To Rent or Not to Rent: Choosing the Best Vehicle for Your Holiday in Corfu
- Katerina
- Apr 21
- 4 min read
Dear traveller,
Thank you for visiting our blog!
In this guide, we help you decide the best vehicle to rent in Corfu based on your travel style, experience, and holiday plans. We share our honest insights from our experience renting Vespa scooters, along with our personal driving experience on the island.
Our goal is to help you understand whether renting a bicycle, car, ATV, moped, scooter, or motorcycle is the right choice for your holiday—always with your safety and overall experience in mind.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
Do You Need a Rental Vehicle in Corfu?
It depends on your travel style.
If your goal is to relax and spend most of your time at your accommodation, you may not need a vehicle.
However, if you want to explore the island freely, discover different beaches, and move based on your mood, renting a vehicle will significantly enhance your experience.
One of the biggest advantages is flexibility. For example, if the sea is rough on the west coast, you can easily drive to the east side, where the sea is usually calmer. You can stop wherever you like, follow your curiosity, and adapt your plans throughout the day.
This freedom is something organized excursions rarely offer.
Distances & Travel Time in Corfu
Although Corfu is smaller than Crete, distances can still feel long.
To help you better understand distances across the island, we’ve created a simple visual map::
Driving distances and travel times from Corfu Town to popular locations across the island.
Corfu Town to Kassiopi: 36 km – approx. 56 minutes
Corfu Town to Sidari: 38 km – approx. 55 minutes
Corfu Town to Afionas: 36 km – approx. 57 minutes
Corfu Town to Palaiokastritsa: 26 km – approx. 40 minutes
Corfu Town to Glyfada: 19 km – approx. 31 minutes
Corfu Town to Issos: 31 km – approx. 50 minutes
Corfu Town to Benitses: 16 km – approx. 30 minutes (traffic can be heavy in summer)
Corfu Town to Kavos: 49 km – approx. 1 hour 6 minutes
How Many Days Should You Rent a Vehicle?
This depends on:
your accommodation location
your travel goals
your energy level
If you stay close to the beach, you may only need a vehicle for a few days.
If your accommodation is in a more remote area, you may need a vehicle for your entire stay.
If you plan to stay in multiple locations, having a vehicle throughout your trip is highly recommended.
👉 Ideally, 5 days are enough to explore Corfu comfortably and experience its authentic character.
Which Vehicle Should You Choose?
🚲 Bicycle / E-bike
Suitable for experienced riders.
Corfu has many hills, and summer temperatures can make long rides challenging. An e-bike is a better option and ideal for short experiences (1–2 days).
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for cycling.
🚗 Car
Is it better to rent a car or a scooter in Corfu?
A car offers comfort and safety, especially if:
you don’t have a motorcycle licence
you don’t feel confident riding a scooter
Small or medium-sized cars are easier to drive on narrow roads and easier to park.
👉 If you are not used to driving manual transmission, choose automatic.
🛵 Scooter / Motorcycle For many travellers, the question is: car or scooter in Corfu?
A scooter offers a more direct and flexible way to explore the island.
Easy to navigate narrow streets
Easier parking
More direct connection with the surroundings It is a wonderful way to experience Corfu.
However: 👉 it requires experience
👉 it requires the correct licence
💡 About 50cc scooters
They are easy to ride, but:
not ideal for steep hills
not ideal with a passenger
👉 In some cases, the passenger may need to step off and walk uphill.
ATV
Many travellers also wonder whether to choose an ATV or a moped in Corfu.
ATVs are often chosen by travellers without a motorcycle licence.
However:
they are noisy and less comfortable
not suitable for long distances or long rides under the sun
not ideal for everyday use
👉 They combine some limitations of both cars and scooters: they require parking space like a car but do not offer the comfort or protection.
👉 Better suited for short experiences or guided tours.
⚠️ Off-road driving is usually not allowed and not covered by insurance.
What Should You Consider Before Renting a Scooter or Motorcycle?
1. Driving Experience
If you are not experienced, do not start learning during your holiday.
Corfu roads can be:
narrow
hilly
unpredictable
2. Road Conditions
steep inclines and declines
narrow countryside roads
traffic on roads not designed for it
👉 You may need to stop uphill or downhill.
3. Riding with a Passenger
If you lack experience:
👉 avoid riding with a passenger
4. Choose What You Know
Always choose a vehicle you are familiar with.
👉 Do not try a higher cc or unfamiliar vehicle during your holiday.
5. Real Experience Insight
From feedback of experienced riders:
👉 Large motorcycles (300cc+) can feel uncomfortable in Corfu due to:
traffic
road conditions
narrow roads
Final Thoughts
The right choice depends on:
your experience
your confidence
your expectations
Our aim is not to influence your decision—but to help you make a safe, informed, and enjoyable choice.
We wish you pleasant travels and safe rides!
Kindest regards,
Katerina
