Use our Morocco Transportation Guide below for all the information you need for getting to and around Morocco. Find out what the local transport is like in Marrakech and Fes and Meknes or check out our Morocco Country Guide and Morocco Destination Guides for more useful information for planning your trip to Morocco. You might also be interested in one of our local Morocco tours, which make it easy to get around and experience Morocco!

Morocco Transportation Guide

By plane

Royal Air Maroc is the national carrier of Morocco. It has an extensive but somewhat expensive domestic network between most of the cities of Morocco. Flying is not a preferred mode of transport with the Moroccans.

By train

The train network in Morocco is operated by ONCF. There are adequate number of trains running between the major cities and towns of Morocco. Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Fez, Meknes and Marrakech are linked by dependable trains. Everyday, three trains operate from Tangier to Marrakech or Oujda. Each of them can be used to reach the other destination as well, by taking the corresponding trains from Sidi Kachem, which run on the opposite line of the train from Tangier.

The overnight trains running between Marrakech and Tangier offer couchettes for an additional charge of 100 DH (as on June 2008). This is really useful as travelling overnight sitting in the regular compartments can be uncomfortable.

Trains in Morocco are comparatively cheaper than their European counterparts. The fare from Tangier to Marrakech by first class is £ 20 (300 DH) and £ 15 (200 DH) by second class. When you make time-bound plans, remember that Moroccan trains are often delayed and the time tables are just broadly indicative of the arrival and departure timings!

By bus

Almost every major city and town has a central bus depot where you can buy tickets for inter city travel. Tourists have the option of travelling by air conditioned buses with TV or by local buses which are not air conditioned, but cheaper by 25% to 50%. The local buses take longer routes, giving you a glimpse of the interior villages of Morocco. It is also the best way to get a whiff of the local flavour. But if you are not very tolerant with heat, then opt for the air conditioned buses, because for the Moroccan even 35 degrees is really "cool" and not a good enough reason to open the windows of the bus!

The bus route from Er Rachidia, Erfoud and Rissani to Fez and Meknes is long but very scenic as it passes through the High and Middle Atlas Mountains.

CTM operates luxury buses at reasonable rates. These buses are certainly more comfortable than the local ones. Supratours is a strong rival of CTM. It complements the train network to all the major Atlantic coastal towns that lie to the south of Marrakech and to Essaouira.

By taxi

There are two types of taxis in Morocco, the petit taxi and the grande taxi. Petit taxis are allowed to ply only within the city. Grande taxis can be used for inter city travel. They are also particularly convenient for big groups.

Petit taxis are required by the law to use meters. However, taxi drivers do not often switch on the meters. Do ensure that the driver has started the meter or fix the fare before you get in or else you may find yourself paying a lot more than necessary. Either way, petit taxis are reasonably priced.

Grande taxis are found near major bus stops. They travel long distances and between towns. The fares are normally fixed but the total fare is shared between the passengers. Drivers are known to pick up passengers along the way, but you can also ask to have the taxi to yourself by negotiating the fare, which will depend on the distance and whether there is a return trip involved, but not on the number of passengers. In case you are sharing the fare, match your share with that of the locals. Sometimes the taxi drivers cheat tourists by charging them more.

Drivers usually offer additional facilities like sunshades etc. to attract custom. Look for a clean taxi with an intelligent driver.

By car

The road network in Morocco is reasonably good. The roads are smooth but narrow and accommodate only one lane in each direction. There are toll expressways between major cities, which are being extended.

A 3, the highway between Casablanca and Rabat was extended to Kenitra in 1995 and reaches Tangier (A1) today. A 2 connects Rabat to Fez and is about 200 kilometres long. A 7 connects Casablanca to Marrakech, which lies 210 kilometres to the south. A 5 goes around Casablanca along the coast and connects Mohammedia and El Jadida.

Horse drawn vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists ply the roads of Morocco. The road signs are in French and Arabic. Enforcement of traffic laws is strict. The speed limit within the towns and on risky intersections is 40 kph and people are immediately fined for any violation. The police run checks along all main roads and can stop you as and when required. Vehicles larger than your own, like grande taxis, buses and trucks should be given right of way.

Driving in Marrakech can be unnerving. Mobilettes or engine-powered push bikes zig zag along the road throwing all the traffic into disarray. Pay attention to blind spots and wing mirrors, keep your speed down and drive defensively so as to avoid accidents or at least minimise the damage. But do not get browbeaten by the other drivers!

Renting a car

Local and international car rental agencies operate in Morocco. Many of them have their desks at Casablanca airport and in offices in the major cities. Local car rental firms are cheaper, but check the condition of the vehicle, the jack, the spare tyre etc. Local operators are not very conversant with English. Multinational firms often share cars between themselves so as to rationalize costs. Do also remember that many agencies do not allow their vehicles to ply on unmade roads.

Alamo/National

National and Alamo car rental offices are found in Morocco. Alamo takes a charge slip of the credit card as deposit. This deposit is non transferable to the destination city if it is not the same as the starting point.

There is a discount of about 20% during the off season (even without prior reservation) for economy class vehicles like the Renault Logan Dacia and Peugeot 206. Economy cars like the Peugeot are about four years old and usually have covered around 120,000 kilometres.

Renting a vehicle with driver/ guide

Tour operators also offer a complete package with the car. This package includes an SUV or a 4x4 with a guide/driver, advance booking in hotels and customised itineraries.