🚌🚕🚗⛴️ Getting Around Corfu: A Tourist’s Guide to Transportation
Corfu, with its lush landscapes, charming villages, and sparkling coastline, is a treasure trove for travelers. To fully experience the island, understanding how to get around efficiently is key. While Corfu may seem compact at first glance, its hilly terrain, scattered beaches, and remote villages mean planning your transportation wisely will enhance your visit. From buses and taxis to car rentals and ferries, each option has its advantages, costs, and insider tips for tourists seeking both convenience and authenticity. Visitors often discover that transportation itself can become part of the experience, offering scenic views, encounters with locals, and the occasional unexpected adventure.
🚌 Buses – The KTEL Network
Buses, operated by the KTEL company, are the backbone of public transport in Corfu. Routes link Corfu Town with major resorts, villages, and beaches across the island. For example, buses run frequently from Corfu Town to Paleokastritsa (about 35 minutes), Sidari (around 1 hour), and Kavos in the south (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes). Tickets are affordable, generally ranging from €1.50 to €5 depending on the distance.
💡 Tip: Buy tickets directly from the driver or at the KTEL bus station in Corfu Town, and check timetables in advance, as some routes run only a few times per day during the off-season. Buses are air-conditioned in summer and provide scenic views of the Ionian landscapes, making the journey part of the experience itself.
🚍 Corfu City Bus Routes (Blue Buses)
- Line 2a – Ano Plateia (Liston) → Kanoni (with views of Mouse Island)
- Line 2b – Saroko (San Rocco) Square → Port → Kefalomantouko
- Line 4 – Saroko Square → Potamos → Evropouli
- Line 5 – Mitropolitou Methodiou Avenue → Kinopiastes → Kouramades
- Line 6 – Mitropolitou Methodiou Avenue → Benitses
- Line 7 – Saroko Square → Dassia → Ipsos (via Kontokali and Gouvia)
- Line 8 – Saroko Square → Afra → Agios Ioannis (Aqualand)
- Line 10 – Mitropolitou Methodiou Avenue → Achilleion Palace
- Line 11 – Saroko Square → Pelekas
- Line 14 – Saroko Square → Kanalia → Kompitsi
- Line 15 – Airport → Green Bus Terminal → Saroko Square → Port
- Line 18 – Mitropolitou Methodiou Avenue → Varipatades
🚕 Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are widely available in Corfu Town, near the airport, and around major resorts like Gouvia, Dassia, and Kassiopi. They offer flexibility and comfort, particularly for travelers with luggage or groups. Expect fares from Corfu Town to Glyfada or Paleokastritsa to cost around €20–€25, while longer trips to Kavos or the north coast may reach €40–€50. Nighttime rides and airport transfers are especially convenient when buses are less frequent.
💡 Tip: Confirm the fare with the driver before setting off, as not all taxis use meters consistently. Some drivers double as informal guides, sharing stories about secret beaches, hidden tavernas, or even playful ghost tales of the Venetian fort – making the ride part of your Corfu adventure.
🚗 Car Rentals – Exploring at Your Own Pace
Renting a car is the most popular option for tourists who want freedom to explore remote beaches, mountain villages, and hidden coves. Multiple rental agencies operate in Corfu Town, Gouvia, and near the airport. Daily rates typically start at €25–€35 for small cars during low season, rising in summer.
⚠️ Roads can be narrow and winding, especially in the north. Parking is limited in popular spots like Corfu Town or Glyfada Beach, so arrive early. Fuel stations are widely available, and GPS or offline maps are essential. Drive slowly on coastal roads – it’s safer, scenic, and appreciated by locals.
🛵 Scooters, ATVs & Bicycles
For shorter distances or adventurous travelers, scooters and ATVs provide fun alternatives. They reach secluded coves and panoramic viewpoints inaccessible by car. 🚲 Bicycles are popular in flat areas like Kavos or Agios Stefanos, though hills require stamina. Always wear a helmet and respect traffic rules.
🌅 Insider Idea: Try an evening ride through olive groves near Pelekas – a magical way to catch the sunset like a local.
⛴️ Ferries and Boat Transfers
Corfu’s coastline invites exploration by sea. Ferries connect Corfu Town to Igoumenitsa in ~1.5–2 hours, while private boats and water taxis operate near Paleokastritsa, Kalami, and Kassiopi. 🚤 These unlock hidden gems such as Porto Timoni or Rovinia Beach, often inaccessible by road. Local captains add flavor with tales of smugglers and sea caves, blending transport with storytelling.
💡 Local Insider Tips
- 🕗 Start your day early for beaches – it avoids traffic and helps with parking.
- 💶 Carry small change for bus fares or quick market buys.
- 🗺️ Use GPS or offline maps – vital for smaller villages.
- 🤝 Ask locals for shortcuts – they often reveal hidden beaches and scenic paths.
- 🍇 Observe locals picnicking or fishing – it’s an authentic Corfiot experience worth joining.
Conclusion
Getting around Corfu can be as leisurely or adventurous as you choose. Whether by 🚌 bus, 🚕 taxi, 🚗 rental car, 🚲 bicycle, or ⛴️ boat, each mode offers its own perspective. With local knowledge, curiosity, and respect for island rhythms, transportation becomes more than just movement – it’s a doorway to authentic encounters, memorable views, and stories you’ll carry home.