|
||
|
|
||
|
|
Getting Around by Air
Royal Air Maroc (AT) (website: www.royalairmaroc.com) operates regular services from Casablanca airport to Agadir, Dakhla, Fes, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda and Tangier. The Marrakech-based national low-cost carrier Atlas Blue (8A) (website: www.atlas-blue.com) also runs internal and limited international air service.
Getting Around by Rail
The Moroccan rail system, run by Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) (website: www.oncf.ma) provides regular and cheap services. Rail fares are amongst the cheapest in the world, although a supplement must be paid for air-conditioned trains. Sleeping cars and restaurant cars are available.
The network runs from Oujda in the northeast to Casablanca on the west coast, Tangier on the north coast and Fes and Marrakech in the interior. The most useful route is from Fes to Rabat and Casablanca, with five daily and two overnight trains. There are also two daily trains and one overnight train (without sleepers) that run from Casablanca to Marrakech, and Monday to Friday, a train runs every 30 minutes from Kenitra to Rabat.
The network runs from Oujda in the northeast to Casablanca on the west coast, Tangier on the north coast and Fes and Marrakech in the interior. The most useful route is from Fes to Rabat and Casablanca, with five daily and two overnight trains. There are also two daily trains and one overnight train (without sleepers) that run from Casablanca to Marrakech, and Monday to Friday, a train runs every 30 minutes from Kenitra to Rabat.
Getting Around by Road
The major Moroccan roads are all-weather highways, particularly those covering the north and northwest of the country. In the interior, south of the High Atlas Mountains, road travel becomes much more difficult, especially across the Atlas Mountains in winter.
Coach: The main centres are connected by a wide variety of coach services, many of which are privately run. The three largest firms are: CTM (tel: (22) 753 677; website: www.ctm.co.ma), covering the whole country; Supratours (tel: (37) 686 297; website: www.supratourstravel.com), which complements the train network; and SATAS between Casablanca, Agadir and south of Agadir. Visitors should bear in mind, however, that Morocco has a poor road safety record; the roads from Agadir to Marrakech via Imi'n Tanoute and Chichaoua are particularly hazardous. For charter purposes, air-conditioned motor coaches are available from several companies.
Bus: Connections between most major towns and villages are regular and frequent, although buses can be crowded and it may be wise to buy tickets in advance and arrive well before departure to secure a seat. The price of tickets is very low, especially with some of the smaller local bus companies. It is customary to tip the guard for loading luggage.
Taxi: Metered petits taxis are available in major towns. Other larger taxis, usually Mercedes cars, are used for travel to areas outside towns. These can be shared, but fares should be agreed before departure.
Car hire: International car hire companies have offices in major towns and cities. Car hire is generally expensive. The minimum age for driving a hired car is 21.
Regulations: Traffic drives on the right in Morocco, more or less. Seat belts are not compulsory but highly recommended.
Documentation: Foreign driving licences are accepted, as well as International Driving Permits. Third Party insurance is required. A Green Card is also necessary. Insurance can be aranged locally.
Coach: The main centres are connected by a wide variety of coach services, many of which are privately run. The three largest firms are: CTM (tel: (22) 753 677; website: www.ctm.co.ma), covering the whole country; Supratours (tel: (37) 686 297; website: www.supratourstravel.com), which complements the train network; and SATAS between Casablanca, Agadir and south of Agadir. Visitors should bear in mind, however, that Morocco has a poor road safety record; the roads from Agadir to Marrakech via Imi'n Tanoute and Chichaoua are particularly hazardous. For charter purposes, air-conditioned motor coaches are available from several companies.
Bus: Connections between most major towns and villages are regular and frequent, although buses can be crowded and it may be wise to buy tickets in advance and arrive well before departure to secure a seat. The price of tickets is very low, especially with some of the smaller local bus companies. It is customary to tip the guard for loading luggage.
Taxi: Metered petits taxis are available in major towns. Other larger taxis, usually Mercedes cars, are used for travel to areas outside towns. These can be shared, but fares should be agreed before departure.
Car hire: International car hire companies have offices in major towns and cities. Car hire is generally expensive. The minimum age for driving a hired car is 21.
Regulations: Traffic drives on the right in Morocco, more or less. Seat belts are not compulsory but highly recommended.
Documentation: Foreign driving licences are accepted, as well as International Driving Permits. Third Party insurance is required. A Green Card is also necessary. Insurance can be aranged locally.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
There are extensive bus services in Casablanca and other main towns. Pre-purchase tickets are sold. Urban area petits taxis are plentiful and have metered fares. Taxi drivers expect a 10% tip, or fares rounded up at least to the next Dirham on short trips.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Casablanca to other major cities/towns in Morocco.
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Rabat | 0.30 | 1.30 | 1.00 |
| Marrakech | 0.30 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Tangier | 0.50 | 6.00 | 6.00 |
| Laayoune | 1.30 | 20.00 | - |