How To Get Around Corfu Greece – Rentals, Buses, Taxis, Tours

A complete guide on how to get around Corfu island in Greece. Includes information on buses, rental cars, taxis, tours, and cruises in Corfu.

Corfu island in Greece

Corfu is one of the most famous Greek islands – and there’s loads to do! This guide on how to get around Corfu will help you make the most of this popular destination.

Kerkyra, as Greeks call Corfu, is a large island with a very long and diverse coastline. If you want to explore the beautiful beaches and pretty towns and villages, be prepared for lots of movement.

I am Vanessa from Athens, and I’ve been to over 60 of the inhabited islands in Greece. I spent a few weeks in Corfu, so here are my suggestions on getting around!

Visit Corfu Greece – A wonderful destination

Corfu island will appeal to most people. Visitors love the amazing Old Town, the famous Monastery of Paleokastritsa, the beautiful sandy beaches and the vibrant coastal resorts. But there’s a whole lot more to do on the iconic island.

You can enjoy the verdant landscapes with the tall olive trees, hike on the mountains and stumble upon abandoned historical sites. Or you can venture into off-the-beaten-path villages, and spend an evening chatting to locals over a Greek salad and a glass of ouzo.

All in all, before you choose the best way to get around Corfu, it’s important to decide what you want out of your vacation, and where you want to stay.

While the main resorts in Corfu are easily accessible on the public buses, you will need some other type of transport to see the more secluded areas.

How to travel around Corfu Greece

Once you have a rough idea what you want to do and where you want to go, here is how to travel around Corfu:

Explore Corfu Town on foot
Take the hop-on hop-off bus around the Old Town
Use the various buses that run around the island
Rent a car, scooter or ATV for more flexibility, and to visit the more faraway areas
Take an organized bus tour to see the most popular landmarks
Choose one of the numerous sailing tours and explore the lovely coves and beaches
Hire your own boat for the day
Use one of the local taxi services

Let’s break down the best ways to get around Corfu!

1. Explore Corfu Town on foot

Corfu Town, which is located on the east coast of the island, is the capital and main port town in Corfu. The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s an incredible place to explore on foot.

There is so much to see here – historical sites, excellent museums, fantastic architecture, great restaurants, and plenty of shops. Some of the best places to visit in Corfu Town include the following:

The impressive Old Fortress
The Archaeological Museum of Corfu
If you are interested in Byzantine art, the Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa
The solemn British Cemetery
The Museum of Asian Art, located inside the Palace of Saints Michael and George
A place few people visit, the amazing Banknote Museum, which is much more interesting than you’d think🙂

Archaeological museum – Statue of Gorgon, a monster from the Greek mythology

Whatever you do, make sure you spend a few hours wandering around the tiny little streets, and taking in one of the most picturesque towns in the whole of Greece.

Remember to wear GOOD walking shoes with lots of cushioning, a hat, a bottle of water, sunglasses and sunscreen. I love my Teva Verra sandals – here’s why!

2. Take the hop-on hop-off bus around Corfu Old Town

If you don’t want to walk TOO much, or if you have limited time, you can consider the hop-on hop-off buses going around Corfu Old Town.

While I didn’t take this bus myself, it’s worth considering this option if you want to orientate yourself and see the main landmarks in the town without too much walking. Plus, you will learn a lot by listening to the audio commentary.

3. Use the public transportation in Corfu

Another way to travel around Corfu is on the public buses. They are an inexpensive, if slightly slow, way to get to some of the popular areas.

Depending on the route you are taking, bus ticket prices vary between about 1 and 5 euro. As an example, the Corfu Town – Paleokastritsa Monastery bus fare costs 2.30 one way.

There are two bus companies in Corfu. The first one serves the areas around the Corfu Town, Corfu airport and the outskirts.

The other company takes you to villages and beaches further out of the town. They also travel around other areas of Greece, for example to Athens or Thessaloniki.

Corfu city buses – Around the Old Town and the outskirts

The city buses in Corfu take you around the Old Town and the areas nearby. They are numbered from 1 to 18, and are painted white and blue.

All of the Corfu city bus routes pass through the main town, with most of them stopping at San Rocco town square.

You can take the city buses to visit the quiet Vlacherna Monastery, and the nearby Pontikonisi, or “Mouse island”. Or to get to nearby areas such as Benitses, Ipsos, and Achilleion.

Ticket prices vary according to the zones where you are travelling, but they are very affordable, ranging between 1.10 and 1.50. There’s also an unlimited day pass for all urban buses, which costs 5 euro.

You can buy your tickets at the designated kiosks around the town. If you don’t have a ticket when boarding, you can buy one on the bus, for a small surcharge.

You can find bus times and itineraries here, including where to buy the tickets: Corfu City Bus.

Related article: How to get from Corfu airport to Corfu town

Explore Corfu island on the green buses

If you want to travel around Corfu island, you will most likely need to use the green buses, also known as Intercity or KTEL buses. These will take you to popular resorts like Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Messonghi, or Paleokastritsa.

While most of those intercity buses are a shade of green, some of them are mostly white – go figure!

The green bus station in Corfu is located at the outskirts of the city – here it is on Google Maps. To get there from Corfu Town, you will need to take either a city bus, or a taxi.

Bus no 15, which runs from the airport to the town, also goes to the green bus station. The bus stop is right outside the building.

You can find timetables and routes for the green Corfu buses here: Green buses in Corfu.

Note that the Green bus station has paid lockers that you can use for longer than 24 hours. So, if you have luggage that you don’t need to take with you, you can drop it off at the station and pick it up on your return.

Buses in Corfu can sometimes get crowded

If you are planning to get around Corfu using buses, note that they are slower than other means of transportation. Moreover, popular routes, like the Corfu Town – Paleokastritsa route, will typically be busy.

While the bus networks cover many areas in Corfu, you won’t always find direct routes from A to B. Also, some off-the-beaten-path areas are not served at all. In these cases, it might be best to have a look at other means of transportation.

4. Hire a car, scooter or ATV in Corfu

If you are happy to drive in Greece, one of the best ways to explore Corfu is by rental car, ATV or scooter. Besides some parts of Corfu Town, where cars are prohibited, most of the island is easily accessible by vehicle.

As you would expect, a car hire is not the cheapest option to get around Corfu. However, it will offer you much more freedom than the public buses. A car is the easiest way to visit the quieter beaches or the remote villages in Corfu.

Instead of a car, you could also consider renting a scooter, motorbike or quad / ATV, which will do better on the island’s narrow roads. Or even a beach buggy!

As the distances in Corfu are big, don’t forget to use sunscreen, otherwise it’s very easy to get sunburned!

Where to rent a car in Corfu

There are dozens of car rental agencies all around Corfu. Still, it is always best to plan ahead and book your own vehicle before you arrive, especially if you are travelling during the high season. Apparently, in summer 2022, cars were completely sold out on the entire island!

DiscoverCars is an excellent platform where you can compare dozens of different car models offered by reputable rental car companies. Their prices are very competitive, and you can easily book online your preferred vehicle in advance of your trip.

Note that prices of car rentals depend on the type of vehicle, the season, and how many days you want it for. Cars are always more expensive in the summer months of July and August, though you will usually get discounts if you book for several days.

Have a look for rental cars here: DiscoverCars.

Driving in Corfu

The roads in Corfu are a bit of a mix. While most of them are paved, some of them are in pretty bad condition. You will also find some dirt roads, some of which are a no-no if you have hired a normal car.

There are also a couple of areas on the island where the roads are very narrow. At these spots, traffic is managed with random traffic lights, which are literally in the middle of nowhere. Locals may ignore them, but it’s not necessarily a good idea.

Also, note that many of the roads leading to beaches or mountain villages are not only narrow and winding, but also steep. Be very careful, especially if you have to reverse on the uphill!

Local cars parked randomly in Corfu Town

Parking can be an issue in the most popular places in Corfu, like the Old Town or Paleokastritsa, especially during peak season. You can either leave your car further out, to avoid getting in traffic, or find a paid parking spot – Google Maps will help you with this.

Make sure your drivers license covers you to drive in Greece. Note that, if you have a license from an English-speaking country such as the UK, USA, Canada or Australia, you are not required by law to have an international driving permit. Still, many agencies still ask for them, so it might be best to have it.

Here is some more information and tips about driving in Greece.

5. Take one of the organized bus tours around Corfu

A more relaxed way to see some of the most popular areas in Corfu, is to take an organized bus tour. Many visitors choose to stay in Corfu Town, and take a couple of day trips to see some more of the island.

Here are some of the most popular and highly rated tours in Corfu:

Private customizable tour of Corfu island
Private tour of Paleokastritsa with local tastings
Authentic Corfu and olive oil tasting tour – there’s so much more to olive oil that you can imagine!!!

While the public buses are a lot cheaper, tours like these tours are a convenient alternative if you prefer not to drive, and to dive into the local culture.

6. Take a boat trip around Corfu island

With its long, diverse coastline, Corfu is a unique place to explore by sea. There are numerous caves and beaches on the island that will blow your mind away!

Here are two of the best boat tours that you can take in Corfu:

7. Hire your own boat for the day

If you are feeling adventurous, you can consider hiring your own boat for a day or two! While you’d need a license for bigger boats, you can hire a small boat even without a license.

This is a truly memorable experience, and you will enjoy your day a lot. And if you are skeptical about driving the boat, you can also hire a skipper for the day.

You will find rental boats on many beaches in Corfu, or you can pre-book here: Hire a boat in Corfu.

8. Taxis in Corfu

Finally, you can always take a taxi to get around Corfu. You can either arrange that through your hotel, or directly with the taxi company. At the time of writing, there is no Uber or similar service in Corfu.

Generally speaking, taxis in Corfu are not cheap – but if you are travelling as a group of 4 people, you can split the cost and it’s not too bad.

There are also numerous transfers you can choose from. For example, have a look at Welcome Pickups.

The central taxi station in Corfu Town is located right next to Spianada Square. Here it is on Google Maps. The taxis are dark blue – you can’t miss them.

How to get to Corfu

Corfu has an international airport, Ioannis Kapodistrias. In spring, summer and autumn, there are dozens of direct flights from many European airports. In winter, you can get a quick domestic flight from Athens.

If you book in advance, you can easily find cheap flights to Corfu. Last minute bookings can be much more expensive.

Another option is to get to Corfu by ferry from Igoumenitsa port on Greece’s west coast. There are also ferries from Italy and Albania. You can check ferry routes and book your tickets on Ferryscanner.

Here is some more information, have a look at this guide on how to get to Corfu.

FAQs about getting around Corfu

Here are some of the questions people traveling around Corfu often ask:

What is the best way to go around Corfu?

The best way to explore Corfu depends on what you want to do. If you want to see Corfu Town, walking is best. The public buses will take you to the popular areas, like Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi, Messonghi, Kavos, Sidari and Acharavi. To explore the island at your own pace, it’s best to rent a car. And finally, to enjoy the numerous sea caves and beautiful bays in the Ionian sea, you can take a boat tour.

Can you explore Corfu without a car?

You can explore many areas of Corfu without a car, using public transportation. If you want to see the off-the-beaten-track attractions, a car, ATV or scooter is essential.

Does Uber operate in Corfu?

No, Uber does not operate in Corfu. There are local taxis and transfers you can book.

Is it easy to island hop from Corfu?

There are direct ferry routes from Corfu to most of the Ionian islands. You can take ferries to Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zante, Othoni, Mathraki and Ereikoussa.

Do I need to rent a car on Corfu?

Many of the towns, villages and beaches in Corfu are well connected on public buses. However, if you want to explore the island at your own pace, a car rental is best.

More guides about Corfu

Here are a few more articles about Corfu and other Greek islands that you might be interested in:

Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens. I’m on a mission to visit all the inhabited Greek islands and help visitors plan their vacation independently! Corfu is a great place for history, sightseeing, nature, beaches, activities and exploration. If you have any questions, leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you. Follow me on Facebook for more great tips and photos of Greece!

How To Get Around Corfu Greece – Travel Guide