Morocco Train Travel: The Complete Guide to ONCF Rail (2026)

Morocco's rail network is one of Africa's most developed — clean, reasonably punctual and a genuine pleasure for journeys that matter: Casablanca to Rabat in under an hour, Rabat to Fes in around three hours, Casablanca to Marrakech in roughly three. Operated by ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer du Maroc), the network spans roughly 2,000 km and links Morocco's largest cities with a mix of high-speed and classic express services. The flagship Al Boraq TGV-style train slashed the journey from Tangier to Casablanca to around two hours; the Al Atlas expresses handle the inland routes. For travellers doing a multi-city Morocco itinerary — imperial cities, Atlantic coast, Sahara gateway towns — knowing how to use the trains well means faster connections, a lower environmental footprint and a more relaxed arrival than a long road transfer. This guide covers every main route, how to book, what to expect on board and when a private transfer still makes more sense.

#At a Glance

| | | |---|---| | Operator | ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer) | | High-speed service | Al Boraq: Tangier ↔ Casablanca, roughly 2h10m | | Classic express | Al Atlas: Casablanca ↔ Marrakech, Casablanca ↔ Fes, Fes ↔ Oujda | | Booking | oncf.ma website, ONCF app, or station counters | | Book ahead | Up to around 3 months in advance; earlier is usually cheaper | | High-speed to Marrakech | Under construction; tentative completion around 2029 | | Airport connection | Direct train, Casablanca airport ↔ Casablanca Voyageurs, roughly 30 minutes |

#Morocco's Rail Hub: Casablanca

Nearly every main rail journey in Morocco passes through or originates at Casablanca, and specifically Casablanca Voyageurs — the country's principal station and interchange. From here, trains reach Rabat in roughly 45 minutes, Kenitra in around an hour, Fes in approximately 3h15m–3h45m, and Marrakech in around 2h55m–3h15m depending on the service. Tangier is served by the Al Boraq high-speed line in roughly two hours via Kenitra and Rabat.

For visitors flying into Mohammed V Airport, there is a direct airport shuttle train to Casablanca Voyageurs (roughly 30 minutes), making it easy to continue by rail without entering the city at all. If you have time to stop, our Casablanca travel guide covers the Hassan II Mosque, the Corniche and the city's underrated culinary scene.

#Al Boraq: Morocco's High-Speed Train

The Al Boraq is Morocco's flagship rail service and, at its 2018 launch, became Africa's first high-speed train. It connects Tangier Ville and Casablanca Voyageurs in roughly 2 hours 10 minutes — down from around 5 hours on the classic line. Along the way it stops at Kénitra, Rabat-Agdal and Casablanca Port. The rolling stock is modern and comfortable: fully air-conditioned, wide seats, at-seat power sockets and a quiet-car option in most formations.

Fares are somewhat higher than the Al Atlas expresses, but not dramatically. Second-class tickets on Al Boraq have been available from around 99–150 MAD for the Tangier–Casablanca journey (prices vary by booking date and class — check current fares on oncf.ma before assuming any figure holds). First class is typically a meaningful step up in comfort for a moderate additional cost. Book in advance when you have a fixed date: prices tend to rise closer to departure and the midday trains sell out.

Tangier is also a natural starting point for travellers arriving by ferry from southern Spain (Algeciras or Tarifa); the ferry port is a short taxi ride from Tangier Ville station. Our Tangier food guide and Chefchaouen day trip guide cover what to do at either end of the line.

#Al Atlas Express: The Inland Network

For routes the Al Boraq doesn't serve — and that is most of Morocco's interior — the Al Atlas classic express trains do the work. These are reliable long-distance services with air-conditioning, comfortable second and first-class carriages, and sometimes a dining car on the longer routes. Journey times are slower than the high-speed line, but fares are lower, and on scenic routes like the Casablanca–Fes leg the views through the Middle Atlas foothills are a reward in themselves.

Key Al Atlas routes and approximate journey times (confirm before travel, as schedules change):

| Route | Approximate time | |---|---| | Casablanca ↔ Marrakech | 2h55m – 3h15m | | Casablanca ↔ Fes | 3h15m – 3h45m (via Rabat, Meknes) | | Casablanca ↔ Meknes | 2h30m – 3h | | Casablanca ↔ Rabat | around 45 minutes | | Fes ↔ Oujda | around 3h30m – 4h |

For a Fes itinerary, the Al Atlas train from Casablanca is typically the most comfortable way in. Meknes — one of Morocco's most overlooked imperial cities — sits just off the Casablanca–Fes line, making it easy to combine both on a single trip; our Meknes day trip guide explains how to fit it in without a detour.

#The Routes That Still Require Road Travel

A few popular Morocco itinerary legs are not yet served by rail, and a private transfer or bus is the practical option:

• Marrakech to Essaouira: no rail link — roughly 2h30m–3h by private car
• Marrakech to Agadir: no rail link — around 3–4 hours by road
• Fes to Chefchaouen: no rail — best by private car or CTM bus (around 2h30m–3h)
• Marrakech to the Sahara (Merzouga or Zagora): no train to the desert; private car over one or two days is the standard choice

A high-speed extension connecting Kenitra and Marrakech is reportedly under construction, with an estimated completion around 2029 — though large infrastructure projects often follow their own timelines. Until then, the Al Atlas Casablanca–Marrakech service is the only rail option for the Red City. For road-transfer logistics, our Marrakech to Fes travel guide weighs all the options, and private driver versus self-drive is useful reading before you decide.

#Booking and Practical Tips

Where to book: Tickets are available on the oncf.ma website, the ONCF mobile app, or at any station counter. Online booking accepts major credit and debit cards; the site is primarily in French and Arabic. Tickets typically go on sale around three months ahead; early purchase gives you lower fares and more seat choice.

At the station:

• Arrive 15–20 minutes early at busy hubs like Casablanca Voyageurs or Marrakech
• Some stations have ticket barriers that require composting (stamping) your ticket before the platform — look for the small yellow machines near the gates
• Large bags go in the racks at the end of each carriage; overhead bins are for carry-on size only

Class choice: Second class is comfortable and fine for most journeys. First class is noticeably quieter on the longer Al Atlas runs and worth the modest premium on a 3-hour journey.

Children and discounts: ONCF typically offers reduced fares for young children and occasional promotional passes (such as the SAYFI summer pass); confirm current terms and validity directly on oncf.ma as promotions change frequently.

For travellers who prefer a seamless arrival — a private transfer from the station, a guide ready at the riad — our Marrakech tours, Fes tours and Casablanca tours teams handle the logistics end-to-end. The imperial cities circuit is a natural fit for combining the rail network with private guiding.

#FAQ

Is train travel in Morocco comfortable? Broadly yes, for city-to-city journeys. The Al Boraq high-speed trains are modern and well-maintained. Al Atlas expresses are older but clean, air-conditioned and reliable. The main limitation is that many popular destinations — the Sahara, Chefchaouen, Essaouira — are not on the network.

How much does a Morocco train ticket cost? Prices vary by route, service and booking date. Al Boraq second-class tickets have started from around 99–150 MAD for Tangier–Casablanca; Al Atlas second-class fares for Casablanca–Marrakech or Casablanca–Fes are typically lower. Check oncf.ma for current fares — early booking is cheaper.

Do I need to book Morocco train tickets in advance? It's advisable, especially in July and August, at Eid holidays and on Al Boraq. Tickets go on sale around three months ahead on oncf.ma and at station counters. Same-day tickets are usually available but prices rise.

Does the train go from Marrakech to Fes? Not directly. You typically travel Marrakech → Casablanca → Fes with a change at Casablanca Voyageurs. The combined journey takes roughly 6–7 hours. Many travellers prefer a private car for this route — our Marrakech to Fes guide covers both options.

Is Al Boraq the same as TGV? It uses Alstom technology derived from the TGV platform and is operated under a similar model, but it is a distinct Moroccan service run by ONCF. At launch it was widely described as Africa's first high-speed rail line, with top speeds of around 320 km/h on the fastest sections.

How do I get from Casablanca airport to the train? A direct airport shuttle train runs from Casablanca Mohammed V Airport to Casablanca Voyageurs station, taking roughly 30 minutes. From Casablanca Voyageurs you can connect to trains across Morocco. It is one of the most straightforward airport rail links in Africa.

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Planning a multi-city Morocco itinerary? Our Marrakech tours, Fes tours and imperial cities pages show how private guiding makes the most of each stop — arrivals handled, guides waiting, no logistics left to chance.