Coming to Morocco
Travelling by plane
You can choose between scheduled airlines (British Airways, ‘Royal), charters or charter flights from tour operators.
At certain times of the year, it may even be cheaper to fly via Frankfurt on Lufthansa. If you don’t have a direct flight to your final destination, you could perhaps take the train rather than a connecting flight?
There is a station directly at Mohammed V airport, in ‘Casablanca’.
More recently, Air Arabia and Transavia have set up operations in Morocco. Air Arabia, in particular, regularly opens new destinations, including from France. Ryanair is also developing a number of very low-cost routes to Morocco.
Travelling by coach
CTM (Compagnie des Transports Marocains) works in conjunction with Eurolines, and offers journeys from Paris and Brussels in particular.
The journey takes 1? to 2 days, depending on your final destination, with a stopover in Tangiers.
Please note: it is not possible to make a stopover on the way.
Other companies exist, such as SAT and Tramesa. In July and August, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance, as many Moroccans return home for the holidays. (See the CTM website, www.ctm.co.ma) Coming by train: you can get off at Algeciras with an Interrail card. Then, after taking the ferry, Moroccan rail links are quite good.
Travelling by boat
From France, the ferry links are from Sète, mainly to Tangier. The ferry is fairly luxurious, and the crossing takes 40 hours. It is operated by the Moroccan company Comanav (see its website, www.comanav.co.ma), in conjunction with SNCM Ferryterranée. It is also possible to go to Nador during the summer.
There are many connections from Spain. The most common is Algésiras-Tangier, a 2.5-hour crossing with a departure every 90 minutes (but sometimes a wait of several hours). There are a dozen others, such as Almeria-Meilla. The main companies are Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es), Comarit and Euroferrys (www.euroferrys.com), but all depart from Tangiers on the same timetable….
If you’re not part of a group, arriving at the port of ‘Tangier’ can be quite trying. Watch out for pickpockets and clandestine guides, who will be relentless. Don’t hesitate to refuse brutally! A useful word, to be repeated several times angrily: Sir! (Go away).
Getting around in Morocco
Travelling in Morocco by train
The train connections are pleasant, one of the best networks in Africa, and not expensive. They go as far as ‘Marrakesh’, beyond which the CTM works in conjunction with Supratours buses…
You can find timetables and fares on the Moroccan railways website, www.oncf.ma.
The main difference between an ordinary train and a fast train is comfort, rather than speed. Except of course for the TGV lines, currently between Tangier, Casablanca and Marrakesh.
Travelling in Morocco by coach
Most have a bus station. Traffic is heavy and it can be difficult to find your way around. There are companies other than CTM.
They will probably offer to guide you to your bus, in exchange for a small tip from you and a commission from the company. Make sure you’re on the right bus! Lock or protect your luggage as much as possible at the start, and at the stops, check that it has not been removed by mistake.
The CTM charges an extra 5 dirhams per item of luggage. Its buses are quite comfortable.
Using taxis
Within a city, small taxis are used for longer journeys (around 70 kilometres), while large taxis…. are distinguished by their size (Fiat Uno versus Mercédès), their colour (small taxis have a colour specific to their city, for example red in Casablanca, blue in Essaouira…. large taxis are beige) and a sign on the roof.
Small or large, they are shared, and 6 passengers and their luggage are systematically accommodated in a large taxi, even if it means waiting a while for the 6th passenger. You can also pay for two seats, which will enable you to leave more quickly and travel more comfortably. Small taxis, on the other hand, load as they go along. A trip from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate, for example, will cost 70 dirhams in a large taxi. An excellent way to meet people…..
In remote areas, there are also 4*4s or pick-ups that act as taxis. They are mainly used on market days.
Renting a car in Morocco
The big international hire companies are present in Morocco, but very expensive.
Prefer local agencies, which will provide you with a Fiat Uno for 250 dirhams a day, or a four-wheel drive car with driver for 1,500 dirhams a day, including petrol. Please note that small cars are delivered without petrol… and should therefore be returned with an empty tank. Don’t forget to take out additional insurance, and make sure that the price you are quoted includes government tax.
If you’re using a four-wheel drive vehicle without a driver, don’t forget to check the state of the tracks regularly before setting off. And try to avoid going off on your own, especially as hire four-wheel drives are not equipped with sheet metal, shovels, etc. Finally, beware of off-roading, particularly in the desert. You can crush fragile plants, which will take years to grow back. The four-wheel drive vehicle is a great way to go anywhere, but there’s no need to turn your trip into a rally.
The motorway network has been expanding in recent years. It’s not very popular, because it’s expensive for Moroccans (but well below European prices), it’s fairly safe, and it can cut journey times enormously, by avoiding national roads full of lorries. It is now possible to travel down to ‘Agadir’ or Marrakesh by motorway.
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