Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what it’s like to take one of the Moroccan trains from Marrakech to Casablanca. We’re pretty used to taking trains to get around Europe and even Asia, but Northern Africa? We didn’t know what to expect! If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, keep reading to see what the trains in Morocco are like and whether it’s a good way to get from Marrakech to Casablanca.
How Long is the Train from Marrakech to Casablanca?
The train from Marrakech to Casablanca is scheduled to be 3 ½ hours, however it took us closer to four hours to make the journey. You can expect to pay between $8 and $15 for a ticket from Marrakech to Casablanca. Alternatively, a flight will take 45 minutes and cost between $100 and $200 per person. Buses are also available, and cost about the same as the train, and take slightly longer to make the 250-kilometer journey.
How Do You Buy Tickets for the Train in Morocco?
We booked our Morocco train tickets ahead of time online. We then went to the ticket office at the train station a few days before our journey to collect our tickets. You can also ask someone from your hotel or riad to pick up the tickets for you, in exchange for a small tip.
When you select your tickets, you can choose between First Class or Second Class. The price difference is pretty small, so we think it’s worth it to pay extra for First Class. You’ll have extra space and will be much more comfortable.
What’s the Train Station Like in Marrakech?
There are two ticket offices where you can get your train tickets. They speak French, Arabic, and English, so we had no trouble communicating with the ticket sellers. The boards showing track numbers and departures times will flash from Arabic to French, so don’t worry if you first see it in Arabic and you can’t read it. Your ticket will have the train number, which is always shown on the departures board, so you can easily figure out which track to go to. (Voiture is the car # you are assigned to!)
It’s a pretty typical train station with souvenir shops and fast food choices so you can grab something to eat before boarding.
What Should I Know About Boarding a Train in Marrakech?
When you exit the main terminal, you’ll find several lanes of train tracks outdoors. Make sure to get your ticket punched on your way to your train. Once you find your track number, verify the destination listed on the board. In our case, we were on a Marrakech to Fes train, but Casablanca is an intermediate stop along the way. So, it helps to know the final destination of your train so you don’t freak out at the last minute and think you are on the wrong train!
What is the First Class Car Like?
The First Class train cars have several compartments with six seats each. You may share the compartment with others, so be sure to check the seat number that is on your train ticket. We found the conductors to be friendly, and there’s even a snack trolley that came by frequently. There is space above the seats to store your luggage. Try to pack light as you’ll be hoisting your bags up overhead when boarding and leaving the train.
The First Class car has a bathroom with a flush toilet and a small sink and mirror. It was even stocked with toilet paper, although it did run out towards the end of the journey. Always have your own toilet paper! Also, the toilets “flush” right out onto the train tracks, so they don’t want you to use the restrooms when the train is stopped at a station, lest the station gets pretty gross pretty quickly.
Which Casablanca Train Station Do I Choose?
There are two stops in Casablanca. The first Casablanca train station is Casablanca Oasis, and it’s further out of the city. Unless you have a specific reason to get out there, you should exit at Casablanca Voyageurs, which is the main Casablanca train station. There are plenty of taxis outside that can take you to your Casablanca accommodation.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
We found the train from Marrakech to Casablanca to be very comfortable and convenient, despite arriving in Casablanca about 40 minutes behind schedule. If you’d like more family travel tips, check out some of our other blog posts: