Corfu Travel Information & Planning Guide

Airport 

Whether you’re flying commercially or privately, taking to the skies is one of the most popular ways to reach Corfu. Corfu Airport (CFU) is located on the east side of the island 4 miles from the base. From the airport, the trip takes 15 minutes.

You’ll find daily domestic flights on Olympic Airways, along with international charter flights. You can also travel with Aegean airlines to reach the stunning island of Corfu.

Transfers from Corfu Airport to the base can be arranged if requested. Transfer time is approximately 10-15 minutes.

Transfer costs:

• 1 to 4 pax: 30 euros
• 5 to 8 pax: 60 euros
• 9 to 12 pax: 90 euros

Taxis are an easy way to get around Corfu, particularly from the airport to the Marina Gouvia base. Use the following to book your taxi and find out information about costs and durations:

• Recommended taxi in Gouvia – Tel: 0030 694 5858120
• Central Booking Office-radio taxi – Tel: 30 2661 33811 

You can also get from Corfu Airport to our base at Marina Gouvia by bus. It takes around 40 minutes and is a simple route. Hop on the 2A at KAPATZA E towards KANONI – ANΩ ΠΛAETIA (ΛΙΣΤΟΝ) and jump off at ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΣΑΡΟΚΟΥ ΓΡΑΜΜΗ where you can get the 07 towards ΣΑΡΟΚΟ (ΠΟΛΗ) – ΥΨΟΣ which takes you to ΓΕΝΙΚΟ ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ-ΚΟΝΤΟΚΑΛΙ, just a 7 minute walk from the base.

From the port in Corfu to the base at Marina Gouvia, the distance is 2.5 miles. Use the following helpful resources to plan your journey, view the timetables and book your tickets:

• Strintzis Lines 30 2661 025232
• Minoan Lines 30 2661 025000
• Hellas Flying Dolphins

The following reliable car rental companies have bases at the airport:

• Hertz 
• Avis 
• Europcar

Your rental car can be collected upon arrival at the airport or at the base, whichever suits you best.

Charter Boarding Time: 3:00 PM

Briefing Times: Boat & Chart briefings are available on request only.

The base personnel will wait for you until 7:00 pm. After 7:00 pm, you will find an information sign at our reception office with a message for you indicating your yacht’s berth. Your boat will be open and indicated by a sign with your name.  The boat’s equipment will be ready for the night. The base personnel will be available the next day at 9:00 am.

All charterers must return to base by 5:00 pm the night before disembarkation for debriefing and checks. Disembarkation is at 9:00 am the following morning.

Provisioning 

Moorings Care packages are included on every yacht. These packages contain some of the basics to get you started for your vacation. Additional items are available to be purchased and delivered directly to your yacht. Visit our Provisioning Page to learn more.

Mobile phones  

The mobile network is well developed all over Greece. You can use your own mobile after checking with your supplier to find out if Greece is included in your contract. Mobile phones are NOT available to rent locally – we strongly suggest reviewing service options with your provider before travelling.

Music/iPods  

N/A

Electricity

Certain yachts are equipped with power cords, a battery charger and 220V plugs, but unfortunately the marina piers don’t often have electrical outlets. The piers in the marina are not equipped with 220 V.

For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters or here for Crewed Charters.

A valid passport (for each passenger) and crew list is compulsory for clearance. Expiration date must be no earlier than 6 months after your planned return. A customs declaration form must be completed at the port of entry.

EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border registration system for non-EU travellers visiting Schengen countries for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Instead of relying on passport stamps, the system will electronically record each entry and exit, including biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial images) for first-time registration.

For our customers, travelling to our Mediterranean destinations, this means slightly longer processing on first arrival as details are captured, but faster and more streamlined border crossings thereafter. Please allow for plenty layover time to account for any delays.

The EES is designed to improve border efficiency, enhance security, and more accurately track permitted stays across participating European countries.

Learn more here: What is the EES? – EES

A formal sailing license is mandatory to charter here. Review the sailing and power requirements for Greece while planning your charter vacation.

The Greek Maritime Authorities have recently changed their sailing license requirements for 2022 and 2023 and have confirmed that they will no longer accept the RYA Day Skipper qualification for Yacht Chartering in Greek waters.

All RYA Day Skipper Qualification holders are able to convert their current qualification to the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) qualification. This can be done online through the RYA website or via a paper form which can be downloaded from the website and printed. If you are a RYA member, an ICC can be issued free of charge, please visit the website and complete the application form.

The conversion period may take several weeks, therefore please plan ahead to ensure you receive the ICC certificate in time. The skipper must bring a physical copy of their sailing qualification – a photocopy or picture on a phone will not be accepted by the marine authorities.

Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are best, as luggage storage space on your yacht may be limited. We have no facilities for holding luggage at the base. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list for required and necessary items to bring.

• Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag*
• Passport and other travel documentation
• Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities
• Light-colored, light-weight clothing
• Formal wear for upscale dining establishments
• Swimwear and cover up
• Hats and sunglasses
• Sandals and flip-flops
• Athletic shoes and hiking boots
• Travel-sized toiletries and hygiene products
• Insect repellent and OTC pain relievers/ointments
• AUX cable for playing music through your device
• 12V DC to 110V AC power inverter (for boats without generators**)
• 12V to USB power adapter for charging mobile devices

*We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.

**All boats include a 12V DC outlet (a “car” outlet). Boats with generators have 110V outlets in the Caribbean and 220V in the Mediterranean and Exotic locations.

The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-greece/.

Corfu’s, and the rest of Greece, official currency is the Euro. You will not be able to pay with US Dollars during your yacht charter so it’s a good idea to exchange your money before you kick off your sailing adventure.

Accepted Credit Cards

Visa and MasterCard are accepted but American Express may only be accepted at limited locations and most local tavernas accept only cash.

Traveler’s Checks

Our Marina Gouvia base cannot accept cash or personal checks. Money changing should be done either with cash or by travelers’ checks and Euro checks. Money changing facilities are present in the majority of towns, although they are not that readily available and off the beaten track which is why it is best to exchange your money when you first arrive at the airport, provided you’ve arrived during opening hours.

Tipping waiters, taxi drivers, etc. is generally not expected in Greece, but if you round up the bill it will be appreciated.

You might incur some costs while on charter such as mooring and docking fees or cruising taxes. We highly recommend bringing enough of the local currency to cover these costs as they are not always payable by USD, debit, and/or credit cards.

A security deposit must be paid at the base by Visa or MasterCard and is refundable at the end of your charter subject to there being no loss or damage. To significantly decrease your security deposit, purchase our Yacht Damage Waiver insurance ahead of time.

Your health and safety are important to us. For advice on how to stay safe while on charter, please review Travel Advice Information. Current travel and safety information can be obtained by visiting travel.state.gov

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets and Diver Down flags are all available on board. 

Children:

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

DO NOT OVERESTIMATE YOUR ABILITY

• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.
• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use of this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat on boarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing. 

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are travelling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them. 

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy. 

This destination is generally risk-free of contagious disease. Visit cdc.gov for the latest information.

The Moorings offers comprehensive travel insurance through our partner, for your peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, verify that it covers the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.