Morocco is one of the easiest countries in Africa to get around. Between a genuinely good train network, reliable intercity buses, shared taxis and cheap car hire, you can reach almost anywhere comfortably — you just need to know which mode fits which route.
Use the train for the Tangier–Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakech and Fes corridors (it's excellent). Use CTM/Supratours buses for places the train doesn't reach (Chefchaouen, Essaouira, the south). Use petit taxis in cities (meter on!) and grands taxis for short intercity hops. Rent a car for the southern road trips.
Trains (ONCF) — the backbone
Morocco’s railway is the best in Africa. The flagship is Al Boraq, the high-speed line linking Tangier–Rabat–Casablanca (Tangier to Casablanca in just over 2 hours). Standard intercity trains continue to Marrakech and Fes/Meknes.
| Route | Approx. time | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Casablanca ↔ Marrakech | ~2.5–3 h | Intercity |
| Casablanca ↔ Tangier | ~2 h | Al Boraq (high-speed) |
| Casablanca ↔ Fes | ~3.5 h | Intercity |
| Marrakech ↔ Fes | ~7 h | Intercity |
Book on the ONCF app or at the station. First class guarantees a reserved seat and is still inexpensive — worth it on busy routes.
Buses (CTM & Supratours)
For destinations off the rail map — Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Merzouga, the south — the comfortable, reliable choice is a CTM or Supratours coach. Book a day or two ahead in high season for the most comfortable seats.
Taxis: petit vs grand
- Petit taxis — small, colour-coded city cabs (max 3 passengers). Ask for the meter (compteur), or simply agree the fare before you set off — friendly, standard practice. Short city hops are 15–40 MAD.
- Grands taxis — older Mercedes sedans running fixed intercity routes; they leave when full (6 passengers) and are cheap, or you can pay for the empty seats to go privately.
Renting a car
A car shines for the Atlas Mountains, the gorges, and desert approaches, where public transport is thin and the scenery is the point. Roads are generally good and well-signed. The only trade-offs are city driving and parking, which take a little patience. Many travellers rent only for the southern loop and use trains elsewhere.
Airport transfers
City taxis from airports usually run on agreed flat fares — confirm before you set off. For a fixed price and a name-board pickup after a long flight, a pre-booked transfer is the low-stress option, especially arriving late into Marrakech or Fes.
Which should you choose?
- Big cities, north & centre: train.
- Chefchaouen, Essaouira, far south: CTM/Supratours bus.
- Atlas, gorges, desert road trip: rental car or organised tour.
- Within a city: petit taxi (meter) or walk the medina.
