Ferry company
Corsica Ferries
The yellow fleet for Corsica and Sardinia - routes, ships, check-in, pets and fares in profile
- From Bastia since 1968, also as Sardinia Ferries since 1981
- The only operator from France to Sardinia - from Toulon, Nice and Sète
- Check-in: 1 hour with a vehicle, 30 minutes on foot - 90 minutes recommended in high season
About Corsica Ferries
Table of Contents
About Corsica Ferries
Corsica Ferries was founded in 1968 in Bastia by Pascal Lota as Corsica Line; its first ship, the Corsica Express, sailed between Corsica and Italy. In 1981, the purchase of the Italian company TTE brought the Sardinia Ferries brand, and the Sardinia Nova became the first yellow ferry between Livorno and Olbia. In 1996 the company opened routes from mainland France, and from 2001 the Mega Express ships and the Toulon routes followed. The company operates as Corsica Ferries France and Forship SpA, with offices in Bastia and Vado Ligure; by its own account, around a third of its more than three million passengers a year travel on the Sardinia routes.
Fleet
The yellow ships are the company's trademark. On the long routes sail the Mega Express ferries - Mega Express III on the Sardinia route since 2004, Mega Express IV since 2006, Mega Express Five since 2009 - as well as the cruise ferries Mega Smeralda (2008) and Mega Andrea (2015), and since 2017 the flagship Pascal Lota. On board there are restaurants, self-service, bars, a boutique, lounges and Wi-Fi packages; cabins are sold as two- or four-berth for exclusive use, or on day sailings as reclining seats or a day cabin instead.
Routes to Sardinia
From Italy, Corsica Ferries runs Livorno - Golfo Aranci, the traditional Sardinia Ferries route. From France, the company is the only operator: year-round Toulon - Porto Torres, seasonal Nice - Porto Torres and, since recently, once a week Sète - Porto Torres. From Corsica, Ajaccio - Porto Torres and Propriano - Porto Torres connect the two islands. Occasional sailings also run from Toulon and Nice to Golfo Aranci.
Check-in, vehicle and pet
With a vehicle you need to be at the port one hour before departure at the latest, 30 minutes without a vehicle; in high season the operator recommends 90 minutes. After the deadline, boarding is no longer guaranteed, and the ship may leave up to 30 minutes early. You can check in online from seven days before departure and load your boarding pass onto your phone; with a ticket you can drive straight to the boarding car park.
Vehicles are booked with length, height and width; a surcharge applies over 5.00 m in length, 1.90 m in height or 2.00 m in width, and undeclared oversize vehicles can cost you your booking. LPG vehicles must be declared at booking. Pets travel with a booked spot: dogs may go on a lead and muzzle into all public areas except the restaurant, and some ships have a designated hygiene area; breeds classified as dangerous are not carried, and no animal may stay in a vehicle. More in the guides Taking a motorhome on the ferry and Taking your dog on the ferry.
Tickets
Corsica Ferries sells standard fares (changeable, non-refundable) and flex fares; the "Time to Think" option keeps a booking refundable for 48 hours, and cancelling on the day of booking itself is free until midnight. Discounts apply for children aged 4 to 12, residents and students, and the Corsica Club loyalty programme collects points. Prices are shown in the booking window of each route, and a comparison in the price overview.
FAQ Corsica Ferries
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Corsica Ferries and the ferries to Sardinia
Which routes does Corsica Ferries run to Sardinia?+
From Italy Livorno - Golfo Aranci, from France Toulon - Porto Torres, Nice - Porto Torres and Sète - Porto Torres, from Corsica Ajaccio - Porto Torres and Propriano - Porto Torres; plus occasional sailings from Toulon and Nice to Golfo Aranci.
How early do I need to be at the port with Corsica Ferries?+
With a vehicle, one hour before departure at the latest, 30 minutes without a vehicle; in high season the operator recommends 90 minutes. The ship may leave up to 30 minutes ahead of the stated time - after that, your booked passage is no longer guaranteed.
Which ships sail to Sardinia?+
The Mega Express ferries and cruise ferries of the yellow fleet, including Mega Express III and IV, Mega Smeralda, Mega Andrea and the flagship Pascal Lota. Which ship operates your departure is shown in the booking.
Can I travel with a motorhome?+
Yes, on all routes. Length, height and width must be given at booking; a surcharge applies over 5.00 m in length, 1.90 m in height or 2.00 m in width, and LPG gas must be declared. More at Taking a motorhome on the ferry.
Does Corsica Ferries carry dogs?+
Yes, with a booked spot. Dogs may go on a lead and muzzle into all public areas except the restaurant, but may not stay in the vehicle; breeds classified as dangerous are not carried. Details at Taking your dog on the ferry.
Where can I find the timetable and prices?+
Departures are listed in the timetable, prices in the booking window of each route - standard fares are non-refundable, flex fares are changeable. A comparison is shown in the price overview.