How to get around Morocco: train, bus, car, taxi

How to get around Morocco: 2026 overview

Morocco has one of the best transport networks in Africa: modern trains (including a high-speed line), a coach network covering the whole country, motorways, domestic flights. A traveller can cross the country without owning a car.

This guide details each mode, its advantages, its limitations, and when to choose it.

ONCF trains: the most efficient way

The Office National des Chemins de Fer serves the main axis Tanger-Casablanca-Rabat-Marrakech, plus Fès, Meknès, Oujda. The backbone of Morocco.

Al Boraq (TGV)

• First high-speed train in Africa, launched in 2018.
• Casablanca-Tanger in 2h10 (instead of 5h).
• 320 km/h top speed.
• European-level comfort, on-board catering.
• 18-40 € depending on class.

Classic ONCF trains

• Main lines: Casa-Marrakech (3h), Casa-Fès (3h30), Casa-Rabat (1h, very frequent).
• 2 classes: 2nd (comfortable, shared) or 1st (quieter, reserved seats).
• Fares: 4-30 € depending on distance.

Booking

• Official website: oncf-voyages.ma.
• Can be done directly at the station.
• No need to book long in advance, except Al Boraq during holidays.

Limitations

• Does not serve Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Agadir, Ouarzazate, Merzouga.

CTM and Supratours buses

The two reliable companies for long-distance links and cities without a train.

CTM

• The most comprehensive network in the country.
• Modern, air-conditioned coaches.
• Online booking at ctm.ma.
• Hold luggage (5-10 MAD).

Supratours

• ONCF subsidiary.
• Coaches Marrakech-Essaouira, Marrakech-Agadir, Marrakech-Dakhla.
• Often cheaper than CTM.

Local buses

• Cheap but not very comfortable.
• Best avoided for long journeys.

Car hire

Essential for the south (desert, Atlas, Anti-Atlas) and the coast. Optional for the imperial cities.

Advantages

• Total freedom.
• Access to villages and landscapes.
• Flexible stops.

Disadvantages

• Driving in Morocco is intense (signage sometimes ignored, reversing on the motorway, overtaking).
• Parking complicated in the medinas.
• Fuel: ≈1,40 €/L for diesel.
• Expect motorway tolls.

Tips

• Favour international agencies (Hertz, Europcar) over small local renters.
• Check the condition of the vehicle before departure (photos).
• Take out full-cover insurance.
• Avoid driving at night off the motorway (animals, pedestrians without lighting).

Prices

• City car: 25-40 €/day off-season, 40-60 €/day in summer.
• SUV / 4x4: 50-90 €/day.
• Fuel Casa-Marrakech: ≈25 € + 8 € toll.

Grand taxi collectif

A Moroccan institution. Old white or beige Mercedes 240D, 6 passengers, leaves when full.

When to use it

• Short hops between nearby towns (Fès-Meknès, Marrakech-Imlil, Tanger-Tétouan).
• When the bus is full or too infrequent.

How it works

• Go to the "grand taxi station" (often next to the bus station).
• State your destination.
• Pay for your seat (3-10 €).
• You can pay for 2 seats for extra comfort.
• Departure as soon as the 6 seats are taken.

Limitations

• No air conditioning.
• 6 people squeezed in.
• Sometimes fast driving.

Petit taxi (in town)

Small car in the city's colour:

• Casablanca: red.
• Rabat: blue.
• Marrakech: beige/yellow.
• Fès: red.
• Tanger: turquoise blue.

Rules

• Meter mandatory in theory. Insist 'meter please'. If they refuse, negotiate before departure.
• Maximum 3 passengers.
• Rides 2-8 € in town.
• Tipping optional but appreciated (1-5 MAD).

Ride-hailing

• inDrive: the most used.
• Heetch: present in Casablanca, Rabat, Tanger.
• Careem: same.

No Uber. Ride-hailing services are sometimes sources of friction with official taxis.

Flights

Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc.

When to fly

• Casa-Dakhla (far south): 3h vs 25h by road.
• Casa-Laâyoune.
• Casa-Oujda.

For other routes, the train or a car remain more practical.

Quick comparison

For each journey, see our route comparator.

General tips

• Buy your train tickets at the station or online, never from touts.
• CTM stations are sometimes far from the centre: plan for a petit taxi.
• If in doubt about the route, ask your riad.
• Download the Maps.me app for offline use, more accurate than Google Maps in the medina.
• Delays happen (especially buses): allow buffer time before a flight.

Go further

• Route comparator
• Should you hire a car in Morocco
• Morocco 7-day itinerary