To Ajaccio by train

I had a leisurely breakfast as the train didn't leave until 1130. There is an earlier train at 0916, but I would still have to wait at inland Ponte Leccia for the connecting train to Ajaccio. The carriages were comfortable.

Corsica's train service is affectionately named U Trinichellu (Little Train) and the locals have defended it against closure several times. Now that it's gaining popularity with tourists, it is less threatened. In fact it was a BBC feature that gave me the idea to tour Corsica by train.

As you can imagine we go through a lot of mountain scenery passing streams like this. Pictures taken out of the windows don't do the landscape justice. It's a trip you have to experience for yourself.

The line is single track most of its length. There are passing loops at some stations. The timetable is adhered to strictly so that delays do not cascade,

There are some high mountains in the middle of the island, and even at the time of year, spring, snow can be seen on some peaks.

There are plateaus of flat land in the middle of the island.

Since I would not arrive in Ajaccio until 1510, a trip of 3h40. I had brought a packed lunch from supplies purchased from a Bastia supermarket the day before.

The line runs alongside the main highway in places. Renting a car would have allowed me to explore more of Corsica but it would have been more expensive and there would have been other hassles. It's a tradeoff.

We arrived in Ajaccio on schedule and I wheeled my suitcase along the main street to my lodgings which unfortunately was halfway up a hill. I'll explore Ajaccio in the evening in the next post.