Trains and timetables in Corsica to do the GR20

The train is an excellent means of transport to reach both ends of the GR20, as well as its center: Vizzanona ! There are two train lines in Corsica, so you won’t get too lost on the train map or with the connections. If the train doesn’t really take you from the GR20, you’ll see that it’s possible to get closer to the north by train, but also to be served halfway by the Corsican train, which stops at Vizzavone

There’s a 158km main line running south to north from Ajaccio to Bastia, and a secondary line (known as the Balagne line) that branches off at Ponte Leccia and runs to Ile Rousse and Calvi. This secondary line is just over 70 km long.

The main line: Ajaccio >Ponte-Leccia > Bastia, with two trains a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon (around 3 hours’ travel time), then take a taxi to Calenzana
The fork: Ponte-Leccia > Calvi, with two trains a day, one in the morning and one in the early afternoon (approx. 4? hours travel time), then take a taxi. Please note that there is a change of train to be taken into account. There are 2 or 3 daily return trips between Ponte Leccia and Calvi, and 2 or 3 return trips may be added in summer between Ile Rousse and Calvi

Take the train to Calenzana (GR20 North)

The easiest way to find a taxi to Calenzana is to take the train to Calvi.

But if you look closely at the train timetables, you’ll notice several stations just before the Calvi terminus

calenzana Lumio” station, also known as“Camp-Raffalli GR 20“. The GR20 is an 8km walk from this station, but it’s easier to find a taxi in Calvi !
You can also get off at the next stop, just as lost but closer to Calenzana, which is the Dolce Vita GR20 station, right next to the Dolce Vita campsite.

SNCF station near Calenazana in the north of Corsica — The station near Calenzana

If you’re arriving by ferry or plane at Ajaccio

Take the line to Bastia, via Vizzavone, Corte and get off at Ponte-Leccia. Then take the line from Ponte Leccia towards Calvi as far as the terminus (between 3 and 6 return journeys per day)
Journey time: approximately 4h30.
Cost of train travel between Ajaccio and Calvi: around €25

Train timetables for the summer 2024 will be published in April

If you arrive by ferry at Ile Rousse

Take the line to Calvi, as far as the Calvi terminus (up to 6 return trips per day in July and August)
Time: approximately 30 minutes.
Cost of transport by train from Ile Rousse to Calvi: around 6 euros

Train timetables for the summer 2024 will be published in April

If you arrive by ferry or plane at Bastia

Take the line to Ajaccion and get off at Ponte-Leccia. Then take the line from Ponte Leccia towards Calvi as far as the terminus (between 3 and 6 return journeys per day)
Time: approximately 3 hours.
Cost of train travel from Bastia to Calvi: around €17

Train timetables for the summer 2024 will be published in April

Taking the train to Conca (GR20 South)

There is no train service to the south of Corsica to start the GR20 Sud at Conca. However, the Ajaccio > Calvi line stops at Vizzavone (about 1h15 by train from Ajaccio). So it’s a good way of getting to the starting point of a semi-GR20! More information on trains in Corsica and timetables

Taking the train to Vizzavone

Vizzavone marks the halfway point of the GR20, and is one of the rare occasions when you’ll come across “civilisation”, by which we mean a road and a railway line! Trains pass through Vizzavone, and it’s even Corsica’s main line.

Vizzavone station with a departing train

If you want to stop your GR20 at Vizzavone, you can easily return to Bastia, Calvi or Ajaccio by train

Vizzavone > Ajaccio (direct): around 1 hour by train, for a fare ofaround 7 euros
Vizzavone > Bastia (direct): around 2 hours 40 minutes by train, for a fare ofaround 8 euros
Vizzavone > Ile Rousse (change at Ponte Leccia): approximately 4 hours by train, costingaround 15 euros
Vizzavone > Calvi (change at Ponte Leccia): approximately 4h30 by train, for a fare ofaround 18 euros