Morocco is a western African country with many travel destinations, including Casablanca, Tangier, Rabat, and the Sahara Desert. Since Morocco is about the size of California, traveling throughout the country may take some time, but there are many options to choose from.X Morocco has public trains and buses running between major cities, so you can usually get anywhere within a few hours. If you plan on going to more remote places, you may need to rent a car or find another mode of transportation to get there.
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 4:Taking the Train
1Check for ONCF train connections if you’re traveling between major cities. The Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) runs the national railway, so check their website for which cities they connect and the timetables for arrivals and departures. You can either pre-book your ticket online for a discounted rate, or you can buy tickets at the train station before you depart. Be sure to arrive at the train station 2–3 hours early to confirm your ride or purchase a ticket.XTrain ticket prices depend on the distance you’re traveling, but a one-way ticket usually costs around 49–99 MAD ($5–10 USD).While you’re in Morocco, you can use the ONCF Traffic app on your phone to check train statuses and times.You may qualify for discounted rates if you’re a student or senior citizen.
2Book a first-class seat if you want more space during the ride. Check the availability of first-class seats for the train ride you want to take since the cabins are usually more spacious and have air conditioning. Try to pre-book a first-class ticket since the train cars have limited and assigned seats that could fill up quickly. Double-check your ticket before boarding the train to make sure you get in the correct cabin.XIf you have trouble finding the right cabin, ask a conductor or train employee to help you locate it.Typically, train rides last 3–5 hours, but it depends on the style of train and the distance you’re traveling.
3Get a second-class cabin for a cheaper option. Second-class seats are not assigned, so after you buy the ticket, board the correct cabin and look for an open seat. Since there are more second-class seats on a train, you can buy tickets directly from the station and get an available seat. Usually, second-class has more seats, so you may feel slightly more cramped during your trip.XUsually, second-class tickets are about 100 MAD ($10 USD) cheaper than first-class tickets.
4Opt for a couchette or sleeper car if you’re traveling overnight. If you’re taking a long train ride, look for departures in the late evening that offer a couchette or sleeper bed. Usually, you can choose to have a private sleeping compartment, or you can share a car with up to 3 other people and sleep in bunk beds. Talk to the employees at the train station about sleeper options or pre-book your ride online.XIf you take a night train, you will usually be given complimentary toiletries and breakfast in the morning.Method 2Method 2 of 4:Taking Public Transit
1Take national bus lines to travel to cities throughout the country. Look for the Compagnie de transports au Maroc (CTM) or Supratours bus lines in your city since they run to the most cities in Morocco. Look for ticketing agents at bus or train stations to find out when the bus arrives and departs for your location and to purchase your ticket. You can also pre-purchase tickets online to ensure you get a seat when you need one.XBus fares depend on the distance you’re traveling, so it may vary from around 35–250 MAD ($3–$26).
Tip: There may be different buses to choose from depending on the location where you’re traveling. More expensive options may provide more legroom or adjustable seating, while cheaper options may not have as many perks.
2Use a regional bus line if you need to get around a specific area. Check bus stations for their regional lines, which are usually cheaper but won’t take you between larger cities. Pre-book the bus ticket online if you want to ensure you get a spot, or see what’s available when you arrive at the bus station. Regional buses may not have assigned seats, so they are more likely to make frequent stops to pick up additional passengers. Regional buses are usually smaller, and may even be minivans instead of a traditional bus.
3Pre-purchase bus tickets if you’re traveling in July or August. Many major Moroccan holidays occur in the late summer, which means that cities and transportation may be busier than normal due to more travelers. Go onto the website for the bus line you want to use and type in where you’re departing from and where you’d like to go. Choose the departure and arrival times that work best for you and buy the ticket. Make sure you arrive at the bus station before the scheduled time to ensure you get your seat. The major bus lines also have apps you can download on your phone so it’s easier to buy your bus tickets on the go.National Moroccan holidays include Throne Day on July 30th, Commemoration of Oued Ed-Dahab on August 14th, Youth Day on August 21, and Revolution of the King and the People on August 20th.Method 3Method 3 of 4:Renting a Vehicle
1Look for rental car agencies in the area where you’re staying. If you want to pre-book your rental car, search for large rental agencies online before you arrive in Morocco. If you want to try and save money, opt for a local rental agency when you arrive in Morocco. Try to select a newer vehicle since they’re usually safer and fuel-efficient so you don’t have to spend as much money or risk dealing with car trouble.XRental cars will usually cost around 250–400 MAD ($25–40 USD) per day, but you will also need to provide gas.Typically, you need to be at least 21 to get a rental car in Morocco.You do not need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Morocco.XYou may choose to add rental insurance on the vehicle if you want, but it’s not required.
Tip: Opt for vehicles that have an enclosed trunk rather than a hatchback to help protect your luggage from potential thieves.
2Inspect the rental for damage before you drive it. Carefully look over the exterior and interior of the car, and take pictures or video of any damage you see. This may include dents, scratches, tears, or stains in the upholstery. Point out any damage to the rental agency when you first get the vehicle so you aren’t charged for repairs when you return it.XMake sure you keep photos or videos of the damage to show proof to the rental agency that there was damage before you received the vehicle.If you’re unsatisfied with the vehicle you’ve been given, ask the rental agency for an upgrade or try to negotiate a lower price.
3Drive on the right side of the road and watch out for pedestrians. Not all Moroccan drivers will follow standard rules of the road, but stay on the right side of the street while driving to avoid oncoming traffic. Pay attention to animal-drawn vehicles, pedestrians, and motorbikes, since they may cut across the street or stop suddenly in the middle of the road. Be cautious of other drivers that may tailgate or pass by you quickly so you don’t get into any accidents.XHonking your horn is common in Morocco, but it may be done for a variety of reasons. For example, sometimes, people honk at you to let you know it’s safe to pass them while other times they may honk when it’s unsafe.There are many roundabouts in Morocco, and usually priority goes to drivers entering them rather than people already going around them. Use caution and be patient when going in a roundabout so you don’t get into an accident.
4Go the speed limit to avoid speed traps or accidents. Pay attention to the posted signs on the road that list the speed limit, which are usually posted on a circular sign with a red circle. Typically, you can drive 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph) in urban areas and 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) on rural roads, but always follow the posted signs.X Use caution while driving, since many aggressive drivers may make fast turns or cut you off.XIf you get pulled over for speeding in Morocco, pay the fine immediately, or else you could risk the government holding onto your license or ID until you do.
5Use caution while driving at night. Some streets are not lit well, and vehicles may drive without headlights if they’re going slowly. Stay attentive while driving and be sure you go no faster than the speed limit to avoid any possible collisions. If possible, try to do most of your driving during the day and avoid driving when it gets dark.XMethod 4Method 4 of 4:Trying Other Modes of Transportation
1Hail a petit taxi if you want to travel within a city. Petit taxis have a different color depending on where you’re located, such as red in Casablanca and Fes, or blue in Tangier and Rabat. Watch for petit taxis on the road and hail them from the sidewalk so they can pick you up. Make sure the taxi has seatbelts before getting in to ensure you stay safe while they drive.XPetit taxis don’t usually have meters, so you may have to negotiate a price for your trip with the driver.Petit taxis can hold up to 3 passengers, and they may not leave until all the seats are taken.
2Hire a grand taxi to travel between cities with large groups. Grand taxis are larger sedans that can transport up to 5–6 people, and you can hail them from the street like a petit taxi. Unlike petit taxis, you can ask grand taxis to take you outside of the city on longer trips. Negotiate a price for the trip with the driver, which usually depends on the distance you’re traveling.XMany grand taxis do not have seatbelts, so it may not be best to use them if you’re traveling with young children.Grand taxis usually won’t leave until they fill all of the seats, but you can pay extra to purchase additional seats if you want to leave sooner.
Tip: Some grand taxis have limited routes, so you may have to change vehicles if you’re driving between cities that are far away.
3Use Careem if you want to book through a rideshare app in major cities. Download the Careem app on your phone and type in where you’d like to travel. Request a driver and wait for one to confirm your trip. Pay attention to the type of vehicle and the name of the driver so you get in the correct vehicle when they arrive.XAs of 2020, the only cities in Monaco with Careem are Rabat, Casablanca, and Mohammedia.
Warning: Other rideshare apps, such as Uber, are currently suspended in Morocco, so you won’t be able to use them.
4Schedule flights between major cities for the fastest option. Check the availability of domestic airlines in the cities where you want to travel, and select one of the flights. Be sure to arrive at the airport about 2 hours early so you have time to check any bags and board the flight. Usually, you can only travel between major cities and airports on domestic flights.XDomestic flights are usually the most expensive travel options, but you will arrive sooner than if you travel by bus or train.
