Going to Corsica by train + sailboat: the complete guide
Dreaming of escaping to Corsica without blowing your carbon budget on the way? What if you travelled... by sailboat? Not only is this a low-carbon travel method par excellence, it’s also a unique and unforgettable adventure — an experience that becomes part of the journey itself! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to get to Corsica by train and sailboat, thanks to the boat rental platform Click&Boat. The good news? You can rent a sailboat with or without a skipper — no sailing skills required to set off on an eco-friendly adventure!
First step: Reaching the Mediterranean Coast by Train
You can set sail to Corsica from several locations, including:
- Pyrénées-Orientales (South-West): Port-Vendres
- French Riviera (South-East): Toulon, Marseille, Nice, Hyères, Saint-Raphaël
- Italian Riviera (South-East, across the border): Genoa, Savona
How to get to the Pyrénées-Orientales from Paris?
Paris – Port-Vendres by train
- Duration: 6h20 to 7h (TGV Inoui, TER, or OUIGO)
- Price: €69 to €200 on average (depending on time and class)
- Practical info: 4 to 7 trains/day, usually one change at Perpignan or Narbonne. First train around 5:35 a.m., last around 10:06 p.m.
- Book via SNCF Connect
How to get to the French Riviera from Paris?
Paris – Hyères by train
- Duration: About 5h30 (some direct trains in 4h30–5h)
- Price: €39 to €69 on average
- Practical info: 12 trains/day from Paris Gare de Lyon. Mostly direct or with one change in Toulon or Marseille. Night trains also available.
- Book via SNCF Connect
Paris – Marseille by train
- Duration: About 3h05 to 3h35 (direct TGV Inoui or OUIGO)
- Price: €29 to €89 on average
- Practical info: 25 trains/day from Paris Gare de Lyon, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Night trains also possible.
- Book via SNCF Connect
Paris – Nice by train
- Duration: 5h40 to 6h40 (direct TGV Inoui or OUIGO)
- Price: €60 to €90 on average
- Practical info: 11 trains/day from Paris Gare de Lyon, with stops in Marseille, Toulon, and Cannes.
- Book via SNCF Connect
Paris – Saint-Raphaël by train
- Duration: 4h40 to 5h45 (direct TGV Inoui or OUIGO)
- Price: €60 to €90 on average
- Practical info: 11 trains/day from Paris Gare de Lyon, direct or with one change, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Night trains also available.
- Book via SNCF Connect
Paris – Toulon by train
- Duration: Around 3h50 to 4h30 (direct TGV Inoui or OUIGO)
- Price: €50 to €90 on average
- Practical info: 16 trains/day from Paris Gare de Lyon, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Book via SNCF Connect
How to get to Italy by train from Paris?
Paris – Genoa by train
- Duration: 7h30 to 9h, with at least one transfer (usually Nice or Milan), via TGV Inoui or Trenitalia
- Price: From €44 if booked early
- Practical info: 26 trains/day, no direct routes
- Book via Trainline
Paris – Savona by train
- Duration: Around 9h, with at least one transfer (Nice or Milan)
- Price: From €50 (€80–€100 on average)
- Practical info: No direct routes
- Book via Trainline
For all these journeys, booking early is key to getting the best prices — especially during peak holiday periods.
For departures from other French cities, check out the Itineraries section of our website.
Second step: Crossing the Mediterranean by Sailboat
From these ports, you can easily sail to Bastia, Ajaccio, Calvi, Ile Rousse, Porto-Vecchio or Bonifacio. Let’s zoom in on Click&Boat, the boat rental platform offering over 17,000 sailboats!
How do you rent a sailboat?
Even if you’re a beginner, you can rent a sailboat — from your port of choice to any Corsican destination — via Click&Boat. You can chat with the owner before booking and even get help from an advisor to customise your trip.
You can also filter boats by number of cabins, size, type (schooner, sporty boat, social boat…), and equipment (WiFi, BBQ, watersport gear, etc.).
Do you need a boat license to sail to Corsica?
Nope! Click&Boat offers rentals with or without a skipper. So, you don’t need any sailing experience to cross the sea.
How much does it cost?
With Click&Boat, you pay per day, not per crossing. The cost depends on the boat type, season, rental duration, number of people, and whether you choose a skipper.
Prices range from €280/day in low season to €390/day in high season, but the cost is split among passengers — meaning it could cost you under €50 per person.
For example, from Hyères:
How long is the crossing from the French coast to Corsica?
It varies between 10 and 18 hours, depending on wind conditions and boat speed. For example:
- Nice – Bastia: 10 to 13 hours
- Marseille – Ajaccio: 15 to 18 hours
- Toulon – Ajaccio: 12 to 15 hours
Once There: Best Sailboat Itineraries to Discover Corsica
Once you arrive, you can continue exploring Corsica by sailboat! Here are a few route ideas:
- 2-week loop: Porto-Vecchio – Bastia – Calvi – Ajaccio – Propriano – Bonifacio – Porto-Vecchio
- 1-week loop: Ajaccio – Piana – Scandola – Calvi – Ajaccio
- Weekend loop: Bonifacio – Sardinia – Bonifacio
Train + Sail: Other Destinations?
Dreaming of other destinations? This train + sailboat combo also works great in places like Sicily, with its wild coastlines and crystal-clear waters.
Explore our 10-day itinerary to discover Sicily by train
Whether you choose Corsica, Sicily, or another Mediterranean gem, this train + sail combo promises a truly unforgettable, low-impact travel experience.
Ready to set sail?
This article was written in partnership with Click&Boat. Want to take the plunge? Check out the Click&Boat website to plan your sea adventure!
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