Driving In Corfu: Should You Rent A Car In Corfu? (2024)
Are you planning to rent a car in Corfu and wonder what is driving in Corfu like? You came to the right place!
I rented a car in Corfu and spent a week exploring the island. I drove all around the island, from the north to the south and through the mountains in central Corfu.
Corfu is quite a large and mountainous island, with many small villages and natural landmarks to visit, so the best way to get around is by car.
However, driving around Corfu is not as effortless as it might look on the map! Most Corfu roads are narrow, winding, and uphill, making it a struggle to get around.
Let’s get started with my best driving in Corfu tips!
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Do You Need A Car In Corfu?
No, you don’t necessarily need a car in Corfu. However, driving is the best way to get around and ensure you effortlessly visit every spot on your itinerary.
If you’re coming for a beach holiday and don’t plan to venture far from the town you’re staying at, you don’t need a car.
I suggest renting a car if you’re an adventure traveler like me who wants to go on many day trips around Corfu.
Also, if your accommodation in Corfu is far from everything, it will be very useful.
You can still visit Corfu without a car, but public transport in Corfu is not fantastic.
It is particularly challenging if you want to see multiple attractions on the same day.
Most buses depart from Corfu Town, so you’d have to get there first and then to your final destination, making it unnecessarily complicated and long.
Having a car allows you to get around at your own pace and visit several attractions on the same day.
Also, it can be cheaper when split among travelers!
🚗 Check the price of rental cars in Corfu here!
What Is It Like Driving In Corfu?
Now, I recommend renting a car in Corfu, but you need to be aware that driving in Corfu is not like driving in your home town.
Unless your hometown is a village on the top of the mountain and the only road to get there was built 70 years ago and never renovated.
When you look at Corfu on the map, you probably can’t imagine what it is like to drive in Corfu.
I certainly didn’t know what I was getting myself into!
But there is a silver lining! The mountain roads in Corfu provide the most breathtaking views.
Every drive in Corfu is a scenic drive, with lush green hills on one side and a vibrant blue sea on the other.
Road conditions in Corfu
I’ll preface this by saying that SOME roads in Corfu are fantastic!
This is particularly true for the road along the eastern coastline, connecting Corfu Town to neighboring towns. Apart from one too many traffic lights, no complaints there!
However, some roads Google Maps will suggest should only be accessible by an off-road vehicle!
I rented a mini car, the cheapest car they had – a Fiat Panda. That car was not made for the mountain roads of Corfu.
Honestly, I was surprised I brought it back in one piece, and I’m a fairly good driver with more than 10 years of driving experience!
So what was the problem?
Roads in central Corfu and along the northwestern coastline are extremely uphill and narrow. Some are in very bad condition, with endless potholes.
For example, the road leading from the village of Chlomos was insane. The incline felt like 75%, and I was driving over roots emerging from the crumbling street.
It doesn’t mean that driving in Corfu is not safe, it’s just that you have to be focused on the road.
I also rented a car in Naxos, another Greek island, and local roads were in much better condition.
Not convinced by driving conditions, see how to visit Corfu without a car!
Road signs and navigation
Most road signs in Corfu are in Greek and English. That is a good thing because you’ll want to follow them when driving.
I know we are all used to blindly following Google Maps at this point, but the roads Google Maps sometimes suggests in Corfu are not roads!
Sure, it is shorter to take that 2 km road over a 5 km road, but the “shortcut” is usually a dirt road leading through someone’s backyard.
That is why I highly recommend following the road signs to your destination.
As you can see, I’m very passionate about the roads in Corfu, as I listened to Google Maps and almost ended up blocked between the village houses.
Theoretically, you can also buy a paper map, but I’m not sure anyone younger than 30 remembers what it is like to drive following a map.
You’ll still end up on questionable roads because most roads outside Corfu Town are questionable.
There is just one path to Old Perithea and it is not a comfortable ride. Also, driving from Ag. Georgios Armenadon to Porto Timoni was an uphill battle.
I already told you about Chlomos, but that road made me want to leave the car on the side of the road – but it would have probably rolled downhill if I had done that!
🛥️ If you get tired of driving around Corfu, there are many boat trips in Corfu you can take to stay away from the roads for a day!
Gas stations in Corfu
You’ll find many gas stations around Corfu, so you don’t have to worry about that. I’d say there’s one along every main road and close to every tourist attraction.
Parking In Corfu
An unexpected expense you’ll have when renting a car is all the parking fees you’ll have to pay.
I visited Corfu in May and was surprised to see that all paid parking lots near tourist attractions are already up and running.
Also, all free parking options were always busy, and it was not peak season yet!
So, every tourist attraction, like Porto Timoni and Paleokastritsa, has paid parking near the entrance. You can see them on Google Maps – it’s written “Paid parking”.
These usually cost around 5€ ($5.50 US) per day.
Corfu is not expensive, but these fees can quickly add up if you’re not spending an entire day in one place!
At the same time, most places also have a free parking lot within 2km. You can locate these on Google Maps.
You’ll also see many people leaving their cars on the side of the road. This is obviously not allowed, but nobody seems to care.
Parking in Corfu Old Town is similar. There are large paid parking lots where you pay per day or you can pay per hour on the street parking.
Many locals just park the car on the side of the road, but I wouldn’t risk it because you’re not sure if you’ll find it where you left it.
Hiring a car in Corfu
What Do You Need To Rent A Car In Corfu?
Renting a car in Corfu is fairly straightforward.
I booked my car on Discover Cars and went to the agency to pick it up – they can also pick you up from Corfu airport.
I picked a car from Yours Rental agency, the reviews were good and the price was affordable. I had a great experience at the agency, and they also gave me a lift to the airport after returning the car.
You’ll need an EU driver’s license or an international driver’s license for the B category.
Your driving license must have been issued by authorized authorities at least 1 year before!
Most rental agencies impose a minimum rental age of 21 and charge young driver fees if you’re under 25.
To pick up a car, you’ll have to pay a security deposit with your credit or debit card. The card needs to be in your name!
You don’t need a credit card to rent a car in Greece, but you’ll have to have enough money on your card to cover the deposit.
As always, take a video of the car when you get it to ensure they don’t charge you for any pre-existing damage.
🚗 Check the price of rental cars in Corfu here!
What Type Of Car To Rent?
You probably gathered from the article so far that I regret renting a Fiat Panda on this trip.
That car was not powerful enough to effortlessly reach all the spots on my Corfu itinerary.
However, it was small enough to park everywhere and to drive on narrow roads. So there are pros and cons.
But which type of car should you rent in Corfu? I still recommend getting a smaller car, but a stronger one.
Don’t go for the “Mini” category. Instead, go for the “Economy” category. These cars are still affordable, but more powerful to conquer Corfu’s uphill roads.
Of course, you can go for a premium car if you’re not visiting Corfu on a budget.
However, I wouldn’t go for a large SUV because there’s simply not enough space to drive that comfortably.
Should You Book A Rental Car In Corfu In Advance?
Yes, you should book your Corfu rental car in advance.
Driving is the best way to get around the island, so most tourists will rent a car. You don’t want to miss out on the best deals, especially if you’re visiting in high season.
You should definitely book your car in advance if you can only drive an automatic car. These are rare on the island, and usually booked first.
Also, Discover Cars offers some perks when you book in advance, like getting an additional driver for free.
Renting A Car In Corfu For A Day vs. A Week
I did the maths when planning my Corfu itinerary. I didn’t necessarily need the car for every day of the week, but it was cheaper to rent a car for the entire week than to rent it for 3 days!
But, do you need a car in Corfu for the entire week?
It depends on how many days in Corfu you’ll spend.
If you’re spending 3 days in Corfu, and you only need a car for one day to visit Paleokastritsa and Porto Timoni, just rent the car for one day that you need it.
However, if you’re spending a week on the island, the price difference between getting a car for 3 days or a week might be minimal!
🚗 Check the price of rental cars in Corfu here!
Places Worth Visiting While Driving Around Corfu
There are so many reasons to visit Corfu, and here are some of the places you should visit in Corfu by car!
Porto Timoni
This iconic double bay is a must-see spot when visiting Corfu Island. Porto Timoni truly looks like it belongs to a tropical Thai island, and it is one of my favorite spots on the island.
Old Perithea
The oldest village of Corfu has a specific charm that quickly made it to my must-see list. Not many houses are left nowadays, but the village surrounded by lush green hills offers a unique, relaxing atmosphere.
Angelokastro
This majestic hilltop castle should be on your itinerary if you drive around Corfu. It is close to the popular Palaiokastritsa and surprisingly well-preserved!
La Grotta Bar
This cliffside bar at the entrance of Palaiokastritsa is probably the best-known bar on the island! It is a unique place to grab a drink and go for a swim if you can swim in the deep sea.
Chlomos
It will be a struggle driving to this hilltop village, but it is worth it. Known as the village of artists, Chlomos is a perfect place to escape the crowds and stroll the cobblestone streets.
Kassiopi
Kassiopi is one of my favorite seafront villages in Corfu. This small village is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours walking around and grabbing a drink by the sea.
Cape Drastis
The majestic white cliffs of Cape Drastis are well worth driving to! This place looks like nothing you’ve ever seen on any of the Greek islands.
Lefkimmi
Lefkimmi was not on my itinerary, but I drove past it one day, and it turned out to be the cutest village in the southern part of Corfu. With a canal running through the city center, it reminded me of a mini version of Trieste in Italy.
Byzantine Fortress of Gardiki
If you rent a car in Corfu, you can go for a quick trip to Gardiki Fortress. You’ll see everything there is to see in 20 minutes unless you decide to hike to the Paleolithic Cave of Grava.
Kaiser’s Throne
Kaiser’s Throne is a historic viewpoint in the village of Pelekas. It offers the best view of the island, and it is a fantastic place to watch Corfu sunset.
FAQ: Car Rental In Corfu
Corfu is a large island, and tourist attractions are scattered throughout the island. Public transport is scarce, and you can only visit one attraction per day, as all buses depart from Corfu Town.
Yes, driving in Corfu is fairly easy, as long as you stay on the main roads. If you venture off to the mountain roads, you might find it challenging to drive on steep inclines. Some roads are in bad condition, and inclines can be difficult for people not used to driving manual cars in those conditions.
Yes, hiring a car in Corfu is worth it. Many tourist attractions are not accessible by public transport. Rental cars can be quite affordable if booked in advance, especially when the price is split among travelers.
They drive on the right side of the road in Corfu, just as in the rest of continental Europe. So most Europeans and travelers from the US won’t have a problem driving. Drivers from the UK will need to adapt to driving on the other side of the road.
Final Thoughts: Driving In Corfu
Exploring Corfu by car is a fantastic idea, and renting a car in Corfu is easy and affordable.
Corfu is a mountainous island, and there are many challenging sections. Still, I found driving around Corfu enjoyable, and the scenic drives were breathtaking.
It is worth hiring a car in Corfu to reach popular tourist attractions and quaint seafront villages along the northern Corfu coastline.
As Corfu car rental prices vary among the companies, compare the prices on a third-party site like Discover Cars to be sure you are getting the best deal for your travel dates!
I suggest you go for a smaller powerful car, as many roads are narrow, uphill and winding.
Now that you know how to get around, this is the best Corfu itinerary for a week on the island!
🚗 Check the price of rental cars in Corfu here!
