Carli
Carli
Taking the train in Morocco is a very inexpensive, generally reliable, and fairly easy to navigate option. These tips will help you easily navigate your next trip through Morocco.
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Is taking the train in Morocco Safe?
Yes, Morocco has the best infrastructure in Africa. This means that the trains are reliable and safe to ride. As far as personal safety, both locals and tourists alike use the train in Morocco, and you should not have any problem feeling safe on the trains.
What to look out for at the station
At the larger train stations, especially Rabat and Casablanca you should beware of the luggage porters. They wear official lanyards and work at the train station, but they expect payment for their services. If you let them take your bag when you’re getting out of a taxi they will walk you through to the train track, put you on the train and put your luggage above your seat.
While this is a nice service, it is frustrating if you are unaware that you are accepting a service you have to pay for. The porters will negotiate a price prior to loading you and your things on the train, however the issue is they generally don’t speak English and you’ll pay more than you think is necessary.
I accidentally used a porter in Rabat and while the man was very friendly and I’m happy to have made it on to the correct train (as Rabat is a very busy station) it was money I had not planned on spending. There are no porters in Fes, and none that I saw in Marrakech, but they may have been outside with the taxis.
When to arrive to the train stations
One thing to keep in mind, you do not need to get to the train station more than 20-30 minutes max in advance of your train. The train stations are not large and are very basic. Do not expect to have food service or shops like the large stations in Europe.
Why take the train in Morocco instead of flying?
For the coastal cities such as Rabat and Casablanca, the distance is so short that there aren’t flights between cities. For other trips, the time on the train may end up being only a little longer than a flight when you calculate the time for security and traveling to/from the airport.
Some airplane routes only fly in or out on select days of the week, whereas trains run everyday. This allows you greater flexibility for your travel schedule to extend (or shorten) your travel as needed.
Riding the train also allows you to see the unique and varying landscape of the country. On the route to and from Fes you’ll find rolling hills with olive groves. However when you head south from Casablanca to Marrakech you’ll see the stark desert landscape.
Taking the train in Morocco is usually significantly cheaper than flying within the country. A one way flight from Casablanca to Marrakech is around $90 vs a first class train ticket at $15.
What is the cost of taking the train in Morocco?
You can get just about anywhere in the country for under $40 (excluding overnight trains).
For example, these are the prices I paid during my trip in Morocco
- My first class ticket from Rabat to Fes cost approximately $12 USD vs $9 USD for second class
- My first class ticket from Fes to Marrakech cost approximately $29 USD vs $20 USD for second class
What is the difference between 1st class and 2nd class seats on the train in Morocco?
The type of seats on the train will vary if you’re on a high speed train that runs through Tangier / Rabat / Casablanca or a regional train. The main difference between trains is compartments vs forward facing seats.
First class
First class regional trains have private compartments that hold 6 people with luggage overhead. The seats are larger than second class, and each ticket has a designated seat and compartment reservation. This is important as they can sell out. There is also a fold out table at the window seats, and separate first class restrooms.
Second class
On trains with compartments, the second class holds 8 people (versus 6 in first) and are not individually separated. The second class seats also do not have reservations, so you have to find an available seat.
How long does the train take?
These are a few of the standard routes and travel times between cities:
- Rabat to Fes – 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Tangier to Rabat – 1 hour 55 minutes
- Rabat to Casablanca – 55 minutes
- Casablanca to Marrakech – 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Marrakech to Fes – 6 hours 35 minutes
How do I book train tickets for the train in Morocco?
You can book tickets online directly with the local train company ONCF. This way you can make sure that the information is translated into English so that you know exactly which ticket you are purchasing. I also like booking trains through the Omio platform. They have an app that is easy to use around the world.
When purchasing online you will also receive your receipt and ticket electronically via email. Make sure you have access to the PDF ticket and save it to your phone or screenshot as needed if you do not have access to data while traveling on the train in Morocco.
One thing to note is that the email with ticket information is sent in French (the secondary language of Morocco). Keep in mind that dates are listed day/month/year and the times are in military time (24 hour clock).
Through the website you also have the benefit of using your credit card. Be sure to use a travel card that does not have international fees. Read: The Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners
If you have any issues booking direct, you may be looking too early. Train tickets typically are not available more than a couple of months in advance.
When to book your tickets
The ONCF website does not let you book your train tickets months in advance. It’s best to check within 1-2 months of your departure date. If you’re having any issues on their direct site, book through Omio.
Tickets are unlikely to sell out immediately, or even weeks in advance. For longer train rides, like Fes to Marrakech, I recommend booking prior to your trip. However for short journeys there are often many trains a day. I was able to book my train from Rabat to Fes on the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does Morocco have high speed trains?
Yes, the Al Boraq is the high speed rail in Morocco, but it only travels between Casablanca and Tangier. All other routes are a standard train.
Are Morocco trains reliable?
Yes, the train system in Morocco is the best in all of Africa. It is usually on time and well maintained.
Additional posts on traveling in Morocco:
Hi Carli. Thank you for all this information. I love train travel, and my husband and I used to travel exclusively by train when possible. Sadly that’s not how we travel now as my husband has mobility issues. But this train trip from Marrakech to Casablanca sound great…but!…with out any French, how easy is it to find the station, and the train? Do the first class seats have room for a small collapsible motorised scooter….think ‘umbrella’ pram. We are actually on a cruise ship but want to get from Agadir to Marrakech to Casablanca.
Author
Hi Gay! Thanks for taking the time to read my post. As long as you have data available on your phone (e-sims are a really low cost option) you can easily find the stations via Google Maps and many taxi drivers understand either understand enough english to get you to/from the station OR if you show them on the map they’ll get you there. I was not on the higher speed trains, but the ones i took had overhead storage for suitcases, and some room under the seats/feet. I dont remember seeing any luggage closets between cabins. if it’s small enough you may be able to set it under your feet/seats without issue. or if it’s light enough you can lift it there will be room overhead.
Enjoy your trip!