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Are you wondering what the best way to get around Morocco is? Public transport in Morocco is actually quite good and affordable, making it a great option for getting around the country.
Morocco has a few different options when it comes to public transport. The most popular and affordable option is the bus. Trains are also used extensively to travel between major Moroccan cities. There are also taxis, which are a bit more expensive but can be more convenient, depending on where you’re going.
While public transport in Morocco is a great option, it can be a bit overwhelming and confusing to figure out. If you are planning a trip to Morocco, consider hiring a car as this can be a more comfortable option, especially if you are not used to using public transport.
Here is a breakdown of the different public transport options in Morocco.
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Trains in Morocco are operated by the national rail company, ONCF. They have an extensive network of routes connecting all major Moroccan cities. I personally think that trains are the most comfortable way to travel around Morocco.
The entrance of train station in Meknes
Some of the major cities that are connected by train are Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, Fez, and Meknes. There are of course other cities you can check on the ONCF website.
Trains are generally punctual and reliable in Morocco. The journey between Casablanca and Fez, for example, takes about 6 hours. And from Fez to Marrakesh is about 4 hours.
View of the train station in Casablanca from Ibis hotel
There is also a high-speed train (TGV) called Al Boraq that is connecting Rabat to Tangier. So, instead of a 6 hours journey, with a high-speed train, it will take you only 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The prices of the train tickets vary depending on the type of train (High speed or normal), the distance, and the class you choose. You can check the ONCF website.
A first-class ride on the train from Casablanca to Fes
To get an idea about prices, a one-way first-class ticket from Casablanca to Tangier costs around $15 on Al Boraq and around $9 on a normal train. A first-class ticket will cost you a little bit more than that.
We have tried both first and second-class tickets, and I can tell you that the difference is not that big. So, if you are on a budget, you can definitely go for the second-class tickets.
>> ONCF website: Check train schedules and book tickets online
Trains are cheap but buses are much cheaper. In addition, the bus network in Morocco covers much more destinations than the train network. They even reach small villages in the country.
Buses do a great job to link almost every corner of Morocco together. There are a few different bus companies operating in Morocco, the most popular ones being CTM, and Supratour.
CTM intercity bus
Both companies provide air-conditioned buses and offer decent seats. A one-way ticket from Casablanca to Marrakech in CTM will cost you around $10.
>> Check and book your ticket on CTM
>> Check and book your ticket on Supratour
If plan on visiting Casablanca or Rabat, you can also use the tramway to get around. The tramway is a nice addition to public transport in Morocco. It’s cheap and efficient.
The tramway line in Casablanca
Casablanca has 3 different tramway lines, and Rabat has 2. The tramway will allow you to explore most of the attractions in the city without having to use any other means of transport.
A single ride will cost you only $0.40 on Rabat tramway and $0.60 on Casablanca’s.
>> Check the website of Casa Tramway
>> Check the website of Rabat Tramway
There are two types of taxis in Morocco: Petit taxis and Grand taxis. Petit taxis are small cars that can take up to 4 passengers. They come in different colors depending on the city you’re in.
In Casablanca and Fez, they are red. In Marrakech, they are yellow. In Meknes, they are light blue. These taxis run can only take you within the city limits they are in. The fares are also quite cheap if the distance is short but the more you go the more it costs.
Small taxis in Fez are red Small taxis in Meknes are light blue
For example, a taxi journey in Casablanca can cost you from $1.5 Dirhams up to $6. The taxi drivers are supposed to use the meters but they sometimes don’t (mostly in tourist areas).
So always make sure to ask them if they are using the meter first if they say no agree on a price before you get in the taxi. And don’t feel shy to haggle!
Grand taxis on the other hand are bigger cars (usually a Mercedes Benz) that can take up to 6 passengers. These taxis have a set trajectory which is usually a long one. They are also allowed to take you outside the city, unlike the Small taxis.
A typical grand taxi station in Morocco
Grand taxis are very cheap since they are shared. You will pay as little as 6 cents to travel from one end of the city to another. However, the downside is that these taxis can be quite uncomfortable with so many people squashed inside.
Riding on a grand taxi in Morocco
Also, they will only leave when they are full (6 people). So, if you’re in a hurry, this is not the best option. You might have to wait for a while before they leave or offer to pay the price of 6 passengers.
In addition to taxis, each city has its own fleet of public buses running on different routes. I don’t recommend taking the bus if you’re a tourist as they are not very practical and if you don’t know the city well, you might get lost.
Plus, most f the buses don’t have the destination written and the bus drivers do not speak English so it can be quite a challenge to figure out which bus to take and where it’s going.
Just like in most cities around the world, you can now find Uber, Careem, Heetch, and other ride-booking apps in Morocco.
This is a great option if you want a bit more comfort and privacy than public transport can offer. The prices are also quite reasonable.
Unfortunately, these services are not available in all cities yet. So far, you can find them only in Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech. And sometimes it takes very long to book a ride, especially during rush hour.
Now that you know all about the different means of public transport in Morocco, you might be wondering how to get from the airport to your hotel in the city.
If you are flying into Mohammed V airport which is about 35 km from Casablanca city center, you have a few options:
- You can take a grand taxi from outside the airport. The price of the ride from the airport to Casablanca should not be more than $30
- You can also take the train from the airport straight to Casa port or Casa voyageur station. There is a station located inside the airport. This option is not ideal if you have a lot of luggage with you as the stairs can be quite steep.
- Use an airport transfer service. You will do away with all the trouble and stress of finding a taxi or navigating the train system with your luggage.
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