Corfu has an excellent bus service that will help you discover Corfu Town, reach its main beach resorts and explore the wider island.
There are two types of buses – the blue city buses and the green island-wide buses. Nearly all routes around the island start from Corfu Town.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting around Corfu by bus.
Corfu Blue Buses
Corfu City Buses are known locally as the ‘blue buses‘. These buses serve Corfu Town and the surrounding area, including the airport, port, and up/down the coast as far as Benitses, Gouvia, Dassia, and Ipsos.
The buses are smaller and lower than the coaches which are used for the KTEL cross-island routes, with more standing room (some are bendy buses).
Routes
Probably the most useful line for tourists is number 15 which travels between the airport, the port, the main KTEL bus station, and San Rocco square.
The main routes are:
- 2a Liston – Kanoni
- 2b San Rocco – Port – Kefalomantouko
- 4 San Rocco – Potamos – Evropouloi
- 5 Mitropolitou Methodiou – Kynopiastes – Kouramades
- 6 Mitropolitou Methodiou – Benitses
- 7 San Rocco – Dassia – Ipsos
- 8 San Rocco – Afra – Agios Ioannis (Aqualand)
- 10 Mitropolitou Methodiou – Achilleion Palace (note: the interior is currently closed for renovation but you can still visit the gardens)
- 11 San Rocco – Pelekas
- 14 San Rocco – Kanalia – Kompitsi
- 15/b Port – Old Town – Airport Shuttle
- 18 Viros – Kalafationes – Varipatades
You can see the timetables, routes, and updates on the Corfu City Bus website.
Tickets
You can buy the tickets from the driver or before you get on the bus, either from a booth, self-service ticket machines (English is available), or a nearby kiosk. Tickets are slightly cheaper if you buy them before you get on the bus.
You can give them to the driver to validate or stamp them on the bus.
Tickets are €1.30 for Zone A (the city) or €1.80 for Zone B (extended routes like Gouvia, Perama and Benitses).
You can only buy single tickets, not returns, however there is also an unlimited day ticket available for €5. If you plan on using the bus a lot you can buy packs of 10+1 tickets at a discount. Tickets for city buses can’t be used on the green KTEL buses, and vice versa.
San Rocco Bus Stop
San Rocco is the main interchange for the city buses. This is where you will find the ticket machines and the ticket/information kiosk.
Not all lines stop/start here though – some leave from Mitropolitou Methodiou which is a short walk down the road. Ask at the kiosk if you’re unsure where to find your stop.
The bus stops are in a busy traffic junction and next to a small nondescript park. There aren’t any facilities (toilets, shop) and it’s not the nicest place to wait, however the square is surrounded by cafes, ATMs, and shops.
Corfu Green Buses
The ‘Green Buses’ are the coaches (not always green – sometimes white!) which run routes from Corfu Town out around the island.
Routes
The main routes to North Corfu are:
- A1 Agios Stefanos
- A2 Sidari
- A3/S5 Roda – Acharavi
- A4 Kassiopi
- A5 Barbati – Nissaki
- A6 Arillas
- A7 Agios Georgios Pagon
- A8 Avliotes
- A9 Paleokastritsa
- A10 Liapades
- A11 Karousades
- A12 Perithia – Loutses
- A13 Ano Korakiana
- A14 Sokraki
- A15 Agios Panteleimon
- A16 Makrades
- A17 Nimfes
- A18 Armenades
- A19 Loutses
- A20 Afionas
The main routes to South Corfu are:
- B1 Kavos
- B2 Petriti
- B3 Spartera
- B4 Sandy Beach Hotel
- B5 Agios Georgios South
- B6 Issos
- B7 Messonghi
- B8 Agios Matheos
- B9 Pentati
- B10 Agios Gordios
- B11 Boukari
- B12 Chlomo
- B13 Strogili
- B14 Sinarades
- B15 Aqualand
- B16 Ermones
- B17 Glyfada
- B18 Giannades
- B19 Crossroads Glyfada
Summer Specials
During high season months (July, August, start of September) there may be additional routes that connect some of the more popular beach resorts as well as the waterpark which is just west of Corfu Town. These are known as Summer Specials and they are not guaranteed.
Some of the typical summer special routes include:
- S3 Paleokastritsa – Aqualand
- S4 Nissaki – Barbati – Ipsos – Dassia – Aqualand
- S5 Sidari – Roda – Acharavi – Kassiopi
- S6 Nissaki – Barbati – Ipsos – Dassia – Paleokastritsa
There are also coaches from the KTEL bus station to the main cities in Greece (via ferry and road).
Tickets
You can buy tickets on the bus (there’s usually a conductor on board with change) and also from kiosks and stores.
You can find timetables, prices, and updates on the KTEL Green Buses website. The website will have the most recent timetables uploaded, but be aware they can change frequently during the tourist season – as often as weekly. Prices are listed on the timetables on the website.
Updated timetables are usually printed out and taped near the bus stops too.
KTEL Green Bus Station
The main KTEL Green Bus station is a 15-minute walk from the centre of Corfu Town (but you can reach it on the Blue Bus number 15). Some lines call at San Rocco on their way north. They will also make several stops along the main roads heading out of the city.
The bus station itself is a large modern terminal with A/C, a shop, a cafe, ticket counters, toilets and seating.
Corfu Hop-on Hop-off Bus
On days that cruise ships are in port, there’s also one of those red open-topped HOHO sightseeing buses. Tickets are around €22. The main route starts at the cruise port and also visits Mon Repo Palace, Kanoni, Garitsa, Spianada Square, and Spilia Gate. There’s another line that visits Achilleion Palace only (note: the interior is currently closed for renovation, but you can still visit the gardens).
Is the HOHO worth it?
Corfu Old Town is mostly pedestrianised and the main areas of interest within the city are walkable for people of moderate fitness. It’s not a huge place. If you just want to see the Old Town I wouldn’t bother.
But the HOHO is a good way to take in the interesting historic areas and scenery outside the Old Town, especially in hot weather when you don’t want to walk a lot or stress about local buses. The whole route is very pretty, but make sure to get off at Spianada Square or Spilia Gate to walk around the Old Town.
Read more about Corfu:
Where to Stay on Corfu: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
10 Most Beautiful Beaches on Corfu
Image credits:
All photos © The Mediterranean Traveller