Corsica is often synonymous with holidays, rest, beaches, nature, hikes, etc. There is no shortage of things to do in Corsica. It bears its nickname of Island of Beauty wonderfully. But now, going to Corsica requires making a choice between the plane option or taking a ferry to Corsica.
In this article, I talk to you about the second option and give you all my advice for choosing the right ferry to Corsica.
Which shipping companies, which are the departure and arrival cities for ferries to go to Corsica, practical information, prices, … I answer all these questions now.
Book your ferry:
This link allows you to directly book a crossing between Corsica and the continent. Book your ferry Ferry to Corsica:
- Why take a ferry to Corsica?
- What are the departure and arrival ports for the ferry to Corsica?
- Which ferry company for Corsica?
- Booking: what price to go to Corsica?
- Services on board the ferries
- FAQ: choosing the right ferry for Corsica
- My opinion on the choice of the ferry company
Why take a ferry to Corsica?
At the beginning of the article we mentioned two possibilities for reaching Corsica: by ferry or by plane.
So here are the main advantages of opting for the ferry rather than the plane!
The main advantage is that you can take your car with you. In Corsica, it is very difficult to stay without a car, greatly limiting you for visits and exploring the interior. So rather than renting a vehicle for a few days, it is better to choose your own car.
Especially since your only limit for luggage will be the space available in your car, unlike the plane where the number of suitcases is limited.
In addition, you will be able to enjoy a smooth arrival in Corsica with a breathtaking view of the coast whatever your destination.
And then if you are really lucky, you may come across some dolphins, often visible off Corsica!
If you do not want to travel with a vehicle and if, in addition, you are leaving from a city relatively far from the coast, then traveling by plane will remain the best choice.
It will, of course, be necessary to rent a vehicle on site, which is essential for your trip to Corsica. To do this, do not hesitate to compare rental companies.
Corsica and Covid:
You are aware that new entry conditions have appeared following the Covid epidemic. We therefore keep you informed here so that you do not have any unpleasant surprises when you arrive in Corsica.
To travel to Corsica, people over 12 years old will have to present a PCR test of less than 72 hours OR an antigen test of less than 48 hours OR proof of vaccination OR an immunity certificate for people who have already had Covid . You will also need to present a sworn statement indicating that you have no symptoms.
For children under 12, a certificate will be completed by the parents.
All the detailed information and the certificate to download can be found on the official ARS website. Go to ARS Corsica
What are the departure and arrival ports for the ferry to Corsica?
First of all, to reach Corsica by ferry, you can leave from different places in France and even in Italy!
Concerning Corsica, the ports of arrival will be less numerous but distributed in such a way as to serve the island of beauty well.
- From which city to leave for Corsica?
- Lines departing from France
- Lines departing from Italy
- In which city to arrive in Corsica?
From which city to leave for Corsica?
Not all shipping companies serve all French or Italian ports. If you want to leave from a particular city, you will have to find companies offering lines to Corsica from this port. We will immediately detail the different lines departing from France and Italy which serve Corsica.
Lines departing from France
Nice : one of the main cities that allows you to reach Corsica from France. Nice is a pleasant city, the port is located at the entrance to the old town, giving you an overview of its historic center. Be careful however when entering Nice, it is often very busy, which can cause significant delays. If you want to enjoy the city, I recommend that you arrive by the pretty and mythical Promenade des Anglais. For information, Corsica Ferries offers lines departing from Nice.
Marseille : another emblematic departure city for your trip to Corsica, the Phocaean city, Marseille. The city of Marseille is served mainly by the Corsica Linea as well as by the Méridionale.
Toulon : last French city that offers crossings from the Mediterranean to Corsica, Toulon. Depending on where you are, this city can be a good starting point for your ferry to Corsica. Departures from Toulon are provided by Corsica Ferries.
Lines departing from Italy
For some crossings, a departure from Italy may prove to be a wise choice. Indeed, cities like Piombino or Savona offer very interesting lines for Corsica. But before choosing a crossing from Italy, be sure to compare the different companies. In fact, going to Italy is an additional cost, so the trip selected to go to Corsica must be really beneficial for you.
Uncomfortable : located less than 3 hours by road from Nice, a departure from Gène can prove to be interesting in terms of fares or timetables. The shipping company serving this port is Moby Lines.
Livorno : Livorno is a little further from the French border, about 5 hours drive from Nice. If you want to leave from this city, then you will also have to take the Moby Lines or the Corsica Ferries.
Soap : this is the port closest to the French border, not far from Genoa. You are less than a 2-hour drive from Nice. Departures for Corsica are via Corsica Ferries.
Piombino : the particularity of this city is that it offers the shortest crossing to get to Corsica, it is the Piombino – Bastia line. You will also have the chance to pass by the Island of Elba. This line is offered by Corsica Ferries. On the other hand, Piombino is the most remote town in France, with around 5h30 by road from Nice.
Of course, other lines make it possible to reach Corsica by ferry. I am thinking in particular of islands like the Island of Elba, Sicily or Sardinia, just opposite. You will also find routes from Morocco.
Whether you are leaving from France or Italy, your boat may be setting sail at the very beginning of the day. You will therefore have to opt for accommodation not far from the port.
In which city to arrive in Corsica?
Depending on your stay, you can arrive either in Upper Corsica (Bastia, Ile Rousse) or in Southern Corsica (Ajaccio, Propriano, Porto-Vecchio or Bonifacio).
Again, we will see which port is served by which shipping companies!
Bastia : located at the entrance of Cap Corse on the eastern coast, Bastia is one of the main ports of Corsica. It is served by the 4 shipping companies that we will present just after.
Read our article: What to do and where to sleep in Bastia?Ile Rousse : Île-Rousse is located on the west coast of Corsica, between Saint-Florent and Calvi, it is the ideal port of arrival if you want to visit the Balagne. To get to Île Rousse, take the Corsica Ferries or the Corsica Linea.
Ajaccio : at the entrance to southern Corsica, on the west side, Ajaccio is one of the main ports with Bastia. Preferred if you want to visit the west coast or the south of Corsica. The city is served by all companies except Moby.
Read our article: What to do and where to sleep in Ajaccio?Propriano : A very pleasant little port, Propriano is located between Ajaccio and Bonifacio. The only company serving this port is La Méridionale.
Porto-Vecchio : town in the south-east of Corsica, Porto-Vecchio is famous for its beaches. You can get to its port via Corsica Ferries and the Corsica Linea.
Bonifacio : located at the very end of the southern end of Corsica, Bonifacio is served by the Moby from Sardinia only.
Which ferry company for Corsica to choose?
Let's now look at the different companies offering crossings between the continent and Corsica. They are rather numerous considering the size of this island.
Corsica Ferries
Corsica Ferries is one of the oldest and most present to connect Corsica and the mainland. It is easily recognizable with its various yellow and white boats.
Composed of 13 ships, the Corsica Ferries fleet adapts to the different crossings it operates. Mainly made up of mega expresses, this fleet offers very pleasant comfort throughout the trip and numerous services on board.
In addition, some ships are equipped with private cabins, available whether you travel day or night.
In total, there are no less than 12 lines that connect Corsica with France and Italy, all year round.
Corsica Line
A descendant of SNCM, Corsica Linea is a recent French company. It also connects Corsica and the mainland. Its red boats can be spotted from afar! With a fleet of only 7 ships, the Corsica Linea is still one of the flagship shipping companies offering ferries to Corsica! Also equipped with private cabins for some ships, you can opt for a night crossing with this company. Some lines are operated by mixed freighters, which also allow goods to be transported to the island.
The lines offered depart from Marseille and serve the towns of Ajaccio, Bastia, Île-Rousse and Porto-Vecchio. Frequencies vary, but are provided throughout the year.
La Meridionale
This company is smaller than the two previous ones since it only has 3 ferries for Corsica. Its particularity is that it also offers freight. Its ships are called "mixed ship" because they can accommodate both passengers and goods.
In addition, it is also a French company! It only departs from Marseille and arrives either in Ajaccio or Propriano, all year round too.
Moby
With about fifteen ships, Moby is a shipping company offering a few ferries to Corsica from the mainland. His ships don't go unnoticed with huge Looney Tunes artwork as decoration! Rather original for ferries, but this confirms Moby's positioning to define itself as the family company.
Moby is the first Italian shipping company. You can take it if you leave from Genoa, Livorno towards Bastia; or from Sardinia, to arrive in Bonifacio.
Booking: what price to get to Corsica by ferry?
Fares will vary enormously depending on different factors: the season, your destination, when you buy your ticket, etc.
It goes without saying that the most expensive period is the period from mid-July to mid-August. And it also goes without saying that the earlier you go, the more affordable the tickets will be!
The fare will also depend on the number of passengers and the type of vehicle if there is one.
If you want to travel with your car, motorbike, motorhome, the price will increase depending on the size. I advise you to go directly to a price comparator to obtain the price and crossing that suits you.
Find a continent-Corsica crossing at the best priceTo compare the (very) numerous crossing possibilities, I advise you to use a comparator, Direct Ferries, which will allow you to find the best option but also the best price. You can book directly on this site. Compare rates
Note that you also have the possibility of taking a ferry to Corsica if you are simply a pedestrian, in this case the price of the ticket is between 30€ and 50€.
To give you an idea, I went to Corsica this summer for a week, there were 4 of us and we spent a classic car between Nice and Île-Rousse, for a total budget of around 600€. If you wish to take a cabin, add fifty euros for a day crossing and double that for a night crossing.
These rates are even more fluctuating with the Covid episode that we have been experiencing lately. I can only recommend that you get there as soon as possible if you don't want to have any unpleasant surprises.
Ferry services to Corsica
I will not detail here the different services of each ferry from each of the companies, it would be far too long, but I will give you an overview of the services that you can find on board!
A little advice: before validating your trip, take a look at the website of the company you have selected, you have access to its fleet and to the details of each of the ships. This can help you in your choice (presence of cabin, catering, etc.).
What to do on board a ferry to Corsica?
The ferry to Corsica is the start of your vacation and everything is provided on board to enjoy it: snack bar, restaurants, games room, shops, children's areas, swimming pool, deckchair, ... The offers are really very numerous and varied.
Rest rooms are also available, with or without an armchair. These seats must be reserved when purchasing your tickets.
Otherwise you can simply take a seat outside and admire the view while tasting the spray giving a taste of vacation!
Practical advice and animals on board
Pets can come to Corsica of course, but depending on the company they will have to go to a special place with individual boxes or you can take them with you.
For example, the Corsica Ferries accepts dogs on board and even has specific cabins, with linoleum covering and not carpet! Very practical and hygienic.
Last (very) practical advice, locate your car carefully in the garages because once on the boat, it can be complicated to return to the right garage and the right place.
It should also be noted that these garages are inaccessible during the crossing and that they are not air-conditioned. Don't leave anything inside your car that fears the heat : pets, perishable foodstuffs, … You could have unpleasant surprises!
FAQ: choosing the right ferry for Corsica
To conclude this article, here is a summary in the form of short questions. You will find all the detailed information in this article.
- Which company to choose to go to Corsica?
- What is the best ferry company?
- What are the ports to arrive in Corsica?
- What are the departure ports in France?
- What is the fastest ferry to Corsica?
- How much does a ferry crossing cost to Corsica?
- How long does a crossing take?
- Which comparator to use to choose your ferry?
- Can you take your car or another vehicle to Corsica?
- Can you travel with your dog on a ferry?
- Where to sleep on a ferry to Corsica?
- When to go to Corsica cheap?
- What to do on board a ferry to Corsica?
Which company to choose to go to Corsica?
Different companies offer the Corsica-Continent crossing: Corsica Ferries, Corsica Linea (ex. SNCM), the Meridionale or Moby from Italy. More infoWhat is the best ferry company?
All companies today offer similar services. Corsica Ferries and Corsica Linea are the two main ones. La Meridionale also offers freight for goods.What are the ports to arrive in Corsica?
Different ports throughout Corsica welcome ferries: Bastia, Ile Rousse, Ajaccio, Propriano, Port-Vecchio or Bonifacio. More infoWhat are the departure ports in France?
From France, you can depart from Nice, Marseille or Toulon. Departures from Italy are also possible. More informationWhat is the fastest ferry to Corsica?
The fastest crossing will be between Piombino (Italy) and Bastia and will take less than 3 hours. Otherwise, from France, the fastest crossings last between 6h and 7h and are between Nice and Bastia, or Toulon and Île Rousse.How much does a ferry crossing cost to Corsica?
Prices are going to be extremely variable. Pedestrian tickets for a crossing will cost on average 50€. If you travel with a car the prices will be higher, between 100€ and 400€ depending on the crossing chosen. More informationHow long does a crossing take?
The duration of a crossing will vary between 3 hours (Piombino-Bastia); between 6am and 7am (Toulon-Île Rousse / Nice-Bastia); or all night for evening departures.Which comparator to use to choose your ferry?
Rather than browsing the companies' websites, I recommend a ferry comparator for Corsica. Find the right crossing, when you want it, at the best price for you. Go to DirectFerries.comCan you take your car or another vehicle to Corsica?
Of course ! The ferries have garages that can accommodate different vehicles: motorbike, car, caravan, motorhome, etc.Can you travel with your dog on a ferry?
Yes this is entirely possible. Depending on the companies, you can keep your dog with you or put it in the kennel provided for this purpose. Corsica Ferries allows dogs on board and offers special cabins for our four-legged friends. More informationWhere to sleep on a ferry to Corsica?
If you opt for a night crossing (also possible during the day), you can choose to take a private cabin for the crossing. They are equipped with a small bathroom and individual beds. Depending on the ship, you can also book an armchair, which is cheaper than the cabin.When to go to Corsica cheap?
To reduce the cost of the ferry crossing, it will be necessary either to leave outside high season, ie avoid July and August; or plan well in advance and be flexible on the days and ports of departure and arrival.What to do on board a ferry to Corsica?
Many services are offered on board the ship: catering, bar, swimming pool, games room, shops, … More infoMy opinion on the choice of the ferry company
Personally, I went with the Corsica Ferries company and everything was fine. The comfortable cabins, the correct service and the little extra: we eat really well on board. They also have an advantage specific to them, the possibility of having a specific cabin to travel with their animals.
Regarding prices, the companies are roughly equivalent. You just need to plan well in advance, or be flexible on your days, times and ports of departure and arrival.
Honestly, I advise you to compare all the companies on a comparator to choose the crossing you prefer according to the port of departure, the port of arrival and the timetables. The company will come next logically.
