PORTO-VECCHIO - GETTING AROUND
Porto-Vecchio can easily be explored on foot. The marina is
about 1.25 miles from the town center of Porto-Vecchio, or about a 20 minute
walk. Free shuttles are provided as well if you don`t wish to walk.
While visiting any of the small towns and villages around Porto-Vecchio,
walking is typically the best way to explore, however you will need a car to
travel around to each of them.
The island of Corisca is beautiful to discover on foot if
you wish to have a walking holiday. There are a number of marked trails to suit
all levels of walkers, although the island can be particularly challenging to
walk/hike, so it is important to research itineraries according to your level
of fitness and experience. There are self-guided walking and hiking itineraries
that allow visitors to discover some of the most beautiful corners of Corsica. Coastal
Corsica, for example, has a lot to offer walkers. Ajaccio itself is covered
with green foothills of vegetation and herbs. Beyond them, a dramatic rocky
ridgeline, and below are stunning beaches.
One of the best-known ways to explore the interior of the
island is the challenging 111 mile GR20 Trail – one of the most famous walking
trails in Europe. It stretches from Calenzan in the north to Conca in the south
and is considered one of the most difficult long-distance treks on the
continent (there are exposed scrambles, and at some points ladders and steel
ropes to assist walkers). The whole trail takes at least two weeks, and
involves staying in refuges or camping along the way.
There are connections by ferry with Marseille (by Corsica Linea). The ferry Terminal is Port de Commerce (Tel +35 04 95 70 06 03.
By Public TransportationPublic transport is not good in Corsica, so getting around by car is the best option. Trains offer great views, but they are slow and limited to the three lines connecting Ajaccio with Corte, Bastia and Calvi. Relying on buses is not the best option either, because routes are scarce (most leave twice a day) and are difficult to find.
By Citadina (Electric Shuttle)
To make your travels easier, the City of Porto-Vecchio offers
you A Citadina, an electric shuttle that is free. The Citadina connects all the
car parks, the heart of the city, the port, and the 4-Paths.
In high
season (July - August), a shuttle runs every 15 minutes, every day, from 8:10
am to 11:30 pm. In low season, a shuttle runs every 20 minutes, every day, from
8:10 am to 7:30 pm (except Sunday, last departure at 1:30 pm).
ATTENTION: on
Sunday until 1:40 pm,
because of the market, stops Stazzale and Matonara are not served. The
Citadelle stop has been moved to the corner of Cours Napoléon and Rue Joseph
Terrazoni (Rue du Clocher).
All bus departures and arrivals are at the bus station (near the
marina). There
are buses from other major Corsican towns: Bonifacio, Ajaccio, Bastia, Zonza,
Conca, Figari.
Gare routiere (Regional
bus hub) in Porto-Vecchio.
There are many bus companies that operate routes between the main
towns. Tourist offices in towns should be able to give you information on local
bus companies, or visit the unofficial web site: www.CorsicaBus.org that
provides frequently updated bus timetables arranged by the towns of departure and arrival.
The main bus routes include:
-Bastia to Corte (1hr 30 min) and Ajaccio
(3 hours)
-Bastia to Ill Rousse
(1 hr 40 min) and Calvi (2 hr 20 min)
-Calvi to Porto (2 hr 30 min)
-Ajaccio to Propriano (2 hr) and Porto
Vecchio (3 hr 30 min)
-Porto Vecchio to Bastia
The Corsican railway offers
a whole range of varied landscapes between sea and mountain. Beware, there
are no connections in the extreme south of Corsica.
The five resorts are in Ajaccio, Corte, Bastia, Calvi and Ile
Rousse.
Information
for all railway stations:
Gare de Bastia: 04 95 32 80 61
Furiani station: 04 95 33 58 95
Biguglia station: 04 95 33 71 03
Corte station: 04 95 46 00 97
Ajaccio station: 04 95 23 11 03
Railway station Ile Rousse: 04 95 60 00 50
Calvi station: 04 95 65 00 61
Various schedules can be
found at www.train-corse.com
Car rentals can be found directly at the airport or in
Porto-Vecchio. The rental agencies offer you the choice: cars all categories,
utilities or scooters (practice to avoid traffic jams).
A car allows freedom to explore
the island and is what a majority of visitors to Corsica choose to get around
by. Although Corsica is compact, the interior roads
are narrow and winding, so it`s best to base yourself out of multiple locations
if you`d like to explore the entire island. You can rent a vehicle from major
carriers at any airport
(or bring a car via ferry from the mainland). The cost of rentals will depend on the model, but plan to spend at
least around 400 Euros for a week. Be aware: the car standards are not as high as in the US, you`ll probably
get an older model of a French car). We recommend upgrading to a higher
category, such as an SUV, when renting a car, especially since roads are rocky
in many part of Corsica. Make sure that your car is insured;
locals tend to drive quickly and don`t mind passing other vehicles on sharp
curves.
Driving in busy towns can sometimes be a little
challenging but not particularly dangerous. Most visitors quickly get used to
the Corsicans` liberal interpretation of the Highway Code and find the whole
experience relatively stress-free.
For all your trips on Corsica, transfers airport to hotel, Porto-Vecchio to Bonifacio, or long distances, taxis are a great alternative option. It is advised to book in advance for reasons of availability.
By BicycleTouring the island of Corsica bicycle is possible. Generally speaking, a degree of experience and fitness is required to cycle the island, as well as a decent road bike equipped with a good range of gears.