Corfu airport is about 2 1/2 miles south of Corfu town. A taxi from the airport to the town center costs approximately 12€, but may fluctuate with destination, amount of luggage and time of day. Taxi rates should be on display in the arrivals hall. There is no airport bus.

There are no ferries from Athens Piraeus port to Corfu. From the Greek mainland, ferries sail to Corfu town from the port cities of Igoumenitsa and Patras and from the island of Paxos. In addition, many ferries arrive in Corfu from Brindisi, in southern Italy - a popular route travelers use to journey from Italy to Greece. Ferries and cruise ships dock at the New Port, in the northwest part of Corfu town. From the ferry terminal you can easily walk into town or take a taxi to your hotel.

Boat travel in Greece is common and relatively inexpensive. Timetables change according to seasonal demand and boats may be delayed by weather conditions, so your plans should be flexible. That being said, ferries and hydrofoils for the Greek Islands only operate between May and September due to annual weather changes including rough seas and high winds. For travel beyond these months, your itinerary will include transportation by flight between the islands.

Note: The Athens airport authority advises you to allow a minimum of 45 minutes to make a flight connection; which should be adequate if you arrive and depart from the main terminal and do not have to clear Customs. Allow at least 60 to 90 minutes if you have to clear Customs or if you arrive or depart from the satellite terminal. At present, many charter flights use the satellite terminal.

There are various ways of getting around the island of Corfu; hiring a car or taking a local bus or taxi. Local buses are a cheap way to travel (approximately 4€ for the longest journey), but the bus timetables can be difficult to find and often change without notice. In Corfu, there are two bus services, which are well organized, with modern vehicles and frequent itineraries. First is the municipal bus service. These blue buses service Corfu town, its suburbs and nearby destinations. The station is found at San Rocco Square (Platía Sanróko). The second service is the KTEL, which offers transportation to points all over the island - Paleokastritsa, Glifada, Sidari and more. KTEL buses are green and the central station is found at Theotoki Street just west of the Néo Froúrio (New Fort).

A popular means of getting around the island is by moped or bicycle. It's easy to rent mopeds, scooters and motorcycles, but the roads are so winding, narrow and steep that you should be very experienced before renting such a vehicle. Expect to pay about 25€ a day or 100€ a week for a 50cc motorbike or about 30€ a day and 110€ a week for a 125cc motorbike. It's a good idea to check the lights, brakes and other mechanics before you ride off; and insist on a helmet. Greek law now requires wearing a helmet, but not all agents supply one. Also, don't wear shorts or sandals; and get a phone number, in case of a breakdown.

Warning: The roads are not only tricky and steep, but also narrow, and it can be dangerous due to cars overtaking you at high speed or visiting drivers who aren't sure where they're going. At night, you may be sharing the roads with motorists returning from an evening of drinking!

Taxis are of no use inside Corfu Town as distances are short and streets congested, but they are useful for getting to and from the harbor and the airport. Taxis rates are reasonable when drivers use their meters; however, many don't, so you should agree on the fare before setting out. Taxis wait at San Rocco Square, the Esplanade, the airport, the Old Port Square and the New Port. Additionally, you may decide to hire a taxi to visit some of the sites outside Corfu town. Again, be sure to agree on the fare beforehand.

Hiring a car is an option to get around Corfu as it will provide the most freedom and comfort for travel. As on all Greek islands, exercise caution with regard to steep, winding roads and fellow drivers who are equally unfamiliar with the terrain. Get a map if you intend to travel. But get a Greek language one as well as an English one as the Greek place names are more likely to correspond with the local road signs. And be aware that many maps can have little or no relation to the roads, especially in rural areas. Road edition maps are usually the most accurate.

Corfu town has several car rental agencies, most of them clustered around the port, where you can expect to pay from 35€ per day to 230€ per week for a car depending on the season. Be sure to get full insurance and check the brakes. During peak season finding a parking space is quite a challenge.

Please Note: If you park in a no-parking area, the police will remove your license plates, and you, not the car rental office, will have to pay a hefty fine to get them back!

Warning: Drive with caution, especially at night, when you will undoubtedly be sharing the roads with motorists returning from an evening of drinking.

The currency of Greece is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Bank hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Greece by clicking here

English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. Greeks do have great regard for those that try to speak Greek so it is a good idea to learn a few phrases. We suggest you get a good English-Greek guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Greek food comes in many shapes, forms and varieties to keep even the most demanding traveler satisfied! Corfu has its own culinary specilaties and food products. Don't be afraid to sample the best each island has to offer.

A service charge of 15 percent is usually included in the bill, but if service is good, then it is customary to leave 10 percent.

Most villages have small markets where you can buy water and food and other household items. Greek pharmacies are usually excellent with a qualified doctor or medic on staff (who usually speaks some English), but medicines can be more expensive than at home.

Corfu's temperate weather and turquoise waters surrounded by lush greenery make it one of the loveliest of all the Greek islands! Many of its beaches offer hotels, waterfront restaurants, water sports facilities and beach bars. Paleokastritsa, the most popular and picturesque, has several bays flanked by caves and cliffs. Ayios Georgios, with its fine sand and shallow water is ideal for a refreshing swim for both children and adults. Sidari, and its famous Canal d' Amour (Channel of Love), is an idyllic area with unique rock formations that have created a series of coves and canals. For more adventurous types or those looking for the 'party,' you'll want to visit secluded Myrtiotissa, the unofficial nudist beach or Kavos, one of the most active beaches on the island. This large beach is fully equipped with tourist amenities like umbrellas and chairs, beach bars and shops. And at night, it turns into a popular nightlife destination and venues stay open till the early morning hours. Please visit our dedicated page on Corfu beaches for more information.

Please note: It is common for women to go topless on beaches. And while public nudity is illegal in Greece, every island has at least one beach where nudity is allowed.

Do as the Corfiots do and begin your evening with a volta (stroll) under the Liston's elegant arcades. Corfu town offers a number of stylish restaurants and a sophisticated European ambience. Though many people are content to linger over dinner, Corfu town definitely has a nightlife scene, which can be enjoyed in the cafes at the Liston or at the north end of the Esplanade, just outside the Liston. The rooftop cafe/bar at the Cavalieri Hotel and the Art Cafe, to the right and behind the Museum of Asian Art are both special retreats. If you want a bit more action, there are several nightspots along the coast to the north, between Corfu town and the beach resort of Gouvia. Young people seeking excitement go down past the New Port to a strip of flashy discos where there are any number of places that go in and out of favor (and business) from year to year.

Kerkyra (Corfu) is an enchanting mixture of simplicity and sophistication. With its rich history, quaint villages, museums and other attractions, there is plenty to keep you busy! Corfu offers many activities like scuba diving and snorkeling as well as hiking trails. For serious hikers, we especially recommend exploring the Corfu Trail.

There is no shortage of shopping opportunities on Corfu! Corfu town has hundreds of charming stores selling everything from cheap souvenirs to expensive designer goods. Popular purchases include jewelry, hand-made needlework, leather, ceramics and olive wood sculptures. We also recommend the kumquat liqueur, a unique treat and gift!