Find competitive rental car prices in Corsica with Road Genius. Check live rates of SUVs, hatchbacks, people movers and make reservations with no booking fees. Compare car hire at Bastia, Ajaccio, Figari and Calvi airports, plus city and ferry port locations, in one search. Availability is tight in summer, so book early and choose a compact car with enough power for mountain roads.
Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
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Bastia Poretta Airport (BIA) |
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Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA) |
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Figari Sud-Corse Airport (FSC) |
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Calvi Sainte-Catherine Airport (CLY) |
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Ferry Ports (Bastia, Ajaccio, Ile Rousse) |
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Note: Due to limited supply and high demand, advance booking is essential for Corsica, especially from June to September.
On average, car rentals in Corsica cost around €52 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €27 per day.
Compare pickup spots: Check airport vs ferry-port or city locations in Bastia, Ajaccio or Ile Rousse. Ports often have lower rates and flexible hours, though with smaller fleets.
Time your booking to the season: For July–August, book 5–6 months ahead. In May, June, September or October, 2–4 months is usually enough. Off-peak can be booked closer and you can watch prices.
Pick manual and compact: Manuals are far cheaper than automatics in Corsica. A compact with decent power handles mountain roads, parks easier and saves on fuel.
Tweak dates and length: Weekly rates can beat shorter rentals. Shift pickup/return times by a few hours or a day to dodge higher day rates or after-hours fees.
Avoid add-on costs: Return during opening hours and clean out sand to skip €50–100 cleaning fees.
Plan fuel stops: Fill up in bigger towns like Bastia, Ajaccio, Calvi or Porto-Vecchio where prices are better, and return full to avoid refuel charges.
Location | Parking Type | Cost Estimate (Approx.) | Space Details |
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Major Cities (Bastia, Ajaccio) | Street spaces, garages | Paid spaces and time limits may apply |
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Beach Destinations | Limited lots, roadside | Fees may apply at popular beaches |
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Mountain Villages | Village entrances | Often free. Fees may apply at designated areas |
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Bonifacio | City lots, port spaces | Paid spaces and time limits may apply |
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Porto-Vecchio | Street spaces, central lot | Paid spaces and time limits may apply |
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Book a rental to drive to:
Cap Corse loop – coastal villages, viewpoints
Calanques de Piana and Porto – rock formations, Gulf of Porto viewpoints
Bonifacio – old town, citadel, limestone cliffs
Porto-Vecchio area – Palombaggia, Santa Giulia beaches
Corte and Restonica Valley – gorges, trailheads
Calvi and the Balagne – beach towns, hill villages
Is an International Driving Permit required to rent a car in Corsica? You don't need one if your licence has a photo and uses the Latin alphabet. We recommend you get one if your licence is in another language or script, as it helps with translation.
Can I take a rental car on the ferry between Corsica and mainland France or Italy? Rental companies often restrict this. Many agencies will let you take their car on a ferry to mainland France, but you need to get their authorisation first and pay extra fees or for more insurance. Some companies stop you from taking the car off the island at all, and most won't let you travel to Italy or Sardinia. Always check with your rental company beforehand.
Are there toll roads in Corsica? No, unlike mainland France, Corsica has no toll roads. You can use all the roads for free.
What type of car is best for exploring Corsica? A compact car with enough power is your best bet. Small cars handle the narrow roads well, but tiny engines can struggle on the mountain climbs. Finding a good balance between size and power is the most important thing.
Is driving in Corsica difficult? It can be a challenge because of the narrow, winding roads, especially in the mountains and along cliff edges. If you're a confident driver on mountain roads and you stay alert, you'll be fine. Just take it slow and enjoy the scenery.
Can I pick up a car in one Corsican city and drop it off in another? Yes, you can usually pick up a car in one Corsican city and drop it off in another, but the rental company may charge you a fee for this. Many people choose this option to avoid driving back on themselves.
How clean must I return the car? Rental agencies in Corsica are strict about cleanliness. They can charge you a cleaning fee (€50-100) for leaving sand, mud or a lot of dirt in the car. You can use the vacuums at petrol stations to get rid of sand and should think about visiting a car wash before you return the car.
Are there any special considerations for driving to beaches? You may need to use unpaved roads to get to some beaches. Rental agreements usually forbid driving on unsealed or gravel roads, even in an AWD/4WD vehicle. Doing this can cancel your insurance. Always check your contract carefully for the rules. For some remote beaches (like Saleccia), it's best to go by boat or a specialised shuttle service, as rental companies don't allow their cars on that type of terrain.
What's the driving time around the entire island? It would take you about 12-15 hours of pure driving to follow the roads around the outside of the island. Most visitors find they need at least 7-10 days to explore the island properly by car.
Are there car-free areas I should know about? Several old town centres (especially Bonifacio) have zones where driving is restricted. You should follow the signs for "Zone Piétonne" or "Accès limité" and park in the marked car parks outside these zones.