A bucolic ride on the Corsican train
Our train trips
On your next vacation in Corsica, treat yourself to a beautiful Corsican train ride aboard the petit trinichellu. This famous little tremblotin will take you inland to discover the Corsican countryside and give you the opportunity to travel differently! This article gives you everything you need to know about the Corsican train: timetables, tickets and itineraries.
Micheline corse: what you need to know
The train is an ideal, and above all original, way of discovering the Isle of Beauty from inland via the Corsican coastline. It's a train that's part of Corsican history, and one that's sure to brighten up your day. When to take it? In high season (mid-July to late August), all means of transport are packed to the rafters. But if you want to travel by train, you should be aware that trains are available all year round, especially on the CFC (Chemin de Fer de Corse, or the Y-shaped U trinighellu ) lines, with the exception of the Balagne tramway. The latter may be suspended in winter due to snow.
Where to take the little train in Corsica?
All year round, the main lines run from Ajaccio, Corte, Ponte-Leccia, Île-Rousse and Bastia to Calvi. You can choose between the Ajaccio-Corte-Bastia, Calvi-Ajaccio and Bastia-Ponte Leccia-Calvi routes. If you opt for a longer trip, you can expect an average journey time of around 3h30 (Bastia-Ajaccio) or 3h40 (Calvi-Ajaccio). With four round trips a day, this is your chance to discover Corsica by train!
How to travel by train in Corsica: Bastia or Ajaccio?
Buying a ticket, fares
On the island of beauty, the train is a one-class ticket for all. Reservations are not possible. Do you need a ticket? Then head for the station! However, you can buy a ticket on board (only for urban routes). Tickets cost a maximum of twenty euros. You should also know that a one-way ticket is valid for two (02) days, and a return ticket for seven (07) days. It's free for children under 4, half-fare for under-12s, and full-fare for over-12s. Peri-urban lines are priced at €2 per section, and 10-box coupons (box = section) cost €10. You can buy a Pass Liberta at CFC stations for €50, which allows you to travel freely from train to train for 7 successive days.
CFC: timetables
Organize your visits by taking note of the timetables. These can be consulted in stations and online. This information is refreshed every 2 to 3 months, and is published 10 days before the new service is introduced.
Special information
Here are the conditions of carriage established by the CFC service (CAMINI DI FERRU DI A CORSICA) SERVICE.
- Muzzled dogs and pets traveling without a container pay half the price of an individual seat. However, small dogs can be carried at arm's length and are therefore exempt from transport charges.
- Bicycles, bags and other objects are charged at €5 per 24-hour period.
- Disabled civilians, discharged soldiers and war pensioners benefit from a 50% discount on the full fare, and a free ticket for their companion.
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Corsican train travel: available routes
Here are a few ideas for train journeys to inspire you on your next trip. And don't forget, you can get off at any station, take in the sights, do as many hikes or walks as you can and then catch the next train to continue your journey.
From Calvi to Ajaccio
From Calvi to Ajaccio, there's always a surprise in store. This route is particularly suited to sea lovers. If such an adventure appeals to you, your journey will take shape as follows:
- Drive along the coast, passing through the marinas and enjoying the crystal-clear beaches of Île Rousse.
- Get a glimpse of the Parc Régional de Corse between Corte and Vizzavona, where scrubland, steep gorges and sawtooth reliefs nestle;
- Admire the old-fashioned charm of the Francardo train station;
- Cross Gustave EIFFEL's vertiginous Vecchio bridge;
- Cross the forest and mountain of Vizzavona;
- Marvel at the summit of Monte d'Oro;
- Stroll along the beaches of Ajaccio, or visit the Sanguinaires islands.
Leaving from Bastia
Before reaching Île Rousse via Ponte-Leccia, a train journey from Bastia offers a spectacular panorama of forests, vineyards and the Etang de Biguglia nature reserve. Experience the beautiful beaches of the Balagne region. You'll pass through the Agriate desert, the Regino olive groves, the famous red porphyry rocks, etc. to reach Ile Rousse. You'll then join the Calvi-Ajaccio line.
The Balagne tramway: the trinichellu
When you think of Corsica's little train, you think of the trinichellu or tremblotin. This emblematic locomotive is very popular with tourists. It glides along the beaches between Calvi and Ile Rousse. Nicknamed the "gondola on rails", it runs along the 75 km of Balagne coastline. Thanks to a number of renovations, it offers greater comfort to those who wish to use it. Climb aboard this tramway and the beauty of the landscape will enhance your day.
What's more, this micheline stops at every beach to let travelers enjoy the rocky coves and wild, fine-sand beaches. At 40 km per hour, you'll have plenty of time to see the most beautiful of them all:
- Calvi
- Sainte-Restitude
- Ondari-Arinella
- Giorgio
- Sant'Ambroggio
- Algajola and Aregno plage
- Davia
- Ghjunchitu
- Bodri
Discover beautiful panoramas on board the Corsican train
Even though it's a rattling train, the Isle of Beauty's train lulls you to sleep as it reveals Corsica's most beautiful sites:
- Its engineering structures, including tunnels and viaducts; its old bridges, with a few relics to discover as you cross the Bravona: two steel bridges - between Ghisonaccia and Solenzara - rise majestically above the beds of the Abatesco and Travo rivers;
- The Vizzavona tunnel, 3,916 meters long;
- The red granite sites of the Isola della Pietra;
- Vizzavona with its beautiful forests and Larricio pines;
- The "bride's veil" waterfall at Bocognano;
- The Agriate desert, with its ochre-colored mantle and the scent of rockrose;
- The shimmering orange colors of Calvi's bay and beach;
- Balinese villages such as Belgodère, with its handicrafts (wind tunnels, pottery, luthiers), or Pietralba with its rusty water cistern;
- The cool Restonica valley at Corte;
- The immense viaduct over the Vecchio in the heart of the mountains;
- The Popolasca peaks above Ponte-Leccia.
Slower than the car, the train allows you to take the time to discover authentic Corsica in its purest, wildest form. In high or low season, it offers the same comfort and is always available for travelers. For your next vacation in Corsica, think about a trip on a locomotive!
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How do I get from Ile Rousse to Calvi?
To get from Île-Rousse to Calvi by train, you'll take the Balagne railway line, renowned for its picturesque scenery along Corsica's west coast. The route offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and passes through charming villages. The train journey from Île-Rousse to Calvi generally takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the train service used and the number of stops en route. The number of stations may vary, as some trains stop at several smaller stations along the way, while others make fewer stops. In general, there may be between 5 and 9 stops, depending on the specific service you are taking. These stops can include, but are not limited to, stations such as Algajola, Sant'Ambroggio, and Lumio, offering travelers the opportunity to explore different aspects of the Balagne region during their journey.
How do I get from Bastia to Calvi by train?
To get from Bastia to Calvi by train, you need to take the railroad line that links these two Corsican towns, known as the "Tramway de la Balagne". This line offers a picturesque way of discovering Corsica's north-western coast, crossing spectacular landscapes between sea and mountains. The journey starts at Bastia station and follows the coast westwards, passing through several small towns and villages before reaching Calvi. The Balagne line is particularly popular for its magnificent views and its route through the Balagne region, rich in natural beauty and historical heritage. However, it is important to note that direct service between Bastia and Calvi is not always available, and it may be necessary to change trains at Ponte-Leccia. Total travel time from Bastia to Calvi can vary, but is usually around 3 to 3.5 hours.