Embark on a captivating journey through Morocco's stunning landscapes with ONCF, the national rail carrier. ONCF offers a reliable and comfortable travel experience, connecting vibrant cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier, while also providing access to picturesque coastal towns and the majestic Atlas Mountains. With modern trains showcasing amenities designed for your comfort, ONCF caters to both speed and leisure. Whether you’re on a quick trip or a scenic adventure, booking your ONCF tickets online ensures a seamless experience.
An ONCF train at Fès station
What to Know About Morocco's Railway Network
Did you know that Morocco was the very first country that built a high-speed railway on the African continent? The first high-speed railway line was launched just a few years back in 2018. Now, you can travel from Tangier to Casablanca in just 1.5 hours, while a regular train can make the trip in almost 5!
Although the Moroccan high-speed railway now covers only the major cities, such as Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier, it already made traveling through the country so much easier. Apart from fast travel times, trains serving the new line also offer a broad departure schedule and a much higher level of comfort in comparison to regular trains. And that's not all, as soon the high-speed rail will spread throughout the whole country, allowing to travel to even remote parts of Morocco enjoying all the perks of railway trips onboard modern trains.
Here's a quick overview of Morocco's railway system:
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- Overall length of Morocco railways: 4,225 km
- Types of Moroccan trains: high-speed, night & regular
- Fastest train of Morocco: high-speed rail 320 km/h
Top Choices for Train Travel in Morocco
ONCF offers two main types of trains for travelers:
Al Atlas Train
Launched by ONCF operator at the beginning of 2020, Al Atlas trains soon became one of the favorite means to get around Morocco for locals and visitors of this scenic country. The trains have two travel classes onboard, both providing everything you need for a worry-free ride. During the journey, passengers are welcome to take advantage of very comfortable seats (arranged 2x3 or 2x2, depending on which class you preferred), plenty of luggage space, generous legroom, and, of course, unforgettable African sceneries passing by the window.
Al Boraq Train
The fastest train in Africa, Al Boraq, was the first train launched along the Moroccan high-speed railway. If you travel a lot, you might mistake it for a French TGV high-speed train at first. The reason is that Moroccans decided to go with something time-tested and reliable instead of inventing something new that might blow up in an unexpected way when designing their trains. The vehicles are even built by the same company, which means that the trains are equipped similarly as well, and you can expect the same level of comfort as you get on Al Boraq's French cousins.
Riding Morocco’s Bullet Train: Casablanca to Tangier (Al Boraq Step-by-Step)
Popular Routes and Travel Classes
ONCF Voyages offers several popular routes connecting major Moroccan cities. Here's a quick look at some of them:
| Route | Distance (km) | Approximate Travel Time | Travel Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakesh to Casablanca | 222 | 2 hours | First Class, Second Class, Second Class Seat |
| Casablanca to Marrakesh | 222 | 2 hours | First Class, Second Class, Second Class Seat |
| Marrakesh to Fes | 389 | 4 hours | First Class, Second Class, Second Class Seat |
| Fes to Marrakesh | 389 | 4 hours | First Class, Second Class, Second Class Seat |
| Marrakesh to Rabat | 281 | 3 hours | First Class, Second Class, Second Class Seat |
Tips for Train Travel in Morocco
What is the best way to travel around Morocco?
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The beautiful country boasts one of the most advanced railway networks in Africa, while it's impossible to say the same about its roads. Locals and tourists prefer to travel by trains when possible and opt for traveling via high-speed railway when this option is on the table, as train tickets are reasonably priced and taking a train means great amenities, fast travel times, and a broad departure schedule.
Can you buy Morocco train tickets online?
Yes, you can buy tickets for Morocco Trains online.
Are there high-speed trains in Morocco?
Yes, Morocco is home to Africa's first high-speed train, the Al Boraq, which connects major cities like Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca. This modern rail service offers fast travel times and great amenities.
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What is the luggage policy on Moroccan trains?
Moroccan trains generally allow passengers to carry luggage without strict weight limits. However, it's recommended to travel light as luggage space may be limited, especially during peak travel times.
Booking Your Tickets
ONCF is Morocco’s national railway operator. You can then search for your locations and dates. Of note, Casa Voyageurs it the main downtown Casablanca train station (Casa Port is also located in Casablanca). The kiosks have an English language option and are easy to navigate. The agents also speak English and there are often 5 - 10 agents working, so the line moves quickly. You can pay with cash or credit card.
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.
First Class vs. Second Class
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. The train tickets are cheap and there is not much of a price differential between 1st and 2nd class, so I recommend doing 1st. First class cabin- the seats by the window have a fold out table.
Navigating Casa Voyageurs Station
One last thing - and it is literally the only bad thing I have to say about the train system - when you exit your train platform after arriving at Casa Voyageurs, you will see these taxi signs. *sigh* DO NOT FOLLOW THE SIGN. The sign is pointing towards the BACK of the train station, where a group of taxi drivers are waiting for tourists to offer rides. Because you’ve now walked all the way to the back of the station with your luggage and are not near a road, they will try to drive up the price. It is a shitty thing they do and really irritates me. If you exit the opposite direction of the sign, you exit out the front of the station where all the locals are hailing taxis and you will often find a taxi driver willing to either 1) run the meter or 2) offer you a much more reasonable rate.
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tags: #Morocco
