Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Corfu

EU, UK, Australian, and US driving licences are accepted without any additional permit. If your licence was issued in a country that uses a non-Latin script - for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic - you should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original. IDPs are inexpensive and issued by motoring associations in your home country. Your passport is also required at pickup for identity verification.

Third-party liability insurance is included as standard in every rental - this is a legal requirement in Greece. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP) are also included, though a standard excess may apply. For full peace of mind, you can add a zero-excess package at checkout that removes your financial liability for damage, glass, tyres, and the underbody. We recommend reviewing which cover level suits your trip before confirming your Corfu car hire booking.

Parking fines are the responsibility of the driver, not the rental company. If a fine is issued and not paid during the rental period, the cost may be charged to the payment card on file after the vehicle is returned. To avoid this, use designated blue-zone paid parking in Corfu Town, which is managed via ticketing machines or the mobile app. The area around Spianada Square and the Old Town has strict enforcement during peak season.

Bring three things to the pickup desk: your valid driving licence (held for at least one year), a passport or national ID card, and your booking confirmation voucher. Payment is handled by the card used at booking. Drivers who require a young driver add-on should note that a small additional daily fee may apply if the primary driver is aged 21-24. There is no requirement to bring a credit card if you booked with a debit card.

Absolutely. The public bus network covers the main resorts but misses most of the island's finest spots. With your own car you can reach Cape Drastis before the crowds, stop at the Byzantine castle of Angelokastro at sunset, discover hidden coves near Agios Gordios, and drive the breathtaking cliff road above Paleokastritsa on your own schedule. Taxis are expensive for multi-stop days and require advance booking in peak season. A rental car pays for itself within the first full day of exploring.

Corfu Town has a blue-zone paid parking system in most streets around the centre. Meters and pay-and-display machines are widely available. The large car park near the New Port and the area south of the Spianada are your most practical options for day visits. The Old Town's narrow lanes are largely pedestrianised, so plan to park on the perimeter and walk in. In summer, arrive before 09:00 to find a space close to the centre. Overnight street parking outside the main tourist belt is generally free.

Greece applies standard EU speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on regional roads, and 130 km/h on motorways (there are no motorways on Corfu itself). On the island's narrow mountain and coastal roads, local signage often reduces the limit to 30 or 40 km/h - these signs should be taken seriously given the tight bends and occasional oncoming vehicles. Speed cameras are present on the main road between the airport and Corfu Town.

Inter-island or mainland travel with the rental vehicle requires prior written permission and is not included as standard. Short crossings from Corfu to the Albanian coast (Saranda) or to Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland may be permitted on request for longer rental periods. Contact us before your trip if you are planning a multi-destination itinerary. Taking the vehicle on an unauthorised ferry crossing typically voids insurance coverage.

The island rewards exploration in every direction. The classic western loop takes you from Corfu Town through Pelekas, up to the Bella Vista terrace above Paleokastritsa, on to Angelokastro, and back via Agios Georgios - allow a full day. For the north, drive through Acharavi to Roda and then east to Kassiopi for a panoramic clifftop lunch. The south is quieter: Benitses, the Achilleion Palace, Moraitika, and eventually the wild dunes of Issos Beach near the Korission lagoon. All of these loops are between 60 and 130 km round-trip - perfect with unlimited mileage included.