Car rental and insurance on the Corfu route Ferry operators and local car hire names to know Paxos landmarks and driving context Antipaxos beaches and transport options Can I rent a car in Corfu and take it to Paxos? How much does the ferry from Corfu to Paxos cost? What is the best way to get from Paxos port to your hotel? Ferry Planning a trip to Paxos in the Ionian Islands on the Ionian Sea starts with one core fact: Paxos has no airport, so every visitor arrives by sea. The main arrival point is Gaios port, and the two practical gateways are Corfu for foot passengers and Igoumenitsa for car ferries. You reach Paxos only by ferry or boat, and the arrival port is Gaios. A foot-passenger hydrofoil from Corfu is the fastest route, while a Ro-Ro car ferry from Igoumenitsa is the only regular way to bring a vehicle to the island. According to 2026 ferry schedules, the Corfu crossing is about 45 minutes, while the Igoumenitsa crossing is typically 1.5 to 1.75 hours. Route Departure point Arrival point Typical duration Vehicle allowed Best use case Corfu to Paxos Corfu Town New Port Gaios 45 minutes No Foot passengers flying into Corfu Igoumenitsa to Paxos Igoumenitsa port Gaios 1.5–1.75 hours Yes Travelers bringing a car Caveat: ferry frequencies vary by day and season, and operators can change timetables without long notice, so always verify the current sailing before booking accommodation. The Corfu to Paxos ferry is the standard route for most visitors arriving via Corfu International Airport (CFU). The service is usually a high-speed hydrofoil or passenger catamaran, with departures concentrated in the summer months. Typical 2026 service patterns include up to 13 crossings per day and around 29 sailings per week in high season, with first departures often around 06:30 and late sailings near 18:45. Common operators on the Corfu–Paxos line include Joy Cruises, Kamelia Lines, Kerkyra Lines, and Ilida Passenger Lines. Caveat: the Corfu route does not accept cars, and rental contracts often prohibit ferry transport because the vehicle insurance does not cover sea crossing damage unless explicitly stated. Car rental and insurance on the Corfu route Corfu car rental companies usually require that the vehicle stays on Corfu unless the contract says otherwise. In practical terms, terms and conditions often mention preauthorisation, CDW, SCDW, FDW, excess/deductible, franchise, zero excess, full coverage, MTPL, third-party liability, Super CDW, and Excess Waiver. If a rental contract forbids ferry transport, taking the car to Paxos can void coverage, including claims handled under third-party liability or MTPL. Insurance term What it usually means Paxos ferry relevance CDW Collision Damage Waiver May still exclude ferry crossings unless stated SCDW / Super CDW Reduced excess waiver product Can lower the excess/deductible but not override route bans FDW / Full coverage Broader damage package Check whether sea transport is excluded Zero excess No payable excess in many damage claims Still subject to contract restrictions Excess Waiver Covers the deductible/franchise Does not automatically permit island ferries MTPL / third-party liability Mandatory liability cover Usually mandatory, but limited to contract conditions Caveat: insurance wording varies by company, and a preauthorisation on your credit card may still be required even if you buy zero excess or full coverage. Ferry operators and local car hire names to know Corfu and Paxos travelers often see the names Alfa Car Hire, Routsis Car Hire, Go2Rent, Ionian Rent a Car, Malifous Travel, Planos, Electra, Paxos Rentals, Fougaros, A&C Rentals, and Loggos Car Rentals. These businesses are relevant because many publish route restrictions and delivery conditions in their booking terms. Caveat: fleet availability and delivery rules differ by agency, so verify whether a Fiat Panda, Citroen C1, Peugeot 108, Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo, Opel Corsa, Citroen C3, Seat Arona, Dacia Duster, Suzuki Jimny, Peugeot 2008, or Jeep Renegade can be delivered to Gaios and whether ferry use is prohibited. Yes, you can bring a car to Paxos only by taking the Ro-Ro car ferry from Igoumenitsa. The Igoumenitsa service is designed for vehicles and passengers together, and in 2026 the standard vehicle fare starts at about €47 one way before passenger tickets. Two operators commonly associated with this route are Kerkyra Lines and Kerkyra Seaways. For a typical holidaymaker, the full chain can become expensive: a rental car in Corfu, a ferry or transfer to Igoumenitsa, the car ferry to Gaios, and then the return legs. Caveat: if you are flying into Corfu and only staying on Paxos, the mainland route is usually slower and more expensive than booking a local car on Paxos after arrival. Most ferries from Corfu and Igoumenitsa arrive at Gaios, the main port and administrative center of Paxos. In 2026, many local rental companies offer free delivery and collection at the ferry quay, which means you can often collect your vehicle in less than 30 minutes after disembarking. A typical handover includes a license check, contract signature, and a preauthorisation if your rental uses a credit-card hold for the excess or franchise. Local agencies often provide small island cars such as the Fiat Panda, Toyota Aygo, Kia Picanto, Citroen C1, or Peugeot 108, which are practical for narrow roads in Gaios, Lakka, Loggos, Magazia, Fontana, Velianatika, Bogdanatika, Platanos, Ozias, and Mongonissi. For road conditions and parking, see our Paxos driving guide. Caveat: availability drops sharply in July and August, so same-day walk-up rentals at Gaios are unreliable even when the port looks quiet. Paxos landmarks and driving context Paxos roads connect the port with inland landmarks such as the Sarakinos Cisterns, the Olive Press Museum, the Tripitos Arch, and the Anemogiannis Soap Factory. These points are useful because they show how compact the island is: most drives are short, but coastal lanes can be narrow and slow. Caveat: if you plan to explore remote beaches, a higher-clearance model such as a Seat Arona, Dacia Duster, Suzuki Jimny, Peugeot 2008, or Jeep Renegade can be easier than a city car, though the smaller models are usually cheaper. You reach Antipaxos from Paxos by small passenger boats or sea taxis, and no vehicles are allowed. The crossing from Gaios to Antipaxos is usually about 15 minutes, and the round-trip fare is commonly around €25 per person. Sea taxi departures often begin around 10:00 AM, with returns by about 4:00 PM. Our day trips guide covers both Antipaxos beaches and Paxos driving routes. A second seasonal departure may operate from Lakka on some Wednesdays, which can be useful for visitors staying in the north of Paxos. Caveat: sea taxi schedules depend on weather and passenger demand, so do not assume every advertised departure will run if the wind is strong. Antipaxos beaches and transport options Antipaxos is best known for Voutoumi and Vrika beaches, while Paxos day-trippers also search for Monodendri, Kipiadi, Marmari, and Erimitis on the main island. These beaches are part of the standard island itinerary because they can be combined with ferry arrival, car rental, and day boat trips. Caveat: some visitors also use a passenger ferry or a small glass-bottom boat for sightseeing, but these services are for excursions, not for transporting rental cars. Most Paxos car rentals do not allow the vehicle to leave the island on a ferry without written permission. Local agencies such as Paxos Rentals, Loggos Car Rentals, A&C Rentals, and Fougaros commonly keep their fleets on Paxos, and ferry transport rules are usually written into the rental contract. On the insurance side, many island rentals are sold with options labeled CDW, SCDW, FDW, zero excess, Super CDW, Excess Waiver, and full coverage, but these products still need to be checked against the ferry clause. Under Greek road rules, the KOK (Greek Road Traffic Code) governs road use — our FAQ answers common questions about licences and insurance — while international visitors may also need an IDP (International Driving Permit) depending on their license country and the rental company’s policy. Caveat: an EOT license is relevant to licensed tourism businesses, not to the renter, but you should still ask the agency whether its transfer and rental operations are officially registered. Can I rent a car in Corfu and take it to Paxos? No, a Corfu rental car usually cannot be taken on the ferry to Paxos. Corfu–Paxos services are typically passenger-only hydrofoils, and rental contracts often exclude ferry transport unless explicitly approved. If the company allows it, the agency should confirm the route in writing and explain the insurance impact on the excess/deductible or franchise. If the contract is silent, assume the vehicle stays on Corfu. How much does the ferry from Corfu to Paxos cost? A Corfu to Paxos ferry ticket usually costs less than a car ferry, but the exact price depends on operator and date. In 2026, the route is typically a passenger hydrofoil service with frequent summer sailings, while the Igoumenitsa car ferry starts vehicle fares at about €47 one way. If you are traveling with luggage only, the foot-passenger ticket is usually the cheaper option. If you need to bring a car, the mainland route is the relevant benchmark. What is the best way to get from Paxos port to your hotel? The best way is usually a pre-booked rental car delivered to Gaios port. Many local agencies can meet arrivals at the ferry quay in under 30 minutes and hand over compact models such as a Fiat Panda or Toyota Aygo, which are suited to the island’s narrow roads. If your hotel is in Lakka, Loggos, or Magazia, a car is often more practical than relying on limited taxis.