Can I take luggage on Moroccan trains and buses?

Luggage is rarely a problem on Moroccan public transport, but the rules differ between trains and coaches, so it's worth knowing what to expect. On the trains, it's wonderfully relaxed: there's no check-in, no weighing, no fee. You simply carry your bags onto the train yourself and stow them on the overhead racks above the seats, in the larger luggage spaces at the ends of the carriages, or in the corridor by the doors. I've travelled with big suitcases and bulky rucksacks without anyone batting an eye — you just keep them near you and lift them on and off at your stop.

Because nobody checks your bags onto a train, the flip side is that you're responsible for them, so a little common sense applies: keep an eye on luggage stored out of sight at carriage ends, especially on busy trains, and keep your passport, cash, and phone on your body rather than in a stowed bag. In a first-class compartment your luggage is right there with you, which is one more small reason I like first class on longer journeys with valuable gear.

Coaches work more like flying. On CTM and Supratours — the two reliable lines — your large bags go in the luggage hold underneath, and you pay a small per-bag fee, typically just a few dirhams per piece, in return for a numbered tag. Keep that tag; you present it to reclaim your bag at the destination, which is a genuinely reassuring little system. Anything you want with you — a daypack, laptop, camera — comes into the cabin for free, the same as carry-on on a plane.

A couple of practical notes from experience. On the informal local buses, bags also go below or on the roof but with far less ceremony and no tags, which is one more reason I steer visitors to CTM and Supratours. For grand taxis, luggage goes in the boot and on a roof rack, and a big suitcase may cost you an extra seat's space — worth factoring in. But for the trains and the good coaches, the short answer is yes: bring your luggage, it's straightforward, just keep your valuables on you and hold onto your coach bag tag.