Travelling around Corsica when not on foot can be a challenge but it does become part of the adventure. There are limited public buses that cover most of the island and can be linked to our walks and a very reliable train service through the mountainous heart of Corsica that is well worth the detour.
Travelling by train in Corsica is every trainspotters dream ! On the main line, long gone are the days of "U Trinighellu" - or little train in Corsican - the bone shaker that used to cross the mountains on this narrow gauge railway from Ajaccio via Corte to Bastia.
Don't fret, nostalgics among you can still seem them on the coast line between Calvi and Ile Rousse. The trains are today more modern and comfortable, but the rythme is slow with an average speed of less than 50kmph.
Don't expect a TGV as the line necessitates the need for really slow travel, frequently crossing narrow bridges and viaducts including the Viaduc du Vecchiu built by Gustave Eiffel, entering tunnels of up to 4km long and twisting and turning on narrow ledges in the heart of the Corsican mountains. The scenery is amongst some of the finest you'll see out of a train window anywhere in the world, so it is not to be missed on a trip to Corsica.
The train runs from Ajaccio via Corte to Bastia with a branch line at Ponte Leccia for Calvi and La Balagne.
Journey times are long with a journey from Ajaccio to Bastia taking around 4 hours. You can find the timetables on the Chemin de Fer de la Corse website.
Public bus services are somewhat limited and even in the summer months they don't necessarily run daily. The network covers many towns that are not covered by the rail network, including Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio, Zonza, Quenza, Evisa, Porto & Piana operating in small minibuses out of season.
Tickets are generally purchased from the driver, and it is wise to be early at the bus stop as space can be tight, especially in low season. Please ask for details at time of booking.
A really comprehensive and helpful independent website in English and French is Corsica Bus. It presents the information clearly and should help with your holiday planning.
Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and is certainly one of the most mountainous.
As Corsica has very little public transport, sometimes the best way to get anywhere is by car. Hire cars are available thoughout the season from the usual providers.
At times, taxis are often the only option for some holidays.
Journey times can be long with 50km taking around 1 hour on most mountain roads but the journey's are comfortable and we pick our suppliers with care.
For any journey we can quote you a price for a transfer and we are also licensed to carry passengers ourselves in our fleet of minibuses and cars.