Overview
Morocco's transport network is extensive, affordable, and — on the main routes between major cities — surprisingly efficient. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure over the past two decades: the Al Boraq TGV high-speed rail line connecting Casablanca and Tangier opened in 2018, the motorway (autoroute) network covers most intercity distances, and the long-distance bus companies are punctual and comfortable.
For visitors, the practical choice between transport modes comes down to the route. The main northern spine — Casablanca, Rabat, Meknès, Fes, Tangier — is best done by train. The south — Agadir, Ouarzazate, the Sahara — requires a bus or a car. Within cities, the petit taxi is the default for any journey beyond walking distance. Grand taxis fill the gaps that trains and buses don't reach, particularly for shorter intercity or town-to-town journeys.
Morocco drives on the right. The currency for all transport is the Moroccan dirham (MAD).
Trains — ONCF
The national rail operator ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer) runs a reliable, comfortable, and well-priced rail network covering Morocco's main cities. Trains are air-conditioned, punctual by the standard of the region, and significantly more comfortable than the equivalent bus journey. For the routes they cover, the train is almost always the best option.
The Al Boraq — Morocco's TGV
The Al Boraq is Africa's first high-speed rail line, connecting Casablanca Voyageurs to Tangier via Rabat, Kénitra, and Larache in around 2 hours 10 minutes. It runs at up to 320 km/h, is immaculate, and transforms what was previously a four-hour journey into a practical day trip. Tickets cost approximately 250–300 MAD in second class; first class is available. The Al Boraq requires a separate ticket from standard ONCF trains — book in advance, especially on weekends. Stops: Casa Voyageurs → Casa Oasis → Rabat Agdal → Kénitra → Tanger Ville.
Main intercity train routes
The core ONCF network connects the following major cities. Journey times and prices are approximate for second class:
- Casablanca → Marrakech: 3h, ~90 MAD. Direct trains via Settat. One of the most useful routes for visitors — fast, comfortable, frequent.
- Casablanca → Rabat: 45 min, ~45 MAD. Trains run every 30 minutes throughout the day. The easiest intercity connection in Morocco.
- Casablanca → Fes: 4h30, ~130 MAD. Via Rabat and Meknès. Direct services available; some require a change at Sidi Kacem.
- Casablanca → Tangier: 2h10 on Al Boraq (~250 MAD) or 4h30 on standard train (~120 MAD).
- Rabat → Marrakech: 3h30, ~110 MAD. Via Casablanca.
- Fes → Marrakech: 7h–8h, ~200 MAD. Long but comfortable; a night train option is available.
- Meknès → Fes: 45 min, ~35 MAD. Very frequent — effectively a commuter link between the two imperial cities.
Classes and booking
ONCF trains offer first and second class. Second class is comfortable with air conditioning and assigned seating on most intercity services; first class offers wider seats and a quieter carriage. The price difference is modest — 20–40% — and worth it for journeys of four hours or more.
Book tickets online at oncf.ma, at any ONCF station ticket counter, or via the ONCF app. Advance booking is recommended for the Al Boraq and for Friday and Sunday evening trains (the peak departure times for Moroccans returning home after the weekend). Walk-up tickets are almost always available on other services.
Long-distance buses — CTM & Supratours
Where trains don't go, buses do. Morocco's long-distance bus network is extensive, comfortable, and cheap — and it reaches cities and towns that the rail network bypasses entirely, including Agadir, Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Ouarzazate, and Merzouga.
CTM
CTM (Compagnie de Transports au Maroc) is Morocco's premium long-distance bus operator. Buses are modern, air-conditioned, and punctual. Each passenger gets an assigned seat; luggage is stored in the hold (free for a standard bag; a small charge may apply for very large items). CTM serves major routes between all principal cities and is the most reliable option for long intercity journeys.
Tickets are sold online at ctm.ma, at CTM stations (separate from the main bus terminals in most cities), and via the CTM app. Book in advance for popular routes on weekends and during Moroccan school holidays.
Supratours
Supratours is operated by ONCF and connects to the rail network, with buses timed to meet trains at junction stations. It is the operator of choice for reaching Agadir (from Marrakech, 3h, ~120 MAD), Essaouira (from Marrakech, 2h30, ~80 MAD), and other southern destinations. Supratours buses depart from near the ONCF train station in most cities. Quality is comparable to CTM.
Other bus companies
Beyond CTM and Supratours, dozens of smaller operators — Ouled Ziane, Ghazala, Satas — serve the same routes at lower prices and lower comfort. They use older vehicles and are less punctual. For short journeys (under 2h) where the price difference is significant, they are acceptable; for longer journeys, stick to CTM or Supratours.
Grand taxis — shared intercity cabs
The grand taxi is one of the defining features of Moroccan travel — and one of the most useful tools a visitor has. These are typically ageing Mercedes sedans (or increasingly, larger minivans) that operate on fixed routes between cities and towns, departing when they have a full complement of passengers — six for a sedan, more for a minivan.
How grand taxis work
Grand taxis gather at fixed departure points — usually near the main bus station or a designated square in each town. Each taxi covers a specific route; you find the line of taxis going to your destination and take a seat. The taxi leaves when all seats are taken: three in the back, two in the passenger seat, one in the middle of the front bench (yes, three across the front). The price per seat is fixed and usually displayed or well-known to locals — ask before getting in.
If you want to leave immediately rather than waiting for the taxi to fill, you can buy multiple seats — two seats for the price of two, eliminating one wait; six seats buys you the whole taxi privately. This is standard practice and the driver will not refuse.
When to use a grand taxi
Grand taxis excel at short-to-medium intercity routes that buses serve infrequently or not at all: Chefchaouen to Fes (~3h, ~80 MAD/seat), Marrakech to Essaouira (before Supratours buses, grand taxis were the main option), smaller towns in the Atlas or Rif where no bus stops. They are faster than local buses, cheaper than private hire, and require no advance booking. The trade-off is comfort — the seating is cramped, the driver will fill every seat before leaving, and the car may be old.
Petit taxis — city cabs
Petit taxis are small metered cabs that operate within city limits. They are the standard way for both locals and visitors to move around a Moroccan city and are cheap, plentiful, and easy to use. Each city's petit taxis are a distinctive colour: red in Marrakech, blue in Casablanca, beige/cream in Rabat, light blue in Fes, yellow in Agadir, light green in Tangier.
Using a petit taxi
Flag one down on the street or find them at a taxi rank near major landmarks. Tell the driver your destination. Always insist the meter is running — in French: "le compteur, s'il vous plaît." Some drivers will quote a flat price instead; this is almost always higher than the metered fare. The metered fare within a city centre is typically 10–25 MAD; a longer cross-city journey might reach 30–40 MAD. A 10–15% tip is appreciated but not obligatory.
Petit taxis are licensed to carry a maximum of three passengers. It is standard practice for the driver to pick up additional passengers going in the same direction — you may find yourself sharing with strangers. This is normal and the fare does not change.
A night supplement (typically 50% extra) applies after 8pm or in some cities after 9pm. The meter automatically adjusts for this; if a driver applies a different rate, ask for the meter.
Ride-hailing apps
Careem (owned by Uber) operates in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech and functions exactly as in other countries — fare shown upfront, payment by card, no negotiation required. It is the easiest option in cities where it operates, particularly for visitors uncomfortable negotiating the meter in French. In smaller cities, petit taxis remain the only option.
Car hire & driving
Renting a car is the single best way to explore rural Morocco — the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara road through Ouarzazate, the Rif, the Atlantic coast. Public transport does not reach most of these places with any frequency, and the freedom to stop at a gorge or a kasbah on a whim is worth the additional cost.
Hiring a car
All major international operators (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget) are present at Casablanca and Marrakech airports and in city centres. Local Moroccan operators — Maroc Car, First Car, Location Najm — are cheaper and generally reliable, though their vehicles are older and their insurance terms should be read carefully. Prices start around 300–400 MAD per day for a small car with basic insurance; a 4WD suitable for piste roads costs 600–900 MAD per day.
An international driving licence is not legally required for EU, UK, US, or Canadian licence holders — a standard licence in Latin characters is accepted. Check your home insurance policy: some credit cards include CDW (collision damage waiver) coverage for car hire abroad, which eliminates the need to buy the rental company's expensive excess waiver.
Driving in Morocco
Morocco drives on the right. Speed limits are 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on main roads, and 120 km/h on motorways (autoroutes). Speed limits are actively enforced with radar; fines are collected on the spot.
The motorway network connecting Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Tangier, and Marrakech is excellent — well-maintained, fast, and signposted in both Arabic and French. Tolls apply: typically 20–50 MAD per stretch. Pay at tollbooths with cash or card.
Driving in medinas and city centres is chaotic. Lanes are suggestions; scooters appear from any direction; pedestrians cross without looking. Outside major cities, roads are generally quieter but potholes, unmarked speed bumps, and animals crossing the road (particularly in the Atlas) require attention. The Tizi n'Tichka pass (Marrakech to Ouarzazate) is spectacular but involves sustained hairpin bends at altitude.
Parking: A system of volunteer gardiens de voitures (parking attendants in blue jackets) operates in most city centre areas and tourist sites. They are informal but ubiquitous — pay them 5–10 MAD when you return to your car. Do not ignore them; they genuinely watch the car.
Petrol: Petrol stations (stations service) are plentiful on main routes but scarce in rural mountain and desert areas. Fill up before heading into the Atlas or south of Ouarzazate.
Airports
Morocco's main international airports and how to use them:
Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN)
Morocco's primary international hub — the largest airport in the country and the main entry point for long-haul flights from North America, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa. Located 30km south of central Casablanca. The train link (ONCF) connects the airport directly to Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port stations in around 30 minutes, with trains every 30 minutes — use this rather than a taxi. Grand taxis and metered taxis also operate from the airport.
Marrakech Menara (RAK)
Morocco's second-busiest airport and the most used by European visitors, served by a dense network of budget airline routes (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Transavia) from across Europe. Located 6km from the medina. No train or bus link from the airport — take a petit taxi (metered, ~70–100 MAD to the medina) or arrange a transfer through your riad. Book riad transfers in advance to avoid overpriced airport taxis.
Other airports
- Agadir Al Massira (AGA): 25km from Agadir city centre. Charter flights from Europe; some Ryanair routes. Taxi to city ~150 MAD.
- Fes-Saiss (FEZ): 15km from the medina. Ryanair and other budget carriers from Europe. Petit taxi or grand taxi to the medina.
- Tangier Ibn Battouta (TNG): 15km from the city. Budget carrier routes from Europe. Taxi to city centre.
- Rabat-Salé (RBA): Small airport, limited international routes. Train link to Rabat city centre.
For airports with no rail link (Marrakech, Agadir, Fes, Tangier), a pre-booked private transfer is a fixed-price alternative to negotiating with taxis on arrival — useful late at night or for a first visit.
Key routes at a glance
The best transport option for each major visitor route:
- Casablanca → Marrakech: Train — 3h, ~90 MAD. Direct, comfortable, frequent. Best option.
- Casablanca → Rabat: Train — 45 min, ~45 MAD. Runs every 30 minutes. No reason to take a bus or taxi.
- Casablanca → Fes: Train — 4h30, ~130 MAD. Or CTM bus (~130 MAD, 5h).
- Casablanca → Tangier: Al Boraq TGV — 2h10, ~250 MAD. Dramatically faster than any alternative.
- Marrakech → Agadir: Supratours bus — 3h, ~120 MAD. No train; this is the best option.
- Marrakech → Essaouira: Supratours bus — 2h30, ~80 MAD. Or grand taxi (~150 MAD for whole taxi).
- Marrakech → Ouarzazate: CTM bus — 3h, ~100 MAD. Or hire a car (spectacular mountain road).
- Fes → Chefchaouen: CTM bus — 3h30, ~80 MAD. Or grand taxi (~80 MAD/seat).
- Fes → Marrakech: Train — 7–8h, ~200 MAD. Long but comfortable; consider an overnight if available.
- Ouarzazate → Merzouga (Sahara): CTM bus (~150 MAD, 5h) or hire a car — no train reaches here.
Practical tips
- Book trains in advance for peak times: Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are the busiest departure slots (Moroccans returning home after the weekend). The Al Boraq sells out; book at least 2–3 days ahead on these days.
- CTM vs. cheaper bus companies: The price difference between CTM and cheaper operators on a long route (e.g. Casablanca to Agadir) is typically 40–80 MAD. For a 5–6 hour journey, CTM is worth the extra — newer vehicles, air conditioning that works, and reliable departure times.
- Grands taxis leave when full: If you arrive at a grand taxi stand and there are already passengers waiting, you may leave quickly. If you are the first passenger, you may wait 30–45 minutes. Buying extra seats is the solution for time-sensitive journeys.
- Medina driving: Do not try to drive into a medina. The streets are pedestrian or mule-width; you will get stuck, not find parking, and miss the point. Park at the city perimeter (often signposted) and walk or take a petit taxi to your accommodation.
- Night buses: CTM and some other operators run overnight buses on long routes (e.g. Casablanca to Agadir, Marrakech to Fes). These save a night's accommodation cost but are only comfortable enough for those who can sleep on a bus. Bring a neck pillow and layer up — the air conditioning is often very cold.
- Luggage on trains: Luggage goes on the rack above your seat or in the overhead compartment. There is no formal luggage hold on ONCF trains. Large suitcases are cumbersome; a travel backpack is significantly easier for moving between cities.
- The airport taxi scam: At Marrakech airport particularly, unlicensed touts approach arrivals offering "official" taxis at fixed inflated prices. Walk past them and through the arrivals hall to the official petit taxi rank or your riad's transfer driver. The metered taxi from Marrakech airport to the medina should cost 70–100 MAD.