Port of Ajaccio
Ferries and Ferry Companies Operating
(Ajaccio, Corsica, France)
There are three companies operating ferries from the port of Ajaccio. Corsica Ferries run two routes to Nice and Toulon in France. In addition to these two routes, SNCM also makes crossings to Marseille and Porto Torres, Sardinia. Finally, CMN runs only one route, to Marseille.
Corsica Ferries Company
Corsica Ferries and Sardinia Ferries are one and the same company, operating a fleet across the Mediterranean, with sailings connecting Corsica and Sardinia with the French and Italian mainlands. Both Corsica Ferries and Sardinia Ferries utilise the same fleet of ships, and timetables regularly change according to the season.
The two primary routes are Ajaccio to Nice (4 hours, 30 minutes) and Ajaccio to Toulon (5 hours, 45 minutes). These connections are in service with increasing frequency in the high season. During the winter months, sailings disembark once or twice weekly, with a steady monthly increase in service during the summer. August is the busiest month, when crossings increase to six or seven times per week.
Ships include the Corsica Victoria, which hosts a gourmet restaurant for a fine dining experience while sailing. The Sardinia Regina and the Sardinia Nova have similar facilities. Express and Mega-Express vessels service some routes.
The total fleet is composed of 11 ships, and standard facilities include onboard shops selling travel bags, sunglasses, perfume and jewellery. All ships are outfitted with comfortable seating and plenty of lounges and bars. Self-service restaurants sell low-priced but freshly-made meals.
SNCM Ferry Company
SNCM Ferry Company offers all-season service between the islands of Corsica and Sardinia to the mainland ports of Italy and France.
SNCM delivers passengers to the port of Marseille daily, with a total sailing time of 12 hours, 30 minutes. During the summer months, this service increases in frequency, with ferries departing twice and even thrice daily on certain days.
Ships en route to Nice log a total travel time of 4 hours. Crossings increase from once weekly during the winter to daily service during the summer.
SNCM also services the port of Toulon, with crossings thrice weekly during the winter and an increased frequency to six times weekly during the peak season. Crossings take 5 hours, 45 minutes.
Porto Torres is connected to Ajaccio via a weekly sailing that takes 3 hours, 30 minutes. Due to the infrequency of this sailing, it's best to pre-book travel to verify that this route is in service at the time you would like to make this crossing.
SNCM has a diverse fleet of 11 ships, composed of two high-speed ferries, five cruise ships and four mixed vessels.
The high-speed ferries travel between Corsica and Nice with fast travel times of 3 hours or less. These vessels are equippedwith airline-style seating, plenty of bars, shopping facilities and fast-food options.
The Napoléon Bonaparte and the Danielle Casanova are cruise ships. These are high-capacity ships equipped to carry passengers and their vehicles across the Mediterranean. The list of services onboard is long and luxurious including Jacuzzi, swimming pools, nightclubs, piano bars, shops, game rooms and fine dining.
Finally, the mixed vessels are equipped to carry both passengers and freights between destinations. They travel both day and night, primarily connecting ports on Corsica with the city of Marseille. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, bars and restaurants as well as ample shopping.
CMN Ferry Company
CMN, which stands for 'La Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation', operates ferry crossings from Ajaccio to Marseille. This company was founded in 1931, though it didn't expand to include passenger transport until 1998.
During peak seasons, ships depart for Marseille approximately three times per week; journeys take 13 hours.
All vessels are equipped with large promenade decks, high-quality dining (dishes are prepared onboard using fresh ingredients), spacious cabins, comfortable lounges and a cinema.
