Morocco is about three hours’ flight from Paris, under two hours from Madrid or Lisbon, and just fourteen kilometres from the Spanish coast. Getting to the kingdom is easy; choosing the right gateway is less so.
A tour of the South doesn’t start in the same place as a seminar in Casablanca or a break in the North. Here is the advice our teams give to travellers and to the agencies they have worked with since 1997.
By air, the most direct route
Flying remains the fastest and most popular option. More than fifteen Moroccan airports handle international flights, linked to the main European cities by the national carrier Royal Air Maroc, by European airlines and by many low-cost routes. From the Americas, Africa or the Middle East, most long-haul flights land in Casablanca, Royal Air Maroc’s hub.
- Casablanca Mohammed V: the country’s hub, for long-haul flights, conferences and imperial cities tours; a train links the airport to the city centre.
- Marrakech Menara: the gateway to the South, the Atlas and the desert, about twenty minutes from the medina.
- Agadir Al Massira: for the Atlantic coast, Taghazout, golf holidays and the Souss region.
- Tangier Ibn Battouta: for the North, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and the Mediterranean coast.
- Fes Saiss: for Fes, Meknes, Volubilis and the Middle Atlas.
- And also: Rabat-Salé, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Errachidia, Nador, Oujda and Dakhla, with some routes seasonal or connecting via Casablanca.
By ferry, across the Strait
Between Spain and Morocco, the Strait of Gibraltar is only fourteen kilometres wide at its narrowest point. Several companies run crossings all year round, with or without a vehicle.
- Tarifa – Tangier Ville: the shortest, about an hour, arriving right in the centre of Tangier.
- Algeciras – Tanger Med: the busiest route, especially for travellers with a car; the port is about forty kilometres from Tangier.
- Motril and Almería: longer crossings to Tanger Med, Nador or Al Hoceima, handy for the Rif and eastern Morocco.
- From France and Italy: routes from Sète, Marseille, Barcelona or Genoa reach Tanger Med or Nador after one or more days at sea.
Timetables change with the seasons and the weather in the Strait. In summer, especially during Operation Marhaba, which handles the return of Moroccans living abroad, book early and expect to wait at the port.
By road, then by train once there
Coming in your own vehicle means driving through Spain and then taking a ferry. On arrival, customs record the vehicle’s temporary import, and it must leave the country with its owner. Check that your insurance covers Morocco: the country must appear, not crossed out, on your green card.
No train links Europe to Morocco, but rail is an excellent way to get around once you arrive. Al Boraq, the high-speed line, connects Tangier with Rabat and Casablanca in just over two hours, and the ONCF’s conventional network serves Fes, Meknes, Marrakech and Oujda.
Coach lines also link France, Belgium and Spain with Morocco via the Strait: the cheapest option, but also the longest.
For a group, a private coach with driver remains the most flexible solution: the luggage travels with you, the timings follow your programme and you are met as soon as you leave the airport.
Formalities, before you book
- A passport valid for the whole stay: a national identity card is not enough.
- No visa is needed for a tourist stay of under 90 days for citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and many other countries; other nationalities must obtain a visa or an electronic authorisation before departure.
- The currency is the dirham, which can only be exchanged in Morocco: there are exchange desks at the airport, cash machines in every town, and cards are accepted in most hotels and larger shops.
- No vaccinations are required for travellers coming from Europe; travel assistance insurance that covers repatriation is still strongly recommended.
These rules can change: check them with the authorities of your country before you leave.
Which city should you fly into?
- Imperial cities: arrive in Casablanca or Fes and leave from Marrakech, to link Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech without backtracking.
- Desert and kasbahs: arrive in Marrakech, or in Ouarzazate or Errachidia to shorten the drive to Merzouga.
- North and Mediterranean: arrive in Tangier, by air or by ferry from Andalusia, for Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Asilah.
- Atlantic coast and golf: Agadir for Taghazout and the Souss, Marrakech or Casablanca for Essaouira and El Jadida.
- Conferences and seminars: Casablanca and Marrakech, which have the most direct flights and the large conference hotels.
Your questions
How long is the flight from Paris to Marrakech?
About three and a quarter hours on a direct flight. Allow roughly three hours for Casablanca, and a little less for Tangier or Fes.
Can you get to Morocco without flying?
Yes: by train or car to southern Spain, then by ferry from Tarifa or Algeciras to Tangier. There are also sea routes from France and Italy.
Do you need a visa for Morocco?
Not for citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada, for a tourist stay of under 90 days. A valid passport is required; other nationalities should check the conditions before departure.
Which is the best airport for visiting Morocco?
It depends on your itinerary: Marrakech for the South and the desert, Fes or Casablanca for the imperial cities, Tangier for the North, Agadir for the coast. Flying into one city and out of another often saves a day.
Planning a trip to Morocco?
Agencies, tour operators, companies: our teams in Casablanca and Marrakech put together your tailor-made stay or tour in Morocco.
