Corsica Ferries

[cr3sp0]

Hi,

Just putting a trip to Corsica together and was after some advice about the morning ferry over from Nice to Corsica. I'm guessing as I'm looking to go in September it will be a little less crowded, so is it worth booking a seat or cabin, or are there plenty of spaces/room to crash out for the 5 hour trip with my riding gear and tank bag. The saddlebag and tent will stay with the bike.

I normally use the tunnel from UK to France, so not sure about the ferry seeing as it's 5 hours.

Much appreciated

Mark

 

[Phil Magill]

No need to book a seat, there's plenty on board the ship.

You can get a cabin for the daytime crossing for €30 http://www.corsica-ferries.co.uk/ferry/crossing.html


Hope this helps.

Phil.

 

[Giles]

Went in September just gone. Booked the ferry on the phone with Direct ferries.co.uk from the Alps, they emailed my booking to me, and I just showed them my I phone email with the booking number when I pitched up 24 hours later. Incredibly easy

Lots of comfy chairs to slouch about in, a bit of rope if you're lucky to tie yer bike down with. Consider taking your own ratchet strap of you're concerned and want it tethered down properly ...

 

[bladerunner]

Don't book a cabin

You'll want to be up on deck sunbathing and looking at the magnificent dolphins all around.

You can smell Corsica long before you see it - in a beautiful herbal (maquis - not dope) way.


Magical island - my all time favorite.

 

[Roberto]

..a bit of rope if you're lucky to tie yer bike down with. Consider taking your own ratchet strap of you're concerned and want it tethered down properly ...

Good shout for taking yourself a ratchet strap. I had my own and glad I did. The night crossing coming back was pretty rough, not a Med millpond and much worse than any Biscay crossing I've had in recent years.

Nice boat, pricey booze IIRC..

Lovely place, you'll be glad you did it

 

[cr3sp0]

Thanks everyone

 

[adventuredon]

Went last year Augusy, Crashed out on the deck for a long kip in the sun, then went inside the bar area. Much more room and entertaining than the usual UK ferries.

 

[Simon W]

I'm looking at the overnight from Nice to Corsica for a trip in two weeks' time, with an overnight return as well. That'll get me going with maximum time to ride, rather than rolling off and having to look for an hotel within just a few hours.

 

[Peirre O`Bollox]

I just saw this.....
I rode to Corsica last July taking the morning ferry from Nice to Calvi, & grabbing a deck chair on the front deck and chilling for the 6hr crossing which I didn`t find troublesome.
Then from Calvi I rode the D81B coast road and picking up the D81 down over col de Palmerella & col del la Croix to Porto in a couple a easy hours ride down where I was based for several days staying at the hotel Corsica http://www.hotel-corsica-porto.com/anglais/ it has a secure garage for the bikes, pool and the hotel is in easy walking distance half way between the bay and bars/supermarket.
The D81B from Calvi is a pot holed nightmare that resembles a rumble strip on a testing ground. BUT I would still ride it again.
But don`t expect to ride huge mileage in Corsica any route 150 miles + in Corsica WILL take you a long time & require an early start
The hotel Corsica in Porto served as a based for my ride outs across the island. Then I switched locations down to Porto Pollo staying at the Les Eucalyptus hotel http://www.hoteleucalyptus.com/ with the plan to allow me to ride up through the centre towards Bastia via Col de St. Eustache, Col de Verde, Col De Sorba, Col Del la Bellagranajo, Corte, col De la bigormo. up to Saint-florent, Col De teghime, then on to Bastia for the ferry. This last day took much longer than expected and I was starting to suffer the heat after 8hrs in the saddle, so I missed out Saint-florent and cut across to the coast road somewhere around Olletta & up to Bastia
The Col De la Vaccia which I rode up from porto Pollo is marked on Michelin maps as a dangerous road, is now smooth new 2 lane tarmac, I only found col de St. Eustache problematic due to the fact they had ripped up the road and graded it.
The routes I planned I have the mapsource files for

 

[cr3sp0]

I just saw this.....
I rode to Corsica last July taking the morning ferry from Nice to Calvi, & grabbing a deck chair on the front deck and chilling for the 6hr crossing which I didn`t find troublesome.
Then from Calvi I rode the D81B coast road and picking up the D81 down over col de Palmerella & col del la Croix to Porto in a couple a easy hours ride down where I was based for several days staying at the hotel Corsica http://www.hotel-corsica-porto.com/anglais/ it has a secure garage for the bikes, pool and the hotel is in easy walking distance half way between the bay and bars/supermarket.
The D81B from Calvi is a pot holed nightmare that resembles a rumble strip on a testing ground. BUT I would still ride it again.
But don`t expect to ride huge mileage in Corsica any route 150 miles + in Corsica WILL take you a long time & require an early start
The hotel Corsica in Porto served as a based for my ride outs across the island. Then I switched locations down to Porto Pollo staying at the Les Eucalyptus hotel http://www.hoteleucalyptus.com/ with the plan to allow me to ride up through the centre towards Bastia via Col de St. Eustache, Col de Verde, Col De Sorba, Col Del la Bellagranajo, Corte, col De la bigormo. up to Saint-florent, Col De teghime, then on to Bastia for the ferry. This last day took much longer than expected and I was starting to suffer the heat after 8hrs in the saddle, so I missed out Saint-florent and cut across to the coast road somewhere around Olletta & up to Bastia
The Col De la Vaccia which I rode up from porto Pollo is marked on Michelin maps as a dangerous road, is now smooth new 2 lane tarmac, I only found col de St. Eustache problematic due to the fact they had ripped up the road and graded it.
The routes I planned I have the mapsource files for

Thanks for the info, will bear it in mind about the roads when I'm over there. Accomodation wise I'll have plenty of time to find something along the east coast where I'll be based for 7 days. Returning on the morning ferry from Bastia to Nice allowing myself 3 days ride upto Calais via Route Napoleon. Can't wait

 

[Peirre O`Bollox]

Accomodation wise I'll have plenty of time to find something along the east coast where I'll be based for 7 days.
Returning on the morning ferry from Bastia to Nice allowing myself 3 days ride upto Calais via Route Napoleon. Can't wait

TBh I don`t think basing yourself somewhere on the east coast is an ideal location to explore the Cols on the island, as its somewhat flat and boring,
Try St. Florent if you want to explore the north coast and the north peninsular, Porto/Ajaccio is ideal for North & centre of the island, or Propriano/Bonifacio/Porto Pollo if you want to explore explore the south of the island.
Moving between these sites is probably a good idea, keeping daily mileage below 160 miles should make for a more relaxed trip.
If you need a hotel in Bastia the night before ferry I can recommend the hotel posta vecchia http://www.hotelpostavecchia.com/ Its less than half a mile from the ferry terminal, close to various cafes & resturants, it doesn`t look much from the outside, but does have a separate secure garage 50m away down the ramp in front of the hotel. (on street view the garage is next to the guy with the bag )