Getting There and Away

Written by Camille Laurent, Celine Fournier, Marcus Kayode, Sebastien Simon
30/08/2025
Peaceful harbor in Ajaccio, Corsica with moored boats reflecting cityscape and mountain backdrop.
Ad Thiry, Pexels

Ajaccio is primarily served by Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA) for air travel and the Port of Ajaccio for ferry services, both offering crucial connections to mainland France and other parts of Corsica. The city also has a main railway station, Gare CFC, which is part of the island's train network.

By Air:

Direct flights connect Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA) with various cities in mainland France, including Paris (Orly, Charles de Gaulle), Marseille, Nice, Lyon, Toulouse, and Nantes. Major airlines operating these routes include Air Corsica, Air France, easyJet, and Volotea. Flight durations typically range from approximately 52 minutes from Nice to about 1 hour 45 minutes from Paris. Indicative costs for flights from Paris can start from €103-€200, while flights from Nantes, Lyon, or Toulouse may be found around €74-€78.

From Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA) to City Centre:

  • Bus:: Line 8 operates regularly between the airport and the city center, including the railway station, with services running every 30-60 minutes daily. The journey takes around 20 minutes and costs approximately €10 for a one-way ticket.
  • Taxi:: A taxi offers the quickest transfer to the city center, taking 15-20 minutes, with fares generally ranging from €20-€30.
  • Private Transfer/Shuttle:: Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttle services are available for convenient door-to-door transport.

By Ferry:

Ajaccio's port is a key gateway, with ferry services connecting to mainland French cities like Marseille, Toulon, and Nice, as well as to Porto Torres in Sardinia. Ferry companies include Corsica Ferries, Corsica Linea, La Meridionale, and Moby Lines. The port is conveniently located just 300 meters from the city center.

  • Marseille to Ajaccio:: Crossings typically take 10-12 hours, often overnight, with prices for a pedestrian ticket starting from €23-€35. Vehicle transport costs significantly more, averaging around €470.
  • Toulon to Ajaccio:: The journey usually takes around 7 hours, though some services can extend to 10-12 hours. Foot passenger tickets can start from €26-€40.
  • Nice to Ajaccio:: Ferries from Nice generally take about 7-8 hours, with less frequent service compared to Marseille or Toulon.

By Train (within Corsica):

While there are no train connections to mainland France, the Corsican railway network (Chemins de Fer de la Corse) connects Ajaccio to other key towns on the island, such as Bastia, Calvi, and Ile Rousse. A journey from Ajaccio to Bastia takes approximately 3 hours and costs from €21.60. Travel to Calvi requires a change at Ponte-Leccia and can take about 4 hours 30 minutes, with tickets costing around €25.

By Bus (local and regional):

Ajaccio has an urban bus network with 12 lines operating from 06:30 to 20:00 daily, with single tickets costing €1 (excluding the airport line). Regional bus services also connect Ajaccio to various villages and towns within South Corsica. For example, a bus to Zicavo takes about 1 hour 26 minutes and costs €10-€18.

Car Rental:

Car rental services are widely available at Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport and within the city. Daily rates can vary, but indicative costs often start from €35-€42, with weekly rentals averaging around €240-€435. Booking in advance is advisable to secure preferred vehicles and rates.

Check out our other pages on Ajaccio

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