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.
Choose transport by the exact route, current timetable, licence, luggage rules, accessibility and total price. Trains serve parts of the northern corridor, while other routes may require a licensed coach, taxi or rental vehicle; no mode is an automatic default.
Morocco drives on the right. The currency for all transport is the Moroccan dirham (MAD).
Trains — ONCF
The national rail operator ONCF connects several major cities. Compare its live timetable, fare, class, station and disruption information with the current coach or road alternative for the exact route.
The Al Boraq — Morocco's TGV
The Al Boraq is Africa's first high-speed rail line, connecting Casa Voyageurs to Tanger Ville via Rabat Agdal and Kénitra in around 2 hours 10 minutes. It runs at up to 320 km/h and transforms what was previously a four-hour journey into a practical day trip. Both first- and second-class tickets are available. Book in advance, especially on busy travel days, and check the live fare and departure time with ONCF.
Main intercity train routes
The core ONCF network connects the following major cities. Schedules, connections and fares change, so use ONCF's journey planner for the date you will travel:
- Casablanca → Marrakech: direct conventional trains run via Settat.
- Casablanca → Rabat: a short intercity rail connection with multiple daily departures.
- Casablanca → Fes: services run through Rabat and Meknès; check whether the selected departure is direct.
- Casablanca → Tangier: Al Boraq is the fastest rail option; compare it with conventional services in the planner.
- Rabat → Marrakech: services run south through Casablanca.
- Fes → Marrakech: roughly 7h–8h by day train. It is a long journey, so compare the live timetable with an intercity coach or a flight.
- Meknès → Fes: a short intercity rail link with multiple departures.
Classes and booking
ONCF offers first- and second-class products, but seating and inclusions depend on the service. Compare the live booking result rather than assuming one class policy applies to every train.
Book through oncf.ma, an ONCF ticket counter, or the official app. Popular departures can sell out, so reserve a specific train when the timing matters instead of relying on walk-up availability.
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 is one intercity coach operator with online schedules and booking. Vehicle, luggage, seat and punctuality conditions can change by service; check the live ticket terms and compare any alternative operator for the exact route.
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 connects rail journeys with destinations such as Agadir and Essaouira. Confirm the departure point, connection and fare in the live booking result; a coach terminal may be beside a railway station without being inside it.
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
Grand taxis operate on local routes between cities and towns, often leaving after enough passengers have assembled. Vehicles and operating practices vary, so use a recognised rank and a licensed vehicle.
How grand taxis work
Grand taxis gather at route-specific ranks, commonly near a bus station or designated square. Ask the rank attendant or driver to confirm the destination, expected departure arrangement and price per seat. Do not board an overloaded vehicle or accept seating without a seat belt.
On some routes it may be possible to pay for additional seats or the whole licensed vehicle, but availability and capacity depend on the vehicle and rank. Confirm the total before departure.
When to use a grand taxi
Grand taxis are useful on short-to-medium routes that buses serve infrequently, including links between smaller Atlas or Rif towns. Routes, vehicles, loading practices and per-seat fares are local rather than nationally standardised. Confirm the destination, price per seat and whether you are paying for one seat or the whole vehicle before boarding.
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 or use a recognised taxi rank. Ask whether the trip will use the meter or an agreed fare before moving; local tariff and meter rules differ by city. If the arrangement is unclear, ask your accommodation for the current local practice or use another licensed taxi.
Vehicle capacity and ride-sharing practices vary. UK travel advice warns that unregulated app-based cars may be uninsured and advises travellers to avoid sharing with strangers, so prefer a licensed taxi and do not accept an arrangement that feels unsafe.
Some cities apply time-based supplements. Do not rely on a nationwide percentage or start time: check the displayed tariff, ask locally, and agree how the fare will be calculated before departure.
Ride-hailing apps
App-based transport availability and licensing can change by city. UK travel advice warns that some app-booked cars may be unregulated or uninsured. Check the provider's current legal status locally and prefer a licensed vehicle rather than assuming an app listing guarantees it.
Car hire & driving
A rental car can add flexibility on rural routes in the Atlas, pre-Saharan valleys, Rif and Atlantic coast, but it also adds driving, parking, insurance and road-condition responsibilities. Compare it with current public transport and a licensed driver for the exact route.
Hiring a car
International and local rental firms operate at major airports and in city centres. Compare the total live quote, deposit, excess, mileage, fuel policy and exclusions rather than the headline daily rate. Do not assume a credit-card benefit replaces the rental company's cover until both providers confirm it in writing.
Driving-document rules depend on the licence and traveller. Current UK government advice says British drivers need their UK licence and a 1968 International Driving Permit; hire companies may impose stricter conditions. Travellers from other countries should check their own government's Morocco advice and obtain written confirmation from the rental company before departure. Carry the required licence, permit, insurance and vehicle documents in the car.
Driving in Morocco
Morocco drives on the right. Follow the posted limit for the road and conditions; limits can change at town approaches, roadworks and controlled sections. Do not rely on a single nationwide summary in place of current road signs.
Motorways connect Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Tangier and Marrakech. Tolls depend on the entry and exit points; check the motorway operator's current tariff and keep a suitable payment method available.
Dense city traffic can include scooters, pedestrians and restricted medina access. Outside cities, road surface, lighting, animals, weather and mountain bends require attention. Check current official road and weather information before using the Tizi n'Tichka pass or another high route.
Parking: Informal attendants operate in many city-centre areas, while other streets use municipal or private parking. Ask your accommodation where to park, look for posted terms, and agree any informal fee before leaving the vehicle.
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)
Mohammed V is a major international gateway outside Casablanca. ONCF operates an airport rail link serving Casablanca stations, but journey time and frequency depend on the service and destination station. Check the official ONCF timetables and live booking results for your arrival date; do not assume a train every 30 minutes or the same journey time to Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port. Allow time for immigration, baggage and the transfer to the station. Compare the train with an official airport taxi or a prearranged transfer for a late arrival.
Marrakech Menara (RAK)
Located about 6 km from the medina, Marrakech Menara Airport has no direct rail station. ONDA lists a city-airport bus running about every 20 minutes, as well as airport taxis. For a taxi, use the official prepaid taxi counter in arrivals, where the fixed fare is shown before payment, or arrange a transfer through your accommodation.
Other airports
- Agadir Al Massira (AGA): outside Agadir city centre. Check ONDA for the current licensed ground-transport choices and fares.
- 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): There is no airport rail station. Check ONDA and the current local operator information for bus and taxi choices before travel rather than relying on a fixed frequency or fare.
For airports without a direct rail station — including Marrakech, Rabat-Salé, Agadir, Fes and Tangier — compare the official airport bus or taxi option with a pre-booked transfer, especially for a late arrival.
Key routes at a glance
These are the usual starting points for comparing a major visitor route. Always confirm the selected departure, terminal, duration and fare with the operator:
- Casablanca → Marrakech: compare direct ONCF trains.
- Casablanca → Rabat: compare ONCF intercity departures.
- Casablanca → Fes: compare ONCF with CTM if the departure time matters more than the mode.
- Casablanca → Tangier: start with Al Boraq in the ONCF planner.
- Marrakech → Agadir: compare current Supratours and CTM coaches; there is no passenger train.
- Marrakech → Essaouira: compare current coach departures with a licensed private transfer.
- Marrakech → Ouarzazate: compare CTM with self-drive only after checking mountain-road conditions.
- Fes → Chefchaouen: compare CTM with a confirmed grand-taxi or private-transfer quote.
- Fes → Marrakech: use ONCF's live planner and compare the long daytime journey with other modes.
- Ouarzazate → Merzouga: check current CTM coverage or use a properly insured rental/transfer; no train reaches Merzouga.
Practical tips
- Book a specific train when timing matters: popular departures can sell out. The live ONCF result is the authority for availability, class and fare.
- Compare coach operators on more than price: check the terminal, luggage terms, journey duration, cancellation terms and recent passenger feedback.
- 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.
- Marrakech airport taxis: Use the official prepaid taxi counter in arrivals, where the destination and fixed fare are recorded before you travel. Ignore unsolicited offers in the terminal and keep the receipt until you arrive.