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ONCF — Morocco’s national railway
Morocco Train Travel Guide 2026
ONCF routes, indicative fares, how to book online, and whether the train actually beats the bus — everything you need to navigate Morocco by rail.
Daniel Okafor· Adventure & Outdoors Editor
Trekking guide and outdoor writer who has summited Toubkal more times than he can count and surfed every break from Taghazout to Imsouane. He covers hiking, surfing, climbing and adrenaline activities. Agadir · 13+ years covering Morocco
Published 25 March 2026 Last updated 18 May 2026
Morocco’s rail network — operated by the ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer) — is one of Africa’s better train systems, and for travellers moving between the major imperial cities it is often the smartest option: air-conditioned carriages, reserved seats, and a timetable that runs most of the day. The headline route, Casablanca to Marrakech, takes around three hours and costs as little as 90 MAD — hard to beat by any other means of transport.
The network’s reach does have limits. It doesn’t go to Chefchaouen, Merzouga, Ouarzazate or most of the south — so the train works best as a spine connecting the coast and imperial cities, with buses, shared taxis or private tours handling the rest. This guide covers every main route, what you’ll pay in 2026, how to actually book a ticket without headaches, and when to skip the train altogether.
What the ONCF Network Covers
Morocco’s rail map is a rough T-shape running along the Atlantic coast and branching inland to Fes, Oujda and the south.
Well connected by rail
- Casablanca (two main stations)
- Rabat and Salé
- Meknès
- Fes
- Tangier (Ville + Med port)
- Marrakech
- Oujda (eastern Morocco)
Not served by train
- Chefchaouen (bus from Fes or Tangier)
- Agadir (bus or flight)
- Merzouga / Sahara south
- Ouarzazate and Draa Valley
- Essaouira (bus from Marrakech)
- Dakhla and the deep south
Key Routes, Durations & Indicative Fares
Fares are indicative for a single adult ticket booked without a rail pass. Prices fluctuate slightly by train type and season.
| Route | Duration | Frequency | 2nd class (from) | 1st class (from) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casablanca Voyageurs Marrakech | ~3 h | Roughly every hour | ~90 MAD | ~140 MAD | The busiest intercity route; book ahead on weekends. |
| Casablanca Voyageurs Rabat | ~50 min | Very frequent (~every 20 min) | ~35 MAD | ~55 MAD | Commuter corridor — trains run most of the day. |
| Casablanca Voyageurs Fes | ~3 h 30 min | 5–6 per day | ~115 MAD | ~175 MAD | Usually via Meknès; scenic middle-Atlas approach to Fes. |
| Casablanca Port Tangier Med / Tangier Ville | ~5 h (Al Boraq high-speed: ~2 h 10 min) | 4–6 per day | ~180 MAD (Al Boraq: ~320 MAD) | ~270 MAD | Al Boraq is Morocco’s first high-speed train; first-class only. |
| Fes Oujda | ~4 h 45 min | 3–4 per day | ~120 MAD | ~185 MAD | Eastern line through Taza; less-travelled but useful for the northeast. |
All fares indicative as of 2026. Confirm current prices at oncf.ma before travel.
Al Boraq: Morocco’s High-Speed Train
Launched in 2018, Al Boraq (meaning "lightning" in Arabic) covers the Tangier–Casablanca corridor in around 2 hours 10 minutes — a route that used to take 5+ hours. The train runs at up to 320 km/h and is first-class only, with reserved seating and air-conditioning. Fares run from roughly 320 MAD (indicative) for a single Tangier–Casablanca ticket.
- Stops: Tangier Ville → Asilah → Larache → Kénitra → Rabat Agdal → Casablanca Voyageurs
- Advance booking strongly recommended — seats sell out, especially on Fridays and Sundays
- Al Boraq tickets available at oncf.ma or at station kiosks
- No second-class option — the premium over standard is worth it for the time saved
Train vs Bus vs Private Driver: Which to Choose
Each option has a different trade-off between cost, flexibility and comfort.
ONCF Train
Best for: Casablanca ↔ Marrakech, Casablanca ↔ Rabat ↔ Fes, Tangier ↔ Casablanca (Al Boraq)
Advantages
- Fixed seat reservation
- Comfortable, air-conditioned
- No city traffic
Limitations
- Network gaps (no south, no Chefchaouen)
- Marrakech–Fes requires a change
CTM / Supratours Bus
Best for: Routes the train doesn’t serve — Agadir, Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Ouarzazate
Advantages
- Wider destination coverage
- Comfortable modern coaches
- Cheap fares
Limitations
- Journey times longer than train
- Affected by road traffic
Private Driver / Tour
Best for: Desert south, Atlas routes, multi-stop itineraries, families
Advantages
- Door-to-door
- Full flexibility to stop
- Covers everywhere
Limitations
- Higher cost per person (unless group)
- Need to book in advance
How to Book an ONCF Train Ticket
- 1
Go to oncf.ma (or the ONCF app)
Select your departure city, destination, date and passenger count. The site defaults to Darija and French — use the flag icon to switch to English.
- 2
Choose your train and class
Results show departure times, duration and whether seats are available. First class (Première) has wider seats and fewer passengers; second class (Deuxième) is perfectly comfortable for most journeys.
- 3
Select a seat
A seat map lets you choose. Window seats on the right side heading from Casablanca toward Marrakech give Atlantic coastal views for part of the route.
- 4
Pay and save your e-ticket
Pay by Visa or Mastercard. Non-Moroccan cards occasionally face 3DS authentication issues — if declined, try a different card or use the station machine. Your e-ticket PDF is shown or scanned on board; no need to print.
- 5
At the station
Arrive 15 minutes before departure. Major stations (Casablanca Voyageurs, Marrakech, Rabat Agdal) are well-signposted. Platforms display the train number and destination on screens.
Practical Things Worth Knowing
Station arrival time
Fifteen minutes is enough for most stations. Casablanca Voyageurs is large — allow 20 minutes if you need to find your platform.
Luggage
No formal luggage limits or checks. Overhead racks handle standard suitcases. Busy Casablanca trains fill up — put your bag up immediately.
Food and drink
A café-trolley runs on longer intercity services. Casablanca and Marrakech stations have cafes landside; buy water and snacks before boarding.
Casablanca’s two stations
Casablanca Voyageurs handles most intercity routes. Casa Port is near the Medina and useful for Tangier-direction trains. Check your ticket carefully.
Night trains
Morocco has limited overnight train options. The Marrakech–Tangier overnight service (via Casablanca) exists but schedules vary — check oncf.ma, as night trains are less frequent.
Children and discounts
Children under 4 travel free; ages 4–12 receive a 50% reduction. Large-family and return-trip discounts are also available at the ticket window.
Morocco Train FAQs
How do I book a Morocco train ticket online?
ONCF’s website (oncf.ma) and its mobile app allow you to search schedules, choose seats and pay by card. The process is straightforward: select your date, pick your train, choose first or second class, then pay — you receive a PDF e-ticket to show on board. Some travellers encounter card-authentication issues with non-Moroccan cards; if that happens, try a PayPal-linked card or book at the station the day before. Third-party platforms like Trainline also list select routes, though ONCF direct is usually cheaper.
Is the Morocco train reliable?
ONCF trains are generally punctual on the main intercity lines — Casablanca–Marrakech and Casablanca–Rabat especially so. Delays of 10–20 minutes are occasional rather than routine, and longer delays are rare on these corridors. The Al Boraq high-speed service to Tangier is very consistent. Regional trains and the eastern Oujda line can run 20–30 minutes late more often. Overall, trains in Morocco are significantly more reliable than most shared taxi or CTM bus alternatives for long-distance travel.
Does the train go from Marrakech to Fes?
There is no direct Marrakech-to-Fes train. You have to change at Casablanca Voyageurs, which adds time but the connection is usually well-coordinated. Total journey time with the change is around 6 h 30 min to 7 hours, versus 8–9 hours by CTM bus or 5–6 hours by private car. If your schedule is tight, a private transfer or a combination of train to Casablanca plus onward bus can be faster. Alternatively, a private driver covering the full Marrakech–Fes route via the desert south is a popular one-way tourist option.
How much is the train from Casablanca to Marrakech?
Indicative fares in 2026 run from around 90 MAD (about $9 USD) in second class to 140 MAD ($14) in first class for a single journey. Prices vary slightly depending on the specific train, time of day, and how far in advance you book. Première class gets you a proper seat reservation and a quieter car — worth the small premium on a weekend departure or if you’re travelling overnight. There is no advance-purchase discount system like European rail; the fare is essentially the same whether you book a week out or the day before.
Is there a train to Chefchaouen in Morocco?
No — Chefchaouen has no train station. The closest station is Fes or Tangier Ville, from where you take a CTM bus or a shared grand taxi for the remaining journey. From Fes the bus to Chefchaouen takes about 3–4 hours and departs from the CTM station near the ville nouvelle. From Tangier it’s around 2 hours. If you’re travelling independently, combining train to Fes with the CTM bus is a reliable and inexpensive route.
Can I buy Morocco train tickets at the station on the day?
Yes, and for most routes you can walk up to the ticket window and buy a same-day ticket without any issue. Automated machines at Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech stations also sell tickets and accept cards. The only times to plan ahead are: peak holiday periods (Eid, summer weekends), the Al Boraq high-speed service (which sells out), and overnight trains. On ordinary intercity routes on a weekday, showing up 30 minutes before departure is usually fine.
Is there a Morocco rail pass?
ONCF offers a 'Pass Maroc’ for tourists, allowing unlimited travel on the network for a set number of days — options have historically been offered for 3, 7 or 15 days, with indicative prices starting around 370 MAD for 3 days. The pass makes sense if you plan to hop between Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Tangier in quick succession. For most travellers doing 2–3 long-distance legs, buying individual tickets is often cheaper overall. Check oncf.ma before your trip, as pass terms and pricing update periodically.
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