General Corfu tourist information

 
The Island of Corfu measures 590 km²; it stretches 62 km. from north to south. The island is 28 km in width and the smallest area is 3,5 km. The coastline is 217 km in length. Corfu is the sixth biggest of the Greek islands and second biggest of the Ionian island group.

Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.

Money: The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and traveller’s cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros.

Language: Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.

Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens require a passport valid for at least three months after the end of their stay. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months, but a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are advisable.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but a visa is not required.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must hold a passport valid for the period of their intended stay, but no visa is necessary.

Embassy  in US: Greek Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 939 1300
Embassy or Consulate in UK: Greek Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7229 3850
US Embassy or Consulate: United States Embassy, Athens: +30 210 721 2951
UK Embassy or Consulate: British Embassy, Athens: +30 210 727 2600

Getting around: Corfu’s bus system includes public bus services to Corfu town and its surrounds, and a semi-private bus system that services points all over the island. In and around Corfu town taxis is the easiest way to get around, and are the only means of transport to the harbour and airport; agree on the fare beforehand. Hiring a car is the most popular way to get around and there are numerous car rental companies around the island, but cars may be difficult to come by in high season; it is best to book with an established international rental company prior to arrival. Mopeds and motorbikes are easily available for hire.

Health: There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human infections have been reported. The risk to people is believed to be very low, but visitors are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.

Tipping: The tip is often included in the bill in a restaurant. If  not, leave between 10 to 15 percent. For drinks at cafes, round the bill up to the nearest euro. Taxis expect change as do cloak room attendants and porters.

Safety: There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. The bombs that exploded in central Athens outside a police station on 5 May 2004 were not targeted at tourists, but visitors could be caught up accidentally in such incidents. Greece is otherwise considered a safe destination, but the height of the tourist season does usually see an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors are advised not to carry valuables on them. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands and lone visitors are advised not to accept lifts from strangers.

Communications: The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the Internet from hotels.

Duty free: Travellers from non-EU countries do not pay duty when entering Greece for 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre of spirits with alcohol volume over 22%, or 2 litres of dessert wine not exceeding 22% alcohol volume and sparkling wine, or 2 litres of table wine; 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods for non-commercial value to the value of €175 for adults and €90 for children under 15 years. Providing goods are bought for personal use, there are no restrictions on carrying tobacco and alcohol between the 15 original countries of the EU (including the UK), with the exception of Finland, Denmark and Sweden.