Getting around Corsica: cars and motorbikes are the best solutions

If they call it the island of beauty, there must be a reason. Indeed, there are several, such as the famous beaches, the most beautiful places, the cities to visit. All reasons that you intend to “check”. But, before exploring the island, there is one thing you need to know. And that is how to move in Corsica.

By car or motorbike: the best solutions

Absolutely, this is the best way to get around Corsica. So you can tour the whole island, moving in absolute freedom and reaching all the places you want to see.

Reserve your seat for your car or motorbike

You can embark your car or motorbike directly on ferries to Corsica. Just use the online booking system you find on this page, specifying the type, model and size of the vehicle to be boarded. Remember to show up at the boarding point about two hours before departure.

Getting around Corsica by car or motorbike: advice

The road network in Corsica is widespread and well maintained: you will reach all the main cities of the island and the smaller inhabited centers, perched on the mountains. However, the roads can often be winding, so better be prepared.

The road signs are in French and Corsican, although usually the toponyms are always Corsican. It is also not uncommon to find signs in Corsican and in Italian.

In general, the recommendation to drive carefully especially in the inland areas of the island, which are mountainous, always applies.

In Corsica with the camper

Corsica is also a great idea for a camper holiday: there is no shortage of parking areas, especially near the main population centers; the best areas of the island to visit by camper are the “finger of Corsica”, the Agriate desert, the east coast and the south coast.

In Corsica without the car: just to visit the cities

Corsica: with or without a car? This is a very common question among all travelers. In principle, you may also think not to bring the car to Corsica but only if you plan to stay in the larger population centers, such as Ajaccio, Bonifacio and Bastia.

If you want to go around the island, then the car (or motorbike) is necessary. For the reasons we are about to see.

Bus

Corsica’s bus network, so to speak, has a double face.

• Numerous companies are active, there are many routes and in summer you can reach all the main towns on the island quite easily (except for less known mountain destinations).
• Out of season, the connections are almost non-existent and are often merged with school buses and the mail distribution service. The ticket is quite expensive. The buses that travel the least popular routes are the least comfortable. And it’s not easy to find the information you might need.

The bus, however, has the disadvantage of limiting and making travel during a vacation more difficult.

By train

Ajaccio-Bastia, Ajaccio-Calvi and Bastia-Calvi are, in practice, the only three railway lines on the island. The travel times are quite long and the number of trips per day somewhat reduced. In general, the worst way to get around Corsica.

U trinnighellu

Finally, to move to Corsica you can resort, so to speak, to a “heart” choice. U trinnighellu, as they call it here, runs on a railway line built in the late nineteenth century that connects Calvi and Ile Rousse, on the northern coast of the island. It is not the maximum of practicality and the minimum distance traveled but, we can assure you, the views are unforgettable.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/46891291@N02