Train and Ferry from London to Corsica
Photo: Richard Hammond
Overview
Route: London to Corsica via Lille and Marseille or Paris and Nice
Journey time: About 24hrs
Journey highlights:
See Richard Hammond's featured article: Island-hopping by ferry to Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily
Return journey: Corsica to London via Marseille and Lille or Nice and Paris
Detailed itinerary
Option 1: to Bastia, Corsica via Lille and Marseille (overnight ferry) |
||
|
Sample itinerary: Leave London at 0827 and arrive at Lille Europe at 1054. Catch the 1206, arriving in Marseille at 1647. Take the 1900 ferry and arrive in Bastia, Corsica at 0700 the next morning.
Price: Return train to Marseille from £111, ferry to Corsica costs from €8 each way.
|
||
| Leg 1: | London St Pancras to Lille Europe
First train 0620 (Mon-Fri), 0659 (Sat), 0857 (Sun). Last train 1934 (every day). |
Frequency of service: About 7 trains a day.
Operator:
Eurostar Journey time: From 1 hour 20 minutes.
|
| Transfer | A quick same-station change of platform at Lille Europe station to catch the onward connection. From the Eurostar platform, go up the stairs (or lift) to the main concourse from where the onward TGV trains depart. |
Change of platformTransfer time: Allow 20 minutes.
Book a hotel near Lille Europe/Lille Flanders
|
| Leg 2: | Lille Europe to Marseille. Departs 0559, 1030, 1206, 1333, 1606, 1754, 1830. |
Frequency of service: From 5 trains a day.
Operator:
TGV Journey time: From 4 hours 41 minutes.
|
| Transfer | Transfer from Marseille-St-Charles to Marseille port It is a short taxi ride, or two Metro stops on line 2 to Joliette, for the harbour. However allow plenty of time to check-in and find the correct pier for your ferry. If you have extra time, stop at the picturesque Vieux-Port on the way (about 2 km from the station). |
Long hopTransfer time: Allow 2 hrs
Book a hotel near Saint-Charles train station
Book a hotel near Marseille Port
|
| Leg 3: | Marseille to Corsica by ferry (overnight) Ferries leave Marseille at 1800, 1900, 1930 or 2000 depending on the day. |
Frequency of service: Daily
Operator:
SNCM Journey time: From 11hrs
|
| Destination | Bienvenue à Corsica |
Book a hotel near Port of Corsica (Bastia)
|
Option 2: to Calvi, Corsica via Paris and Nice |
||
|
Sample itinerary: Take the 0727 from St Pancras and you'll arrive in Paris in enough time to get the 1146 TGV down to Nice, where you'll arrive in good time to enjoy an evening meal and a full night's sleep before catching the morning ferry to Calvi.
Price: Trains to Nice cost from £111 return. Ferries from Nice to Calvi cost from around £60 return.
|
||
| Leg 1: | London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris. Don't forget check-in time for Eurostar is at least 30 mins before departure. |
Frequency of service: About 15 trains a day
Operator:
Eurostar Journey time: From 2 hrs 15 mins
|
| Transfer |
|
Short hopTransfer time: Allow 50 minutes.
Book a hotel near Gare du Nord
Book a hotel near Gare de Lyon
|
| Leg 2: | Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice Ville. Departs 0746, 0942, 1146, 1346, 1742. |
Frequency of service: About 5 times a day.
Operator:
TGV Journey time: From 5 hours 38 minutes.
|
| Transfer | If you don't have heavy bags, you could walk down to the famous Promenade des Anglais and east past the headland and Vieux Port to the ferry port. Alternatively, take a taxi or bus number 30 from the station (direction Riquier). Alight at Gare Maritime for the ferry port. |
Long hopTransfer time: Allow 1 hour
Book a hotel near Nice Ville train station
Book a stopover hotel near Nice Port
|
| Leg 3: | Nice to Calvi (ferry) Corisca Sardinia Ferries and SNCM sail from 1 to 7 times a week. (Many summer weekday departures are at 0830 with Corsica Sardinia Ferries and 0730 with SNCM) For up to date timetable information, see www.corsica-ferries.fr or www.sncm.fr. |
Frequency of service: Up to 7 crossings per week
Operator:
Corsica Sardinia Ferries / SNCM Journey time: From 3 hours 55 minutes
|
| Destination | Bienvenue à Calvi Bonarrivu à Calvi |
Book a hotel near Calvi Port
|
Your route to Corsica
The lines on the map are for illustrative purposes only - they don't show the exact route taken by the train.
