As summer approaches, people worldwide start planning their summer vacations to get the best deals. Greece remains one of the most popular choices thanks to its many islands, fantastic beaches, and delicious food.
Corfu, in particular, has been an incredibly popular destination for decades. While people living in the Balkans or Italy often take a ferry to reach this island, US citizens tend to opt for a flight. If you’re among the latter, you may now wonder whether Corfu has an airport, what facilities you can find there, and how easy it is to travel from it to your accommodation. In this article, you will find all the information you need for your upcoming trip to Corfu.
Does Corfu Have an Airport?
Yes! Corfu has an airport with code CFU. It is located near Corfu Town and has a single terminal that mainly operates seasonal flights. While this may not be the most well-equipped airport in Greece, it has everything tourists need upon arrival. You will find a lost property counter, which you hopefully won’t have to use, and a first aid center.
Corfu Airport is also home to a few eateries, including renowned fast-food chains such as Burger King and other local restaurants and cafés where you can have a bite before or after your flight.
Passengers will also find the Hellenic Duty Free Store, where they will be able to buy last-minute souvenirs and a variety of other items, such as perfumes, local delicacies, and makeup.
Travelers can also buy a pass for the Goldair Handling Lounge on the first level of the Extra Schengen Area. However, they should keep in mind that this closes for the winter.
Flying into Corfu: What to Expect Upon Arrival
Landing in a foreign country where everyone speaks a language you don’t understand and everything is different from home, may be intimidating. However, there’s no reason to fear.
With a bit of patience, you’ll be able to withdraw some cash, get a local SIM card to ensure you have access to the internet at all times, and find the best transportation option to reach your accommodation. Here is everything you need to know
How Big is Corfu Airport?
Corfu Airport is relatively small and consists of a single terminal building. In 2024, CFU will welcome over 4,000,000 people, mostly through international flights, meaning the building can sometimes get quite crowded. While you won’t have to walk for miles like in other airports, you may have to deal with long queues, especially during Corfu’s high season, in July and August. Try to come here a few hours before your flight to ensure you have plenty of time.
Currency Exchange at Corfu Airport
While the most touristy places in Corfu accept credit and debit cards, having cash with you is always a good idea. This is because small shops like souvenir stores and local tavernas may not always accept cards. On top of this, cash may also come in handy when tipping, so try to exchange some dollars upon arrival.
You can do so at the OneXchange stand, which buys and sells over 50 currencies. This is conveniently located in the arrival area, near the baggage claim. OneXchange closes during the evening, so if you land late at night, you can try the location in Corfu Town the following day.
ATMs: Locations and Tips for Use
Corfu Airport is home to several ATMs operated by three banks. Euroban, Euronet, and Piraeus Bank. Here are all the locations:
- Eurobank: Arrival area
- Euronet: Departure and arrival areas
- Piraeus Bank: Arrival area
If this is your first time heading abroad, you should know a few things about using ATMs. First, you must ensure your card is enabled to process payments outside your country. To do so, simply contact your bank. You must then consider the exchange rate. Once you arrive at Corfu Airport, you may not have easy access to the internet, so we suggest you check the conversion rate between euros and US dollars before your trip.
It’s also important to remember that ATMs often have withdrawal fees. This can be quite expensive in locations packed with tourists, such as the airport. ATMs will always share their withdrawal fees before processing cash withdrawals, so you can decide whether it’s convenient.
If there’s a fixed rate, there is not much you can do; however, if your chosen ATM charges a percentage of the total amount you want to withdraw, you may want to take just enough cash to survive for the day and then try your luck in another ATM in an area where there are fewer tourists and which may therefore have better fees.
SIM Cards & Mobile Connectivity
Having access to the internet at all times will surely make your holiday less stressful. Many phones nowadays support e-SIM cards for a variety of countries worldwide. If your phone is among these, we suggest you use this option as physical SIM cards can be extremely polluting and you will only be able to use your Greek SIM card for the duration of your trip.
However, if this is not the case, you can buy a local SIM card upon arrival. At one point, Corfu Airport featured a Vodafone stand in its arrival area near the baggage claim. Unfortunately, we were unable to confirm whether this store is still available.
If not, you can opt for one of the many stores in Corfu Town. Cosmote and Vodafone are the most popular providers, with great coverage across the island.
Corfu Airport also offers free Wi-Fi for all passengers. To access it, connect to the Fraport-Free network and launch your browser to visit the welcome page. The connection can be quite slow depending on how many people are using it; however, it can be extremely useful if you urgently need Wi-Fi upon arrival.
Lastly, Corfu Airport also features a few charging stations. There’s nothing worse than realizing your phone is dead the moment you land. If this is your case, just look for one of the sockets in the departure gate area or the check-in hall. Don’t forget to get the right converter! Greece uses type C and type F plugs.
Stress-Free Travel Planning
Here is some extra information to help you plan your Corfu trip without stress.
Which Airlines Fly to Corfu?
Figuring out which airlines fly to Corfu Airport is a must if you want to find the best ticket for your trip. Here is a comprehensive list. Keep in mind that most of these only operate seasonal flights in the summer.
- Aegean Airlines
- Aer Lingus
- Air Baltic
- Air France
- Air Horizon
- Air Serbia
- AlpAvia
- Animawings
- Arkia Israeli Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Braathens International Airways
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Buzz
- Condor
- Corendon Dutch Airlines
- Discover Airlines
- Easyjet
- Edelweiss Air
- Enter Air
- European Air Charter
- Eurowings
- Finnair
- FlyDubai
- Iberia
- Israir
- ITA Airways
- Jet2.com
- Leav Aviation
- Lot Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- LuxAir
- Neos
- Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Norwegian Air Sweden
- Ryanair
- Scandinavia Airlines
- Sky Express
- Smartlynx Estonia
- Smartwings
- Sundair
- Swiss
- Transavia
- TUI
- TUS Airways
- Volotea
- Vueling
- Wizz Air
How Close is Corfu Airport to Top Villa Areas?
Corfu Airport is located near Corfu Town. This means you’ll be able to reach almost every area of the island within a short one-hour drive.
There are plenty of luxury Corfu villas to choose from, whether you want to stay in Corfu Town, head to a small village near the sea away from mass tourism, or opt for a family destination where you and your kids will be able to make the most of your trip to Greece.
If you’re curious to determine which place would be ideal based on your preferences, here is our complete guide on where to stay in Corfu.
Transportation from Corfu Airport
Once you land in Corfu Airport, you will have several options for getting to your accommodation. Here are the most popular ones.
Public Bus
Corfu Airport is served by public bus 15, which connects it to Corfu Town. The bus stop is in front of the terminal. This is the cheapest way to reach the city, but it may not be the most comfortable.
Taxi
Traveling by taxi can be a convenient way to reach your villa or hotel. Several taxis are available opposite the terminal. This option is more expensive, but it will make your trip more comfortable and allow you to reach your destination without changing buses or walking under the hot Greek sun.
Car Rental
Renting a car is a great idea if your accommodation is far from the airport and you’re planning to travel a lot during your stay in Corfu to visit all the island’s hidden gems.
Corfu Airport is home to the following car rental agencies:
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Corfu City Cars
- First Car Rental
- Corfu Explore Car Hire
While this should no longer be necessary, some car companies nationwide may still require US citizens to present an international driver’s permit. If you do not have one, we suggest you contact your chosen car rental agency and ask for all the required documents before renting a vehicle.