Planes, Trains & Automobiles: The Best Ways to Travel Around Morocco

TRAVELLING TO MOROCCO BY AIR

With the borders open again, we are delighted that so many of you want to come to Marrakech this Spring. Perhaps you need some help knowing how to get here. (For the latest travel restrictions and up to date covid information when entering Morocco see here)

FROM EUROPE

Most European airlines arrive directly into Marrakech (RAK). The airport itself was designed and built in 2008 and uses a gorgeous facade that has become a hallmark of the airport. Here is a list of countries and cities that are served with direct flights.

• Austria (Vienna)
• Belgium (Brussels)
• France (Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseilles, Montpellier, Nantes, Toulouse, Dole)
• Germany (Berlin, Eindhoven, Frankfurt, Munich – from Sept 22))
• Holland (Amsterdam)
• Ireland (Dublin)
• Israel (Tel Aviv)
• Italy (Rome, Bergamo)
• Portugal (Lisbon)
• Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville)
• Switzerland (Geneva)
• Turkey (Istanbul)
• United Kingdom (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead, Manchester, Edinburgh)

Airlines include (but not limited to) Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, Easyjet, Transavia, Air France, British Airways, Vueling, Tui Fly, Turkish Airlines, Iberia, Tap Portugal, Volotea, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Swiss Air.

FROM UNITED STATES AND CANADA

There are nonstop flights from the US to Morocco available from international air hubs like Boston, New York, Miami and Washington D.C. on Royal Air Maroc and American Airlines. Flights from Canada will need a connecting flight. Most flights will land in Casablanca where a 50 minute connecting flight to Marrakech is required. Alternatively a private transfer by car takes 2 hours 30 minutes and can be easily arranged by our concierge.

FROM UAE

There are direct flights from Doha to Marrakech. Flights from Dhubai and Abu Dhabi fly into Casablanca. Connecting flights are required. Airlines include Emirates, Gulf Air, Egypt Air, Ethiad, SAUDIA and Qatar Airways

FROM AUSTRALIA

It’s possible to get from Sydney to Casablanca with just 2 changeovers. Qantas, Qatar, Singapore and Emirates airlines have a variety of routes.

GETTING AROUND MOROCCO

Getting into Morocco is one thing. But how do you get around it?

Lots of people come to stay with us before heading off north and south to see the desert, mountains or other cities like Fez and Tangier. And of course, there’s getting around while you’re here in Marrakech.

Here’s a rundown of all the different ways you can travel here in Morocco.

PLANES

Internally, Royal Air Maroc run flights and if you’re planning to go far south to Dahkla for instance, then it’s a much quicker way to travel.

TRAINS

Moroccan trains are some of the best in Africa, there is a high-speed line so journeys are quick. You can travel north to Casablanca, Rabat and as far as Tangier and also north-east of Marrakech to Meknes and Fez. They’re a great way to see the countryside, comfortable and cheap. 

Our top tip? Go old school and take the overnight train from Tangier to Marrakech. You can find lots more information here. 

 One thing to remember: trains don’t travel further south than Marrakech, so if you’re planning a trip to Essaouira or Agadir, you’ll have to take a coach or a taxi.

AUTOMOBILES

You can of course hire a car but we’d always recommend hiring a driver. There can be multiple police stops which always require paperwork. Moroccan traffic can be haphazard in towns and it’s just more relaxed being driven. We work with trusted suppliers who can do anything from a day trip out into the countryside around Marrakech to a road trip going anywhere from the Sahara to the Mediterranean Coast.

And then there are taxis for trips around town. Ah. Taxis. Like any country, they can be easy – or hard – depending on the driver!

PETIT TAXI Each city in Morocco has its own colour of taxis (as opposed to private hire vehicles with drivers which tend to be 4×4.) The ‘official’ taxis are ochre in Marrakech, electric blue in Essaouira, light blue in Tangier and red in Casablanca and Fez.

They’re all fitted with a meter and it should in theory be switched on when you get into the taxi. This doesn’t always happen. And some drivers can demand really elevated prices (these tend to be the ones waiting outside popular tourist destinations rather than those you hail yourself in the street). Our advice is this: don’t pay more than 20-30dhs for a day trip in Marrakech and 100dhs at night. You can of course insist on the metre being put on and perhaps have an argument or risk losing your ride. Or you can just accept that for a few days you’ll pay a few euros more than you should. Take it from us: it takes a long time of living in Marrakech for the meter to go on automatically for foreigners!  One thing to remember: don’t be worried if the taxi stops and there are a couple of people already inside. Drivers tend to fill the car because more people means more fares. 

GRAND TAXI You can also hop into a big taxi (in Marrakech they’re large yellow Mercedes) for longer trips – either buying all the seats for yourself or sharing with others. There are no timetables and they tend to leave from larger transport hubs like bus stations.

COACHES These are a great way to travel around Morocco. Cheap, reliable and comfortable. It’s a convenient way to get to Essaouira if you’re planning on a few days at the beach. In Marrakech, the coaches leave from a terminus next to the station. A trip to Essaouira costs about €10 and it’s best to buy the tickets a day in advance because the coaches tend to get full up.

GETTING TO EL FENN

You can pick up a taxi at the airport but once again, it can be hard to get a reasonable price. It should be 70dhs but that can sometimes be hard to negotiate! We’d always recommend booking a transfer with us. You’ll be met by one of our drivers and be taken hassle-free to the hotel. We take your flight details and make sure we are waiting just outside the airport for you. You can arrange your transfer by emailing our concierge team.