Logistics
How to get to the GR20: access and transport
The GR20 links two opposite ends of Corsica: Calenzana in the north-west, Conca in the south-east. Planning your journey there and back carefully spares you a lot of stress before and after the crossing.
Key takeaway
Two ends of the island to connect
The key point: the start (Calenzana) and the finish (Conca) are more than 200 km apart, at the two extremities of Corsica. Plan your transport in both directions from the moment you book, especially in July and August when flights, ferries and shuttles fill up fast.
The start
Getting to Calenzana (north)
Calenzana, the classic starting point of the GR20 going North–South, lies in the Balagne, around twenty kilometres from Calvi.
By plane
Calvi–Sainte-Catherine airport is the closest (~20 km). Bastia and Ajaccio are served too, but mean more road travel afterwards.
By bus
The Corsicar network links Calvi to Calenzana in around thirty minutes, with a few services a day in high season (often not at weekends). Check the season's timetable before relying on it.
By taxi
Reckon on roughly 30 to 45 € between Calvi and Calenzana. Handy if you arrive late or outside bus times, especially when sharing with others.
By train
The Chemins de fer de Corse serve Calvi from Bastia and Ponte-Leccia. The train gets you to Calvi; from there you reach Calenzana by bus, taxi or hitchhiking.
Tip: arrive the day before and stay overnight in Calenzana or Calvi. You set off fresh the next morning, without depending on a tight connection on the very day of the big departure.
The finish
Leaving from Conca (south)
Conca, the end of the GR20 going North–South, is a small village off the main routes. The return journey takes planning, because there's no station or airport on site.
As of 2026: the long-running hikers' shuttle (Conca ↔ Sainte-Lucie ↔ Porto-Vecchio, run via the La Tonnelle gîte) is suspended until further notice. Don't count on it any more for your return: plan above all for a taxi, or the summer beach shuttle if its timings work for you.
Taxi (the most reliable)
The safe option today. Reckon on roughly 55 € for Conca → Porto-Vecchio (~20 km), shareable among several hikers. Book the day before; up-to-date contacts can be found on corsicabus.org (Conca page).
Beach shuttle (summer)
In peak season, a summer shuttle serves the Sainte-Lucie / Conca area, but it's designed for the beaches, not timed to bus connections. Confirm the schedule and the exact stop by phone before relying on it.
Towards Porto-Vecchio
From Porto-Vecchio, buses run to Bastia and Ajaccio. Check the season's timetable to line up your connection.
By plane
The nearest airport to Conca is Figari–Sud-Corse. Ajaccio and Bastia remain possible, but they're further away and involve more travel.
Tip: you often reach Conca in the early or middle part of the day, tired. Plan your return with some margin and avoid aiming for a flight or ferry that's too tight on the very evening you arrive.
From the mainland
Getting to Corsica
By plane
Four airports: Calvi and Bastia, more on the northern side (close to the start), Figari and Ajaccio, more on the southern side. Choose according to your direction of travel and your end points.
By ferry
Corsica Ferries, Corsica Linea and La Méridionale link the mainland (Marseille, Nice, Toulon) to the Corsican ports: Bastia, Ajaccio, L'Île-Rousse, Calvi, Porto-Vecchio. Slower than the plane, but it lets you come with your car.
On the island
The Corsican train and bus lines connect the main towns, but the network stays limited and seasonal. Plan every connection through to the ends of the GR20.
Getting organised
A few habits that make everything simpler
Book early
In July and August, flights, ferries and shuttles fill up. The earlier you book, the more choice you keep over times and prices.
Keep a margin
A stage that overruns, a full shuttle, a missed bus: build in buffer time at both ends rather than a perfectly tight sequence.
Check the season
Many services only run in summer and change every year. Always confirm the current timetables with the operators before you set off.
Sources
Timetables and bookings
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