The short version
- There is no train from Paris. Flights from Orly serve Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari all year, about an hour and 40 minutes to Ajaccio, with Air Corsica fares from €89.
- Or take the TGV south and a ferry. The crossings from Marseille sail overnight in about 12 to 13 hours; Nice to Bastia is about 6 hours by day.
- Rent a car. The island’s tourist board calls it the practical way to get around, and some coach lines run only twice a week.
- The narrow-gauge train links Bastia, Corte, Ajaccio and Calvi through the mountains. Bastia to Ajaccio is €21.60.
- In Bonifacio, the old town sits on white cliffs above the sea. A boat trip along the cliffs is €26.
- In Ajaccio, Napoleon’s birthplace, the Maison Bonaparte, is €10 and closed on Monday.
What to see
Start in Bonifacio. Park outside the center and walk up to the Haute-Ville, the old town on the cliff. The Escalier du Roy d’Aragon, 189 steps cut down the cliff face, closes in bad weather. From the marina, the 70-minute boat trip along the cliffs is €26, and the two-hour trip to the Lavezzi islands is €36.
In Ajaccio, Napoleon was born in 1769 in the Maison Bonaparte, now a national museum, open Tuesday to Sunday and free under 26. The Palais Fesch, named for his uncle the cardinal, holds the cardinal’s collection of Italian paintings and costs €9.
Bastia is the working port. Walk up to the Terra Nova citadel and the orange Palais des Gouverneurs, then down to the old harbor and Place Saint-Nicolas. Drive around Cap Corse from here.
On the west coast, the Gulf of Porto, with the Scandola reserve and the red rocks of the Calanche de Piana, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Calvi’s Genoese citadel stands over its bay to the north.
Hikers come for the GR20, 16 stages from Calenzana to Conca and one of the hardest trails in Europe. The mountain refuges are staffed from mid-May to early October, and you must book your nights.
Getting there and around
Air Corsica and Air France fly from Paris Orly all year. In spring and summer, extra flights leave from Charles de Gaulle and Beauvais. Ajaccio airport is 5 kilometers from town, with a bus to the center about once an hour; the Bastia airport shuttle is €9.
From Marseille, Corsica Linea and La Méridionale sail all year, overnight, to Ajaccio, Bastia and other ports. Corsica Ferries sails from Nice to Bastia all year, about 6 hours by day, and from Toulon to Ajaccio, about 9 hours by day.
On the island, drive. The train is a slow, scenic ride between the main towns; Ajaccio to Corte takes about two hours, and many trains don’t run on Sunday.
When to go
June and September are the best months, with smaller crowds than July and August. In Ajaccio, August averages a high of 29°C, and July sees about one day of rain.
July and August are the peak. Book flights, ferries with a car, and hotels early.
October is quieter but wetter, with about 86 millimeters of rain in Ajaccio, and November is the wettest month. Many seasonal flights and ferry routes stop for the winter. Orly flights and the main ferries from Marseille, Nice and Toulon keep running.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Corsica from Paris?
Fly from Orly to Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi or Figari, all year, about an hour and 40 minutes to Ajaccio. Or take the TGV to Marseille, Nice or Toulon and a ferry; that is the way to go if you want to bring a car.
Do you need a car in Corsica?
Yes, for most trips. The island’s tourist board calls renting a car the practical way to travel. The train links Bastia, Corte, Ajaccio and Calvi, but the beaches, villages and the south are hard to reach without a car.
Which part of Corsica should I visit?
With a week, pick two areas. The south has Bonifacio and the beaches near Porto-Vecchio. The west has Ajaccio and the Gulf of Porto. The north has Bastia, Cap Corse and Calvi.
When can you hike the GR20?
The refuges are staffed from mid-May to early October; in 2026, May 16 to October 4. Booking your nights in the refuges is compulsory, so do it as soon as booking opens.
Is there a tour I can add on the way?
Yes, in Provence. Avignon is on the TGV line to Marseille, and our One Night in Provence meets at Avignon TGV station: the Roman theater in Orange and a Châteauneuf-du-Pape tasting on the first day, then Arles, Les Baux and Saint-Rémy on the second.
Our Most Popular Day Trips From Paris
Louvre, Montmartre and Notre Dame in eight hours with a private driver-guide.
