properly length of motor vehicle for Corfu’s roads, and provide your self time at the two pickup and return.

Do that, and your appoint a vehicle at Corfu airport turns into what it need to be: an mild gateway to mountain villages, quiet shorelines and overdue dinners in small tavernas, to your very own clock rather than every body else’s.


Report Page