Car Hire in Corfu

Corfu is an island of contrasts, where Venetian architecture sits alongside olive groves, all complemented by beautiful beaches. Many of the island's beauties are difficult to appreciate relying solely on public transport or tours. With car rental in Corfu, you'll visit wild beaches, small villages, and scenic viewpoints.

Traveling by car here isn't just convenient—it's an opportunity to immerse yourself deeper in local color. You can plan your day to swim in the Ionian Sea, taste olive oil at a family mill, and return to town before sunset—without rushing, rigid schedules, or high taxi fares.

Where to Rent a Car in Corfu

Car rental in Corfu is popular among tourists, however dozens of local companies offer different terms, prices, and models. Comparing them manually is time-consuming and inconvenient.

The Localrent service simplifies this task by combining offers from verified rental companies, allowing you to choose a suitable vehicle without unnecessary difficulties. Here are Localrent's main advantages:

1. Transparent pricing without hidden fees — the final amount is known upfront, including insurance and taxes.
2. Large selection of new cars — the fleet predominantly features vehicles no older than 5 years.
3. Convenient filters — search can be customized by price, transmission type, engine size, year of manufacture, or other parameters.
4. Basic insurance included in the price for every car, with most vehicles featuring extended insurance in the package.
5. No mileage restrictions — most rental companies don't limit kilometers, convenient for long trips.

Localrent saves time and reduces risks: instead of studying dozens of websites, you get access to verified options with transparent conditions.

Requirements for Car Rental in Corfu

To arrange rental, you'll need a standard document package:

• Passport
• Valid driver's license

Minimum age and experience requirements are 21+ years with 1+ year of driving experience, but vehicle selection for such conditions is limited. Optimal vehicle selection is available for drivers 23+ years with 3+ years driving experience.

Specific conditions are listed in each vehicle card—check them before booking. For convenience, select the main driver's age and experience in filters to see only suitable options.

Car hire prices in Corfu

The average cost of a one-day car rental. The number is calculated based on the bookings of the previous three years. It takes into account the rental of cars across all classes.

The demand for car rental services in Corfu

The occupancy rate of the car rental fleets by month. For example, most cars are being rented in August, which means that this month has the smallest amount of available vehicles. The higher the percentage of the car fleet workload, the earlier it is worth booking a car to choosing the best option at the best price.

Driving Specifics in Corfu: Essential Traffic Navigation

Peak Traffic Patterns and Road Conditions

Understanding Corfu's traffic dynamics is crucial for optimal navigation. Key congestion insights:

Peak traffic periods:

• Morning rush: 8:00 am to 9:30 am (especially around Corfu Town and main beach routes)
• Evening congestion: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm (intensified during summer tourist season)
• Weekend beach traffic: Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings during peak season

Road network characteristics:

• No toll roads and no vignette requirement
• Main coastal roads generally well-maintained

• Secondary mountain and village roads often narrow with limited visibility

• Overtaking frequently challenging or impossible due to winding routes
• Secondary road surfaces sometimes uneven

Driving Adaptation Strategies

Getting used to driving in Corfu is relatively simple. The primary rule: don't exceed speed limits and prepare for oncoming traffic.

Essential navigation tips:

• Roads become increasingly narrow when departing main tourist routes toward the island's interior or mountains
• Reduce speed before each blind corner and anticipate oncoming traffic
• Local drivers know roads intimately—don't feel pressured to match their pace
• Dense vegetation often conceals road signs, especially at intersections or before sharp turns

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Corfu follows standard Greek traffic rules:

• Right-hand traffic
• Speed limits: 50 km/h in populated areas, 90 km/h outside
• Roundabout priority: Usually goes to vehicles already circulating, unless signs indicate otherwise
• Headlight usage: Required only during poor visibility conditions—heavy rain, fog, or snow

Critical safety reminder: Never drive in flip-flops! This isn't just a rule but a safety issue—your foot can slip off the pedal.

Distance and Travel Time Planning

Don't be intimidated by distances—the island is compact. Examples of typical travel times:

• Corfu Town to famous Paleokastritsa or Sidari beaches: 30-40 minutes
• Complete east-to-west island crossing: approximately 2 hours

Parking in Corfu: Practical Guidance

Corfu typically presents no parking challenges:

Free Parking Zones

Island-wide availability: Most locations throughout the island, including Corfu Town streets, offer free roadside parking. Key considerations:

• Always check signs and markings carefully
• If no prohibiting signs or yellow curb lines exist, parking is generally permitted
• Yellow markings prohibit parking — guaranteed fine or towing risk

Paid Parking Areas

Limited paid zones: Primarily in central Corfu Town and near some popular beaches and attractions

• Easily identified by barriers or payment machines
• Prices vary but reasonable
• Finding spaces usually straightforward except in central areas during peak season

Corfu Town specifics: At least 10 major paid parking zones with reasonable rates

Outside the city and in other island areas, free spaces are abundant and easier to locate

Old Town Navigation Strategy

Pedestrian exploration recommended: Narrow, often pedestrian-only streets aren't designed for vehicles

• Park at one of the peripheral parking areas outside the old section
• Enjoy walking without traffic congestion and parking searches in the maze of streets

Gas Stations in Corfu: Service and Operations

Network coverage: No fuel shortage issues—stations appear frequently throughout the island Operating hours: Most operate from early morning to late evening (7:00-8:00 am to 9:00-10:00 pm), with some major stations providing 24-hour service

Full-service common: Station attendants often approach to provide fuel service Important fuel selection: Be specific about fuel type—attendants may suggest premium 98 octane when standard 95 octane suits most rental cars; for diesel vehicles, ensure "Diesel" is specified Payment flexibility: Both cash and card payments typically accepted

Cost management tip: Clearly state your required fuel type, specifying octane number (95 or 98) or "diesel" to avoid unnecessary premium fuel charges.

How to Book Your Corfu Car Rental

Online booking for your Corfu adventure is simple and reliable through Localrent:

1. Specify rental dates — If returning to a different location, indicate this. Use convenient filters to customize your search: transmission type, brand, year, and other parameters to see only suitable options.
2. Review available offers — Consider Corfu's characteristics: compact hatchbacks work excellently for narrow village streets and easy parking. For active mountain road exploration, consider models with more powerful engines like crossovers.
3. Examine vehicle details — Opening your preferred car's card reveals comprehensive information: detailed technical specifications, included insurance type, driver requirements, total rental cost, and payment methods. Add additional options like child seats or additional drivers here.
4. Complete booking form — Specify pickup/return location and time, main driver details, and contact information. Verify passport and license validity covers the entire rental period.
5. Confirm with advance payment — Pay online deposit (typically 15-20% of total rental cost). Receive immediate email voucher—save this document containing all order details and rental company contacts.
6. Vehicle inspection at pickup — Meet rental company representative and conduct thorough vehicle inspection. Check body for scratches, dents, or chips; examine wheels including rims, interior, and trunk. Document all damage in the handover report and photograph for your records.

Verify fuel tank level—return with the same level. After contract signing and final payment, receive keys.

What to See in Corfu with Your Rental Car

Car travel through Corfu offers the best way to see its diversity. The northeast coast between Dassia and Kassiopi is particularly scenic—turquoise bays surrounded by olive groves, with roads winding between island villages and Albanian coastline views.

Essential Destinations

1. Paleokastritsa — Resort featuring sapphire-colored bay waters and the preserved 15th-century Monastery of the Virgin Mary Life-Giving Spring perched on cliffs. Drive to Metal Cross Vantage Point and Paleokastritsa viewpoints, parking near the monastery. Observation points offer panoramic western coastline views. Resort beach parking is paid but convenient.
2. Mount Pantokrator — Island's highest point (906m) with serpentine but paved road access. Summit features an old monastery and views across Greece to the mainland. Optimal timing: Early morning before fog thickens.
3. Perithia Village — Once-abandoned Venetian village at Pantokrator's base now welcomes tourists. Stroll stone streets and sample lamb at tavernas. Convenient parking available at village entrance.
4. Villages: Pelekis, Skarperó, Agios Matthaios — Turn located just 5km from airport. Pelekis famous for sunset views from Kaiser's Throne viewpoint, Skarperó for ceramic workshops, Agios Matthaios for 9th-century Byzantine church.
5. Achilleion — Empress Sisi's palace with gardens and statues. Preserved frescoes depicting Achilles' life scenes and owner's personal belongings. Large but paid parking available.

Your rental car reveals a Corfu unknown to package tourists. Confidently turn onto secondary roads—nearly all are paved on Corfu. Stop at village oil mills and scenic viewpoints to create your perfect journey.

Vehicle Pickup Locations in Corfu

Corfu Airport — Most convenient and common pickup location. Post-arrival meeting options:

• Rental desk in arrivals area
• Terminal parking lot
• Free shuttle to nearby office if vehicle waits there

Your voucher includes manager contacts with detailed pickup location instructions.

Expert Tips for Corfu Car Rental

Driving in Corfu isn't difficult—it's a tourist island where car rental is widespread. Here are recommendations to simplify your adaptation to local conditions.

Speed and Narrow Road Management

Mountain and coastal driving: Don't rush, especially in mountains, villages, and coastal serpentines. Roads feature narrow sections with sharp turns and limited visibility. Reduce speed before each blind corner and prepare for oncoming traffic, including locals who know roads intimately.

Unexpected Obstacles and Hidden Signs

Rural and coastal road hazards: Prepare for sudden appearances of goats, cats, or even turtles. Additionally, Corfu's lush vegetation often conceals road signs, especially at intersections or before sharp turns. When in doubt: Reduce speed proactively.

Beach Parking Strategy

Summer peak season challenges: Popular beaches in Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Glyfada, and others fill parking spaces very quickly Optimal timing: Arrive before 10:00 am Alternative strategy: Prepare for uphill parking and walking down to sea—bring comfortable shoes!

Safety Equipment Requirements

Reflective vests mandatory: Greek regulations require reflective vests for all passengers. For nighttime or poor visibility roadside stops, vests must be worn before exiting vehicle. Verify presence during car pickup. On Corfu's narrow roads without shoulders and poor lighting, other drivers simply won't see you without proper visibility gear.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Corfu