Car Rental in Bastia
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 13:14 on 2021-10-23. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
French
Currency
EUR
Country code
33
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
80 km/h
50 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in Bastia?
Bastia is a great place to visit. Located on Corsica’s northeastern coast, this historic city boasts impressive architecture, a picturesque marina, and some of the best seafood restaurants in all of the Mediterranean. After visiting Bastia, you can drive to explore the rest of the island, from its beautiful beaches and little coastal villages to the wild and mountainous inland areas.
One-Way Car Rentals in Bastia
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Bastia and drop off in another city include:
- From Bastia to Figari - 17 offers from US$ 45.88 per day
- From Bastia to Porto Vecchio - 7 offers from US$ 85.86 per day
- From Bastia to Ajaccio - 17 offers from US$ 45.88 per day
- From Bastia to Calvi - 11 offers from US$ 45.88 per day
Top ways to enter Bastia
- Bastia Airport: Also known as Bastia-Poretta, the airport handles nearly 1.5 million travelers every year. The airport is especially active during the summer months when it hosts flights by more than 20 different airlines. Located in the village of Lucciana, the airport is 17km (11 miles) southeast of Bastia city center and can be reached in 15-20 minutes.
- Calvi Airport: Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport handles about 400,000 travelers every year. The airport is served by 12 different airlines that include low-carriers like easyJet and Volotea. Located on the western coast of Corsica, Calvi Airport is about 110km (68 miles) from Bastia and can be reached in just under two hours.
- Ajaccio Airport: Sometimes simply called Corsica Airport, it is also known as Napoleon Bonaparte Airport after the most famous son of the island. The airport is a large hub for Air Corsica and is also served by Air France, Alitalia, and a number of other airlines. Ajaccio Airport is 143km (88.8 miles) southwest of Bastia and can be reached in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- Figari Airport: Serving the city of the same name, Figari-South Corsica handles about 700,000 travelers every year. Most of the traffic is provided by HOP!, easyJet, Air Corsica, and Volotea. Like with all the other airports on Corsica, Figari is much busier during the summer months. Located 165km (102 miles) southwest of Bastia, the airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- By sea: It’s possible to arrive in Bastia by ferry - there are connections from Marseille, Toulon, and other cities on Mainland France, as well as Genoa, Livorno, and Savona in Italy. It’s important to look up the ferry schedule in advance as the routes are much more frequent during the summer and early autumn months. While it might be possible to bring a rental car on a ferry, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. Another option is to travel without a rental car and to pick up one after arriving in Bastia.
Useful city facts
- Like the rest of Corsica, Bastia enjoys a Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The average high temperature is 29°C (85°F) in August, the hottest month, and 14°C (57°F) in January. Bastia gets most of its precipitation from October to December; there is almost none in July and August. Bastia is also one of the sunniest cities in France, having nearly 1,000 more hours of sunshine per year than Paris.
- Although French is understood by virtually everyone on the island, Corsica’s native tongue is Corsican. Like French, it is a Romance language, but it is actually more similar to Italian. Corsican is estimated to have some 250,000 to 300,000 speakers worldwide, most of them living on Corsica. There are many Corsican cultural centers in Bastia and other cities on the island. Knowledge of English is not especially high, even among the people working in the service industry.
Top destinations and activities
- The Old Port. Known in French as Vieux Port, the former naval center is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bastia. Made up of historic buildings that house restaurants and cafeterias, cultural centers, and a beautiful marina, the Old Port is a popular place for relaxing and enjoying Mediterranean sunsets. Many other landmarks of Bastia, like Bastia market square, are just around the corner.
- St. Jean Baptiste Cathedral. Also located near the port area, St. Jean Baptiste Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings not only in Bastia but in all of Corsica. Featuring ornate windows and examples of religious art, the cathedral is as beautiful from the inside as it is from the outside. One of the most visited and most photographed places in the city, the cathedral has the status of a historical monument.
- Bastia Citadel. Built in the late 14th century by the Genoese who ruled the island at the time, nowadays the citadel is a walled neighborhood containing many of the city’s landmarks. Here you’ll find the Governor's Palace, the City History Museum, the Donjon Square, and the Cathedral of St. Mary. After exploring the citadel, head to the nearby Romieu Gardens where you can either enjoy the shade or have a picnic.
Traffic and parking tips
- The speed limit in cities is 50km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30km/h. Unlike with inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.
- Outside cities, as of July 2018 the speed limit depends on the type of the road. Highways are limited to 130km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110km/h, and 2- or 3- lane roads to 90km/h. During the rain, the limits are respectively lowered to 110km/h, 100km/h, and 80km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50km/h during heavy fog or other cases of bad visibility.
- The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
- If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
- As of 2018, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France and the fines are hefty.
- The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
- Most Corsican towns are quite old and have plenty of narrow streets, so picking a smaller car might be preferable if you only plan to stay in urban areas. Even if you aim to travel in rural areas or drive to the mountains in the island’s interior, getting a 4x4 vehicle is not a necessity as most roads are in good shape.
- The emergency number is 112.
Toll roads
There are no toll roads in Corsica, but there are many toll roads in Mainland France.
Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with letter A and you can recognize them by a red number sign. The toll for taking a toll road depends on the specific route, the distance, as well as the type of your vehicle - cars with trailers and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by credit card or with cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.
Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transporters and can use the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transporters.
See the official French toll road website for more information. Use the website's toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.
Ideas for a day-trip
- Beaches. Although Corsica has plenty to enjoy in terms of history and culture, the island’s number one attraction remains its beautiful beaches. On the northeastern coast, where Bastia is located, there are plenty to choose from - Arinella Beach is fun and popular with locals, the Lotu Beach is bordered by a beautiful green area, and the nearby peninsula of Cape Corse is dotted with picturesque tiny villages.
- Saint-Florent. Although the town of Saint-Florent is small, it has plenty to enjoy, from a beautiful marina to restaurants where seafood is made according to local recipes and even its own citadel. Nebbiu Cathedral is also worth a look. The perfect escape if Bastia is too busy for your taste, Saint-Florent is 22km (14 miles) west and can be reached in about 40 minutes.
- Wine museum. Located in the nearby village of Patrimonio, it is one of the more unique museums of Corsica. Visitors can learn about centuries-old winemaking techniques, take a walk through vineyards, meet local winemakers, and even try their hand at making wine themselves. If you’re traveling with a friend who can drive (or if you decide to stay in one of Patrimonio’s guesthouses), trying the local production is a must - but even if you can’t, the museum is still very much worth visiting. Located just 17km (11 miles) west of Bastia, Patrimonio takes about a half an hour to reach.
Most popular rental types and cars
The most popular rental car type in Bastia is a compact, followed by economy and mini. The most popular rental cars are the Ford Focus, the Peugeot 308, and the Citroen C4.
Further destinations
- Calvi. A picturesque town on the northeastern coast of Corsica, Calvi is an even more popular tourist destination than Bastia or the island’s capital, Ajaccio. The city is all about its endless (and endlessly beautiful) beaches where you can not only swim but also dive around its coral. Many visitors also enjoy visiting the Calvi Citadel and Santa Maria Cathedral, a church of unique architecture and distinctly pinkish hue. Located 110km (68 miles) west of Bastia, Calvi takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach.
- Corte. Charmed by the island’s coastline, very few visitors travel to Corsica’s interior. Those few who make it, however, are richly rewarded. Corte, the area’s largest town, is surrounded by stunning summits, deep canyons, and swift mountain streams. A lot of hiking and climbing takes place here, and the area is also a winter sports paradise. Located 68km (42 miles) southwest of Bastia, Corte can be reached in just over one hour.
- Regional Natural Park of Corsica. Taking up nearly 40% of the territory of Corsica, the impressive park has plenty to enjoy. Travelers love visiting the Fango Valley Biosphere Reserve, the ancient sites of Cucuruzzu and Capula which are located within the park’s territory, and a turtle sanctuary in Moltifao. The latter is 58km (36 miles) southwest of Bastia and can be reached in one hour.
Car Rental Prices in Bastia
- Station wagons - from $187 per day
- Large cars - from $41 per day
- Medium cars - from $59 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $57 per day
- Small cars - from $51 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
Getting a good rental car is easier if you follow these tips:
- Compare the rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bastia is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 25% cheaper than the yearly average.
Top 20 Cities near Bastia
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Paris Car Rentals from $23.26 per day894.7 km / 555.9 miles away
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Marseille Car Rentals from $64.62 per day343.4 km / 213.4 miles away
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Lyon Car Rentals from $37.00 per day513.2 km / 318.9 miles away
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Nice Car Rentals from $38.41 per day220.6 km / 137.0 miles away
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Toulouse Car Rentals from $23.26 per day669.8 km / 416.2 miles away
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Bordeaux Car Rentals from $33.42 per day857.4 km / 532.7 miles away
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466.2 km / 289.7 miles away
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Figari Car Rentals from $47.45 per day120.8 km / 75.1 miles away
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Ajaccio Car Rentals from $28.44 per day89.9 km / 55.9 miles away
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Strasbourg Car Rentals from $28.24 per day681.8 km / 423.6 miles away
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Toulon Car Rentals from $28.24 per day279.0 km / 173.4 miles away
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Grenoble Car Rentals from $26.33 per day421.3 km / 261.8 miles away
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Perpignan Car Rentals from $28.24 per day541.3 km / 336.4 miles away
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Beauvais Car Rentals from $28.39 per day954.9 km / 593.3 miles away
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Massy Car Rentals from $23.26 per day886.4 km / 550.8 miles away
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Aix-en-Provence Car Rentals from $19.36 per day353.5 km / 219.6 miles away
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Cannes Car Rentals from $40.33 per day228.7 km / 142.1 miles away
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Mulhouse Car Rentals from $28.24 per day581.0 km / 361.0 miles away
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Avignon Car Rentals from $26.21 per day410.0 km / 254.8 miles away
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Biarritz Car Rentals from $37.37 per day901.5 km / 560.2 miles away
Top 18 Locations near Bastia
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Corsica Bastia - Poretta Airport Car Rentals from $28.44 per day
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Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport Car Rentals from $41.04 per day56.8 km / 35.3 miles away
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Corsica Ajaccio Airport Car Rentals from $28.44 per day89.9 km / 55.9 miles away
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Figari-Sud Corse Airport Car Rentals from $47.45 per day120.8 km / 75.1 miles away
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Nice Airport Car Rentals from $23.35 per day222.1 km / 138.0 miles away
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Cannes - Mandelieu Airport Car Rentals from $21.28 per day233.4 km / 145.0 miles away
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La Môle - Saint Tropez Airport Car Rentals from $22.10 per day255.3 km / 158.6 miles away
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Toulon-Hyères Airport Car Rentals from $28.24 per day279.0 km / 173.4 miles away
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Marseille-Saint-Charles Train Station Car Rentals from $23.58 per day344.5 km / 214.0 miles away
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Aix-en-Provence Train Station Car Rentals from $19.36 per day353.5 km / 219.6 miles away
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Marseille Provence Airport Car Rentals from $23.45 per day360.9 km / 224.3 miles away
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Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains Train Station Car Rentals from $38.83 per day402.9 km / 250.4 miles away
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Avignon Train Station Car Rentals from $26.21 per day410.0 km / 254.8 miles away
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Grenoble Train Station Car Rentals from $26.33 per day421.3 km / 261.8 miles away
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Manduel Train Station Car Rentals from $28.26 per day427.3 km / 265.5 miles away
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Nimes Airport Car Rentals from $45.54 per day432.4 km / 268.7 miles away
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Grenoble Alpes–Isère Airport Car Rentals from $24.03 per day456.3 km / 283.5 miles away
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Annecy Train Station Car Rentals from $53.88 per day459.0 km / 285.2 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bastia?
Car rental prices in Bastia vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Bastia
The best month to rent a car in Bastia is April (when prices for an Economy class start from $26.78). This is 26% cheaper than the yearly average and 63% cheaper than renting in February (when rental prices start at $72.18 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.
What’s the usual rental length in Bastia?
Travel lengths vary from month to month: in November, travelers rent a car for an average of 14 days in August, the average rental period is 8 days.
Average Rental Length in Bastia
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Bastia?
While travelers visit Bastia year-round, the most popular month for renting a car is March, and the least popular is April.
Popularity of Car Rental in Bastia by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | Fiat 500 | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Renault Twingo | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| SIXT | Peugeot 5008 | 5 | 1 | People Carriers/Vans |
| Budget | Peugeot 108 | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
| SIXT | Peugeot 308 | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| SIXT | Peugeot 208 | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Avis | Renault Twingo | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Hertz | Renault Clio | 5 | 3 | Small cars |
| Avis | Renault Clio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Peugeot 308 | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
Our Customers Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
RK
Slovakia
Peugeot 308
August 14, 2019
We were in nature park Scandola, it was the top of our all trips in Corsica.
Another nice places were for example the villages Occi, Piana, St. Antonio.
Notre Dame de la Serra in Calvi offer very nice view on the city and sea.
ME
Spain
Opel Astra
August 7, 2019
Corsica is very beautiful!
Top 8 Suppliers in Bastia in 2021
SIXT
+33820007498
Aéroport de Bastia Poretta route de l'Aéroport, 20290 Lucciana
Alamo
0967490785
AEROPORT DE BASTIA PORETTA,
Europcar
+330495300950
PORETTA AIRPORT
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:00
Tue:08:00-23:00
Wed:08:00-23:00
Thu:08:00-23:00
Fri:08:00-23:00
Sat:08:00-23:00
Sun:08:00-23:00
Enterprise
0967490785
AEROPORT DE BASTIA PORETTA,
Keddy
+330495300950
PORETTA AIRPORT
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:00
Tue:08:00-23:00
Wed:08:00-23:00
Thu:08:00-23:00
Fri:08:00-23:00
Sat:08:00-23:00
Sun:08:00-23:00
Avis
+33495545546
Aeroport De Poretta
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:30
Tue:07:00-23:30
Wed:07:00-23:30
Thu:07:00-23:30
Fri:07:00-23:30
Sat:07:00-23:30
Sun:07:00-23:30
Budget
+330495545409
Bastia AirportBp 20 - Lucciana
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:30
Tue:07:00-23:30
Wed:07:00-23:30
Thu:07:00-23:30
Fri:07:00-23:30
Sat:07:00-23:30
Sun:07:00-23:30
Alamo
0967490785
Aeroport De Bastia Poretta
Working hours
Mon:10:00-14:00
Tue:10:00-14:00
Wed:10:00-14:00
Thu:10:00-14:00
Fri:10:00-14:00
Sat:10:00-14:00
Sun:10:00-14:00