How to Get Around Morocco: Trains, Buses, Taxis, Car Hire & Flights

Morocco is straightforward to get around. Trains connect Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech; CTM and Supratours coaches cover everywhere the train does not, including Chefchaouen and the desert gateways; and shared "grand taxis" handle short routes between towns. For a multi-stop trip taking in the Sahara and the Atlas, a private driver is the usual choice, because public transport does not serve the scenic route.

Are the trains in Morocco good?

Yes, for the routes they cover. ONCF runs comfortable, punctual trains on the Casablanca–Rabat–Fes and Casablanca–Marrakech lines, plus the Al Boraq high-speed service that links Tangier and Casablanca in about two hours. Book first class for a reserved seat; fares are low by European standards. There is no train to Chefchaouen, Merzouga, Essaouira or the Atlas Mountains.

What about intercity buses?

Buses fill every gap the train leaves. CTM and Supratours are the two reliable national operators — modern coaches, assigned seats, a small baggage fee, bookable online or at the station. They serve Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Merzouga, the Dades Valley and dozens of smaller towns. Cheaper local companies exist but are slower and less predictable.

What is a grand taxi?

A shared long-distance taxi — usually an old Mercedes or a Dacia — that runs a fixed route between two towns and leaves when its six seats are full. You pay per seat, buy two for comfort, or negotiate for the whole car. Good for short hops such as Tangier to Chefchaouen; tiring over long distances.

How do city taxis work?

Small "petit taxis," colour-coded by city, do short trips within town and should run the meter — insist on it or agree a price first. They cannot leave the city limits; a grand taxi or a private transfer covers that. Uber does not operate in Morocco. Careem works in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier, and inDrive is widely used in Marrakech.

Should I rent a car in Morocco?

Only if you are comfortable with chaotic city traffic and winding mountain roads — and plan to skip driving inside the medina cities entirely, since there is nowhere to park. Hire runs about €30–55 a day with a three-day minimum; you need your home licence and a credit card, and no international permit is required. Many visitors hire a car only for a coastal or Atlas loop and take the train elsewhere.

Are there domestic flights?

Royal Air Maroc and low-cost carriers connect Casablanca with Marrakech, Fes, Agadir, Ouarzazate and Dakhla. Flying is really only worth it for the far south or a very tight schedule — for the core circuit, ground travel is comparable once you count check-in and transfer time.

Why do most Morocco tours use a private driver?

Because the best of the country — Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, the Sahara — lies along roads with no useful train or coach service, and covering it by grand taxi means changing vehicles again and again. A private driver-guide handles the whole route, stops wherever you want, and doubles as your guide. See our private vs group tours comparison and our guide to choosing a departure city.

How long does it take to travel between the main cities?

Approximate driving times: Casablanca to Marrakech about 3 hours; Casablanca to Fes about 3; Tangier to Fes about 4; Fes to Merzouga about 8; Marrakech to Merzouga about 9; Marrakech to Essaouira about 2.5. Our itinerary guides for 10 days and two weeks are built around these. To have the driving handled for you, contact us.