Getting around Corfu
Photo ↑ by @vince_alamanos
Corfu is easily reachable and transportation will never be an issue.
Getting to corfu
There are more ways to get to Corfu, be it by plane or ferry. Many European cities are directly linked to the island and flights are quite frequent during the summer season. Corfu can be reached during the wintertime too, but most European flights will have at least one stop.
The airport – Ioannis Kapodistrias – is about 1.24 miles away from the old town. You can walk the distance or simply grab a taxi, a bus or a private vehicle. The airport has a few shops, bars and restaurants. A large public parking is also available just outside it.
Reaching Corfu by ferry is usually done via Italy. There are more companies departing from Ancona, Bari, Brindisi or Venezia and arriving in Igoumenitsa. You will have to grab another ferry from Igoumenitsa in order to reach Corfu.
There are more types of ferries out there – open deck, close deck and hydrofoils. Most of them take between 45 minutes and two hours. There are two companies operating this route once in Igoumenitsa and their timetables and prices are available on their websites:
- Kerkyra Lines – https://kerkyralines.com/en
- Kerkyra Seaways – https://www.kerkyraseaways.gr/en
You can reach Lefkimmi from Igoumenitsa too with a different company – Lefkimmi Lines. Check the timetable and prices at https://lefkimmilines.gr/en.
Corfu can be reached by ferry from Albania too:
- Ionian Seaways – https://ionianseaways.com
- Finikas Lines – https://www.finikas-lines.com
There may be other options available too, but these are the most popular ones.
Getting around Corfu by bus
Walking is the cheapest way to reach the old town from the airport. Whether you have luggage or you simply do not feel like walking, your options are more diversified around the island.
Local buses connect the old town with pretty much every point on the Corfu island.
The Corfu City Bus company runs local buses – the so called blue buses. Its routes and itineraries can be found at https://astikoktelkerkyras.gr/en. Go to the main menu and find the itineraries, as well as a file with all the lines and timetables. Timetables change quite often, so always check the official website before planning anything.
Green Buses – available at https://ktelkerkyras.gr/en/homepage_en – will also take you anywhere you want. Go check the routes, yet you will find more information in the timetable file available on the same page. Again, times and routes may change, so double check upfront.
As a general rule of thumb, green buses tend to go further into the island than blue buses.
Getting around Corfu by taxi
Taxis are widely available in Corfu, especially in the town. You will find them around popular spots, such as the port, the airport and the old town. You can wave at a taxi or simply get to one that is parked in specific places.
There are local companies providing taxi transfers for both short and long distance trips. Deciding on one is entirely up to you. A simple search over your favourite search engine will display some good choices – avoid the first one with a visible ad note next to them, as they pay to get in front.
Taxi prices vary. You will be charged anywhere between €2 and €4 for starting the fare, then around €1.5 to €2 per mile. Some operators may charge more or less – you can also negotiate the price of the fare before jumping into a taxi.
Getting around Corfu by car
Renting a car is much cheaper than a taxi. For example, renting a car for a day could be three or four times cheaper than a fare from the old town to a northern or southern village by taxi.
There are more rental companies in Corfu – both local and international. Local car hire companies in Corfu provide a much better service because they actually depend on the customer service. On the other hand, international companies have a much higher source of income, so a few unhappy customers will not really make a difference.
You can book a car over the Internet, prior to your arrival. Getting around in Corfu is fairly simple. Pay extra for a GPS device or use your smartphone. Roads are well maintained, yet you may find country lanes and tracks that could use some maintenance. Generally speaking, you should have no problems reaching all villages.
Again, a simple search over the Internet will give you some good results. There are no local car hire companies in Corfu with a bad reputation, so you can choose whatever suits you without worrying about the service. Go through the reviews for your peace of mind first.
Be careful when you drive around Corfu and keep in mind there are many motorcycle riders around – the easiest and most convenient way to get around in Corfu.
You can rent bikes and motorbikes in Corfu too, but this option is not too popular.
The island is 40 miles long and 20 miles wide, so you can get from one side to another in no time.
Getting around Corfu by boat
You can find boat taxis on some beaches, but you can also rent boats. You do not need a special license for a boat, while boat owners provide clear instructions before letting you go. Some beaches in Corfu can only be accessed by boat.