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ONCF direct service · ~2 h 20 min
Casablanca to Marrakech by Train
The ONCF rail link is the easiest way between Morocco’s commercial capital and its most visited city. This guide covers which station to use, how to buy tickets, seat classes, and what to do the moment you step off at Marrakech Gare.
Yasmine El Amrani· Marrakech & Atlas Editor
Marrakech-born travel writer who has spent the last decade walking the medina’s souks and the High Atlas trails above Imlil. She covers the Red City, Berber villages and day trips into the mountains. Marrakech · 12+ years covering Morocco
Published 10 January 2025 Last updated 18 March 2026
The train is the right call for almost everyone making this trip. It takes under two and a half hours, runs a dozen times a day, costs less than $15 in first class, and drops you about a kilometre from Jemaa el-Fna — no traffic, no highway anxiety, no hunting for a shared grand taxi at a chaotic bus station. Morocco’s rail network (ONCF) is clean, punctual by regional standards, and air-conditioned year-round.
The one genuine source of confusion is the station question: Casablanca has two main city stations and a separate airport station, and none of them have a direct service to Marrakech from the airport. Get that sorted before you go and the rest is simple.
Journey time
~2 h 20 min direct
First class fare
From ~135 MAD ($13)
Frequency
~12 trains / day
Which Casablanca station should you use?
Casa Voyageurs handles most travellers best — but the right answer depends on where you are in the city.
| Station | Where it is | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Port | Central Casablanca (port district) | Travellers staying in the old medina or near the port | Walk 10 min to Hassan II Mosque area. First stop on the Marrakech line. |
| Casa Voyageurs | East of city centre (Sidi Belyout) | Most hotel zones; bigger station with more facilities | Taxis, petit-taxis and city buses all serve this station well. |
| CMN Airport Station | Mohammed V International Airport | Connecting from a flight to the Marrakech train | No direct Marrakech service — take the Airport Express to Casa Voyageurs first. |
Coming from the airport? The Airport Express (Al Bidaoui) runs to Casa Voyageurs in about 35 minutes (~50 MAD). Buy your Marrakech ticket on the same visit to the ticket window — it saves a return trip.
Ticket classes and indicative prices
First class is worth every extra dirham on a journey of two-plus hours. Prices below are indicative for 2026 and subject to change.
1st Class (Première)
~135–160 MAD (~$13–16)Air-conditioned, numbered seats in a 2+1 layout
Worth the small premium on a 2+ hour journey
2nd Class (Deuxième)
~80–100 MAD (~$8–10)Air-conditioned, 2+2 layout, can get busy
Fine for short hops; reserve a seat if you can
Al Boraq (TGV) — Not on this route
N/AHigh-speed rail only operates Casablanca–Tangier–Kenitra corridor
Do not confuse with the Marrakech service
What the journey looks like, step by step
From checking the board to flagging a taxi outside Marrakech Gare — here is the whole sequence.
1
T−30 min
Arrive at station; collect printed ticket or use QR code on ONCF app
2
T−10 min
Find your platform — departures board shows quai (platform) numbers
3
Depart
Train leaves Casa Port or Casa Voyageurs; journey is roughly 2 h 20 min
4
+55 min
Stop at Settat — only major stop; most passengers stay on board
5
+2 h 20 min
Arrive Marrakech station — a sleek building about 1 km west of Jemaa el-Fna
6
On arrival
Petit-taxi rank outside (agree fare before you go; ~15–25 MAD to medina) or walk 15 min
Arriving at Marrakech Gare
Marrakech station is modern, easy to navigate, and about a fifteen-minute walk from the medina walls.
- The station sits on Avenue Mohammed VI, roughly 1 km west of the Koutoubia Mosque. Walk straight east along the avenue and you will hit the gardens and the mosque within 12–15 minutes.
- Petit-taxis queue outside the main exit. The official metered fare to most riad entrances in the medina is 15–30 MAD. Some drivers will quote 50–80 MAD to new arrivals with luggage — politely insist on the meter or agree a fixed price before you get in.
- If your riad is deep inside the medina, ask your accommodation in advance which bab (gate) taxi drivers can reach. Bab Doukkala and Bab Laksour are the most accessible entry points by car.
- Ride-hailing apps (Careem, InDriver) work in Marrakech and can be useful if you want an upfront price. They pick up from the station forecourt rather than the taxi rank.
Practical tips before you board
Buy online to skip queues
oncf.ma and the ONCF TRAFIC app both sell e-tickets up to 90 days ahead. Your phone QR code scans directly at the barriers — no paper needed.
Reserved seats matter in 1st class
First class tickets include a reserved seat number. Show up, find your carriage, sit down. On busy holiday weekends (Eid, August), trains fill up — book a day or two ahead.
Luggage above the seat
Overhead racks handle normal-sized luggage fine. There is no checked-baggage system, so keep everything with you. Large bags can go in the space at the end of each carriage.
Food and drink on board
No food cart operates on this line as of 2026. Buy snacks and water at the station before boarding — there are kiosks at both Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port.
Best seats for scenery
The landscape between Settat and Marrakech is flat but the light on the olive groves and the first glimpse of the Atlas can be beautiful in the late afternoon. Window seats on either side are fine.
The train does not stop at CMN airport
The airport has its own rail link to Casa Voyageurs, not to Marrakech. Allow at least 45 minutes for the transfer: airport train + walk across Casa Voyageurs to the Marrakech platform.
Casablanca to Marrakech Train FAQs
How long is the train from Casablanca to Marrakech?
Direct trains cover the roughly 240 km between Casablanca and Marrakech in about 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes, depending on the service. ONCF runs around a dozen departures a day in each direction, starting from early morning to mid-evening. Schedules can shift slightly by season, so always check the current timetable at oncf.ma or via the ONCF app before you travel.
Which Casablanca station do I use for trains to Marrakech?
Both Casa Port and Casa Voyageurs serve the Marrakech line, and the train usually calls at Casa Port first before continuing to Casa Voyageurs a few minutes later. Casa Voyageurs is the larger and better-connected station, with more taxis and bus connections; most travellers find it easier to use. If your hotel is near the port or the old medina, Casa Port saves a trip across the city.
How much does the Casablanca to Marrakech train cost?
Indicative fares as of 2026: second class runs from around 80–100 MAD (roughly $8–10) and first class from around 135–160 MAD ($13–16). Prices are set by ONCF and do not fluctuate like airline fares, so you rarely need to book weeks in advance. Children under 4 travel free; ages 4–12 get a reduced fare. Booking online through oncf.ma or the app avoids queue time at the station.
Is Casa Port or Casa Voyageurs better for the Marrakech train?
For most visitors, Casa Voyageurs is the practical choice. It is better served by taxis and public buses, has a larger waiting area and food options, and is closer to the main hotel belt along Boulevard d'Anfa and the Ain Diab coast. Choose Casa Port only if you are specifically based in the port district, near the Hassan II Mosque, or coming from the corniche — it will save you a taxi ride across town.
Can I book Casablanca to Marrakech train tickets online?
Yes. ONCF sells tickets through its website (oncf.ma) and the "ONCF TRAFIC" app available on iOS and Android. You can purchase up to 90 days in advance and receive a QR-code ticket valid directly at the platform barriers — no need to collect a physical ticket. Credit cards, debit cards and some mobile payment methods are accepted. For same-day travel, ticket windows at the station are fast.
Is there a direct train from Casablanca airport to Marrakech?
No direct service exists. From Mohammed V Airport (CMN), take the Airport Express train (about 35 minutes, around 50 MAD) to Casa Voyageurs station, then transfer to a Marrakech service. Allow at least 40–50 minutes between your flight landing and the train departure to clear arrivals, collect luggage and buy your onward ticket. Total journey from the airport to Marrakech station is typically 3–3.5 hours including the transfer.
What is the best way to get from Marrakech station to the medina?
The main station (Marrakech Gare) sits about 1 km west of the Koutoubia Mosque and a 15-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna. Petit-taxis queue outside; agree a fare before you get in — expect 15–30 MAD to the medina gate, though drivers sometimes quote higher to newcomers with luggage. If your riad is deep in the souks, a taxi to the nearest accessible gate (Bab Doukkala or Bab Laksour) is the practical choice.
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