There are a number of means of travelling to the SOLAS Summer School depending upon where you are located and your budget.
The School is held at the Institut d'Études Scientifiques in the village of Cargèse, Corsica (see our 'Location' webpage within our 'Logistics' drop-down menu).

We STRONGLY recommend you get to Cargèse by first traveling to Ajaccio, the regional capital and administrative centre of Corsica in the SW of the island, located 50 km south of the institute.

The school will start early morning on Tuesday 24 July 2018 and finish late afternoon on Friday 3 August 2018. You are expected to arrive on Monday 23 July 2018 and depart on Saturday 4 August 2018.

Accommodation at the institute and in the village will ONLY be available the nights of 23 July until 3 August inclusive. If you plan to arrive early or depart late both the institute and village accommodation will be booked for other summer schools. Please bear this in mind when planning your travel.

Getting to Ajaccio

By air:

Ajaccio can be reached by plane from Paris, Marseille or Nice. Any international flights will involve a transfer at one of these places. Book as early as possible as Corsica is a popular holiday destination and flights become very expensive and will get booked up quickly. Airport information available here.

There is no travel agency in Cargèse where homeward bound tickets can be purchased so you MUST ensure you have a return ticket.

By boat:

Corsica can be reached from a range of ports around the French and Italian coastlines. Ajaccio can be reached from Marseille (overnight sail), Nice (high speed in 3.5 hours) or Toulon. The following boat companies serve Corsica: TRAGHETTI from Italy; CORSICA - SARDINIA FERRIES and MOBY LINES from both the French and Italian coasts, and La Mèridionale. A general overview of ferries can be found here.

From Ajaccio to Cargèse (return)

Organized bus from and to Ajaccio airport:

We strongly recommend you to consider using the organised bus which is included in your registration fee.

Buses will be organized to collect people arriving at Ajaccio airport on Monday 23 July. The exact collection time will be confirmed nearer to the time. The exact bus arrival times will be adjusted according to the arrival times of all participants.

Buses will be provided for you to return to Ajaccio airport early morning on Saturday 4 August 2018. The exact bus departure times will be adjusted according to the flight departure times of all participants.

Transport Ajaccio center (ferry terminal) to/from Ajaccio airport:

There is public transport between Ajaccio town centre (bus station 'Gare CSC' at the railway station close by the ferry terminal] and Ajaccio airport (where school organised bus departs). Click here for more information.

Public bus:

A public bus travels from Ajaccio to Cargèse. The departure times are seasonal. Timetables are available here. The Ajaccio bus station/coach terminal ('Gare Routière in french) is also called the 'Maritime Station' because it is located in the port.
If you chose not to use the organised bus you must aim to arrive at the institute at 17:00.

By car:

It is 50 km by road from Ajaccio to Cargèse. If you are driving, follow the directions to Calvi par la côte or Calvi. Allow for between 1 - 1.5 hours for this journey. If you chose not to use the organized bus you must aim to arrive at the institute at 17:00.

Taxi (not recommended):

Taxis can be pre-booked at a rate of 100 Euros from Ajaccio to Cargèse during the day (more for early, late- at night- and non working day- Sunday- transfers). However, this is not recommended as it is the most expensive option.