Getting Around Morocco and Tangier - Insider Secrets

Getting Around Morocco and Tangier

Insider Secrets

I constantly see wrong information about getting around, and to and from Tangier, even from Moroccans (who don’t live in Tangier). Get the insider secrets – the local know-how.

There are three ways of getting around Morocco, and which is best depends on where you are (unless you have big budget constraints). $ fares are approximates in US dollars in 2024. Euros are about the same.

TRAINS – Heading North-South in Morocco

Going north-south from Tangier (Tanger Ville station) to Casablanca (Casa-Voyageurs station) there is the beautiful El Boraq bullet train service. This is linked into local train services (by that, I mean the timetable is designed for convenience) to Fes, Marrakech, and the airport.

Tangier to Casablanca is 2 hours, 250dhs (about $25) and runs every hour or 2. There’s a food car with some basic options which are reasonable.

To the airport there is a direct link. It takes about 20 minutes plus waiting time, and stops right at the terminal.

From Tangier to Fes takes 3h15. You change to a local train at Kenitra, 1 hour from Tangier. Usually this means nothing more than stepping across the platform and waiting 10 or 20 minutes – way easy. Just book a ticket to Fes (they will tell you about the change) normally 172 dhs. ($17). The line can go all the way to Melilla, the Spanish city on the coast (by that, I mean Spain). There are ferries from Melilla to Malaga.

You can also then get to the south to Erfoud and Merzouga by bus from both Fes (and Meknes – Fes would have more options) – a bit more than 100 dhs one way.

From Tangier to Marrakech takes 5h20, which seems to me good time for somewhere so far. The change is at Casablanca. You will need to change platforms. There are cafes etc for food – Casablanca station. The fare is just under 500dhs ($50).

Buying the Train Tickets

To buy tickets, easiest is at the train station itself. I usually just allow an hour before the time I wish to go. Online often doesn’t work – may be related to the currency of the card. The only likely problem is if it is a public holiday. If it is, I’d recommend booking a good week ahead. Otherwise, if the timing really matters, get your ticket a day ahead.

GRAND TAXIS – Heading East-West across the top of Morocco

East-West across the top of Morocco, the best way to get about is via grand taxi. They are like a mini bus service, with fixed routes and fixed fares. They are usually fawn or khaki coloured. You will see them all lined up in many spots around the city. The trick is knowing where to go to catch the one you want, but the share taxi drivers will usually be able to tell you.

They take 6 people, and go as soon as they fill up. Most of the time you won’t wait more than 10 or 20 minutes. If you are in a hurry, you can always pay for extra seats. For any distance, they are cheaper than the blue taxis. They run to the south to Boukhalef near the airport, near the new CTM station, to the market suburb of Casabarata… Just depends on where you want to go. Those ones are mostly 5-15 dirhams, depending on how far the trip is.

If you want to go to the beach such as Achakkar, to Hercules Cave, they are about 15 dhs. Go to the Mediterranean beaches to the East to the beaches and the fare will be about 20 dhs – all depending on how far you go.

To the south to Asilah beach and medina is a bit more.

Old CTM Bus Station:

This stop is about 5 minutes taxi behind the train station and right on the train line, across the road from the old CTM bus station. The new CTM station is in the south near the airport. It also has grand taxis to these places, but it’s a long way from the medina. The fares will also be different.

You might get a taxi from here to get to:

Chefchaouen: Taxi stop is across from the old CTM bus station, a short blue share taxi ride behind the train station. (The new CTM bus station is down near the airport. They also have grand taxis to Chefchaouen, but it will cost a lot in blue taxi to get there).

Chefchaouen is just over 2 hours and doable in a day trip if you start early. The fare is 70dhs ($7)

Tetouan: A smaller city than Tangier, with some lovely beaches nearby, such as M’diq – about 20 minutes by another grand taxi. About an hour, the fare is about half for Chefchaouen.

Fnediq/Ceuta: Ceuta is another Spanish city, Fnediq is the one on the Moroccan side. Your main interest for this one may be for a border run. Just 70dhs ($7) from Tangier, border run ferries Algeciras. I always enjoy some sangria, beers in the sun, and tapas as well as shopping for cheese, preserved pork, and alcohol which is much cheaper than in Morocco. You can also get ferries to Spain, to Barcelona and Sete in France.

Tangier Med: is the ferry terminal a good 40 minutes from Tangier and on the way to Ceuta. Ferries go from there to Algeciras, which is right next to Gibraltar. Note though, that the Tangier ferry which goes to Tarifa has a free bus included in the fare which will take you the 20 minutes to Algeciras ferry terminal.

Morocco - The South

Unfortunately, in the south your options seem to be buses. I believe it is about 4 hours from Marrakech to Essaouira or Agadir.

And of course, there are flights across Morocco. If you want to go to Agadir from Tangier, your best way is probably by plane. And don’t forget – Dakhla. Have yourself a different experience by visiting this desert seaside holiday town.