This complete guide to getting around Morocco covers everything you need to know: How to get around Morocco — trains, CTM buses, grand taxis, and when a private driver is worth it. Real prices, real tips.
Morocco has a surprisingly good public transport network for its geography — trains connecting the four imperial cities, a reliable national bus company, and an extensive shared taxi system that covers routes no bus touches. Here’s the complete picture.
Trains (ONCF)
Morocco’s national rail network is efficient, comfortable, and good value. The main lines:
- Marrakech ↔ Casablanca: 3 hours, $10–18, runs frequently. The Al-Boraq high-speed train (LGV) connects Casablanca to Tangier in 2h15.
- Casablanca ↔ Fes: 4 hours, $15–22
- Casablanca ↔ Rabat: 1 hour, $5–8
- Fes ↔ Tangier: 5.5 hours, $18–25
Booking: oncf.ma — book online (card payment works but sometimes fails; try again or use the station). First class is worth the $5–8 premium for long journeys.
Key limitation: Trains don’t cover the south — Ouarzazate, best Merzouga desert camps, the Sahara, and the Dadès/Todra gorges are not on the rail network. For these, you need bus, taxi, or private car.
CTM Buses (National Coach)
CTM is Morocco’s premium intercity bus company — air-conditioned, punctual, with reclining seats. Covers routes trains don’t reach:
- Marrakech → Ouarzazate: 3.5 hours, $8
- Ouarzazate → Merzouga: 6 hours, $12 (one service/day, departs 07:00)
- Marrakech → Essaouira travel guide: 3 hours, $8
- Fes → Chefchaouen travel guide: 3 hours, $8
Booking: ctm.ma — book at least 1 day ahead for popular routes. Station departure is reliable; roadside pickups less so.
Supratours: The ONCF subsidiary — similar quality to CTM, slightly more coverage. Also bookable online.
Grand Taxis (Shared Intercity Taxis)
Grand taxis are shared long-distance taxis (usually old Mercedes sedans) that depart when full — typically 6 passengers. They’re faster than buses for short hops and serve routes no bus covers. Examples:
- Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou: Via shared grand taxi from Ouarzazate, $3–5pp
- Boumalne Dades → Dadès Gorge: $2–4pp
- Tinghir → Todra Gorge guide: $2pp
Grand taxis can also be hired privately (charter the whole vehicle) for a set price — useful when you want to leave immediately rather than wait for it to fill.
Petits Taxis (City Taxis)
Petits taxis operate within city limits — small, coloured by city (red in Marrakech, blue in Fes, yellow in Casablanca). Always insist on the meter (“compteur, s’il vous plaît”) or agree a price before entering. Standard city trips: $1–3 within the medina, $3–5 to the airport. Night surcharge of 50% applies after 20:00.
Private Car with Driver (Recommended for South Morocco)
For the Sahara route — Marrakech to Merzouga via Ait Ben Haddou, Dadès, and Todra — a private car with driver-guide is the most practical and enjoyable option. Reasons:
- The scenery between stops is half the experience — a bus window doesn’t capture it
- You stop where you want (viewpoints, villages, unexpected moments)
- Luggage stays in the vehicle (buses require bag changes at each transfer)
- No connection risks in remote areas
Cost: $120–180/day for a private 4×4 with driver-guide, all-inclusive. For a 3-day Marrakech-Sahara tour: $320–500pp for 2 people. See our 3-day Sahara tour for current pricing.
Domestic Flights
Morocco has several airports with regional connections: Marrakech (RAK), Fes (FEZ), Agadir (AGA), Oujda (OUD), Laayoune. Royal Air Maroc operates most domestic routes. Ryanair flies Fes-Marrakech. Useful for: Fes to Agadir, or to avoid backtracking on a circuit tour.
Getting Around the Medinas
Marrakech and Fes medinas are car-free — motorbikes excepted (and they will not stop for you). Navigation is by foot. Key tools:
- Maps.me offline (better medina detail than Google Maps)
- Ask your Morocco riad guide for a map with key landmarks marked
- In Fes, a licensed guide is not optional — the medina has 9,400 streets and no grid
Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Around Morocco
Can I rent a car and self-drive in Morocco?
Yes — car rental is available in all major cities ($30–60/day for a standard vehicle). Self-driving works well in cities and on main highways. For mountain passes and desert tracks, 4×4 is strongly recommended. International driving licence is required. The main challenge is medina parking — avoid driving into medinas entirely.
Is Uber available in Morocco?
Uber launched in Morocco but has limited coverage. Careem (Uber’s regional equivalent) operates in Casablanca, Marrakech, and Rabat. InDriver is growing. Standard petit taxis are generally more reliable in smaller cities and off-hours.
Further Reading & Official Resources
Further Reading & Official Resources
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