How to go to Corsica with your own car : routes, ferries and tips

Corsica: the wild and mountainous Isle of Beauty lives up to its name. And like all French regions, it deserves to be discovered! It’s perfectly possible to fly there and rent a car on the spot, but doesn’t leaving with your own car just taste like a vacation? Not to mention the stress of airports, increasingly strict baggage restrictions and the exorbitant cost of rental cars!

In this article, we tell you how to get to Corsica from mainland France in your own car: what are the best boat routes, how long does the crossing take and how much does it cost?

Article overview:

• How to get to Corsica by car: the best itineraries
  • Ferries from Toulon, Marseille or Nice Ferries from Sète
    • Italian alternatives
• Which port should you disembark at to drive to Corsica?
• Tips for driving to Corsica
• Driving in Corsica: driving habits and parking on the island
• Book your ferry to Corsica

A tranquil sunset at the Île-Rousse lighthouse, Corsica, overlooking the coast. Source : iStock

How to get to Corsica by car: the best itineraries

If you want to take your car to Corsica, you’ll have to board a ferry at some point. But the first step is to decide which port you want to take the boat from. We often think of Marseille, but there are other options for departing from France. There are even alternatives departing from Italian ports that might interest you!

Departures from Toulon, Marseille or Nice

Head for Provence-Côtes d’Azur! These three cities are the ports of reference for getting to the Île de Beauté. If you’re coming from the east, or from cities like Dijon and Lyon, you’ll probably set sail from one of these ports.

All three towns offer regular ferry services to Corsica, including Ajaccio, Bastia, Porto-Vecchio and Île Rousse. Most crossings take between 8 and 12 hours, and many are overnight. So you can sleep on the boat and be on the island by the next morning.

Toulon

Departures from Toulon tend to be the cheapest of the three cities. If you’re coming from the north of the country, Lyon is probably the best port for you.

Marseille

Marseille is the largest port of the three, and also offers more departures. A historic city of character, don’t hesitate to take a break or even spend an evening here before getting on the boat.

Please note: the port of Marseille is huge! Allow plenty of time to find your gate.

Nice

Nice is a good choice if you want to visit the Côte d’Azur on the way. Drive along the coastal roads before taking the boat, and visit this typical southern town! A word of warning, however: traffic is often heavy in Nice. Take this into account if you don’t want to miss your ferry to Corsica!

Advantages of these ports :

• You can make stops along the way in Avignon, Aix-en-Provence or on the coast.
• Many night crossings: you save time and even a night in a hotel.
• Numerous departures are offered from these three ports to give you greater flexibility.

Colorful facades and lighthouses characterize the urban landscape of Bastia, Corsica. Source : iStock

Departures from Sète

Its markets, its pink flamingos, and its incredible fishing port! Sète is also a very good choice for getting to the Île de Beauté from mainland France, especially if you’re coming from the more westerly regions of France.

Note that the boat trip from Sète is longer than from the other three French ports. But if you spend one night on the boat, it won’t make much difference to you!

Advantages of this port :

• It’s the most accessible port by car from western regions such as Charente-Maritime and Occitanie.
• Many night crossings: you save time and even a night in a hotel.
• Less traffic than the first choices when arriving at the port.

The city and port of Sète under a bright sun by the sea. A pleasant feeling that tomorrow belongs to us! Source : Pexels.

The Italian alternative

If you live in the south-east of France or not far from the Alps, you could also consider a trip to Corsica, with a little detour via Italy! The advantage? A much shorter ferry journey! The two main ferry ports on this route are Genoa and Livorno.

Genoa

Genoa is the region’s largest port city, with a wide choice of ferry connections, mainly to Bastia and occasionally to Ajaccio or L’Île-Rousse. The port is central, well signposted and served by several shipping companies, including Moby Lines and Corsica Ferries. The crossing takes around 6 to 10 hours, depending on the route, and some ferries even leave at night.

Livorno

Livorno lies further south, close to Pisa and Florence. From here, the connection to Bastia usually departs. The crossing takes just 4-6 hours, making it particularly attractive for daytime ferries. Corsica Ferries and Moby Lines also depart regularly from here.

Advantages of departures from Italy :

• Numerous daily ferry services, even in low season
• Crossings are shorter than from France: ideal if you don’t want to spend too much time on the water.
• You can stop off in Italy to discover the country’s culture (and eat some delicious Italian food!).

Disadvantages :

• Traffic is often heavy on Italian freeways, particularly around Milan and Genoa, especially at weekends and during vacations.
• Expect to pay between €40 and €60 in tolls, depending on route and departure point.

Tip : always check online for current timetables and available routes before you leave – not all connections operate every day, and timetables change according to the season.

The bustling port of Bonifacio, Corsica, is nestled between steep hills, with colorful buildings and large green spaces. Source : iStock

Which port should you disembark at to drive to Corsica?

The choice of port at which you disembark in Corsica generally depends on what you intend to do once on the island. Each part of the island has its own charm, from rugged coastlines to mountain villages and sandy beaches. To help you choose your port of arrival, here are the towns that can be reached by ferry:

Bastia

Most ferries from France andItaly stop here. Bastia is a good starting point for exploring the north of the island. From here, you can quickly reach Cap Corse, the wine-growing region of Patrimonio and the popular seaside resort of Saint-Florent.

L’Île-Rousse

A smaller alternative to Bastia, but perfect if you want to go to Balagne – one of Corsica’s most beautiful regions. Also ideal if you want to continue on to Calvi or the Agriates desert.

Ajaccio

The island’s capital is located on the west coast. There are many hotels, restaurants and beaches close by. From Ajaccio, you can explore the west coast, including the calanques of Piana and the mountain villages of the interior.

Propriano

Quiet little port in the south. Not all the shipping companies go there, but if you want to get to Sartène or the Bavella massif, it’s a good entry point.

Porto-Vecchio

For many, it’s the most beautiful spot in southern Corsica. Porto-Vecchio is popular for its beaches, such as Palombaggia and Santa Giulia. Around town, there’s plenty of accommodation – from campsites to chic boutique hotels.

Bonifacio

The most spectacular port on the island, but you’ll only get there if you take the ferry from Sardinia, on a summer road trip, for example. For all other itineraries, you’ll need to choose one of the other arrival ports.

Pastel-colored houses line the seafront at Île-Rousse in Corsica, while the calm sea rolls gently onto the beach. Source : iStock

Tips for driving to Corsica

Getting to Corsica by car requires a little patience. But rather than seeing the car journey as a waste of time, make it an integral part of your vacation! That’s how the famous Nationale 7 came into being, isn’t it?

Take breaks on the road

It all depends on which region you come from. But if you’re from the more northerly regions of France, don’t try to do the whole journey in one go. After 10 or 12 hours on the freeway, it’s not really a vacation.

If you’re travelling with the family, perhaps it would be a good idea to stop off for the night? If you’ve got your camping gear, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to spending the night somewhere! And if you prefer the comfort of solid accommodation, look for hotels or typical gîtes. Our regions have talent!

Popular overnight stops :

• Lyon: beautiful old town, many hotels, good food
• Clermont-Ferrand: perfect for spending the night and eating out
• Genoa: perfect if you take the ferry from this city
• Avignon or Aix-en-Provence: a relaxed route through the south of France

Driving in Corsica: driving habits and parking on the island

Once you’ve left the ferry, your vacation can really begin! But before you set off, take a moment to read these tips for driving in Corsica. Corsican roads are not the easiest!

Driving in Corsica

Corsica’s roads are mountainous, winding and sometimes very narrow. Be patient and keep your cool, especially on coastal and mountain roads. Many roads are narrow, sometimes without guardrails, and on bends it’s often very late to see if someone is coming in front of you. Don’t hesitate to honk your horn briefly as you enter a bend to signal your presence.

Parking in Corsica

In towns such as Bastia, Ajaccio and Calvi, parking is generally chargeable. There are public parking areas with automatic machines – simply take a ticket and place it in plain view in the car, below the windscreen. In small villages and seaside areas, parking is often free as long as you obey the “no parking” or “garage exit” signs.

Beach parking lots fill up quickly in summer. There are often paying restaurants and beach bars – sometimes it’s compulsory to eat.

Book your ferry to Corsica

Once you know which route you’re going to take and which port you want to arrive in, you should get straight down to booking your ferry. After all, many ferry connections are quickly saturated, especially in high season, and even more so if you’re traveling by car and with several people.

Ferryscanner lets you directly compare all routes to Corsica and book them in just a few clicks. All you have to do is enter your travel dates, your car and your passengers, and that’s it. You’ll get exactly the crossing that matches your itinerary. Driving to Corsica has never been so easy!