VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
Corsica by campervan: ferries, crossings and boarding, the complete guide
Taking a rental campervan to Corsica: ferry operators, crossing prices, owner approval, boarding at Ajaccio or Bastia — everything to check before you book.
Corsica may be the most beautiful island in Europe to explore by campervan — but before dreaming of the west-coast hairpins, there is logistics to settle: the crossing. Here is the complete playbook.
Rent on the island or bring a van over?
Two schools. Rent in Corsica: campervans are listed in Ajaccio and Bastia, and you skip the vehicle ferry — but summer stock sells out very early. Cross with a mainland rental: more choice and flexibility, provided the contract allows it — on Yescapa or Goboony, written owner approval for sea crossings is mandatory, and some insurance policies exclude islands. Check before you pay.
The crossing in practice
Sailings run from Toulon, Marseille and Nice to Ajaccio, Bastia, L’Île-Rousse or Porto-Vecchio; 6 to 12 hours, day or night. For a van under 6 metres with 2 passengers, budget €150-350 one way depending on season — vehicles over 2 metres tall pay a supplement, so declare exact dimensions. For August, book the crossing 2-3 months ahead.
On the island: the rules
Wild camping is banned in Corsica and the rule is enforced, wildfire risk oblige. The campsite network is dense (€15-40 a night) and many accept vans without booking outside August. Pets travel too: ferry companies carry dogs (kennel or pet-friendly cabin), and many owners allow them — see pet-friendly RV rental. Details in our guide to wild camping rules in Europe.
Insider tip
Take the night ferry outbound (you gain a full day, and a cabin costs less than a night’s accommodation) and return from a different harbour town: boarding at Bastia after arriving in Ajaccio saves you re-crossing the island on your last day.