Car Hire Ajaccio Airport (AJA)

If you’re planning a trip to Corsica, flying into the French island’s capital’s Ajaccio Airport and hiring a car, is the perfect way to explore this intriguing Mediterranean holiday destination with its unique blend of France and Italy through history, language, food, and culture.

Ajaccio is situated on the south-western coast of the island of Corsica. Its main gateway, Ajaccio Airport (AJA) – also known as Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport – is just 5km east of the city centre.

As the busiest airport serving Corsica, it offers direct flights to numerous European destinations and is a starting point for exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Corse-du-Sud by hire car.

Our Avis Ajaccio Airport car rental branch offers a fleet of quality rental vehicles and speedy collection service. Our friendly team is ready with local advice on your drive plus the best routes to explore the glorious coastline and stunning mountain regions of Corsica.

Book direct with Avis for flexible, free cancellation up to 48 hours before your scheduled arrival to rent a car at Ajaccio Airport.

You will find our Avis counter conveniently located just outside the airport terminal building in the dedicated car rental area a short walk from the exit in car park one. Your rental car will be waiting for you close by in the Avis parking area.

Our car rental office at Ajaccio Airport offers a wide selection of vehicles from a quality fleet tailored for exploring Corsica with ease wherever you plan to escape, from city breaks to road trips, from winding mountain passes to coastal highways. You can choose a practical, compact city car ideal for navigating Ajaccio's historic narrow streets, a comfortable sedan for longer journeys, or a spacious SUV. To get ready for your road trip, just add all the extras you need during booking, including GPS navigation systems, child safety seats, and additional driver options.

Ahead of your Avis car rental at Ajaccio Airport, you can enjoy discounts of up to 10% on your booking plus fast-track service and exclusive offers when you join Avis Preferred, our free loyalty scheme.

Can I drop off my hire car after hours at Ajaccio Airport?
Yes. There is 24-hour drop-off available at Ajaccio Airport using the secure Avis key drop box.

Can I pick up my rental car at Ajaccio Airport and return it to another location?
Yes. One-way car rental with Avis makes travel easy. You can collect your car at Ajaccio Airport and return it to another Avis office in Corsica depending on your travel plans.

What are the age requirements for hiring a car at Ajaccio Airport?
The minimum age to rent a car in France is 21. A young driver surcharge may apply to drivers under 25, and certain premium vehicle groups may have higher age restrictions.

Is it worth hiring a car at Ajaccio Airport?
This vast, sparsely populated geography makes Corsica uniquely suited for an unforgettable road trip adventure. Because a mountain chain forms two-thirds of the landmass, public transport is limited, leaving rural areas and ancient hilltop villages unreachable to visitors to the island without a car. Hiring a car is the only viable way to experience Corsica’s changing landscape allowing you to drive from sun-drenched coves to rugged alpine heights at your own pace, while accessing hidden gems that are otherwise completely unreachable.

What type of vehicle should I choose to get around Corsica?
A compact car is generally suitable for navigating narrow city streets, winding coastal roads, and tight parking spaces in towns and villages. For greater comfort on longer journeys or mountain passes, a sedan, premium model, or SUV may be more appropriate.

Corsica features a good network of roads linking all the major towns and cities, offering scenic drives from Ajaccio to Propriano, Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, and Corte. Be prepared for narrow, twisting roads throughout the mountainous interior and in remote rural areas of the island.

If you have not driven in Corsica before, please remember that you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road, as in the rest of France and mainland Europe. It may be helpful to familiarise yourself with French road rules before you pick up your Avis hire car.

You will find parking easy to find in towns like Ajaccio and across popular destinations on the rest of the island. There is a mix of on-street parking pay zones (parking meters) alongside secure municipal multi-storey car parks near the town centres.

Because the airport is exceptionally close to the city, getting into the heart of Ajaccio takes less than 20 minutes from Ajaccio Airport depending on traffic. From the terminal, first time Route du Ricanto, T21 highway heading west. Follow the signs for the town centre (centre-ville) or follow the coast to navigate directly towards the historic Old Port.

With centuries of history and an abundance of cultural attractions, Ajaccio – the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte – is great to explore on foot.

Start off in the historic old town, a labyrinth of vibrant, pastel-coloured winding streets, bustling markets, and grand monuments. Don’t miss Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon’s ancestral family home, which is now a fascinating national museum.

The area surrounding the 16th-century Citadel offers beautiful views across the Gulf of Ajaccio. Wander the chic Old Port area (Port Tino Rossi) and watch the luxury yachts and traditional fishing boats bobbing by the quayside, or stroll down the palm-fringed Place Foch, which hosts lively local markets.

For retail therapy or a relaxing café break, head to Cours Napoléon and Rue de Rome, the city's primary shopping streets that run parallel to the coast and are lined with excellent local boutiques.

With its winding coastal routes and breathtaking scenery, western Corsica is a paradise for road trips. If you fly into Ajaccio Airport, some of the island’s most spectacular natural highlights are just a scenic drive away.

Ajaccio to the Calanques de Piana and Porto

A drive of just under two hours north of Ajaccio along the winding D81 coastal highway takes you to the Calanques de Piana. This UNESCO World Heritage site features dramatic, towering red porphyry rocks that plunge into the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Continuing just past the cliffs leads you into the beautiful Gulf of Porto, perfect for a boat tour or a relaxing seafood lunch by the water.

Ajaccio to Bonifacio

A spectacular 2.5hr drive south along the T40 highway takes you to Bonifacio, perched dramatically on dazzling white limestone cliffs at the southern tip of Corsica. You can explore the medieval Citadel crowning the clifftops, walk down the famous King of Aragon Steps, or take a short boat trip to admire the town hanging over the open sea toward neighbouring Sardinia.

Avis offers a rental experience designed to make your travels easier from the moment you land at Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport. Our Ajaccio Airport rental location offers quick vehicle collection so you can continue your journey without delay.

• Fully flexible
  Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.

• Savings on coverage
  When you choose Avis Inclusive you can experience total peace of mind with no extras or surprises. Pay one upfront price for free Roadside Assistance Plus and 25% discount on comprehensive zero-excess cover.

• Loyalty benefits
  Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.

• Faster collection
  Save time at the counter by registering your details in advance with our simple and free QuickPass. You could be on the road sooner than you think.

• VIP treatment
  Get priority counter service on collection with Avis Preferred. At our larger locations you can use our Avis app to go straight to your car where the keys will be waiting for you.