Morocco Train Network Explained

The ONCF network links Casablanca, Rabat, Salé, Kénitra, Tangier, Meknès, Fes, Oujda and Marrakech. The Al Boraq high-speed line covers Tangier to Casablanca (and onto Kénitra and Rabat) at up to 320 km/h. That covers the main Imperial Cities corridor well. However, vast swaths of Morocco — the entire south, the Atlantic surf coast, and most mountain routes — have no rail at all, so any itinerary that goes beyond the main cities will need road transport.

There is no direct train between Marrakech and Fes. The fastest rail option is to take an Intercités from Marrakech to Casablanca (around 3 hours), then another from Casablanca to Fes (roughly 3 h 45 min), giving a total rail journey of around 7 hours with a connection. Most travellers doing the Marrakech–Fes route opt for a shared or private long-distance bus (CTM or Supratours), a private vehicle, or a multi-day tour that stops at the Sahara and gorges along the way.

ONCF's official booking platform is oncf.ma. You can book tickets up to 30 days in advance, choose your seat, and pay by card. Tickets are also available at station ticket offices and from automatic kiosks. For popular routes on peak dates (Eid holidays, summer weekends), booking a few days ahead is wise. Al Boraq tickets tend to sell out faster than Intercités ones and carry a small surcharge for 1st class, which is the only class on the high-speed service.

ONCF offers a Carte Réseau (network card) and a Hilali pass aimed at frequent travellers and Moroccan residents, but there is no dedicated tourist rail pass equivalent to a Eurail card. For most visitors doing 2–4 train journeys, buying individual point-to-point tickets is simpler and cheaper. If you plan to base yourself in Casablanca or Rabat and make repeated day trips by rail, ask at the ticket office about multi-journey discount options — they do exist, though they are not heavily marketed to tourists.

The Al Boraq (Arabic for lightning) reaches a top speed of 320 km/h and has a commercial operating speed of around 300 km/h — making it Africa's first high-speed rail line, launched in 2018. The non-stop Casablanca–Tangier run takes about 2 hours 10 minutes, cutting the old Intercités time roughly in half. The train is 1st class only, air-conditioned, and seats must be reserved in advance. The ride is remarkably smooth and a genuine highlight for rail enthusiasts.

If your itinerary covers only the Imperial Cities circuit (Tangier → Fes → Meknès → Casablanca → Marrakech), trains handle it well and are often the most comfortable and cost-effective option. Add the Sahara, the gorges, Essaouira, Chefchaouen or any southern destination and the rail network simply stops. For those mixed itineraries, the practical approach is to train between the major northern cities and use a private guided vehicle for everything south of Marrakech or off the main axis.

Trains and long-distance CTM/Supratours buses are both safe and reasonably punctual by regional standards. Trains generally offer more legroom, smoother rides, and the freedom to walk around — particularly pleasant on the 3-hour Casablanca–Marrakech run. Buses are more flexible in destination coverage, as they reach cities and towns the train does not serve. For comfort on covered routes, trains edge ahead; for reach, buses win. A private vehicle with a driver-guide is the most comfortable and flexible option of all.