Getting Around
Honest, expert answers to real traveller questions about getting around in Morocco — written by our named travel designers.
346 questions · page 1 of 10
Do I need a visa for Morocco?
Most likely not for tourism. Citizens of the US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia and many others can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. You just need a passport valid for the length of your stay (ideally 6 months). Always confirm with your nearest Moroccan consulate.
Read the answerWhat's the best way to get around Morocco?
It depends on your route. Trains (ONCF) are excellent between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, with high-speed Al Boraq on the northern line. For the desert, Atlas and off-the-network places, a private driver or a domestic flight is far more practical than buses.
Read the answerShould I rent a car in Morocco?
You can, and it gives freedom — but most first-time visitors are happier with a private driver. City driving and parking are stressful, navigation is patchy, and a driver who knows the roads and police checkpoints lets you actually enjoy the scenery. Self-drive suits confident, flexible travellers on rural routes.
Read the answerMarrakech to Fes — train or private driver?
There is no direct train between Marrakech and Fes — the rail route runs via Casablanca and takes around 7–8 hours. A private driver is the same sort of duration but far more flexible, letting you break the journey at places like Beni Mellal or Ifrane. For a scenic stop-everywhere trip, choose the driver.
Read the answerIs it better to fly or drive between Moroccan cities?
For most routes, driving (or the train) wins — you see the country, the distances are manageable and flights add airport time at both ends. Flying only makes real sense for long, awkward hops, such as the far south or to avoid a big backtrack. Short city-to-city legs are rarely worth flying.
Read the answerHow do I get from Marrakech airport to the city?
Marrakech Menara Airport is only about 15–20 minutes from the medina. Easiest options are a pre-arranged private transfer (no haggling, met on arrival), an official airport taxi, or the low-cost airport bus. For most travellers a booked transfer to the riad is the smoothest first arrival.
Read the answerDo US citizens need a visa to visit Morocco?
No. US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. You just need a US passport valid for the duration of your stay and proof of onward travel. You get an entry stamp at the airport — no application, no fee, no e-visa.
Read the answerHow long is the flight from the US to Morocco, and what is the best route?
New York to Casablanca is about 7 hours non-stop on Royal Air Maroc. From most other US cities you connect through Europe (Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, London), making total travel time roughly 11–16 hours. East Coast departures are shortest; the West Coast is a long day with one connection.
Read the answerDo UK citizens need a visa to visit Morocco?
No. British passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. You get an entry stamp on arrival — no application or fee. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay, and you should have proof of return travel and accommodation.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from the UK to Morocco?
Yes — plenty. London to Marrakech is about 3.5 hours direct on easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Royal Air Maroc. Direct routes also serve Casablanca, Fes, Agadir and Tangier, with departures from Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow, Luton, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh.
Read the answerDo Canadians need a visa to visit Morocco?
No. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. You receive an entry stamp on arrival — no application or fee. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay, and you should have proof of onward travel and accommodation.
Read the answerWhat is the best way to fly from Canada to Morocco?
From Montreal and Toronto, connect through Europe (Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, London) or via Royal Air Maroc through Casablanca — often a single-connection day. From Western Canada, expect a longer haul with an overnight transatlantic leg. Land in Casablanca (CMN) or Marrakech (RAK), ideally open-jaw.
Read the answerDo French citizens need a visa for Morocco?
No. French passport holders do not need a visa for Morocco for stays up to 90 days. You enter on your passport alone, which must be valid for the duration of your stay. Just complete the arrival card on the plane or at the border.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from France to Morocco?
Yes — many. France has the densest direct-flight network to Morocco in Europe. Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Bordeaux and Nantes all fly direct to Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Agadir and Tangier. Flight time is roughly 2.5–3.5 hours.
Read the answerDo German citizens need a visa for Morocco?
No. German passport holders do not need a visa for Morocco for tourist stays up to 90 days. You enter on your passport alone — no e-visa, no fee, no advance application. Just keep your passport valid and complete the short arrival card.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from Germany to Morocco?
Yes. Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart all offer direct flights to Morocco — mainly to Marrakech, Casablanca and Agadir. Flight time is roughly 3.5–4 hours. Connecting via a hub also opens up Fes, Tangier and Rabat.
Read the answerCan you take a ferry from Spain to Morocco?
Yes. Fast ferries cross the Strait of Gibraltar daily. Tarifa–Tangier city takes about one hour; Algeciras–Tanger Med about 1.5 hours. You can travel as a foot passenger or bring a car. Tarifa is the only line that docks in the city centre itself.
Read the answerDo Spanish citizens need a visa for Morocco?
No. Spanish passport holders do not need a visa for Morocco for stays up to 90 days, whether you arrive by air or by ferry. You enter on your passport alone — no e-visa, no fee. Just keep it valid and complete the arrival card.
Read the answerDo Australian passport holders need a visa to visit Morocco?
No. Australian passport holders can enter Morocco visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days. You just need a passport valid for at least six months beyond entry. There is no visa to apply for in advance and no arrival fee for ordinary tourism.
Read the answerWhat is the best flight route from Australia to Morocco?
The two best options are via the Gulf (Emirates/Dubai, Qatar/Doha, Etihad/Abu Dhabi) onto Casablanca, or via Europe (Paris, London, Madrid, Istanbul). Gulf routings are usually the fastest single-stop option at around 22–26 hours; European routings let you add a stopover.
Read the answerDo GCC citizens (UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman) need a visa for Morocco?
Most GCC nationals can enter Morocco visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days, including UAE and several other Gulf states. Because the exact terms vary by nationality and are updated periodically, always confirm your specific passport on the official Moroccan government source before you travel.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from Dubai to Morocco?
Yes. Emirates flies Dubai (DXB) to Casablanca (CMN) nonstop, roughly 8.5 hours westbound. Royal Air Maroc also serves the Gulf. From Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes and the rest of Morocco are a short domestic hop or scenic drive away.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from Amsterdam or Brussels to Morocco?
Yes, plenty. Amsterdam (KLM, Transavia) flies direct to Marrakech and Casablanca; Brussels (Brussels Airlines, Ryanair, Royal Air Maroc) flies direct to Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier, Nador and more. Flight times are around 3–3.5 hours, making Morocco an easy short-haul trip from Benelux.
Read the answerDo EU citizens need a visa to visit Morocco?
No. Citizens of EU and EEA countries — including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and the Nordic states — can enter Morocco visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days. You just need a passport valid for at least six months beyond entry.
Read the answerDo I need a power adapter, and what plugs does Morocco use?
Morocco uses European-style Type C and Type E two-round-pin plugs at 220V/50Hz. EU devices fit directly; UK, US, Australian and most other travellers need a plug adapter. Modern phone and laptop chargers handle 220V, but check older or high-wattage appliances.
Read the answerHow do I get internet, a SIM or eSIM in Morocco?
Buy a cheap local SIM from Maroc Telecom, Orange or Inwi at the airport or a city shop (bring your passport, around 50–150 MAD for generous data), or activate an eSIM like Airalo before you land for instant connectivity. Coverage is strong in cities and towns.
Read the answerIs there good wifi in Morocco?
Wifi is widespread and free in most riads, hotels, cafés and restaurants in cities and towns, and generally fine for messaging, browsing and email. Speeds vary and can be slow for video calls or uploads, so a local SIM or eSIM is a reliable backup. Desert camps have limited or no wifi.
Read the answerHow do I get to Chefchaouen from Fes or Tangier?
There’s no airport or train to Chefchaouen — you arrive by road. From Fes it’s about 4 hours (roughly 200 km); from Tangier about 2 hours (roughly 115 km). Options are a CTM or Supratours bus, a shared or private grand taxi, or a private driver, which is the most comfortable and flexible.
Read the answerWhat is the drive to the Sahara actually like — is it long and boring?
Long but genuinely scenic, not boring. From Marrakech it is about eight to nine hours to Merzouga, split over two days, crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, then Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate and the Dades and Todra gorges. The road is paved, and the stops are some of the trip’s highlights.
Read the answerCan I fly to the desert instead of driving?
Partly. Errachidia airport is about an hour from Merzouga and Ouarzazate airport serves the Zagora side, both with limited domestic flights, mostly via Casablanca. Most travellers still drive because flights are infrequent and you would miss the scenery — but flying one leg can save a long day for time-pressed visitors.
Read the answerIs there wifi, phone signal or electricity at a desert camp?
Patchy by design. Most camps run on solar or a generator with electricity for limited evening hours, enough to charge a phone. Mobile signal often works on the dunes but is weak (Maroc Telecom is usually best); wifi is rare and slow at standard camps, though some luxury camps now offer it. Treat it as a digital detox.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from Italy to Morocco?
Yes. Milan (Malpensa, Bergamo) and Rome (Fiumicino) fly direct to Marrakech and Casablanca, with seasonal links to Fes and Agadir. Carriers include Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, ITA Airways and Wizz Air. Flight time is roughly 3 to 3.5 hours.
Read the answerDo Italian citizens need a visa for Morocco?
No. Italian passport holders do not need a visa for Morocco for stays of up to 90 days. You enter on your passport alone, which should be valid for the duration of your stay. Just complete the short arrival card handed out on the plane or at the border.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from Brussels to Morocco?
Yes — plenty. Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi fly direct to Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier, Nador, Oujda and Agadir. Carriers include Royal Air Maroc, Brussels Airlines, Ryanair and TUI fly. Flight time runs about 3 to 3.5 hours.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from Geneva or Zurich to Morocco?
Yes. Both Geneva and Zurich fly direct to Marrakech and Casablanca, with some seasonal links to Agadir. Carriers include Swiss, Royal Air Maroc, easyJet and Edelweiss. Flight time is roughly 3 to 3.5 hours.
Read the answerAre there direct flights from Dublin to Morocco?
Yes — Ryanair flies direct from Dublin to Marrakech, taking about 3.5–4 hours, though not daily. For other dates or cities (Casablanca, Fes, Agadir), easy one-stop connections run via London, Paris, Amsterdam or Madrid.
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