Morocco Train Routes Guide 2026

The Al Boraq runs Tangier to Casablanca in just over 2 hours at up to 320 km/h; before it opened in 2018 the trip took 5. The TGV-based train is named after the mythical winged steed and has power outlets at every seat and a cafe car. The route crosses the fertile Gharb plain with views of farmland and glimpses of the Atlantic coast near Kenitra.

Tip

Book 2-3 weeks ahead for the best fares. The 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM departures fill up fastest. First class has slightly wider seats and a quieter car. Second class is fine for this run.

From the window

The Gharb plain between Kenitra and Tangier shows rolling agricultural land and, on clear days, the Rif Mountains appear on the eastern horizon.

This is the route most visitors take. Trains run from early morning to late evening. The journey crosses the Chaouia agricultural plain before the Atlas Mountains emerge on the southern horizon as you approach Marrakech. First-class cars are air-conditioned with assigned seating. Second class is comfortable but can get crowded during holidays and weekends. The Marrakech station is a handsome Art Deco building about 15 minutes by taxi from the medina.

Tip

Take the direct train (2h50) rather than the semi-direct service, which makes additional stops. Morning departures offer the best light as the Atlas range appears ahead of you.

From the window

Watch for the first sighting of the snow-capped High Atlas peaks about 40 minutes before Marrakech, rising straight out of the flat farmland.

Morocco's busiest rail corridor, with shuttle-frequency service between the economic and political capitals. Trains depart approximately every 30 minutes during peak hours and hourly off-peak. This is a commuter-heavy route full of business travelers and students. The line follows the Atlantic coast with occasional ocean views near Mohammedia. Both Casa Voyageurs and Rabat Ville stations are centrally located with easy taxi connections.

Tip

No advance booking needed: show up and board the next train. Second class is fine for this short run. Avoid the 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM rush if you want a guaranteed seat.

From the window

Near Mohammedia, the tracks run close to the Atlantic shoreline. Look left (westward) for brief ocean views and the Mohammedia beach.

After Rabat and Kenitra the train climbs through hills and cork oak forest onto the Saiss plain, past olive groves into Meknes and on to Fes. You can break the trip in Meknes to see the Bab Mansour gate and the Royal Stables.

Tip

Fes station is about 3 km from the medina; a petit taxi to Bab Boujloud costs from 15 MAD. Book first class on this run for the reserved seat.

From the window

The section between Kenitra and Meknes passes through some of Morocco's most productive farmland: wheat fields, sunflowers in season, and cork oak woodland.

The longest standard route connecting Morocco's two most-visited cities. No direct east-west rail line exists, so all trains route through Casablanca. Three direct daily services make the full run without requiring a platform change. Many travelers split this into two legs with a night in Casablanca or Rabat. Direct trains have a cafe car with coffee, tea, and sandwiches.

Tip

Over 7 hours, pay for first class: it has power outlets. The alternatives are CTM overnight buses (from 180 MAD) or domestic flights (from 400 MAD one-way).

From the window

You see the Atlas behind you leaving Marrakech and the farmland turning to hills approaching Fes.

No direct Tangier-Fes train exists. The fastest option takes the Al Boraq high-speed from Tangier to Kenitra (1 hour), then a conventional train onward to Fes (2h30). The connection at Kenitra usually allows 20-40 minutes, and the station has a waiting room and small cafe. The old conventional routing took 5+ hours.

Tip

Book the Al Boraq ticket in advance online. Buy the Kenitra-Fes leg at the counter or in the ONCF app. Allow at least 30 minutes for the Kenitra connection to absorb any delays.

From the window

You experience two distinct landscapes: the high-speed sweep through the Gharb, then the slower climb into the Meknes-Fes hill country on the conventional train.

The eastern trunk line crosses Morocco from the Atlantic to the Algerian border. Past Fes, the train enters the Taza corridor, a pass between the Rif and Middle Atlas ranges. The landscape shifts from fertile western plains to arid eastern steppe near Oujda. This is an adventure route for rail enthusiasts more than a practical transport option. The overnight departure lets you sleep through the long haul, arriving in Oujda by morning.

Tip

Bring your own food and water. The cafe car may have limited options on this route. The Taza section is the scenic highlight, so check whether your train passes it in daylight.

From the window

The Taza Gap is Morocco's most dramatic rail scenery: the train threads between two mountain ranges through a narrow corridor of rocky gorges and terraced hillsides.

A short coastal route to the Portuguese-influenced city of El Jadida, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The train heads south through agricultural land with occasional ocean views. El Jadida works as a day trip from Casablanca for the Portuguese cistern, the fortified medina and the beach promenade. The station is about 1 km from the old medina walls.

Tip

Take a morning train out and an evening train back, from 50 MAD each way in second class. Do not skip the Portuguese cistern.

From the window

Open Atlantic views appear intermittently on the western side of the train, especially near the coast south of Casablanca.