Compare offers from local suppliers at CFU terminal and book a vehicle that suits your route across the island.
Corfu International Airport Ioannis Kapodistrias, IATA code CFU, is the arrival point for the overwhelming majority of visitors to the island. The terminal sits about three kilometres south of Corfu Town, with the runway ending at the Chalikiopoulou lagoon and the final approach passing directly over Pontikonisi islet, a view that has become synonymous with landing on Corfu.
We connect travellers arriving at CFU with local rental suppliers operating on the island. The booking process takes place online: you compare vehicles by category, transmission type, deposit requirement and cancellation terms, then confirm your reservation with an advance payment by card. The rental agreement itself is concluded directly with the supplier when you collect the vehicle at the terminal. The balance, along with any deposit, is settled at the counter.
At the time of writing, the live inventory for Corfu includes 48 vehicles spanning economy hatchbacks through to compact SUVs and seven-seat people carriers. Transmission splits roughly two to one in favour of manual gearboxes, with 31 manual and 17 automatic units available, though availability varies by date and season. Model years range from 2015 to 2023, and a portion of the offers carry reduced deposit terms or accept bookings without a credit card. Real models available include the Citroen C1, Fiat 500, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo and Kia Picanto in the economy segment, the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 301, Suzuki Swift and VW Polo in the compact class, and the Suzuki Vitara, VW T-Cross and Suzuki Jimny among the SUVs.
The airport location is the most practical choice for travellers who intend to drive immediately upon arrival or who have accommodation outside Corfu Town. If your hotel lies in the Old Town or another area where parking is difficult, you may prefer delivery to your accommodation, which several suppliers offer as an alternative to terminal collection.
Corfu Airport operates a single terminal building that handles both international and domestic flights. The structure is compact, and the distance from the aircraft door to the baggage reclaim hall is short. After clearing passport control and collecting your luggage, you exit into the arrivals area where the rental desks are located.
Suppliers maintain counters directly inside the terminal, typically positioned along the left-hand wall as you emerge from baggage reclaim. Signage is in Greek and English, and each desk displays the supplier's branding. During the peak summer months of July and August, queues can form at the counters, particularly in the late morning and early afternoon when multiple flights arrive in quick succession. The process at the desk involves presenting your documents, signing the rental agreement, and receiving the vehicle keys along with a parking bay number.
The vehicle collection area is immediately outside the terminal, across the access road in a dedicated car park. Staff will direct you to the correct bay, and the vehicle is inspected jointly before you drive away. The entire process from landing to leaving the airport typically takes between forty-five minutes and ninety minutes, depending on baggage delivery speed and counter wait times.
Mobile telephone reception inside the terminal is good, and free WiFi is available in the arrivals hall. If you encounter any difficulty locating the supplier's desk or if your flight is delayed, the contact number provided in your booking voucher connects you directly to the local office.
The booking form requires you to enter your flight number and scheduled arrival time. This information is passed to the supplier, who monitors the flight status and adjusts staff presence at the desk accordingly. If your flight arrives early, the desk will be staffed as usual. If the flight is delayed, the supplier waits, and there is no penalty or additional charge for late collection within the same calendar day.
CFU handles a number of late-evening arrivals, particularly charter flights from the UK and Germany. Desks for airport pick-ups typically operate until the last scheduled flight of the day has landed and passengers have cleared the terminal. If you are arriving after midnight, confirm during the booking process that the supplier offers service at that hour, as a small number of operators restrict collections to daylight hours.
In the event of a significant delay that pushes your arrival into the following day, contact the supplier using the number in your voucher as soon as the new arrival time is known. The rental period starts from the date and time you actually collect the vehicle, not from the originally scheduled pick-up time, so a delay does not shorten your rental duration.
If your flight is cancelled altogether and you do not travel, the cancellation terms stated in your voucher apply. A portion of the offers include free cancellation up to a specified number of hours before pick-up, while others carry a cancellation fee. The terms are displayed before you confirm the booking, and they vary by supplier and vehicle category.
The airport's location on the southern edge of Corfu Town places it within easy reach of the island's east coast resorts and a reasonable drive from the north and west. The table below lists approximate distances and driving times to the most frequented destinations. Times assume normal traffic conditions and a cautious pace on the narrower mountain roads.
| Destination | Distance | Time | Road Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corfu Town | 3 km | 10 min | Dual carriageway, frequent traffic lights approaching the centre. |
| Gouvia | 9 km | 15 min | Main coast road, well surfaced, moderate traffic. |
| Dassia | 12 km | 18 min | Continuation of the coast road, straightforward. |
| Ipsos | 16 km | 22 min | Coastal route, narrows slightly north of Dassia. |
| Sidari | 38 km | 50 min | Main north road via Acharavi, good surface, some bends through villages. |
| Roda | 36 km | 48 min | Similar route to Sidari, turn-off just before. |
| Acharavi | 32 km | 42 min | North-coast road, mostly straight, well marked. |
| Kassiopi | 40 km | 55 min | North-east coast, winding sections, narrow in places. |
| Paleokastritsa | 25 km | 40 min | Mountain road, steep gradients, hairpin bends, spectacular views. |
| Moraitika | 18 km | 22 min | South-coast road, flat, wide, easy driving. |
| Messonghi | 20 km | 25 min | Continuation south, same character as Moraitika route. |
| Kavos | 45 km | 55 min | Far south, main road all the way, straightforward. |
| Glyfada | 18 km | 28 min | West coast via Pelekas, hilly approach, final descent steep. |
| Agios Gordios | 20 km | 30 min | Similar to Glyfada, mountain crossing, narrow final section. |
Driving on Corfu is on the right-hand side of the road. Greek motorway signage applies, and standard EU traffic rules are in force. The main north-south artery is well maintained and carries the bulk of the island's traffic. Roads to the west coast and into the mountainous interior are narrower, with steep gradients and frequent bends. Surfaces are generally sound, but some unsurfaced stretches remain on the final approaches to remote beaches such as Porto Timoni and Rovinia.
The choice of vehicle depends on your itinerary, the number of passengers, the volume of luggage and the type of roads you intend to use. Economy hatchbacks such as the Citroen C1, Fiat 500, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo and Kia Picanto are the most affordable option and suit couples or solo travellers with light luggage. These cars are easy to park in Corfu Town's narrow streets and consume little fuel, but they offer limited boot space and can feel underpowered on steep climbs.
Compact models including the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 301, Suzuki Swift, VW Polo, Opel Corsa and SEAT Ibiza provide a better balance of space, comfort and cost. They accommodate four adults and a reasonable amount of luggage, and the engines cope comfortably with the island's hills. This category is the most popular among visitors and tends to book out earliest during July and August.
For the west-coast roads to Paleokastritsa, Lakones and Agios Gordios, or for the mountain routes up to Pantokrator and Old Perithia, a small car is often an advantage rather than a compromise. The roads are narrow, with tight bends and limited passing places, and a compact footprint makes manoeuvring easier. The Suzuki Vitara, VW T-Cross and Suzuki Jimny are compact SUVs with raised ground clearance, which suits the unsurfaced final stretch down to Porto Timoni and similar beaches, but they are wider than a hatchback and require more care on the mountain passes.
Families or groups of five or more should consider a station wagon such as the Ford Focus SW or a larger saloon like the Skoda Scala or Peugeot 308, which offer greater boot capacity. The VW Transporter is available for groups requiring seven seats, though its size makes it less suitable for exploring the Old Town or parking in village centres.
Automatic transmission is available on a minority of the fleet. At the time of writing, 17 of the 48 vehicles listed carry automatic gearboxes, and they are concentrated in the compact and mid-size categories. If you require an automatic, book early, particularly for travel in the peak season, as availability is limited.
The person named as the main driver in the booking must be present at the counter and must bring a valid driving licence, a passport or national identity card, and the credit or debit card used to pay the advance online. If the driver holds a licence issued outside the European Union, an International Driving Permit may be required depending on the supplier's policy; this is stated in the booking terms.
The licence must have been held for at least one year, and the minimum age is typically 21, though some suppliers set the threshold at 23 for larger vehicles or impose a young driver surcharge for those under 25. The maximum age is usually 70 or 75, and drivers over that limit may be declined or required to provide a medical certificate. These restrictions are displayed during the booking process and are enforced by the supplier.
If you wish to add a second driver, this must be arranged at the counter when you collect the vehicle. The additional driver must present the same documents as the main driver, and a fee is charged per day or per rental period depending on the supplier. Some offers include a second driver at no extra cost; this is indicated in the booking terms.
The booking voucher, which is emailed to you after confirmation, must be presented at the counter either printed or displayed on a mobile device. It contains the reservation number, the vehicle category, the pick-up and drop-off details, the deposit amount and the insurance coverage. The supplier will not release the vehicle without the voucher.
The return location is selected during the booking process. If you choose airport return, you drive back to the terminal car park, leave the vehicle in the designated bay and return the keys to the counter inside the terminal. The supplier inspects the vehicle after you have departed, checking for damage and confirming the fuel level.
The standard fuel policy is full-to-full: the vehicle is provided with a full tank, and you are required to return it full. Petrol stations are located along the main road between the airport and Corfu Town, approximately two kilometres from the terminal, and another station sits on the road south towards Benitses. If you return the vehicle without refuelling, the supplier will charge for the missing fuel plus a refuelling fee, which is typically higher than the pump price.
If your flight departs early in the morning and you are concerned about finding an open petrol station, refuel the evening before. The stations near the airport operate until late, and the main 24-hour station is located on the northern outskirts of Corfu Town near the port.
Allow at least two hours between returning the vehicle and your flight departure time. This provides a buffer for queues at the counter, the walk to the terminal, check-in and security. During the peak season, check-in queues at CFU can be long, particularly for charter flights, and the security process is thorough.
If you return the vehicle significantly earlier than the time stated in the booking, the rental period is not refunded. The charge is calculated based on the number of days booked, not the number of days used. Conversely, if you are late returning the vehicle due to a flight delay or other unforeseen circumstance, contact the supplier as soon as possible. Most suppliers allow a grace period of one hour, after which an additional day's rental is charged.
If you prefer not to collect the vehicle at the airport, several suppliers offer delivery to your hotel, apartment or villa. This option is particularly useful if you are staying in Corfu Town's Old Town, where parking is restricted and narrow streets make driving difficult, or if you do not need the vehicle immediately upon arrival and would rather settle into your accommodation first.
Delivery is arranged during the booking process. You provide the address, and the supplier brings the vehicle to you at a specified time. The paperwork is completed on the spot, and the vehicle is inspected jointly. The same applies at the end of the rental: the supplier collects the vehicle from your accommodation, and you do not need to return to the airport.
A delivery fee is usually charged, and the amount depends on the distance from the supplier's base to your accommodation. Some suppliers include free delivery to hotels within a certain radius of Corfu Town, while others charge a flat fee regardless of location. The fee is displayed before you confirm the booking, and it is added to the total cost.
Delivery times are less precise than airport pick-ups. The supplier will give you a time window, typically one or two hours, and you must be present at the accommodation to receive the vehicle. If you are not there when the driver arrives, a second delivery attempt may incur an additional charge.
For travellers who plan to spend the first day or two exploring Corfu Town on foot and only need a vehicle for excursions later in the stay, delivery offers a practical alternative to airport collection. The reverse also applies: if you intend to drive extensively during your stay but finish with a couple of nights in the Old Town, arranging early collection and return by delivery avoids the need to park near your hotel.
Demand for rental vehicles on Corfu follows a pronounced seasonal pattern. The peak occurs in August, when schools across Europe are closed and the island receives its highest visitor numbers. During this period, the airport handles multiple flights per hour in the middle of the day, and the rental counters operate at full capacity.
Availability becomes constrained in August, particularly for automatic transmission vehicles, larger family cars and any offers that include reduced deposit terms or free cancellation. The live inventory that shows 48 vehicles in May or June may show significantly fewer options for collection dates in the first two weeks of August. This is not a failure of the booking system; it reflects genuine scarcity of supply during the busiest fortnight of the year.
If you are travelling in August, book as early as possible. Reservations open several months in advance, and the most sought-after categories are often fully committed by late spring. If your preferred vehicle is not available, consider adjusting your travel dates by a few days or choosing a different category. A manual transmission compact car is almost always available, even at short notice, because the fleet is weighted towards that segment.
Outside the peak, availability is much better. June, September and October offer a wide choice of vehicles, shorter queues at the airport counter and lower rates. May and late October carry the risk of unsettled weather, but the roads are quieter and parking in the resorts is easier. November through April is the low season, and only a handful of suppliers maintain operations during the winter months, but those who do offer very competitive terms.
The booking system displays real-time availability. If a vehicle category appears in the search results, it can be reserved. If it does not appear, it is not available for the dates you have selected, and no amount of telephoning the office will change that. The system does not hold back inventory or offer hidden deals to walk-in customers. What you see online is what is available.
The rental desks are located inside the terminal building, in the arrivals area immediately after you exit baggage reclaim. The vehicle itself is parked in a dedicated area directly outside the terminal, across the access road. Staff at the counter will give you the parking bay number and direct you to the vehicle.
The supplier monitors your flight status using the flight number you provided during booking. If the flight is delayed, the desk remains staffed and there is no penalty for late collection within the same calendar day. If the delay is substantial or pushes your arrival into the next day, contact the supplier using the number in your booking voucher so they can adjust staff schedules.
Most suppliers at Corfu Airport operate desks until the last scheduled flight of the day has landed. If your flight arrives after midnight, confirm during the booking process that the supplier offers service at that hour, as a small number restrict collections to daylight hours. The arrival time and flight number are required fields in the booking form for this reason.
The advance payment online can be made with any card. At the counter, the supplier requires a card to hold the deposit. Most suppliers insist on a credit card in the main driver's name, but a minority of offers accept debit cards. At the time of writing, 9 of the 48 vehicles in the live inventory can be booked without a credit card. These offers are clearly marked during the search, and the card requirement is stated in the booking terms before you confirm.
The deposit amount is stated in the booking voucher before you confirm the reservation. It varies by vehicle category and supplier, and it is held as a pre-authorisation on your card, not charged. The hold is released when you return the vehicle undamaged and with the agreed fuel level. The time it takes for the hold to clear from your account depends on your card issuer, typically between three and ten working days. A portion of the offers carry reduced deposit terms, which are indicated during the search.
All vehicles include third-party liability insurance and collision damage waiver as standard. The excess, which is the amount you are liable for in the event of damage, is stated in the booking voucher. The excess and the deposit are different things: the deposit is a hold on your card as security, while the excess is your financial liability after an incident. Additional coverage options may be offered at the counter, but the terms included in your booking are sufficient for legal driving.
Yes, additional drivers can be added at the counter when you collect the vehicle. The second driver must be present, must bring the same documents as the main driver, and must meet the same age and licence requirements. A fee is charged per day or per rental period depending on the supplier. Some offers include a second driver at no extra cost, which is stated in the booking terms.
You need a valid driving licence held for at least one year, a passport or national identity card, the credit or debit card used for the online payment, and the booking voucher. If your licence was issued outside the European Union, an International Driving Permit may be required; this is stated in the booking terms. All documents must be in the name of the main driver.
Most suppliers at Corfu Airport require you to return the vehicle during staffed hours so that the vehicle can be inspected jointly. If you have an early morning flight and need to return the vehicle before the desk opens, contact the supplier in advance to arrange a key drop. Some suppliers offer this service, others do not. Returning the vehicle without a joint inspection means you accept liability for any damage reported subsequently, so it is preferable to return during staffed hours whenever possible.
Airport collection is faster and more convenient if you need the vehicle immediately upon arrival or if your accommodation is outside Corfu Town. Delivery to your hotel suits travellers staying in the Old Town, where parking is difficult, or those who prefer to settle in before collecting the vehicle. Delivery usually incurs a fee, which is displayed during booking. The choice depends on your itinerary and where you are staying. Details about the delivery option are available on the homepage.