Bastia to Calvi

Hi,

Does anyone know how long it would take to drive from Bastia to Calvi? I%26#39;m trying to book a ferry from Livorno to Bastia (and the return) and am trying to figure out how long of a drive it%26#39;ll be.

Also, how easy is it to get a car in Bastia? Any recommended companies?

Finally, is a car the recommended way to get from Bastia to Calvi? or is a bus/train the better way to go?

Thanks!

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To confirm the distance/time:

www.mappy.com

www.viamichelin.com

There is train service (and I assume bus as well). Here is the SNCF site:

www.sncf.fr

Car rentals are the same as anywhere else, I have used:

www.autoeurope.com

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Somewhere between two and three hours depending on the time of day and the traffic. Good wide roads the whole way. Much better to hire a car than rely on the very sparse bus and train services. Book before you go on the net, but don%26#39;t expect an automatic.

Don%26#39;t use the sncf site for services in Corsica - use www.corsicabus.org

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I do this journey regularly. It takes about 1.75 hours depending on the state of the traffic and the time of day (Bastia can get quite busy).

I%26#39;d book a hire car online before you go - try Corsica Isula%26#39;s carhire page (www.corsica-isula.com). Or try the driving/carhire page on www.corsicaholiday.com for more options. It%26#39;s *much* cheaper to book before you go than rely on finding a hire car when you arrive.

Some of the downtown car hire companies close down on Tuesdays and Sundays for some reason; the ones at Bastia airport (about 20 km south of Bastia) open every day. The carhire cos will tell you if they%26#39;re open when you book.

There%26#39;s only one decent road. Take the N193 south towards Bonifacio and Ajaccio, then fork right, remaining on the N193 at a big roundabout signposted Calvi and Corte. At Ponte Leccia, turn sharp right onto the N197 for Calvi... and just follow the signs to Calvi. The train takes ages by the way - if you must use public transport, take a look at www.corsicabus.org for times.

Have a great time! DTR

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casiehoo

Several of the car hire companies (definitely Avis and Europcar) have offices immediately across the road from the Bastia ferrryport. It could not be easier. There is usually one assistant who speaks English. Getting out of Bastia on to the main Ponte Lecchia/Calvi road is simple and well signposted. Bastia is fine to drive around.

We always rent through holidayautos. When booking just click on downtown Bastia. But if you want a particular car hire company, it%26#39;s probably better to book direct with that company. I recommend Europcar and Avis in Bastia.

It is very easy, again to return the car on the return journey and just walk across the road to the port.

I would not recommend collecting a car from the airport as it is a fair way out.

The road from Bastia to Calvi is excellent and a lovely drive. Driving is definitely the best choice.

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Slight correction to the information I gave above. The Tuesday closing I referred to was in fact just one Tuesday - 8th May, which is a French Bank Holiday. I misread the opening times. Just my luck to need to go from Bastia to Livorno on that day!

As mentioned above, the Hertz and Europcar offices are very near the ferry terminal - but remember that if you hire your car through Holiday Autos or Corsica-Isula/Auto Europe (usually quite a bit cheaper), you%26#39;ll pick your car up from Hertz or Europcar anyway.

DTR

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Hi all,

Just reading the useful information above, however our trip is slightly different in that we are staying in Ille Rousse. We arrive in Bastia via Ferry and have car hire booked with Autoeurope. What is the recommended route to Ille Rousse from Bastia?

Should we take the route across to St Florent and then down through the desert and along the coast or take a similar route to the one mentioned previously via the Ponte Lecchia/Calvi road?

Many thanks in advance

SteMc

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Stellmc

The route given above to Calvi, via the N197 after Ponte Lecchia, passes through Ille Rousse. This would be the easiest route to take.

You can go the St. Florent route, it you have plenty of time and are used to Corsica%26#39;s twisty, climbing roads. It is a wonderful drive, but not one to do if you are in a hurry or tired. If you are staying at Ille Rousse perhaps you could do this drive as a day trip. I certainly recommend it and it isn%26#39;t all that scary but rugged enough to make you feel you have been somewhere. As well as the windiness of the road, you will also feel to compelled to stop many times because of the scenery.

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