Buses in Corsica

Buses in Corsica

Buses in Corsica are the main public transport on the Island of Beauty. Due to the difficult terrain, it was not possible to build a railway in many places, so, for example, the south of the Corsica is served exclusively by buses (except for cruise ships, but they do not have regular services, only circular routes).

 

A few complications…

Unfortunately, while there is bus service in Corsica, it’s quite confusing, with limited information or conflicting/outdated data. For example, some websites mention a direct bus from Ajaccio to Bonifacio, while others only reference the option through Porto-Vecchio. It is expected that you will figure this out at the tourist office in the city you’ve chosen, once you are there. Even official city websites often have incorrect or outdated transport information.

Another issue is the lack of a unified transport operator. In different towns, you may encounter routes run by one company or another, sometimes together. This doesn’t even include separate routes during the school year.

The main problem, however, is the infrequency of buses. It is normal to have just one trip a day, or two on major routes (for instance, Ajaccio–Porto-Vecchio). In high season (July–August), they might add an extra service, but overall, schedules are quite sparse, and the chances of returning the same day are slim.

I’ve done my best to figure things out for you. Hopefully, the information below will help you plan your trip. All prices and conditions are up-to-date as of 2024. However, be sure to double-check the data on official websites before your journey, as missing a bus could cost you your entire trip.

Bus Corsica transportation

 

Buses in Corsica

You can expect fairly comfortable intercity buses (some routes may have minibuses) with air conditioning and luggage compartments (strollers will need to be folded and placed in the luggage compartment).

Buses in Corsica are not a fast mode of transport. Due to the mountainous terrain, the average speed is around 30–35 km/h. So, a route that looks short on the map could take half a day in reality. This makes day trips by bus to places over 100 km away nearly impossible.

 

Corsica Bus Companies

There are several bus companies in Corsica, each usually focusing on specific areas of the island or routes.

  1. Eurocorse Voyages / Via Corsica: www.isula.corsica (flag carrier, buses from Ajaccio towards Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, to Corte, between Bastia and Calvi)
  2. Autocars Corse-Méditerranée (ACM): www.autocarscorsemediterranee.fr (around Аяччо)
  3. Les Rapides bleus: www.rapides-bleus.com (buses between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio. The only bus company that allows you to book seats)
  4. Les Beaux Voyages: www.beauxvoyagesencorse.com (regular buses Calvi — Bastia and Calvi  — Calenzana)
  5. Corsicabus: www.corsicabus.org (This is NOT the OFFICIAL website for all buses in Corsica, where routes and schedules are gathered, nor is it a bus company. The data is updated as quickly as possible as information becomes available from official carriers.)

 

Buses in agglomerations of large cities:

  1. Muvistrada (buses in Ajaccio agglomeration): mobilite.muvitarra.fr
  2. Société des Autobus Bastiais (SAB) — buses around Bastia: viabastia.monbus.mobi

 

Buying a Bus Ticket in Corsica

Generally, bus tickets in Corsica are purchased directly from the driver on board. However, in some cases, you can save money by buying the ticket in advance online or through an app (depending on the bus company).

For example, with Via Corsica. If you are an occasional traveler, you can purchase a single ticket or a pack of 10 tickets through the M-Ticket Via Corsica smartphone app (available for  iPhone, Android and Huawei). After purchasing an e-ticket, simply scan the QR code on a poster inside the bus to validate it.

Tickets can also be purchased directly from the driver at a higher fare. For instance, a ticket from Ajaccio to Porto-Vecchio costs €16 when bought via the app or €19.20 from the driver. A trip from Ajaccio to Sartène costs €8 through the app or €9.60 onboard.

For comparison, here are some Muvistrada prices:

  • A bus from Ajaccio Airport to the city center costs €6 if bought from a ticket machine, via the app, or by SMS, but €10 when purchased onboard.
  • A ticket from Ajaccio to the beach is €2.20 via the app or SMS, or €3 onboard.

With bus companies such as Autocars Corse-Méditerranée, Les Rapides bleus, and Les Beaux Voyages, tickets are bought from the driver, with no price difference.

 

Bus Ticket Prices in Corsica

Below are approximate bus ticket prices, subject to change depending on the route and potential fare increases over time. For exact prices, check the official websites of the bus operators or www.corsicabus.org.

 

Bus Route Map in Corsica

Since there is no single bus operator in Corsica, there is no unified route map either. For smaller companies, it’s often more of a simple Google Maps route for a couple of trips. However, this map will help give a rough idea of Corsica’s public transport routes and how to reach different destinations.

Transportaion in corsica - Corsca transport map

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