Getting to Corsica by Ferry

Many people visiting Corsica choose to go by sea rather than air, and you can take a ferry from a number of different locations in Italy and France.

Some people take the sea crossing for environmental reasons; others go by sea because, well, they just like going there by sea!  However, many people choose the boat because they are going out of season and the direct flights from their country have stopped for the autumn, winter and early spring.  And if you can get a cheap flight to Genoa or Pisa or Nice, you could save yourself a few euros by going the last few kilometres on a boat whatever the month.

Ferry Routes for Corsica

The three main ferry companies serving Corsica are Corsica Ferries (from France and Northern Italy), SNCM (from France) and Moby Lines (from Italy).  All the boats are comfortable and spacious; however, if you take a night crossing, you’d be advised to hire an overnight cabin.

The leading ferry operator serving Corsica is Corsica Ferries who run more routes than the others.  SNCM used to be a French state-owned company but has recently passed into private hands.

Below is a matrix showing who goes where.  All you have to do is chose the line containing the port you want to go from (in France or Italy) and the port in Corsica that’s most convenient for you, then click on the appropriate tick box or column heading. This will connect you to the right operator for your crossing.  The operators’ sites all have English language versions.

Don’t forget that though Corsica is politically part of France at present, it is nearer to Italy geographically.  If you are going via Italy, there is a good train service from Genoa to Savona, and another excellent service from Florence and Pisa to nearby Livorno.

* You can also travel from Naples to Porto Vecchio during the summer months with www.viamare.com.

One final piece of advice:  if you are travelling from northern Europe by air and sea, make sure of your ferry crossing before you book your flight: you will find that the sea crossings from a particular port do not always go every day and you my be stranded in Nice, Marseilles, Savona or Livorno for a night more than you bargained for!