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railtour suisse · Independent rail tour

Tour of Corsica by train 8 days

Eight-day independent rail tour of Corsica from Ajaccio to Bastia

Illustration of Tour of Corsica by train 8 days

Railtour Suisse operates an eight-day independent tour through Corsica by rail, beginning with a flight to Ajaccio and ending with a flight from Bastia. The journey uses a seven-day rail pass for the Corsican railway, affectionately called 'u trinighellu', which carries you through the island's interior forests and along its coast. You stay in three modest hotels: the Napoléon in Ajaccio, the Splendid in L'Île-Rousse, and the Best Western Montecristo in Bastia, with breakfast included each morning. Day three features the signature inland crossing, a four-hour climb through maquis and chestnut forest to the foot of peaks, then a descent to L'Île-Rousse through the Désert des Agriates. Days at the coast allow you to swim, explore towns at your own pace, and ride short rail segments between beaches. In Bastia, you visit the Old Port, upper town, and Baroque churches. This tour suits independent rail travellers seeking a slow journey through varied Corsican landscapes on a moderate budget, with the flexibility to spend hours at any beach or market that appeals to you.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package includes Easyjet flights and hotels but does not cover airport-hotel transfers; arrange a taxi or bus separately.
  • The Splendid hotel in L'Île-Rousse is rated two stars, notably simpler than the Napoléon and Best Western properties.
  • Single room supplement is not included in the from-price; it is an additional charge payable separately.
  • Local taxes are payable on site at the hotels, in addition to the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Ajaccio

    Switzerland - Ajaccio

    Fly to Ajaccio. Discover the capital of southern Corsica, the pedestrian zone with the Fesch Museum, Napoleon's birthplace in the lively old town, the seaside and its beaches. Accommodation in Ajaccio for 2 nights.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Ajaccio

    Ajaccio

    A short trip along the coast is a must, to the famous Sanguinaires islands at the end of the magnificent gulf, for example, by tourist train. And what about relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches with their turquoise waters?

  3. Day 3railovernight: L'Île-Rousse

    Ajaccio - L'Île-Rousse (approx. 4h train journey)

    Depart for a journey across Corsica that you won't soon forget! Slowly, the train climbs the maquis, chestnut forests and laricio pines, criss-crosses the heart of the island at the foot of majestic peaks, then descends to the valley, via Corte to Ponte-Leccia (change). Then, through the Désert des Agriates, you reach the sea and the beach at L'Île-Rousse, your destination for 3 nights.

  4. Day 4railovernight: L'Île-Rousse

    L'Île-Rousse

    In L'Île-Rousse, enjoy the daily market, the lively square shaded by plane trees and the beautiful sandy beach. A tour of the town on the little tourist train gives you a great overview and takes you as far as the famous red porphyry rocks that give the resort its name (tickets available on site).

  5. Day 5railovernight: L'Île-Rousse

    Calvi and the coast (approx. 40 min per journey)

    In the Balagne region, we go to the beach by train! The trinighellu runs alongside the sea, serving each of the beautiful beaches between L'Île-Rousse and Calvi. Whether or not you decide to put down your towel, don't miss Calvi, with its citadel, pretty harbour and wide bay hemmed in by a vast beach.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bastia

    L'Île-Rousse - Bastia (approx. 2h30 train journey)

    Depart L'Île-Rousse for Bastia, via Ponte-Leccia (change). The train passes through forests and vineyards, skirting the Etang de Biguglia nature reserve before reaching Bastia, capital of Haute-Corse. Check-in for 2 nights.

  7. Day 7overnight: Bastia

    Bastia

    Discover the Old Port, known here as Terra Vecchia, the upper town and the Governors' Palace, the terraces of Place Saint-Nicolas and the Baroque churches that are the pride of the town. Enjoy the local bouillabaisse, or aziminu, in one of the many restaurants.

  8. Day 8

    Bastia - Switzerland

    Return to Switzerland by plane from Bastia.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Depart Ajaccio on the Corsican railway, climbing through maquis and chestnut forests, crossing the island's heart at the foot of peaks, then descending through the Désert des Agriates to L'Île-Rousse, a four-hour journey.
  • Day 5Travel by train alongside the sea through the Balagne region between L'Île-Rousse and Calvi, stopping at beaches; explore Calvi's citadel, harbour, and bay.
  • Day 6Depart L'Île-Rousse for Bastia, passing through forests and vineyards and skirting the Etang de Biguglia nature reserve.
  • Day 7Discover Bastia's Terra Vecchia (Old Port), upper town, Governors' Palace, Place Saint-Nicolas, and Baroque churches; eat aziminu (local bouillabaisse) at waterfront restaurants.

Included

  • Easyjet flights Geneva - Ajaccio and Bastia - Geneva, 1 piece of luggage in hold, taxes
  • 7-day pass allowing unlimited travel on the Corsican railway network
  • 7 nights with breakfast, double occupancy: Napoléon*** in Ajaccio (2 nights), Splendid** in L'Ile-Rousse (3 nights), Best Western Montecristo*** in Bastia (2 nights)

Not included

  • Airport-hotel-airport transfers (taxi or bus)
  • Single room supplement
  • Local taxes payable on site

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes a seven-day pass allowing unlimited travel on the Corsican railway network (CFC).
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an independent rail tour. You travel on your own between hotels; there is no group guide or escort.
Which trains will I use?
You travel on the Corsican railway, known as 'u trinighellu', which operates single-class carriages across a network connecting Ajaccio, Corte, L'Île-Rousse, Calvi, and Bastia.
What hotels are included?
The Napoléon (three-star) in Ajaccio for two nights, the Splendid (two-star) in L'Île-Rousse for three nights, and the Best Western Montecristo (three-star) in Bastia for two nights. All include breakfast.
What is not included in the from-price?
Airport-hotel-airport transfers, single room supplements, and local taxes payable on site are not included.
How much time is spent on trains?
Days 3, 5, and 6 involve train journeys: Ajaccio to L'Île-Rousse (approximately four hours), L'Île-Rousse to Calvi and back (approximately 40 minutes each way), and L'Île-Rousse to Bastia (approximately two and a half hours).

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