Ferry from Spain to Tangier
How do I get to Morocco from Spain by ferry?
Everything you need to know:
The Ferries
There are 3 ferry options to Tangier.
To Morocco, it’s also possible to catch a ferry to Ceuta which is still Spain, and walk across the border there and use a grand taxi to Tangier which takes about an hour. Or you can catch a ferry to Melilla which is across from Nador and closer to Fes, by train.
Way 1: From Barcelona, if you’re cruising for time, there is a ferry to Tangier Med. It takes about 3 days.
When I did the trip (in reverse) I took the bus from Tangier. I bought the bus ticket at the Tangier port ticket shop, from Tangier to Barcelona.
They taxied us from the Tangier port to Tangier Med, we took ouselves through customs etc, got the ferry to Algeçiras, then caught the coach to Barcelona which left me a long way from the port and city centre there. This was over 4 years ago and took about 20 hours in total. The coach seating space was very! small. But it was cheap - the cheapest option.
Way 2: If you get yourself to Algeçiras (I prefer blabla car over bus, but both are options, and if you have a lot of luggage the bus might be a better option), there are 2 ways.
The ferry which departs from Algeçiras is a little cheaper than the Tarifa ferry, but it goes to Tangier Med, leaving you to work out how to get to Tangier city (Tangier Ville), which is close to an hour away. There are grand taxis which are reasonable, but thats a bit to work out when first landing in a new country, especially if a bit tired and luggage laden.
Way 3: The other way is from Tarifa, which puts you at the foot of the medina. If you buy your ticket at Algeçiras, it includes a free bus ride to Tarifa - a very pretty journey with some lovely views of Morocco across the water. The bus is designed to meet the ferry both ways, and takes you to the port.
Of course, you can go to Tarifa directly and buy your ticket there, especially if you're coming from elsewhere in Spain
Carts for luggage
The buses stop just to the right of the main gate, where you can find carts if you have a lot of luggage.
Tickets
Its easy to buy the tickets inside the terminal. Off season there's no need to book. Just arrive about an hour before the departure time. They run every couple of hours for most of the day.
Tickets are €40-44 depending on the exchange rate. They are valid for one year, and your booking date can be changed at any time, even after your booking if you missed it!
Return tickets give you a nice discount - I think of €10.
Passport Control
Passport control into Morocco is done on the ferry itself. Most people rush to line up for it, but I prefer to find a seat first and sit. I've noticed that the queue gets short after a bit. The actual trip is just 40 minutes, but departure time seems to be at the whim of the ferry people. It's a 2 hour window, because that ferry is scheduled to go back to Tarifa 2 hours after its Tarifa departure time.
Alcohol
The official limit for alcohol in coming into Morocco is 1 litre, but the rules are very flexible here. I've brought in as many as 6 bottles through Tangier and Ceuta (total price of spirits is about the same as one fancy brand in Morocco), and nobody cared. I wouldn’t try this at an airport though.
Money
Dirhams are a closed currency and not supposed to be taken out or available outside Morocco. I have occasionally heard of someone getting some before arrival, but it's really not necessary, and a good chance you won't be able to. At the terminal in Tangier you will walk past some ATMs on your way to the door. Just use your card and withdraw some dirhams that way.
Morocco is one of the most cash-based countries in the world. Mobile apps are unlikely to be available for payment in most places, and only some places accept cards, generally the fancier tourist places.
But that shouldn’t be a problem. Cash machines are everywhere. You can withdraw up to 2000 dhs in one go, some may let you take more. The cheapest is CdM - Credit du Maroc with the blue sign, which only charges 22dhs instead of 35 dirhams.
You can also bring cash - euros are the beat, followed by usd, then GBP.
There are also plenty of exchange bureaus around the medinas, and to be found elsewhere. Natually, the further you are from Touristy spots, the fewer there are. Like with everything, just ask at 2 or 3 first and you'll soon learn what rate/price is good.
There are also lots if CashPlus, Moneygram, and Western Unions around
For conversion, use ‘mad’. ie, put into google search "2000mad usd", etc. Currently €1 or $1 usd is around 10 dirhams.
Make sure to keep some receipts in case you need to change back when you leave. Morocco has a closed currency which means the dirhams are not supposed to leave, and as a result will be extremely difficult to sell outside Morocco. No one wants dirhams - not even thw Moroccans lol
Where to Stay
Now, where are you going to stay?
Look up Tangier. Most people want to be close to things. The yellow bit at the top of google maps. This is roughly where you want, including the non-yellow bits to the north of it. The green wiggly bit is the medina. If you want to be away from everything, you might like to try Asilah south of Tangier, beach and beautiful. But most people want to be near the medina where everything is.
I usually look up booking.com and explore the options there. Pick any one, then check it on the map. I then choose from map location and price, finding it the easiest way to narrow down what I want.
In and around the medina you can find lots of places with a great variety of types of options – everything from dormitories in hostels to the lovely boutique hotels. Many of them have rooftops and sea views – Tangier is blessedly hilly, so many places have views of Spain and the Mediterranean. Check my blog on where to stay for more detail.
Taxis and Transport
Once you’re through the gates of the ferry terminal, how do you get to your accommodation?
If you have little luggage and are up for a walk, you are at the base of the medina. Most places are in 10-15 minutes walking distance, unless you have booked down near the train station or Malabata along the far end of the beach, or somewhere further out from the medina.
If you need a taxi: From the port gates they generally want to charge more. If you have a lot of luggage you will need to take this option. If you want to save money, walk a little along the big road (called the Corniche), to your left from the gates.
Taxis aren’t expensive. The blue share taxis are likely to cost around 10 dhs give or take, half as much again if it’s after 9pm. Minimum fare in the daytime is 5dhs, at night is 7.50 dhs. Just make sure they put on the meter for you. Most of the medina is accessible either via Souq Barra (the markets at Grand Socco/Cinema Rif), or the Kasbah, depending on which end you are staying.
Most taxi drivers are decent. Round the fare up to the nearest dihram. And be mindful that the roads in the area are mostly one-way streets – more likely to seem like a detour and a roundabout trip when you’re leaving than entering the area. But a taxi from the kasbah can seem quite circuitous.
The big pale yellow Mercedes sedans from the 80s are normal taxis and up to 4 times as expensive. With them, make sure you ask and negotiate the price first.
There are also grand taxis, like mini bus services, but probably not your method of transport from the ferry to your room.
Once you are settled into your room, read my other blogs on where to eat and where to go out at night.
Enjoy Tangier.