Casablanca, a vibrant port city and one of the largest in Morocco, boasts a rich rail history dating back to 1907. Today, the city's train stations are vital components of its transport network, connecting travelers to destinations throughout the country.
Casa Voyageurs Train Station
Overview of Casablanca's Train Stations
Casablanca has several train stations that are essential for travel within the country.
- Casa Voyageurs: The primary station, located in the Bir Anzarane district, serves as a major hub for both high-speed and local trains, connecting Casablanca to cities like Tangier and Marrakesh. This station is centrally situated, allowing easy access to various parts of the city.
- Casa Port: Located in the L'Oasis area, this station mainly services local train routes and is close to the port, providing connectivity for freight and passengers alike.
- Settat: Located in the Settat district, this smaller station offers regional services and caters primarily to commuters heading to and from surrounding areas.
For travelers, the railway station in Casablanca is vital for their journey through Morocco, as trains at this station service many different destinations. A train also runs between the airport and the Casablanca Voyageurs. This train trip usually takes about thirty-five minutes.
Casa Voyageurs: The Main Railway Station
Casa Voyageurs is the main railway station in Casablanca, with the smaller Casa Port Railway Station located nearby.
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The Casa Voyageurs is serviced by the state owned ONCF Railway Company and trains run to destinations such as Rabat, Marrakech, Meknes, Tangier, Fes and El Jadida. There are generally two trains that leave in the morning, two in the afternoon and one in the early evening. Trains are a safe, comfortable and very cheap mode of transport in Morocco and local passengers are usually friendly and courteous.
Casa Voyageurs station is the terminus for the high-speed line from Casablanca to Tangier, as well as operates trains to such popular Moroccan destinations as Fes, Rabat, Marrakech, and Khouribga. It is a focal point for several major Moroccan rail lines, boasts 8 platforms, and services high-speed Al-Boraq and intercity Al Bidaoui trains.
It is situated approximately 1 km from the Hassan II Mosque and 3 km from the old medina. Casablanca Train Station operates daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, facilitating numerous arrivals and departures. The station connects with Casablanca Tramway Line T1, the tram stop is in front of the station. The station is served by suburban and long-distance trains.
The station was built by the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Maroc (CFM) in 1923, under the French protectorate of Morocco. It had 8 platforms and was expanded for Al Boraq service which began November 2018.
Al Boraq High-Speed Train
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Navigating Casa Voyageurs
Upon entering Casa Voyageurs, travelers should follow the signs toward their designated platform. The platforms are numbered 1 through 5, with platform 1 primarily serving trains to the north, including Tangier, while platforms 2 and 3 cater to destinations like Marrakech and Rabat. The station is equipped with electronic boards displaying train schedules and any delays.
Casa Voyageurs has 5 main platforms serving various domestic and international routes, including trains to cities like Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier. The station is located in the city center, easily accessible by local transport options. Clear signage directs passengers to ticket counters, platforms, restrooms, and waiting areas. The station accommodates travelers with reduced mobility, featuring ramps and elevators for easy access to all platforms.
Most of the railway stations in Morocco are not clearly marked or signposted. For a railway station to be easily recognizable and be a landmark, makes it easier for travelers to orientate themselves in a new city and to find the station without problems. The Casa Voyageurs is no different. From the street, the bright, white walls and large parking area are a sight that cannot be missed. The railway station building also has a very high clock tower that rises almost two to three stories above the entrance.
The Casablanca Voyageurs is an extremely clean and beautiful building from inside. Its age is given away by its elegantly high, dome-shaped ceilings. Its walls are painted in a light crème shade and the chandeliers and wall lights brighten up the building. All the platforms of the train station in Casablanca are undercover, neat and well maintained. Large electronic display boards inform travelers and passengers of the relevant times, platforms and train numbers of departing and arriving trains. Any delays are also indicated on the boards.
Purchasing Train Tickets
Morocco has a fast, modern, and affordable train system! 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.
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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.
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.
Getting to Casa Voyageurs
Conveniently, this major railway hub is connected with Line 1 of Casablanca Tramway, and a tram stops near the entrance of the building. Other options are to take a M'dina bus or to travel to Casa-Voyageurs by taxi.
Taxi Services at Casablanca Station
Taxis are available directly outside Casa Voyageurs for transportation to nearby attractions. The fare to Hassan II Mosque is typically around MAD 60-80, while a ride to the central market costs approximately MAD 40-50. Taxi stands are marked clearly at the exits, and guests can book rides through local ride-hailing apps as well.
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.
Dining and Shopping at Casa Voyageurs
Dining options at Casa Voyageurs include cafes and restaurants offering Moroccan specialties such as tagine and couscous, along with quicker meal options like sandwiches and pastries. Eating establishments are located near the waiting areas, ensuring passengers have access to food and refreshments before departure.
Casa Voyageurs features several shops that offer snacks, drinks, and assorted travel necessities. You can find kiosks selling local crafts, including traditional Moroccan goods like pottery and textiles, popular among tourists. Currency exchange services and ATMs are provided for convenience before boarding your train.
Casa Port Railway Terminal
Casa-Port Railway Terminal is an ONCF station in the centre of Casablanca, near the Port of Casablanca. The station is a terminus, with 6 tracks and 4 platforms.
During the renovation, access to the platforms was via a temporary passenger building on the Boulevard Moulay Abderrahmane. The reconstruction works had several setbacks. The station is accessible by taxi.
Casa Port Train Station
ONCF Train Lines in Casablanca
All ONCF lines and schedules in Casablanca can be found in the Moovit App. Moovit gives you directions for ONCF routes and provides helpful step-by-step navigation.
The ONCF has 9 train lines in Casablanca with 13 train stations. Their train lines cover an area from the North (بن سليمان) with a stop at Bouznika to the South (سطات) with a stop at Berrechid. Their most western stop is Ennassim (الدار البيضاء) and the most eastern stop is Bouznika (بن سليمان).
The longest line from the ONCF is: AL ATLAS. This train line starts from Mohammédia (المحمدية) and ends at Berrechid (سطات). It covers over 61 km and has 5 stops.
The shortest line is: TNR. This train line begins from Bouskoura (الدار البيضاء) and finishes at Casa-Port (الدار البيضاء). It runs through 19 km with 5 stops.
ONCF line schedules (timetables, itineraries, service hours), and departure and arrival times to stations are updated in the app in real time.
Train Travel Times from Casablanca
Casablanca Rail Station serves as a central hub for various train routes across Morocco.
| Destination | Approximate Distance | Approximate Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 240 kilometers | 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Rabat | 87 kilometers | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
| Tangier | 340 kilometers | 4 hours |
Travelers can check for train tickets, departures, and arrivals for these routes to plan their trips accordingly.
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