Whereas Morocco’s medinas are made for strolling, to expertise the nation’s dazzling range, make just like the locals and reap the benefits of an array of transport choices to traverse its grand expanse.
Right here’s our information on easy methods to discover Morocco in its entirety, from fabled cities and mountain villages to Mediterranean seashores, Atlantic rollers and desert outposts.
Let the aircraft take the pressure
When you’re cash-rich and time-poor, flying can knock hours off lengthy, dusty street journeys in Morocco, though it is best to take into account the environmental influence of doing so.
Morocco’s flag service Royal Air Maroc flies from Marrakesh to Errachidia – a few hours from Merzouga and the shape-shifting dunes of Erg Chebbi – in round an hour, in contrast with eight hours by street. The extra wallet-friendly Air Arabia flies between Marrakesh and Fez in an hour, shaving greater than six hours off the bus journey.
Taxis are the most well-liked type of transport in all cities and cities in Morocco
When you’re touring throughout the metropolis limits, petits taxis – yellow in Marrakesh, purple in Casablanca, blue in Rabat – are low-cost and plentiful. You’ll be able to flag them down on the road or discover them close to bus or practice stations.
They’re metered, so that you shouldn’t have to haggle or repair a value earlier than you set off, but when the driving force tries to keep away from utilizing the meter – telling you it’s damaged is a typical excuse – ask him to allow you to out and take a look at one other taxi. A brief trip is Dh7 through the day and Dh10 at night time – keep in mind to hold change.
For longer journeys, shared grands taxis are sometimes the easiest way to get round. The classic diesel-guzzling Mercedes are being changed by massive vans, however they nonetheless run fastened routes, leaving from the terminal after they’re full (normally six individuals).
To keep away from a squeeze or unpredictable delay, provide to pay for multiple place and even take the entire automobile – an inter-city journey is round Dh50. You can even negotiate to lease out a grand taxi and driver for a country-wide itinerary.
Uber now not operates in Morocco, however Careem is out there in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier.
Renting a automobile will be an effective way to discover Morocco’s distant areas
If you wish to get off the overwhelmed path and discover Morocco at your personal tempo, you’ll be able to lease every little thing from a compact Fiat to a 4WD, which is beneficial for navigating the Atlas Mountains and desert roads.
Count on to pay something from Dh270 to Dh7500 per day, together with limitless mileage. All the foremost rental companies, reminiscent of Finances, Hertz and Avis are at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport and still have branches in most main cities. Be sure to report any current harm and get complete insurance coverage.
Driving round Moroccan cities isn’t for the fainthearted, with bumper-to-bumper visitors, no parking locations and a basic disregard for street laws. Neither are many mountain passes, with their hair-raising hairpin bends, and driving after darkish must be prevented all over the place.
Normally, the principle roads are in good situation. Native tour operators can present high-quality automobiles with multilingual drivers in the event you’d slightly chill out and absorb the surroundings.
Journey the rails on Morocco’s trains and trams
The 2 foremost traces of the nationwide rail service, ONCF, hyperlink most of Morocco’s main cities: from Tangier to Marrakesh, passing via Casablanca and Rabat, and Nador or Oujda within the northeast to Fez and Meknes. It’s budget-friendly and comfy, even when it doesn’t all the time stick with the timetable.
Morocco additionally has Africa’s first high-speed practice, the smooth Al Boraq, and also you’ll whiz alongside at prime speeds of 320km/h (200mph). Launched in 2018, it halved the journey time from Tangier to Casablanca to only over two hours, with stops at Kenitra and Rabat.
Each Casablanca and Rabat have trendy and environment friendly tram companies. Purchase tickets from kiosks and machines on the station and validate them on the tram.
Buses can take you the place the trains don’t attain
Buses are a wallet-friendly technique to crisscross the nation. The 2 main nationwide bus firms provide a dependable, comfy service – you’ll even get wi-fi and further leg room in the event you go for the “luxe” possibility.
CTM covers most of Morocco, with designated stops that are not essentially within the gare routière (central bus station), whereas Supratours (owned by ONCF) provides via ticketing on buses whose departure occasions are coordinated with the arrival of trains. When you’re going deep into rural areas, there are quite a few smaller bus firms dubbed “market buses.” They’re not all the time secure or comfy, however they are often hailed in each village they move via.
Tip for purchasing practice and bus tickets: At present, ONCF, CTM and Supratours web sites don’t settle for non-Moroccan financial institution playing cards, so for common locations, you’ll want to purchase your tickets upfront on the bus or practice station – be ready to attend in line – or use an organization like Marrakech Tickets that will ahead your tickets electronically for a small price, a few of which matches towards supporting native weak youngsters.
See Morocco by motorbike
Away from the congested metropolis facilities, the lure of epic adventures on the open street – winding via distant villages flanked by the snow-tipped peaks of the Atlas or Saharan sand – means Morocco seems on many a motorcyclist’s bucket listing.
When you’re coming from Europe, you’ll be able to take your motorbike on a ferry from Spain. The quickest route is throughout the Straits of Gibraltar from Tarifa to Tangier. Be sure to carry an excellent toolkit and all the mandatory spares. You can even lease a motorbike whenever you arrive and hit the street solo or be part of a bunch tour.
Accessible journey in Morocco
With few accessible amenities, Morocco will be difficult for individuals with a bodily incapacity. Medina streets are sometimes uneven and crowded, riads hardly ever have elevators and accessible transport is in brief provide. However the nation needn’t be off limits in the event you journey with a way of journey, lease a automobile and driver, select the best lodging and use an operator reminiscent of Morocco Accessible Travel.
For extra data, see Lonely Planet’s accessible travel resources page.
