Embarking on a train journey in Morocco offers a unique and stress-free way to experience the country's diverse landscapes and vibrant cities. From the bustling streets of Marrakech to the coastal charm of Tangier, the Moroccan rail network connects major destinations, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking comfort and convenience. Here's your comprehensive guide to navigating the Moroccan train system, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable adventure.
Why Choose Train Travel in Morocco?
There are several compelling reasons to opt for train travel in Morocco:
- Scenic Views: Enjoy the changing scenery, from sprawling cities to desert landscapes and lush countryside.
- Comfort and Convenience: Relax in comfortable cabins, nap, read, or simply watch the world go by.
- Affordability: Train travel in Morocco is relatively inexpensive, especially compared to European standards.
- Eco-Friendly: Trains offer a more sustainable way to travel compared to flying or driving.
Rental cars can’t be taken from Spain to Morocco, trains are a great way to see the country. The train network can get you to most major cities on the coastal side of the Atlas Mountains, from Marrakech in the South, all the way to Tangier in the North, and Oujda and Nador in the East.
Booking Your Train Tickets
Planning is key to a stress-free train journey in Morocco. Here's how to book your tickets:
train trip MOROCCO cheap and easy way to travel the country
- At the Station: You can purchase tickets at the train station from a ticket vendor or a ticket machine (kiosk). The agents also speak English and there are often 5 - 10 agents working, so the line moves quickly.
- Online: There is an option to buy tickets online, and this has become a preferred method of purchase. You may only have success paying with a Moroccan card.
- Third-Party Providers: Consider using a ticket provider to handle the booking process, especially if you're arriving in Morocco by plane. I used Marrakech Tickets. All I had to do was send my desired train itinerary and they took care of the rest.
Purchasing Tickets at the Train Station
At the train station, there are typically two ways to buy tickets.
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- Ticket Vendor: All train stations will have a ticket vendor, and if you wait in line, you will eventually talk to this person and explain where you want to travel and at what time.
- Ticket Machine (Kiosk): I prefer this method because it allows me to see the prices for First and Second class, as well as the various departure times. Unfortunately these kiosks are often not working, so it is hit or miss whether you can use them. A red light means the machine is not working, and a green light means that it is. You can select language options in English and French on the touch screen.
When purchasing you will be asked:
- Where you are headed
- What time you want to leave
- Do you want 1st class or 2nd class
You can also purchase your return ticket, which I recommend since busier locations like Marrakech may sell out of 1st class tickets.
Using a Ticket Provider
All I had to do was send my desired train itinerary and they took care of the rest. For six tickets (three train trips, two people each), the total amounted to approximately 1,249 dirhams, 110€ or $137. They add a service fee of 85 dirhams per ticket ($9 or 7.5€). Looking at our invoice, they appeared to only charge the service fee twice - once per traveler for the entire itinerary, amounting to 16.50€ or $21 plus an even smaller Paypal fee ($6.50/5€). Compared to train travel in Europe, especially Germany, this is a steal considering the distance traveled.
Important Note: Also, you can only purchase tickets online with a Moroccan-issued bank card.
First Class vs. Second Class
When buying a ticket, you will have the option between First and Second class. Sometimes there is very little difference in price between the two. The train tickets are cheap and there is not much of a price differential between 1st and 2nd class, so I recommend doing 1st.
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First Class
- More space per passenger.
- Often quieter and more comfortable.
- Reserved seating.
Second Class
- More affordable.
- Can be more crowded.
- No reserved seating.
The cabins in 1st class and 2nd class are the same size but in 1st class they seat only three people per row and in 2nd class they seat four people per row, so it will be a tighter squeeze. First class cabin- the seats by the window have a fold out table. First-class tickets have air conditioning and a snack service.
The experience in those classes will depend on what route you are taking. Oftentimes, regardless of ticket class, you will find yourself in a compartment with other people. In Second class, there will be eight passengers in this compartment, and in First class, there will be six passengers in the same amount of space. The luggage will go on the shelf above your head.
On other trains, you will find seats more typical of an airplane, with all of the passengers facing one direction in one train car. Sometimes you will be assigned to a seat, and other times you will not be; this also depends on the route. On Al-Boraq, even the Second class seats are very nice.
Understanding the Al Boraq High-Speed Train
Morocco boasts a rapidly developing rail network, with high-speed trains leading the charge in modern transportation. The Al Boraq high-speed train runs between Tangier and Casablanca with future extensions planned to Marrakech, Agadir, Fes and beyond.
The flagship service, the Al Boraq, revolutionizes travel between major cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier, allowing passengers to cover distances in record time. It takes just over two hours to travel between Casa and Tangier, with roundtrip tickets in Second class costing less than $50 per person. Reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h (199 mph), this state-of-the-art train provides not just speed but also comfort and luxury, ensuring a memorable travel experience.
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My wife and I really enjoy riding the high speed train. It is very modern, which is an interesting contrast to some of the more traditional elements of Morocco. There are future plans to expand the high speed train network to more cities like Marrakech and Fes.
What to Expect Onboard
- Food and Drinks: Something else to note - they do serve food on the trains. A man (it was always a man) comes through with a small cart offering a variety of chips, sandwiches, and coffee for very modest prices.
- Cleanliness: The trains themselves are clean, quiet, and air conditioned.
- Bathrooms: If you need to use the restroom, it is advisable to do so before entering the train. Bathrooms on the train may be less sanitary than what you are used to; although this could also be said about the bathrooms in the train station themselves. More often than not, though, you will have a cleaner experience using the station bathroom than the train bathroom. Take your own paper with you, as it is not guaranteed to be provided, and also don’t be surprised if the station bathroom is without a seat and/or without a bowl (aka a squatty potty).
Navigating Train Stations
Morocco has invested significant money to upgrade their train stations, at least in the major cities. The train stations in Fes and Marrakech were smaller and more modest, with a moderate sized lobby and a few shops and cafes.
- Amenities: Many of the stations contain Starbucks, as well as McDonald’s.
- Information: Inside of the train station you will notice a reader board with information about upcoming trains; the information is provided in Arabic and French.
- Seating: In general, do not expect a lot of free seating options while you wait for your train; recently in the Fes and Casablanca stations, I was surprised by how few places there were to sit.
When you have arrived at your destination and are leaving the station, be mindful of the taxi drivers who are looking to charge higher prices to tourists. If you don’t mind paying more, then you can entertain their offer. However, if you want to pay the local price, then continue walking until you get to the street, and find a taxi there.
The Ibis Tanger City Center was a block from the train station, so we could walk with our luggage, which consisted of a small roller bag and laptop backpack each. The Ibis Hotel Fes was next to the train station. This hotel felt luxurious as soon as we stepped through the arched door of the walled compound with expansive lawns.
Estimated Travel Times for Popular Routes
Below is a chart of estimated travel times of popular routes, like Marrakech to Casablanca or Fes to Tangier. Though the train paused on the track for more than 10 minutes on both long journeys, these delays were worked into the schedule. Both of our long-distance trains arrived either on time or shortly after the posted arrival.
| Route | Estimated Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Casablanca to Tangier (Al Boraq) | 2 hours |
| Casablanca to Marrakech | 3-4 hours |
| Tangier to Fes | 4 hours |
| Fes to Marrakech | 6 hours |
With a little planning, travel by train in Morocco is a treat. Starting in Marrakech, you can see the scenery change from the sprawling construction of the city’s ‘new town’ to the lifeless desert landscapes of Hollywood imagination surrounded by the shrinking Atlas mountains. Splashes of green appear as we trudge along with the occasional smattering of villages. Every time I pull back the red-orange curtain hanging over my window, I see that the greenery has intensified considerably.
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