From the airport to the city centre Ionian Islands

The easiest way to get to Corfu, with or without a stopover in Athens, is to arrive at the small international airport Ioánnis-Kapodístrias (www.cfu-airport.gr). This small airport, located 2 km from Corfu City, offers a very cheap shuttle bus (€1.50) in 15 minutes to San Rocco Square in the center of the Old Town. If you are staying elsewhere on the island, you can also easily find a connection there (www.greenbuses.gr). Cabs are very inexpensive (from €8 to reach the Old Town, depending on the number of passengers and luggage). If your hotel does not provide a shuttle, ask the cabs if they offer a package deal. Otherwise, it is also possible to rent a car from the airport. In high season, just remember to reserve a car...
Five of the seven Ionian islands have an airport. If you start your stay or go to another island than Corfu, you can land in Zakynthos (www.zth-airport.gr/en), Kefalonia (www.efl-airport.gr/en), Kythera or Preveza (www.pvk-airport.gr/en), on the mainland, not far from Lefkada. Although bus connections are not always available, these regional airports are rarely far from the cities and are easily accessible by cab at moderate prices. It is also possible to rent a car.

Arrival by boat Ionian Islands

Of course, you can also reach the Ionian Islands by sea. From Italy, boats from Bari or Ancona arrive and depart from Igoumenitsa in Epirus or Patras in the Peloponnese (see www.minoan.gr for connections). If you're already on the mainland, you can embark from Igoumenitsa for Corfu. You can also continue or dream up your itinerary in Greece and between the Ionian islands online (on sites such as www.ferries.gr/en or www.gtp.gr) and book your tickets in advance, again via the Internet (www.openseas.gr).

Public transport Ionian Islands

Bus transport is highly developed, flexible (often with numerous daily departures) and inexpensive. In this respect, Corfu's bus network is quite remarkable (check out the possible connections on the greenbuses.gr website). The other Ionian islands all have a regional Ktel network. The only drawback is that the system has not yet gone digital. Tickets can be purchased before departure at bus stations or at the small kiosks next to the main stops.

Bike, scooters & co Ionian Islands

Everywhere in the islands, the use of bicycles is growing. However, as far as two-wheelers are concerned, motorcycles and scooters are still the most popular. Anyway, don't imitate the locals and wear a helmet... on your head! The roads are not necessarily well maintained, the wind blows strongly and an accident can happen quickly: without a helmet, the insurance will not cover you. Many rental companies do not insist on wearing a helmet, so ask specifically for one. Another important piece of information: the classic French B license includes the driving of scooters up to 125cc category (not included). However, some rental companies will refuse to let you have a scooter (even a 50cc) if you do not have a special motorcycle/scooter license or if you cannot prove that you have followed the two-wheeler training that is now mandatory in France. Again, in case of an accident, the Greek insurance may not cover you.

With a driver Ionian Islands

Cab fares in the islands are significantly lower than elsewhere in Europe. Cab fares are normally flat rates set annually by the national government, which means that each trip has a fixed, pre-determined fare based on mileage. Most cities, even small ones, usually have cab drivers, although not necessarily in sufficient numbers. This is one of the reasons - and it should not be surprising - why most drivers will not hesitate to pick up other passengers going in the same direction as you..

By car Ionian Islands

Some clichés have a hard time. Nevertheless, if you rent a car in the islands, you should know that Greeks have their own customs. Speed limits are rarely respected and it is common to drive on the hard shoulder for example. Parking is difficult and often anarchic, and leaving your car in double lane with a phone number on the windshield is common. Wearing a seatbelt is optional, and making phone calls while driving seems to be an individual freedom. Nevertheless, the car is probably the most efficient way to discover Greece. We simply recommend you to be very careful when driving. On the islands, the roads are often poorly maintained and narrow, so you will not have much choice but to limit your speed.

Accessibility Ionian Islands

The fate of disabled people and strollers is unfortunately not a priority in Greece, far from it. As a result, accessibility is limited, especially in all public transport and local buses. On the sea side, ferries and other boats are not always very accessible either: on the big ferries, access is theoretically assured for all, but in practice it is a different story (the escalators used to get on the boat are sometimes deactivated when it comes to disembarking...). Elevators are provided but do not necessarily serve all the floors of the ferries.

Tourist traps Ionian Islands

Apart from a fairly universal classic (in a cab, watch the meter or check your airport pass), not much to report...