How to get to Corsica by ferry from Marseille, Nice or Toulon

If you want to bring your car, your tent or your motorhome to Corsica, there’s only one way to do it: the ferry. Marseille, Nice and Toulon are the three most convenient departure ports, and from each of them a day or night crossing will set you down on the island. Here’s how to choose, how to book and how to reach Ghisonaccia without the stress.

Every year we watch our holidaymakers roll in, a little stiff from the drive, their eyes still full of the sea. And every year the same question crops up, long before the first suitcase is packed: “Which port should we choose, and which ferry company?” There’s no single right answer, but there is the right answer for your holiday. Here’s what we tell our guests, from our campsite in Ghisonaccia on Corsica’s east coast.

First, a word about the practical details: timetables, crossing times and fares change from one season to the next and from one company to another. We give you reliable pointers here, but always check the specifics on the ferry companies’ websites when you book.

The ferry: the only way in if you’re bringing a vehicle

Corsica is an island, and that’s what gives it its character. If you want to come with your car, your caravan, your motorhome or simply a boot crammed with beach gear, a sea crossing is a must. Flying is an option if you’d rather hire a car when you get here, but many of our campers choose the ferry for one simple reason: you can bring everything, without worrying about baggage allowances.

And then there’s the crossing itself. On deck, the wind smells of salt, the French coast slips away behind you, and little by little the outline of the island appears, massive, green and rocky all at once. When the Corsican mountains rise out of the morning haze, the holiday has already begun.

The three departure ports on the French mainland

From Marseille: the great classic

Marseille is the busiest departure port, especially for travellers coming from the west, north and centre of France. Crossings are generally overnight, with a cabin, or during the day depending on the season’s timetable. From Marseille you can sail to Bastia, Ajaccio or Porto-Vecchio.

That last port is in fact one of the most interesting for anyone staying at U Casone: Porto-Vecchio is about an hour’s drive from Ghisonaccia, along a road in the south of the island that skirts the lagoons first, then the pine forests.

From Nice: the shortest crossing

If you’re coming from the Côte d’Azur, from the Rhône-Alpes region via the motorway, or from Italy, Nice is often the most logical choice. The crossing is shorter than from Marseille, which goes down well with families with young children. Ships sail mainly to Bastia, but also to other ports in the north and west of the island depending on the season.

From Toulon: the happy medium

Toulon is an excellent starting point for those coming from the Var, the Languedoc or the Rhône Valley. Boarding is often calmer than in Marseille in high season, and crossings serve Bastia and Ajaccio. Many of our regulars find it strikes the best balance between comfort, timetables and price.

Which arrival port should you choose to reach Ghisonaccia?

Here, geography works in our favour: Ghisonaccia sits at the heart of the east coast, roughly halfway between the north and the south of the island. Two ports are particularly well placed.

Bastia: arriving from the north

From Bastia, allow around an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half’s drive along the RN198, which runs the whole length of the east coast. The route is simple and largely flat, with the sea on one side and the mountains on the other. It’s the road most of our guests take, and it’s also the easiest if you’re arriving in a motorhome or towing a caravan.

Porto-Vecchio: arriving from the south

From Porto-Vecchio the journey is shorter, around an hour. It’s the smart choice if you’d rather skip the drive down from Bastia, provided the ferry company’s timetables suit you. You’ll pass through maquis, cork oaks and lagoons, with the scent of the pines drifting in through the open window.

What about Ajaccio?

Ajaccio is on the west side. To reach Ghisonaccia you have to cross the island through the mountains, which is magnificent but takes longer. We mainly recommend it to those who fancy a little sightseeing detour through the heart of the island on the way there or back.

Choosing your ferry company and type of crossing

Several companies operate routes between the mainland and Corsica, including Corsica Linea, La Méridionale and Corsica Ferries. Timetables, ships, onboard services and fares all vary. Rather than give you a ranking, we’d suggest comparing the following criteria:

• Crossing time: the shorter it is, the better it suits children, but it often means an earlier or a later arrival.
• Departure time: an overnight sailing lets you sleep in a cabin and arrive fresh in the morning. A daytime sailing gives you the view, but means spending the trip on deck or in the public lounges.
• Type of vehicle: car on its own, car with trailer, motorhome, motorbike. Fares and conditions vary with length and height.
• Pets: dogs are allowed on board under certain conditions, usually with dedicated cabins or areas. Check before you book.

Day or night crossing?

It’s a real dilemma, and everyone has their favourite. The overnight crossing in a cabin is the top choice for families, who arrive early in the morning with well-rested children ready to race to the beach. The daytime crossing appeals to those who love watching the island draw closer, having lunch on deck and enjoying the journey as the first leg of their holiday. Each to their own pace.

Travelling with a motorhome, caravan or large vehicle

If you’re coming with a motorhome or caravan, make sure you declare your vehicle’s exact dimensions when you book: length, height and width. A mistake here can prove costly or complicate boarding. Our pitches of 100 m² and more comfortably accommodate even the larger rigs, and the roads on the east coast are wide and pleasant to drive.

If you’d like to find out more, we’ve written a complete guide for anyone travelling by motorhome on Corsica’s east coast, with routes, arrival advice and handy everyday tips.

When should you book your ferry to Corsica?

The rule is simple: the earlier, the better, especially for July and August. Vehicle spaces, cabins and the most convenient sailings go fast. If you’re travelling with a trailer, a motorhome or several vehicles, it’s best to plan even further ahead.

In May, June and September, the pressure is much lower. You’ll have more choice, more flexibility and often gentler fares. It’s actually one of the reasons we love those months: the sea is already warm, the campsite is calm and the crossings are more peaceful.

Getting ready to board

A few simple habits make the day go much more smoothly:

• Arrive at the port at the time shown on your ticket, rather than cutting it fine.
• Keep a small bag with you holding everything you’ll need during the crossing: medication, chargers, warm clothes, the children’s cuddly toys and the dog’s bowl if needed.
• Pack a jumper or a windcheater: at sea, even in high summer, the offshore breeze can take you by surprise.
• Make a note of the deck number where you parked your vehicle. It comes in handy, especially on the big ships.
• Bring something to keep the children busy: books, card games, colouring books.

The drive from the port to the campsite

Once you’re off the ferry, the east coast road is easy to follow: the RN198 passes through many villages, runs along the coastal plains and past the big beaches. In season there are plenty of petrol stations and small supermarkets, so you can stop along the way if you need to.

Our campsite is in Ghisonaccia, 700 metres from the sea. When they arrive, the first thing many children do is look around for the pools. The older ones are already eyeing up the canal and the kayaks. As for us, what we love most is that precise moment when the car doors open: the scent of the pines, the song of the cicadas, the soft warmth of the sun on your skin. After a day on the road and at sea, it’s a real relief.

Once you’re here: what awaits you at U Casone

We’ve designed our campsite so that you feel at home from the very first hour. You can choose between safari tents, chalets, Wooden lodges, Luxury lodges, mobile homes or pitches of 100 m² and more for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Two swimming pools await you, along with a restaurant, a bar, a pizzeria, a snack bar and a mini-market, so there’s nothing to organise on your first evening.

For the more active, kayaking on the canal (€15 solo, €20 for two, per half-day), pétanque, table tennis, volleyball and table football set the rhythm of the days. Children have their own playground. And your dogs are welcome all season long, including in the accommodation.

In short: how to choose?

Coming from the east of France or from Italy? Nice and Bastia make life easy. Arriving from the west or north of France? Marseille or Toulon are your allies, arriving in Bastia or Porto-Vecchio depending on the timetables. Whatever you choose, book early for the summer, declare your vehicle accurately, and go with the flow: the crossing is already part of the journey.

We look forward to welcoming you from 1 May to 8 October, with a coffee, a smile and the key to your rental, or the tent pitch you’ve chosen. Now all you have to do is climb aboard.