Generally, the public transport system
works well in Morocco. An efficient train service links the main towns
in the north with Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech; elsewhere you can
travel by bus, grand taxi or communal taxi.
Urban Transport
The best, and often the only, way to explore the medina is on
foot, but you may need some transport to visit sights further away.
Petits taxis can only travel within the city, and carry no more
than three people. They are relatively cheap and all have meters,
but do insist that the driver switches it on after departure. The
normal rate doubles after 8 pm. It is standard practice,
particularly with a single passenger, for the driver to pick up more
passengers on the way.
Grands taxis (see below) operate in cities like normal taxis
but, as they have no meters, you need to negotiate the price before
you set off.
Tourists rarely use local buses because taxis are inexpensive
and you can do most things on foot. Where a bus is useful it has
been indicated in the text.
Trains
The network only covers a small part of the country, but
there it is usually the best way to travel. Trains are
comfortable, reliable and efficient.
Two main lines run from Tangier to Marrakech and from Oujda
to Marrakech, joining the Tangier line at Sidi Kacem.
Timetables are available at main stations and tourist
offices or online at
www.oncf.org.ma.
It's best to book tickets in advance, but very often you can
just turn up and get a seat, as there are frequent trains.
Second-class tickets usually cost a little more (just over
3dh per 10km) than a similar journey by bus, while first class
(air-conditioned) costs more but is still very reasonable.
Buses
The bus service is very good, and slightly cheaper than
grands taxis, at around 2dh per 10km.
The national bus company CTM has the fastest and most
reliable buses with fixed departure times, numbered seats
and loud videos on the longer routes.
All major towns have a gare routiére (bus station), but
CTM buses leavefrom their own offices, which are not
necessarily near by. For longer journeys and CTM buses try
buying tickets in advance.
In summer you might consider taking night buses for
longer journeys to avoid the midday heat.
Services run by some of the smaller companies only leave
when they are full up, and they stop when flagged down.
The train company ONCF also runs fast and efficient
Supratour Express buses to connect larger cities like Essaouira, Agadir and Tetouan with their rail network.
Grands Taxis
Collective grands taxis (service taxis) operate
almost everywhere in Morocco, and they are the fastest
way to get around. Big Peugeot or Mercedes cars will
carry up to six passengers and operate all day,
particularly on popular routes, departing as soon as
they are full.
Just turn up at the grands taxis terminal and
state
your destination to get a seat in a car.
Prices are fixed per seat; just ask the other
passengers. If you do not want to wait you can pay the
price of all six seats.
Sample Journey Times
Marrakech-Casablanca: 3
hours (train)
3 hours 30 min (CTM bus)
2 hours 30 min (grand taxi)
Tangier-Casablanca:
6 hours (train/bus)
Fes-Casablanca: 4 hours 10 min (train)
5 hours 30 min (bus)
3 hours (grand taxi)
Agadir-Casablanca:
9 hours (bus)
Essaouira-Casablanca:
5 hours (bus)
Essaouira-Marrakech: 3 hours 30 min (bus)
Domestic Flights
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) operates from
Casablanca to the major cities in Morocco (tel:
0900 0800/(02) 2538080; www.royalairmaroc.com).
For most flights you have to change in
Casablanca.
Book all domestic flights in advance and
make sure you reconfirm them 72 hours before
departure.
For anything other than long distances, such
as from Laayoune or Dakhla in the far south, it
may be faster by train or car.
Driving
Driving is fairly easy in Morocco, but
accidents are quite frequent, particularly
because people often walk in the road
without looking out for traffic. Always
watch out for pedestrians or cyclists,
particularly in villages or towns.
Roads are generally good and well
kept,
and there is relatively little traffic out
of urban areas.
Police checks are frequent, especially
for speed offences.
Driving in the dark is dangerous as many
people cycle or walk in the middle of the
road, or even drive without lights.
To drive on pistes or unsurfaced roads —
in remote areas or in the desert — you need
an appropriate vehicle (preferably
four-wheel-drive) and some experience of
similar environments.
Driving Essentials
The minimum age for drivers is 21
years.
Speed limits: on motorways 120kph
on main roads 100kph
on urban roads 40kph.
Drive on the right.
Seatbelts are compulsory for drivers
and passengers, and you may be fined if
caught not wearing one.
Petrol stations are common in and
around towns, but there are fewer in
rural areas and in the south, so always
fill up when you can.
Premium is the standard brand of
petrol for cars, and unleaded petrol is
available at most stations. Prices are
similar to those in Europe, but the
duty-free fuel in Melilla and Ceuta is
less expensive.
Car Hire
A car is especially rewarding in
the south of Morocco, where there is
less public transport, and the
traffic is light.
Hiring a car is easy as there
are many agencies in Morocco, but it
is generally expensive.
International agencies tend to be
more expensive than local ones, but
are cheaper when booked before
arrival or with a flight. With local
firms you can usually bargain a
little over the fare, but you should
ensure that you check the quality of
the vehicle before use.
To hire a car you must be over
21, and you need a passport and
driving licence. An international
licence is not required but can be
useful if your normal one does not
carry a photograph.
Breakdowns
Moroccan mechanics are
usually good and very
resourceful. Most small towns
have a garage but, as most spare
parts are for French makes such
as Peugeot or Renault, it may
take a while to order anything
else.
If you break down far from a
garage you may have to pay a
truck driver to tow you to the
garage.
Parking
In almost every town
centre or at every sight
someone will offer to be a
gardien de voitures,
sometimes officially, but
very often self-appointed.
In either case you should
offer them a few dirhams for
looking after your car
before driving off.
Police Checks
As a result of the
large number of deaths
on Moroccan roads, the
police have become
increasingly vigilant
and there are often
checks outside cities.
Foreigners are usually
flagged through, though
you may be asked to show
your papers.
If you are stopped
for speeding or for some
other reason, always
remain
calm and polite. A quick
apology may get you off
a fine of up to 450dh.
Major roads have
radars to check speed —
but drivers coming in
the
opposite direction will
usually warn others by
flashing their lights.
