Corsica (Corse in French) is France's largest island and the fourth largest in the Mediterranean — a dramatic collision of granite peaks, ancient maquis scrubland, crystalline bays, and a fiercely proud culture that has absorbed Genoese, Moorish, and French influences while remaining unmistakably its own. This is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, home to the GR20 — widely regarded as Europe's toughest long-distance trail — and the source of some of the finest charcuterie and cheese in France.
Getting around Corsica independently requires planning. Hire car is the only practical option for exploring remote beaches, mountain villages, and the island's interior. Public transport (buses and CFC train) serves the main towns adequately but doesn't reach most of the famous beaches, gorges, or small villages. The CFC narrow-gauge railway is a spectacular scenic experience connecting Ajaccio, Corte, and Bastia. Ferries link the island to mainland France and Italy year-round.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
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- {'airport': 'Ajaccio (AJA)', 'bus': 'CTB navette to city centre: €5 (~$5.50), departs every 30–60 min, journey 20 min', 'taxi': '€25–€35 (~$27–$38) to city centre; call Taxis Radio Ajaccio +33 4 95 25 61 06', 'hire_car': 'All major operators (Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise) at the terminal'}, {'airport': 'Bastia (BIA)', 'bus': 'Rapides Bleus bus to Bastia: €9 (~$10), departs to match flight arrivals, 40 min', 'taxi': '€45–€55 (~$49–$60) to city centre; call Taxis de Bastia +33 4 95 31 37 40', 'hire_car': 'All major operators at the terminal'}, {'airport': 'Calvi (CLY)', 'bus': 'Seasonal navette to Calvi centre; taxi €15–€20 (~$16–$22)', 'taxi': '€15–€20 (~$16–$22) to Calvi centre; call +33 4 95 65 03 10', 'hire_car': 'Europcar and local operators at terminal'}, {'airport': 'Figari (FSC)', 'bus': 'No regular bus service from the airport', 'taxi': '€35–€45 (~$38–$49) to Porto-Vecchio; call Taxi Porto-Vecchio +33 4 95 70 05 39', 'hire_car': 'Europcar, Hertz, and local operators at terminal; pre-booking essential in summer'}
Local transport
Getting around the city.
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Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
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Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
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- Route
- Ajaccio – Corte – Bastia (CFC train)
- Mode
- Train (Micheline narrow-gauge)
- Duration
- Ajaccio to Bastia: 3h 20min; Ajaccio to Corte: 1h 30min
- Frequency
- 3–4 departures daily each direction
- Price
- Ajaccio–Bastia: €23 (~$25); Ajaccio–Corte: €12 (~$13)
- Booking
- train-corse.com or at station ticket offices
- Route
- Calvi – L'Île Rousse (CFC train, Tramway de la Balagne)
- Mode
- Train (coastal tramway)
- Duration
- 30 min
- Frequency
- Multiple departures daily in summer; reduced in winter
- Price
- €5 (~$5.50)
- Booking
- train-corse.com
- Route
- Ajaccio – Porto-Vecchio
- Mode
- Autocars Eurocorse bus
- Duration
- 2h 30min
- Frequency
- 2 departures daily
- Price
- €15–€20 (~$16–$22)
- Booking
- eurocorse.com or Ajaccio bus station, Quai l'Herminier
- Route
- Ajaccio – Sartène – Propriano
- Mode
- Autocars Eurocorse bus
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Frequency
- 1–2 departures daily
- Price
- €10–€14 (~$11–$15)
- Booking
- eurocorse.com
- Route
- Bastia – Corte
- Mode
- CFC train
- Duration
- 1h 25min
- Frequency
- 3 departures daily
- Price
- €10 (~$11)
- Booking
- train-corse.com
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Corsica has four airports: Ajaccio (AJA), Bastia (BIA), Calvi (CLY), and Figari (FSC near Porto-Vecchio). Ferries serve Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, Porto-Vecchio, L'Île Rousse, and Propriano from Nice, Marseille, Toulon, Livorno, Savona, and Civitavecchia. The CFC Micheline train links Ajaccio–Corte–Bastia and has a summer-only branch to Calvi. Car hire at airports is essential for most itineraries.
Airports
Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte Airport
Bastia Poretta Airport
Calvi Sainte-Catherine Airport
Figari-Sud Corse Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book hire cars at least 2 months ahead for July–August — supply is critically limited and prices triple
Corsican roads require slow driving: the D81 coastal road, D84 mountain road, and most gorge routes are narrow, winding, and require frequent passing-stop negotiations
Many GPS maps underestimate journey times — double all mapping-app estimates for mountain roads
Ferries from Nice or Marseille are often cost-competitive with budget flights once luggage fees and airport transfers are included
The CFC night train from Calvi to Ajaccio via the Bastia route does not exist — connections require a change at Ponte Leccia; allow 4+ hours