Car or Train in Morocco: Which Should You Choose for Your Itinerary?

Morocco boasts Africa's only high-speed train, and its railway network connects most major cities in the North. So, should you rent a car? It all depends on your itinerary. The train wins out between Tanger, Rabat, and Casablanca; however, a car becomes essential as soon as you head for the Atlas, the desert, the Atlantic coast, or smaller towns. Here is how to decide.

Photo: NicholasNCE — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Published on 28 October 2026

What the Train Does Best in Morocco
Where the Train Doesn't Go
How a Car Changes Your Road Trip
The Downsides of Driving to Keep in Mind
The Right Choice for Your Itinerary

What the Train Does Best in Morocco

The Al Boraq train connects Tanger to Casablanca via Kénitra and Rabat. The high-speed line has cut this journey from about four hours and forty-five minutes down to just over two hours. For a business trip between these cities, or a quick round trip, it is hard to beat.

The classic ONCF trains extend the network to Marrakech, Fès, Meknès, and the Oriental region. They are comfortable, punctual on major routes, and spare you the traffic when entering cities. Once in town, you don't have to look for parking: for a trip limited to one or two major cities, the train and a petit taxi are all you need.

Where the Train Doesn't Go

The railway network stops at Marrakech in the south. Agadir, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, the Drâa Valley, Merzouga, and the entire South are not served by rail. In the north, Chefchaouen, Tétouan, and Al Hoceïma are also off the train grid. You will need to combine the train with a coach, or hit the road.

Most importantly, the train doesn't take you between cities: the Ouzoud waterfalls, the Ourika Valley, the Dadès Gorges, the beaches south of Essaouira, or the villages of the Rif can only be reached by car or on an organized tour. It is on these very stops that the essence of a Moroccan road trip unfolds.

How a Car Changes Your Road Trip

A car puts you in control of your schedule: you can leave at dawn to cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the cool morning air, stop in a village that catches your eye, or change your plans if the weather turns. You are not dependent on connections or the last evening departures.

When traveling as a group, it also becomes the most economical solution: the cost of the rental and fuel is shared, whereas train tickets are paid per person. With children or bulky luggage, it saves you from transfers and lugging bags between the station, taxi, and your accommodation.

The Downsides of Driving to Keep in Mind

Driving in the medinas of Fès, Marrakech, or Tétouan is pointless, and often impossible: the narrow streets are reserved for pedestrians. You will need to park the car in a guarded parking lot or at your hotel, then explore on foot. Entering Casablanca during rush hour also requires some patience.

Finally, budget for fuel and tolls on long journeys, and avoid driving at night on secondary roads. Nothing too deterring, but definitely something to factor into your decision.

The Right Choice for Your Itinerary

A trip strictly to Casablanca, Rabat, and Tanger: the train, without hesitation. A short stay in Marrakech with no excursions: the train to get there, then walking and taxis. Fès and Meknès with a day trip to Volubilis: the train to arrive, and a car for the excursion.

A tour of the South, the Atlas, or the desert, the Atlantic coast from Essaouira to Agadir, the Rif, and Chefchaouen: a car is a must. For a mix of both, the most efficient option is often taking the train between the major northern cities, then renting a car from Marrakech, Fès, or Tanger for the road trip portion.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train ride between Tanger and Casablanca?

Just over two hours on the Al Boraq high-speed train, which stops in Kénitra and Rabat. Before it launched in 2018, the journey took nearly four hours and forty-five minutes. Check the daily schedules on the ONCF website.

Can you take a train to Agadir or Essaouira?

No: the railway network stops at Marrakech. To reach Agadir, Essaouira, and the South, you must take a coach from Marrakech or rent a car.

Is it cheaper to rent a car or take the train in Morocco?

If you are traveling alone or as a couple on a direct route between major cities, the train is often cheaper. For groups of three or four, or as soon as your itinerary includes stops outside the cities, a shared rental car generally becomes more economical.

Can you combine the train and a rental car?

Yes, and it is often the best approach: take the train between Tanger, Rabat, and Casablanca, then rent a car from Marrakech, Fès, or Tanger for the road trip segments.

Sources

ONCF – horaires et réservation des trains — oncf-voyages.ma

Hespress – Al Boraq, premier train à grande vitesse d’Afrique — fr.hespress.com

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Written by the Loccor editorial team, the platform connecting travellers with car rental agencies in Morocco.

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