Practical Information for Corfu: Money, Health, Internet & Local Tips
Corfu is an easy island to visit, but knowing a few practical details before you arrive can save time, money and unnecessary stress.
Most visitors will have no difficulty finding ATMs, pharmacies, mobile internet, supermarkets or medical assistance, particularly around Corfu Town and the larger resorts. However, conditions become different once you travel into smaller villages, remote beaches or mountain areas.
This practical guide covers the things worth knowing before and during your trip: money and card payments, emergency numbers, healthcare, pharmacies, mobile phones, internet, tap water, transport and a few local habits that can make your stay easier.
Corfu Practical Information at a Glance
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Emergency number: 112
• Police: 100
• Ambulance / EKAB: 166
• Fire Service: 199
• Coast Guard: 108
• Tourist Police: 1571
• Corfu Tourist Police: +30 26610 29168 / 29169
• Corfu General Hospital: +30 26613 60400
• Driving: Right-hand side of the road
• Electricity: 230V / 50Hz, European Type C and F plugs
• Mobile networks: Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova
• Main airport: Corfu International Airport (CFU)
• Main ferry port: Corfu Town / New Port
Arriving by Air
Corfu International Airport “Ioannis Kapodistrias” (CFU) is only a few kilometres from Corfu Town.
The airport becomes extremely busy during the main summer season, particularly between June and September when dozens of international flights arrive every day.
Taxi, public bus, rental-car and private-transfer options are available for onward travel.
City Bus Line 15 connects the airport with the Green Bus Station, San Rocco in Corfu Town and Corfu Port.
If you are arriving during July or August and need a rental car or private transfer, reserving in advance is sensible.
See our Corfu Airport guide for detailed arrival, transport and airport information.
Arriving by Ferry
Corfu’s main passenger port is located immediately north of Corfu Town.
The busiest domestic ferry route connects Corfu with Igoumenitsa on mainland Greece, with numerous daily sailings during summer and year-round service.
The port also serves routes to Paxos, the Diapontia Islands, Albania and selected international ferry connections.
Southern Corfu also has a separate ferry port at Lefkimmi, so always check the departure port written on your ticket.
If your ticket says Lefkimmi, do not go to the main Corfu Town port.
For current ferry and port information, read our Corfu Port guide.
Money in Corfu
Greece uses the euro (€).
ATMs are widely available in Corfu Town and the major resorts, and card payments are now accepted by the vast majority of hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops and other tourism businesses.
In fact, Greek law requires almost all suppliers of goods and services to accept card payments, subject to limited exceptions.
That said, I still recommend carrying a modest amount of cash.
Cash can be useful at very small stalls, village festivals, remote beach businesses or if a card terminal temporarily loses its internet connection.
ATM Fees — Don’t Assume Every Machine Costs the Same
The old advice that an ATM withdrawal in Corfu normally costs a fixed €2.50–€3.50 is no longer useful.
Fees depend on the ATM operator, your own bank, the card you use and whether currency conversion is involved.
The ATM should show any operator charge before you confirm the withdrawal, so read the screen rather than automatically pressing “Accept”.
Whenever possible, I prefer ATMs belonging to established Greek banks rather than choosing a standalone tourist-area ATM simply because it happens to be closest.
Be Careful with Dynamic Currency Conversion
If your bank account is in pounds, dollars or another non-euro currency, an ATM or card terminal may ask whether you want the transaction converted into your home currency.
This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
The offered exchange rate can include a substantial conversion markup.
Before accepting, compare the conversion offered by the machine with the rate your own bank or card provider would apply.
In many situations, choosing to be charged in euros and allowing your own card provider to perform the conversion can be better value.
Cards & Receipts
Do not believe the old idea that Greece is still largely a cash-only destination.
Hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, car-rental businesses and most other consumer businesses are legally required to accept debit, credit or prepaid cards, with some exceptions.
Businesses are also required to provide a valid receipt.
If a normal restaurant or shop tells you that you must pay cash simply because they “do not take cards”, it is reasonable to question this.
For everyday travel, I would carry both a card and some cash rather than depending exclusively on either.
Banks & Exchange
The major Greek banks have branches and ATMs in and around Corfu Town, with additional ATMs throughout major resorts.
Physical bank branches normally operate on weekday banking hours and are not generally useful for late-afternoon or weekend transactions.
If you need foreign currency, compare the full exchange rate and commission rather than choosing an exchange office only because it advertises “0% commission”.
If possible, arrive in Greece with a card that offers reasonable foreign-currency and ATM conditions.
Emergency Numbers in Corfu
The most important number to remember is 112.
112 is the European emergency number and can be used for serious emergencies requiring police, ambulance, fire or other emergency assistance.
Other useful numbers are:
• 112 — European Emergency Number
• 100 — Police
• 166 — EKAB / Ambulance
• 199 — Fire Service
• 108 — Hellenic Coast Guard
• 1571 — Tourist Police information and assistance
• +30 26610 29168 — Corfu Tourist Police
• +30 26610 29169 — Corfu Tourist Police Secretariat
For a complete list including police, hospital, airport and port contacts, see our Corfu Emergency Numbers guide.
Corfu General Hospital
The island’s main public hospital is the General Hospital of Corfu “Agia Irini” in Kontokali.
It includes an Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and a wide range of medical departments.
Main telephone: +30 26613 60400
For a genuine medical emergency, call 166 or 112 rather than trying to arrange transport yourself.
Travel Insurance & European Health Cover
Visitors should not assume that every medical expense will automatically be covered simply because they are travelling within Europe.
EU and other eligible European visitors should bring their valid European health coverage documentation where applicable.
Private travel insurance is still advisable, particularly if your trip includes activities such as scooter riding, boating, hiking or water sports.
Check what your policy actually covers before travelling rather than after an accident.
Pharmacies in Corfu
Pharmacies are easy to recognize by the green cross sign and can be found throughout Corfu Town and most larger villages and resorts.
Greek pharmacists can often help with minor health problems and advise whether you should see a doctor.
Normal pharmacies do not all remain open overnight or every Sunday.
Instead, Greece operates an on-duty pharmacy system, with specific pharmacies providing service outside normal hours according to a rota.
If you need medicine late at night, on Sunday or during a public holiday, search for the current efimerevonta farmakeia rather than assuming the nearest pharmacy will be open.
Do not leave essential prescription medication until the final day of your supply.
Prescription Medication
If you take important medication regularly, bring enough for your trip whenever possible.
Keep medicines in their original packaging and carry a copy of your prescription or relevant medical information, particularly for controlled or unusual medication.
A Greek pharmacy may sell an equivalent brand rather than the exact product name used in your home country.
The active ingredient is often the most useful information to know.
Mobile Phones & SIM Cards
Greece has three main mobile networks: Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova.
Coverage is generally good around Corfu Town, major resorts and much of the road network, but no operator has perfect coverage everywhere.
Mountain areas, isolated beaches and individual houses can produce very different results even within the same village.
For that reason, I would not automatically claim that one company is “the best network in Corfu” for every visitor.
If mobile reception is particularly important — for example because you are working remotely — check coverage at the exact location where you are staying.
EU Roaming
Visitors with mobile plans from EU countries generally benefit from the European Union’s Roam Like at Home rules while using their phone in Greece, subject to their provider’s fair-use conditions.
This means you can normally use calls, texts and mobile data under similar conditions to your home plan.
Always check your own provider before travelling, particularly if you have an unusual prepaid or limited plan.
Important: Watch for Albanian Mobile Networks
This is a particularly useful Corfu tip.
Albania lies extremely close to the northeast coast, and in areas facing the Albanian mainland your phone can occasionally connect to an Albanian mobile network instead of a Greek one.
As of August 2026, Albania is not yet part of the EU Roam Like at Home area.
That means your normal EU roaming conditions may not apply if your phone accidentally connects to an Albanian network.
If your tariff could result in expensive roaming charges, disable automatic network selection and manually choose your Greek network while travelling around northeast Corfu.
It is also worth checking the network name displayed on your phone before using large amounts of mobile data near the Albanian coast.
Wi-Fi & Internet
Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, apartments, cafés and restaurants.
However, “free Wi-Fi” does not necessarily mean fast Wi-Fi.
If you need internet for remote work, video calls or uploading large files, ask your accommodation for an actual speed test rather than accepting a general promise that the connection is good.
Internet infrastructure has improved substantially, but speed still varies by location and property.
Mobile data can provide a useful backup connection.
eSIMs
eSIMs can be convenient for visitors with compatible phones who want mobile data immediately after landing.
International providers offer Greece packages, while some travellers prefer a local Greek SIM depending on the length of their stay and data requirements.
I would avoid quoting fixed eSIM or SIM prices in a travel guide because packages change constantly.
Compare the current amount of data, validity period, network used and whether calls/SMS are included before buying.
Tap Water in Corfu
This is one of those subjects where an island-wide yes-or-no answer is not particularly useful.
Corfu’s public water network is managed and monitored by the local water authority, but water source, mineral content, taste and local infrastructure can vary between different parts of the island.
Temporary supply interruptions can also occur because of maintenance or network problems.
Many residents and visitors choose bottled or filtered water for drinking because of taste or mineral content, while using tap water normally for washing, cooking and brushing teeth.
If you are staying in a rural villa or property using a private tank, borehole or other independent supply, ask the owner specifically whether the water is suitable for drinking.
Follow any temporary notices issued by the water authority or your accommodation.
Electricity & Plugs
Greece uses approximately 230V at 50Hz.
The standard sockets are European Type C and Type F.
Visitors from the UK, Ireland, United States and several other countries will normally need a plug adapter.
Travellers from countries using 110–120V should also check whether appliances such as hair dryers support 230V before plugging them in.
Getting Around Corfu
Corfu has two principal public bus systems.
Blue City Buses serve Corfu Town and nearby destinations such as Kanoni, Benitses, Dassia and Ipsos.
Green Buses provide longer-distance services between Corfu Town and destinations around the island, including Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Acharavi, Kavos and other resorts.
Schedules change according to season, so always check current timetables rather than relying on an old travel-blog screenshot.
For buses, taxis, Uber, transfers, rental cars and scooters, read our Getting Around Corfu guide.
City Bus Line 15 — Particularly Useful for Visitors
One bus route is worth remembering immediately:
Line 15: Airport → Green Bus Station → Corfu Town / San Rocco → Port
The same route operates in the opposite direction.
This makes Line 15 particularly useful for travellers transferring between the airport, main intercity bus station and port without taking a taxi.
Check the current timetable because frequency varies according to day and season.
Driving in Corfu
Greece drives on the right-hand side.
Visitors from the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and other left-driving countries should take particular care when leaving parking areas, petrol stations and quiet side roads.
Corfu’s roads vary enormously. Main routes are straightforward, but village roads can become extremely narrow, mountain bends can have limited visibility and parking can be difficult in Corfu Town and popular resorts.
Do not automatically follow Google Maps down a tiny road simply because the application says it is technically a route.
Summer vs Winter Services
Corfu operates very differently according to season.
From approximately May through October, tourist resorts have frequent services, restaurants stay open late, boat trips operate and transport options expand.
During winter, Corfu Town continues to operate normally, but many seasonal businesses in beach resorts close and some transport becomes less frequent.
This matters particularly if you are visiting between November and March.
See our Winter in Corfu guide if you are planning an off-season stay.
Opening Hours
There is no single opening-hours rule covering every shop in Corfu.
Tourist businesses in the Old Town and resorts may remain open until late in the evening during summer.
Other local shops may follow split hours on certain days, while supermarkets and large chains have their own schedules.
Do not interpret Greece’s afternoon quiet hours as meaning that every business automatically closes for a “siesta”.
If you need a specific bank, pharmacy, museum or independent business, check its current hours individually.
Public Toilets
Public toilets are less common in Corfu than some visitors expect, particularly once you leave the main tourist areas.
Museums, archaeological sites, ferry terminals, larger beaches and other visitor facilities may have toilets, but availability is inconsistent.
Cafés and restaurants normally provide toilets for customers, so stopping for a coffee can sometimes be the easiest solution while exploring villages or Corfu Town.
Weather & Heat
Summer temperatures can make ordinary sightseeing surprisingly tiring, particularly between late morning and mid-afternoon.
Carry water, use sun protection and avoid planning demanding hikes or long exposed walks during the hottest hours of July and August.
Thunderstorms and strong winds can occasionally develop, and sea conditions can affect ferry services and small boat trips.
Check our Corfu weather page before a boat trip, long hike or remote beach excursion.
Wildfires & Emergency Alerts
During dry summer periods, wildfire risk can increase across Greece.
Do not light fires or discard cigarettes in dry countryside, olive groves or forested areas.
Greece uses the 112 emergency alert system to send location-based warning messages during serious incidents such as fires or severe weather.
If you receive an official 112 alert on your phone, read it carefully and follow the instructions rather than treating it as an ordinary notification.
A Few Useful Local Habits
• Keep some cash but use cards normally. There is no need to withdraw hundreds of euros immediately after landing.
• Check the currency on an ATM screen. Do not automatically accept conversion into pounds, dollars or another home currency.
• Save 112 in your phone. It is the easiest emergency number to remember.
• Check your mobile network near Albania. Accidental non-EU roaming can become expensive.
• Carry water in the car. This is especially useful when exploring remote beaches or mountain villages.
• Download offline maps. They are useful when mobile reception disappears at exactly the wrong moment.
• Do not rely on old bus timetables. Seasonal schedules change.
• Ask before assuming tap water arrangements. Rural villas may use different water systems.
• Keep important medication with you rather than inside checked luggage.
• Allow extra time in July and August. Traffic around Corfu Town, the airport and popular beach areas can be much heavier than distance on the map suggests.
Before You Leave Your Accommodation Each Morning
A very simple Corfu checklist can save a lot of trouble:
• Phone charged
• Water
• Card plus a little cash
• Sunscreen
• Offline map if exploring somewhere remote
• Suitable shoes if visiting cliffs, trails or hidden beaches
• Current bus or ferry timetable if depending on public transport
• Weather check before boating or hiking
Final Thoughts
Corfu is a straightforward destination to travel around once you understand a few local details.
You can pay by card almost everywhere, pharmacies and medical services are readily available in populated areas, public buses connect much of the island and mobile coverage is generally good.
The small things are what usually catch visitors out: an expensive currency conversion at an ATM, a phone connecting to Albania, arriving at the wrong ferry port, assuming an old bus timetable is still valid or setting off for a remote beach without enough water.
Sort out those practical details and you can spend considerably less of your holiday solving problems — and considerably more of it enjoying Corfu.
Transport schedules, business hours, telecom packages and other practical information can change. This guide was reviewed in August 2026; always confirm time-sensitive information with the relevant provider before travelling.
