When we step onto the tarmac at the airport in Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, the sun is shining high above us. The temperature difference with Belgium is a whopping 15°C. In the arrivals hall, we look for our bags. We definitely won’t get lost here, since there are only two luggage belts.
Our suitcases come off the belt fairly quickly, allowing us to walk straight to the car rental desk, just a few dozen meters from the arrivals hall. Less than 30 minutes later, we are already driving out of the small airport. No long queue, no stress. All that’s left now is the drive to our holiday home and then a week of exploring Corsica.
This is how our road trip on the “Île de Beauté,” as the French call Corsica, began. And beautiful it truly is — a real must-see! But without a rental car, getting around is much harder, because all those beautiful spots are not exactly next to a bus stop. So unless you plan to hike the legendary GR20 route (200 km) across Corsica, we really recommend exploring the island by car.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about renting and driving a car in Corsica: where you can rent one, why we always choose Sunny Cars, what to pay attention to, which traffic rules apply, and what the roads are like in Corsica.
Why a rental car is essential in Corsica
If you really want to discover Corsica, a rental car is not a luxury, but a necessity. If you follow our travels, you know that, whenever possible, we always prefer to drive ourselves. With a rental car, you decide when to stop, can easily pick up groceries, have air conditioning during the hot summer months, and can reach deserted beaches and forgotten mountain villages. And Corsica is no different…
Of course, you can reach some places (especially the larger towns) by bus or on an organized excursion, but those only cover a small part of the island. If you really want to enjoy the Calanques de Piana, the mountain villages of Ota and Evisa, or the cliffs of Bonifacio, you need a car.
And we noticed it right away during our trip. We drove past rugged mountain landscapes and deep gorges, and around every bend there was another view that made us spontaneously pull over. Corsica truly reveals itself when you have the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want. And that is exactly the magic of this island: the journey itself is often just as beautiful as the destination.
Where can you rent a car?
Arranging a rental car in Corsica is easy. The island has four airports where you can pick up a rental car right after arrival:
- Ajaccio: the capital, ideal as a starting point for exploring the west and south of Corsica. This is also where we landed (since Air Corsica flies here directly from Belgium in 1 hour 45 minutes) and picked up our rental car.
- Bastia: in the northeast of the island.
- Calvi: in the northwest of Corsica.
- Figari: in the south of the island, close to Bonifacio.
You’ll find all the major rental companies at these airports. Everything also goes smoothly and quickly, since they are small airports. In Ajaccio, for example, you walk out of the arrivals hall, cross the car park, and you are immediately at all the rental desks.
TIP: You can pick up the car at one airport and drop it off at another. This is useful if, for example, you are planning a one-way road trip. However, you often have to pay an extra fee, and the plane tickets may also be more expensive.
Online booking vs. renting on the spot
Anyone who has tried to rent a car on the spot knows the feeling: you’re standing at the counter after a long flight and really just want to head to your holiday home or hotel as quickly as possible. Of course, the car you actually wanted is no longer available, and on top of that you get a fifteen-minute sales pitch for the extra insurance you supposedly need. Because, well, you can never be too sure with those Corsican goats!
Booking online in advance (which we always do with Sunny Cars) saves you all of that. You choose your car calmly at home from a much wider selection, you pay a fair price without any hassle at the counter, and your car is simply ready when you arrive. No arguments, no extras being pushed on you.
In high season, we definitely recommend booking well in advance. Especially in July and August, rental cars sell out quickly and prices are significantly higher. But honestly, we always book our car ahead of time anyway, because why risk hassle when you can avoid it?
TIP: Don’t forget to bring the following: a valid driver’s license, a credit card in the main driver’s name (it must match the name used in the booking), enough available credit to cover the deposit, your credit card PIN, and your booking confirmation or online check-in confirmation. If you want to share the driving on longer trips, add an extra second driver to your booking.
Why we choose Sunny Cars
As mentioned earlier, we always book our rental cars with Sunny Cars. We didn’t used to, but since the first time we rented a car with them in Mexico, we’ve never switched again. Since then, we’ve rented cars with them in Morocco, Norway, Greece, and many other destinations. And now in Corsica too.
Why? Because we are genuinely convinced that you can travel most worry-free with them. First and foremost, because you are always fully insured on an all-inclusive basis. That means: no deductible, no hidden costs, no stress if there is a scratch on the car when you return it, no unpleasant surprises at the counter, and no sales pitches for expensive extra insurance. All insurance is included in the price you see when booking.
In addition, Sunny Cars offers an online check-in service. That means you fill in all your details in advance on their website, and your contract is ready when you arrive at the airport. We arrived in Ajaccio, walked to the desk, and the car was literally waiting for us. No queue, no paperwork to fill out, no wasted time.
Breakdown on the road? Question about your booking? Sunny Cars has 24/7 customer service in Dutch. That is worth gold when you are in the middle of the Corsican mountains with a problem. No English-speaking help desks, no endless waiting, just someone who speaks your language and helps you right away.
Sunny Cars may be a little more expensive than the very cheapest options on comparison sites, but in return you get a lot of benefits and a worry-free holiday. Are you going on a trip soon? Book your car with Sunny Cars here!
Which car should you choose for Corsica?
Not sure which rental car is best for Corsica? Then we would almost always go for a compact but powerful car. We ourselves chose a small SUV, perfect for the whole family and with a strong engine for the mountains.
Although a larger car may sound more comfortable, we quickly noticed that smaller is often better in Corsica. Many roads are winding, and in old villages the streets are sometimes surprisingly narrow. Parking spaces are not always very generous either.
And if you plan to explore the mountains in particular, a car with a bit more power can be nice. Not because you need a 4×4 off-road vehicle — most roads are paved — but because steep climbs and hairpin bends can feel a little more comfortable with a stronger engine. If you are not used to driving in the mountains, choosing an automatic transmission can also make the drive more comfortable.
Driving in Corsica: an adventure in itself
Driving in Corsica is different from driving in Belgium or the Netherlands. Not difficult — they also drive on the right, just like we do — but it is something you need to take into account. And many people wonder whether the mountain roads in Corsica are scary. The honest answer? Sometimes, yes.
The roads are generally well maintained, but they are often narrow and winding, with hairpin bends through the mountains. Especially when you are driving at higher elevations, that can take some getting used to. Still, we never felt unsafe. Most drivers are careful, and you quickly notice that everyone is considerate of one another.
Tip: Our advice is to let the person who feels most relaxed behind the wheel do the driving. Do you get nervous easily in the mountains? Then plan a little extra travel time and don’t hesitate to take a break now and then. But don’t let that put you off — it really isn’t that bad!
Don’t expect wide highways either. We quickly made the mistake of thinking, “That village is only 40 kilometers away.” But in Corsica, that distance can easily take more than an hour. So it’s better not to pack your days too tightly.
And then there are the animals. Goats, cows, pigs, and even horses are often just wandering on the road. Especially in the mountains, you need to stay alert at all times. It may sound funny, but after your third goat in the middle of the road, you automatically start driving a little more slowly.
A few more tips for driving safely in Corsica:
- Avoid driving in the dark if you’re not yet familiar with the roads.
- Refuel whenever you get the chance. In remote areas, gas stations can sometimes be scarce.
- Use an offline map. In the mountains, you won’t have signal everywhere.
- On narrow mountain roads, downhill traffic always has priority over uphill traffic.
- Don’t let local drivers rush you. They know the roads inside out.
- Take regular breaks to enjoy the views.
Is renting a car in Corsica worth it: our experience
Absolutely! As we mentioned earlier, having a car on a road trip through Corsica gives you all the freedom you could want. Some of our best memories from Corsica aren’t tied to a specific place. They’re the moments along the way: a herd of goats that made us stop, an unexpected view over the cliffs and the Mediterranean Sea, a swim at a secluded beach, or a small village where we spontaneously decided to stop for a coffee.
And renting the car itself goes very smoothly too. After landing in Ajaccio, and because we had already completed the online check-in with Sunny Cars, we were on our way to our cottage near the capital just 30 minutes later. From there, we explored the Calanques de Piana, Bonifacio, Sartène, and the beaches plus Pointe de la Parata near Ajaccio on some beautiful drives.
Corsica is an island made for road trips. Yes, the roads do require a bit of extra attention, and you’ll probably drive slower than you’re used to. But maybe that’s exactly what makes it so special. On Corsica, you quickly learn that it’s not about getting from A to B as fast as possible. Here, the road itself is a big part of the adventure.
