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, and ignore the cheaper unmarked local buses unless you’re adventurous.
Taxis: petit vs grand
- Petit taxis — small, colour-coded city cabs (max 3 passengers). Always ask for the meter (compteur); if they refuse, agree the price before getting in. 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. Downsides: chaotic city driving and parking, and police checkpoints (just slow down and have papers ready). 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.