How to Get Around Morocco

It depends on where you are going. Between the northern cities — Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Tangier — the ONCF train is excellent: fast, cheap and comfortable. For Marrakech to Agadir, a CTM or Supratours bus is the most practical public option. For anything in the south (Merzouga, Zagora, Dades Gorge), no train exists and the bus is slow and infrequent, so a private driver or rental car is effectively the only sensible choice.

Broadly yes, especially on the main north-south spine and the Al Boraq high-speed line between Casablanca and Tangier. The network is modern, air-conditioned and generally punctual. First-class seats are a bargain by European standards — expect to pay 120–180 MAD (around $12–18) for the Casablanca–Fes route. Booking online a day or two ahead (via the ONCF website) locks in a seat; on busy weekends or holiday weekends, trains can fill up.

Grand taxis are shared long-distance taxis, usually large Mercedes saloons, that run fixed routes between towns. They depart only when all six seats are filled — so you buy a seat and wait. The fare per seat is fixed and very cheap. If you want to go immediately or travel without strangers, you can charter the whole taxi for five or six times the per-seat price. Grand taxis are best for short-to-medium routes (under 2 hours) where the wait is rarely long. For cross-country journeys, a bus or private driver makes more sense.

Renting a car is generally safe and practical for travellers comfortable driving in unfamiliar environments. The main highways are well-maintained, signage is bilingual (Arabic and French), and speed cameras are widespread. The challenges are city driving — Marrakech and Fes medinas are not navigable by car — and unmarked mountain roads in the south. Ensure your rental includes comprehensive insurance and check whether off-road tracks (pistes) are permitted. An international driving licence is recommended alongside your home licence.

There is no direct train between Marrakech and Fes; you change at Casablanca Voyageurs. The total journey including connection typically takes 7.5–9 hours, depending on the connecting service and waiting time. For this reason, many travellers between Marrakech and Fes opt for a direct private vehicle, which covers the route door-to-door in around 5–6 hours — or, better, turn the journey into a 3-day private tour that takes in Aït Benhaddou, the gorges and the Sahara en route.

For most international visitors planning to cover more than one region, a private driver-guide represents outstanding value when you factor in everything it removes: navigation, parking, haggling for taxis, missed bus connections and the time lost waiting for shared transport. A private vehicle costs from around 1,200–2,500 MAD per day (indicative) depending on distance and itinerary, dropping per person in a group. The driver-guide also functions as a cultural translator — knowing which argan cooperative is legitimate, which roadside restaurant is clean, where to stop for the best light over the gorge.

Bolt operates in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech, and is the most reliable app-based option in those cities. Uber has a limited presence. In Fes, Agadir and smaller cities, you are relying on petits taxis (metered local cabs) or grand taxis. In any city, insist the meter is running or agree on a price before getting in — a ride from Marrakech Menara Airport to the medina should cost around 70–100 MAD in a petit taxi.