How do I get from Casablanca to Marrakech?

Casablanca to Marrakech is one of the few legs where I actively recommend the train over driving. ONCF runs frequent, modern services down the well-trodden Casa–Marrakech line, and the journey is about 3 hours, comfortable, and inexpensive. First class gives you assigned, roomy seats; second class is fine too if you book ahead. The station in Marrakech sits a short petit-taxi ride from the medina.

If you are landing at Casablanca’s Mohammed V airport, there is a neat trick: the airport has its own rail station, and you can connect through to Marrakech without going into the city centre, usually changing at Casa Voyageurs. It saves wrestling luggage across town. Check the timetable, because the airport shuttle trains run less often than the mainline.

Driving is about 240 km on a genuinely good toll motorway (the A7), so 2.5 to 3 hours of easy highway. It only really pays off if you have a group splitting the cost, lots of luggage, or you want the flexibility to stop. A private driver also removes the airport-to-station shuffle if you have just stepped off a long-haul flight and do not want to navigate.

My default advice: solo travellers and couples take the train — it is fast, cheap and stress-free. Families with bags, or anyone arriving jet-lagged on an international flight into Casablanca, are often happier with a private transfer waiting at arrivals that whisks them straight to their Marrakech riad in one go. Both get you there in roughly the same window once you account for airport faff.