Getting around Morocco

Figures are rounded from a map route planner and count driving time only. Add stops for lunch, photos and visits and a day on the road always runs longer. Mountain roads, like the Atlas pass to Ouarzazate, are slower than the distance suggests.

About 240 km by motorway, so roughly 3 hours by car. By train from Casa Voyageurs station, the ONCF timetable also shows about 3 hours.

The closest airport to Casablanca is Mohammed V International, with a train link into the city, where you can change for Marrakech. On our tours from Casablanca we pick you up at the airport, and your bags stay in the vehicle for the whole trip.

Short on time? There’s a day trip from Casablanca to Marrakech. Starting a longer trip in Casablanca, the 10-day tour from Casablanca heads north first (Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes), crosses to the desert and finishes in Marrakech.

Trains are run by ONCF, the national railway. What matters for a trip around Morocco:

• Al Boraq is the high-speed train linking Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat (Rabat Agdal station) and Casablanca (Casa Voyageurs). According to ONCF, it takes about 50 minutes from Tangier to Kenitra, 1 h 20 min to Rabat and 2 h 10 min to Casablanca.
• The conventional network links Casablanca with Marrakech, and Rabat with Meknes and Fes. There are direct trains between Marrakech and Fes.
• Where trains don’t go: Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Ouarzazate and the desert have no railway.

ONCF is building a high-speed line from Kenitra to Marrakech and carrying out works around Casablanca which, it says, will last until the end of 2027 and may change some journey times. Check the timetable for your day on oncf-voyages.ma, where you can also buy tickets.

Plenty of people rent a car and drive. Before you decide, a few things worth knowing:

• Do you need an international driving permit? It depends on who issued your licence. UK government advice says UK licence holders need the 1968 international driving permit as well as their licence. If your licence is from elsewhere, check your own government’s Morocco page and ask your rental company.
• Roads. Motorways link the big cities (Tangier-Rabat, Rabat-Fes, Casablanca-Marrakech, Marrakech-Agadir). National roads are generally in good condition but can be narrow and busy, with animals on the road. The Atlas passes are slow going.
• Avoid driving at night. UK advice warns that poor lighting makes night driving dangerous; Spanish and French official advice also recommend against it.
• Police checks. Gendarmerie checkpoints on the road are very common.
• Drink-driving is a serious offence in Morocco, UK advice points out.

Chefchaouen has no railway station. You get there by road: car, bus or private driver. Approximate distances:

• From Tangier: about 115 km, around 2 hours.
• From Fes: about 200 km, around 4 hours.
• From Casablanca: about 340 km, around 5 h 30 min.
• From Marrakech: about 570 km, around 8 hours. Too far for a there-and-back day.

CTM runs buses to Chefchaouen from Tangier and Fes. With a driver, you can do it in a day on the Chefchaouen day trip from Tangier or the day trip from Fes. Thinking of staying the night? Read our Chefchaouen guide.