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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.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 410642
Location 👍 Pros 👎 Cons
Bastia Poretta Airport (BIA)
  • All major agencies on-site
  • Largest selection in northern Corsica
  • Convenient for Cap Corse exploration
  • Hours match flight schedules
  • Limited vehicle selection in peak season
  • Higher rates than city locations
  • Need to book well in advance
  • Possible long waits during peak arrival times
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA)
  • Major agencies present
  • Good selection for western Corsica
  • Easy access to southern beaches
  • Gateway to Piana calanques
  • Summer availability extremely limited
  • Higher rates than mainland France
  • Airport surcharges
  • Strict return policies
Figari Sud-Corse Airport (FSC)
  • Closest to Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio
  • Access to popular southern beaches
  • Small airport, quick processing
  • All agencies in or next to the terminal
  • Smallest vehicle selection of the airports
  • Limited opening hours
  • Higher rates
  • Extremely limited availability in July and August
Calvi Sainte-Catherine Airport (CLY)
  • Convenient for Balagne region
  • Near popular beach destinations
  • Small airport, efficient service
  • Gateway to northwest Corsica
  • Smallest selection of vehicles
  • Limited opening hours
  • Seasonal operations for some companies
  • Higher rates than mainland
Ferry Ports (Bastia, Ajaccio, Ile Rousse)
  • Convenient if arriving by ferry
  • City centre locations
  • Potentially lower rates than airports
  • More flexible hours
  • Smaller vehicle selection
  • May close on Sundays and holidays
  • Limited luxury or speciality options
  • Often require advance booking

Note: Due to limited supply and high demand, advance booking is essential for Corsica, especially from June to September.

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Corsica?

On average, car rentals in Corsica cost around €52 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €27 per day.

Saving Tips
  • 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.

Driving and Local Rules

Location Parking Type Cost Estimate (Approx.) Space Details
Major Cities (Bastia, Ajaccio) Street spaces, garages Paid spaces and time limits may apply
  • Limited street spaces
  • Use garages where available
  • Free options on outskirts
Beach Destinations Limited lots, roadside Fees may apply at popular beaches
  • Arrive early (before 10AM) in summer
  • Some beaches have no formal spaces
  • Avoid blocking roads/private access
Mountain Villages Village entrances Often free. Fees may apply at designated areas
  • Park at designated areas only
  • Never block narrow village streets
  • Follow local signage carefully
Bonifacio City lots, port spaces Paid spaces and time limits may apply
  • Very limited. Use outer car parks
  • Shuttle service to old town
  • High demand in summer
Porto-Vecchio Street spaces, central lot Paid spaces and time limits may apply
  • Marina spaces often available
  • Old town has restricted access
  • Residential permits in some areas
  • Drive on the right, overtake on the left
  • No toll roads in Corsica (unlike mainland France)
  • Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on open roads unless signed otherwise
  • Mountain roads often have 30 km/h advisory limits on curves
  • Blood alcohol limit: 0.05% (lower than US/UK)
  • Be prepared for free-roaming animals (cows, pigs, goats) on rural roads
  • Headlights recommended for mountain tunnels and during limited visibility
Why rent a car in Corsica

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

FAQs

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.