Morocco Train Guide: How ONCF Trains Work, Tickets, Routes, and What to Expect

Morocco’s train network is more useful than most travelers expect — and more limited than some assume. It covers the main population corridor well: Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech are all connected. The Al Boraq high-speed line makes the Tangier–Casablanca journey faster than flying once you factor in airport time. Fares are reasonable, the standard of long-distance first class is comfortable, and the Casablanca airport train is one of the best-value airport transfers in Africa.

But the network stops there. Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Agadir, the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains, and most of the south and coast have no rail service. If your itinerary includes those destinations — and most do — you will need buses or a rental car for at least part of the trip.

This guide covers how the ONCF train system works, how to buy tickets, what to expect on board, which routes are worth taking, and where trains are not an option.

Is Train Travel Good in Morocco?

For city-to-city travel on the main corridor, yes. Trains are faster than long-distance buses on most routes, more comfortable than road travel, and arrive in the centre of each city rather than on the outskirts.

The Casablanca–Marrakech run (~3 hours, air-conditioned, ~100–160 MAD second class) is a reliable option that compares well with the equivalent bus or a rental car. The Al Boraq from Tangier to Casablanca in 2 hours 10 minutes is genuinely impressive and beats driving by roughly 2 hours.

The weaknesses are geographic: the network follows a north–south Atlantic spine and a branch east toward Fes and Oujda. If your route takes you off that spine — to the coast south of Casablanca, into the Rif or Atlas mountains, or into the desert — trains stop being useful. Plan which part of your trip works by rail and which part needs other transport from the start.

Morocco’s Train Network: Where You Can Go

ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer) operates Morocco’s entire rail network — approximately 2,295 km of routes, all on standard gauge. The system serves:

Main line (north to south): Tangier → Kenitra → Rabat → Casablanca → Settat → Marrakech

Eastern branch (from Casablanca/Rabat): Rabat → Meknes → Fes → Taza → Oujda

Coastal branch: Casablanca → El Jadida (limited service)

Airport connection: Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) → Casablanca Voyageurs → Casa-Port

The network does not extend south of Marrakech, west of Casablanca along the Atlantic coast (except to El Jadida), or into any mountain regions.

A high-speed extension from Kenitra to Marrakech is under construction (started April 2025, targeted for 2029 before the FIFA World Cup). Until then, the network configuration above is what tourists work with.

Al Boraq: Morocco’s High-Speed Train

Al Boraq opened in November 2018 — the first high-speed rail line on the African continent. It runs French-built Alstom Euroduplex double-deck trains at speeds up to 320 km/h on the dedicated high-speed track between Tangier and Kenitra. South of Kenitra, trains continue on conventional track at slower speeds to Rabat and Casablanca.

Route: Tangier Ville → Kenitra → Rabat Agdal → Casablanca Voyageurs

Key journey times:

• Tangier → Casablanca: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Tangier → Rabat: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Tangier → Kenitra: approximately 55 minutes

Why Al Boraq matters for tourists: Tangier to Casablanca by road takes 4+ hours and by standard bus around 5–6 hours. Al Boraq cuts that to 2h 10min. If you are doing a circuit that includes Tangier, the high-speed train is the logical way to connect north and south.

Al Boraq does not serve Fes or Marrakech. The Al Boraq terminus is Casablanca Voyageurs. Travelers heading from Tangier to Marrakech must change there onto a standard Al Atlas service. Tangier to Fes involves a connection at Kenitra or Sidi Kacem (total journey approximately 3.5–4 hours). Note: standard Al Atlas trains do offer through services between Marrakech and Fès — see the route table below.

First vs second class on Al Boraq:

• Second class: 2+2 seating, comfortable, all seats reserved
• First class: 2+1 seating (wider), lounge access at major stations (Tangier Ville, Kenitra, Rabat Agdal, Casablanca Voyageurs), café-bar service on board

Approximate Al Boraq fares (dynamic pricing — check oncf-voyages.ma for live prices):

Prices vary by booking date, time, and availability. Earlier booking typically means lower fares. Example ranges checked September 2026; verify current fares at oncf-voyages.ma before booking.

Frequency: Approximately 8–12 departures per day in each direction. Trains can sell out on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons — the main commuter peak. Book ahead for those slots.

Important note on Rabat station: Al Boraq stops at Rabat Agdal, not Rabat Ville. If you are going to central Rabat, you need either a short taxi from Agdal or a connection to Rabat Ville on a TNR commuter service. Check your specific train before booking.

Standard ONCF Trains

Outside the Al Boraq corridor, ONCF runs Al Atlas intercity trains — air-conditioned, long-distance services covering Casablanca to Marrakech, Casablanca to Fes/Meknes/Oujda, and all intercity routes south and east.

For the busy Casablanca–Rabat–Kenitra commuter corridor, ONCF operates Train Navette Rapide (TNR) double-deck shuttle trains running approximately every 30 minutes (every 15–20 minutes at peak hours). These are primarily unreserved second class. The TNR also serves Mohammed V Airport.

First Class vs Second Class

On Al Atlas long-distance trains, the class difference is more significant than on Al Boraq:

Recommendation: On journeys under 2 hours, second class is fine. For Casablanca–Marrakech (3 hours), Casablanca–Fes (3.5–4 hours), or any route over 2 hours, the 50–80 MAD upgrade to first class is worth it. The compartment stays quieter, less crowded, and you are more likely to have a power socket for charging.

On Al Boraq, second class is already comfortable and well-equipped. First class on Al Boraq is primarily worth it for the lounge access at stations if you have time before departure.

How to Buy Morocco Train Tickets

Online via oncf-voyages.ma

ONCF’s official booking site is www.oncf-voyages.ma (the booking sub-portal — not oncf.ma directly). The site is available in French, Arabic, and English.

Process: enter origin and destination → choose date → select your train → choose class and seat → enter passport/ID details and email address → pay by card → receive e-ticket by email.

Card payment note: Some international cards may be declined on the ONCF website. If this happens, try the ONCF Voyages app as a second option — it may accept your card where the website did not. If the app also declines it, buying at a station window is the straightforward alternative and requires no advance setup.

Third-party booking platforms — including 12go.com, Rail.Ninja, and Bookaway.com — also accept a wide range of international cards. Note that these are not official ONCF partners; they may charge booking fees on top of the base fare, and they operate their own cancellation and refund policies. Always compare the total price before using a third-party platform over the official channel.

ONCF Voyages App

ONCF launched its official mobile booking app, ONCF Voyages, in April 2025 (available on Google Play and the App Store in Arabic, French, and English). It allows route search, seat selection, ticket booking, and ticket storage. If you encounter card issues on the website, the app may accept your payment method — it is worth trying.

Note: older travel guides reference an app called “Bilal.” The current official ONCF app is ONCF Voyages; Bilal is outdated.

At the Station

Every ONCF station has staffed ticket windows. Larger stations also have self-service ticket machines. Cash is accepted everywhere; major credit cards are accepted at most large-station windows (Casablanca Voyageurs, Marrakech, Rabat Ville, Tangier Ville confirmed). Language at ticket windows is primarily French and Arabic — “Un billet pour [city], s’il vous plaît” handles most requests.

Buying at the station is reliable for same-day or next-day travel on non-peak routes. For Al Boraq on busy weekends, the window may already show limited availability.

Exception — couchettes and sleepers on overnight trains: These cannot currently be booked online via oncf-voyages.ma or the app. You must book at a station ticket window, or through specialist booking agents (Marrakech Tickets: marrakechtickets.co.uk; Travel Link Tangier: +212 539 93 58 77). Passport is required. Book overnight berths a week or more ahead during busy periods.

Do You Need to Book in Advance?

On most routes on most weekdays: no. You can turn up at the station, buy a ticket, and board the next available train. This applies to Casablanca–Marrakech, Casablanca–Fes, and most standard Al Atlas services on ordinary travel days.

Book ahead when:

• Traveling on Al Boraq on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons (the main sell-out slots)
• Traveling during Moroccan school holiday weekends
• Traveling during Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha — these are the most critical periods; trains can sell out completely, particularly in the Eid rush toward Marrakech or family towns. Book 3–4 weeks ahead for Eid.
• Traveling in July or August on popular routes
• Wanting a specific first-class compartment on any longer journey

Pricing: ONCF uses variable (dynamic) pricing. Booking earlier typically means a lower fare — sometimes 20–40% less than the same seat purchased on the day. If you know your travel dates, buying ahead saves money as well as guaranteeing your seat.

Popular Morocco Train Routes

All journey times and fares are examples only; they vary by service, date, and how far in advance you book. Example fares checked September 2026. Prices are in MAD. Always verify at oncf-voyages.ma before booking.

On the Marrakech–Fès journey: ONCF operates through Al Atlas services with multiple intermediate stops including Casablanca and Rabat. “Direct” here means no change of train — you remain on the same service for the full journey. Journey times and departure slots vary; confirm the current schedule and buy your ticket at oncf-voyages.ma, the ONCF Voyages app, or any station window.

Train Stations Tourists Should Know

Casablanca

Casa Voyageurs (Casablanca Voyageurs): The main long-distance hub. All Al Boraq and Al Atlas intercity trains stop here. If you are taking Al Boraq from Tangier and continuing to Marrakech, you transfer to an Al Atlas service here. It is also a stop on through Al Atlas services between Marrakech and Fès — the station to use for all intercity travel. Also a TNR stop, so the airport train reaches it directly. Located in the east of the city, about 15–20 minutes by taxi from the city centre.

Casa-Port: The city-centre station, closer to the old medina. Served by TNR commuter shuttles and the airport train — useful if you are staying near the old city. Does not serve Al Boraq or Al Atlas intercity trains. If you are catching an intercity train, go to Casa Voyageurs, not Casa-Port.

Rabat

Rabat Ville: The central station, near Mohammed V Avenue and the medina. Standard Al Atlas services stop here. Most tourists use this station.

Rabat Agdal: A newer station in the southwest of the city. Al Boraq stops here — not at Rabat Ville. If you are taking the Al Boraq to Tangier, your departure is from Rabat Agdal. A short taxi from the centre costs approximately 20–30 MAD.

Marrakech

One main station: Marrakech (Gare de Marrakech), at the western edge of the Gueliz district. About 15–20 minutes from the medina by petit taxi (~15–20 MAD). The Supratours bus terminal for connections to Essaouira, Agadir, and other southern destinations is directly adjacent to the station — a significant logistical advantage when planning combined rail-and-bus routes.

Fes

One main station: Fes (Gare de Fès), located about 10–15 minutes by taxi from Fes el Bali (the old medina). Petit taxis wait outside. The station is the eastern terminus of the main line from Casablanca.

Tangier

Tangier Ville (Tanger-Ville): The Al Boraq terminus, and the city-centre station. Located about 15 minutes walk from the medina (taxi recommended: ~20 MAD). The station to use for all train travel.

Tangier Med: This is not a city station — it is the ferry port, approximately 40 km east of Tangier city, serving ferries to Spain. It is served by a regional train separate from the Al Boraq network. Do not confuse it with Tangier Ville.

Mohammed V Airport (CMN)

The ONCF station is on Level -1 of Terminal 1, underground. Trains run to Casablanca Voyageurs and Casa-Port at approximately hourly intervals from around 06:50 to 22:50. Journey time to Casa Voyageurs: approximately 30 minutes. Fare: approximately 50 MAD (2nd class) / 70 MAD (1st class). This is consistently one of the most reliable and cost-effective airport transfers in the country.

What Train Travel Is Actually Like

Comfort: Al Atlas first class is comfortable and appropriate for long journeys. Six-seat compartments with padded seats, air conditioning, and generally reasonable cleanliness. Second class is functional — adequate for shorter trips. Some older rolling stock in second class can feel worn.

Al Boraq is a step up overall: modern interiors, good air conditioning, large windows, and a generally smooth ride.

Air conditioning: Reliable on all trains including standard Al Atlas and Al Boraq. On very hot days (summer in Marrakech or the interior), the air conditioning is a genuine advantage over bus travel.

Toilets: Present on all trains. However, the condition is typically poor — paper and water supply unreliable, maintenance inconsistent. Use station toilets before boarding for long journeys. Expect the toilet to be functional as an emergency option, not a comfortable facility.

Food and water: Refreshment trolleys appear on Al Atlas long-distance trains; Al Boraq has a café-bar car. However, trolley availability and supply on Al Atlas is inconsistent. Bring your own water and snacks for any journey over 2 hours. This is not a minor tip — it genuinely matters on a 3–4 hour journey on a warm day.

Power sockets: Present in first class on most services. Unreliable or absent in second class on standard trains. Bring a power bank if you need to keep devices charged.

Wi-Fi: Not reliably available. Download maps, offline guides, and your ticket before travelling.

Noise and movement: Al Boraq is smooth and quiet. Al Atlas on older track sections can be noisier and show more vibration. On the Casablanca–Marrakech route, the track quality is good. The Casablanca–Fes route includes some slower sections.

Language: Announcements are in Arabic and French. Station signs are in Arabic and French, with some English at major stations. Staff English is limited outside Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier tourist-facing staff.

Conductors: Present on all services and check tickets during the journey. Keep your ticket or e-ticket accessible throughout.

Luggage

There are no official weight or size limits for carry-on luggage on ONCF trains. Overhead racks handle standard luggage; larger bags go in the vestibule areas at carriage ends. Keep bags within sight or at your feet rather than in vestibules if the train is busy.

Left-luggage storage is available at major stations (Casablanca Voyageurs, Rabat Ville) for approximately 10–20 MAD per item per day. This is useful if you have a long wait between connections or want to explore a city without luggage.

Safety

Train travel in Morocco is considered safe. The main security risk is opportunistic petty theft of unattended bags — standard precautions apply. Keep bags visible, at your feet, or in the overhead rack directly above your seat rather than at the far end of the carriage. Do not leave bags unattended while getting food or visiting the toilet.

First class compartments carry a lower risk due to fewer passengers. Professional conductors patrol regularly and are a visible presence.

Incidents involving tourists are reported as rare. The risk profile is consistent with European rail travel at a less crowded level.

Common Mistakes

1. Going to the wrong Casablanca station. Casa-Port serves the airport TNR and commuter trains but not intercity Al Boraq or Al Atlas services. Casa Voyageurs is the intercity hub. This confuses a meaningful number of first-time visitors.

2. Going to the wrong Rabat station. Al Boraq stops at Rabat Agdal, not Rabat Ville. If your train is an Al Boraq service and you are departing from Rabat, confirm which station.

3. Assuming trains reach everywhere. Chefchaouen, Essaouira, and Agadir are three of the most visited places in Morocco and none has rail service. Check your destinations before assuming a train-only route is possible.

4. Card declined on the ONCF website. Try the ONCF Voyages app first; then buy at a station window. Third-party booking sites are also an option but charge booking fees and are not official ONCF partners.

5. Not booking ahead for busy periods. Al Boraq on Friday evenings and during Eid can sell out. If you are traveling on a popular date, do not assume last-minute availability.

6. Expecting Wi-Fi. It does not exist reliably. Download everything — maps, guides, tickets — before departure.

7. Not bringing water. On a 3–4 hour journey in summer, this is a significant discomfort. Do not rely on the trolley.

8. Confusing Tangier Ville and Tangier Med. Tangier Ville is the city train station. Tangier Med is the ferry port 40 km away. If you are going to Spain by ferry, you need Tangier Med, which requires a separate transport arrangement — not the Al Boraq.

9. Expecting English at smaller stations. Outside Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier, French is the working language at ticket windows. A few basic French phrases make station interactions much easier.

10. Waiting until the platform to check the compartment class. Your ticket specifies the carriage and compartment. Check before boarding so you do not walk the full length of the train on a busy day.

Places You Cannot Reach by Train

The ONCF network covers the Atlantic corridor and the branch to Fes and Oujda. All of these popular destinations require road transport:

Supratours “Billet rail et route” tickets: A practical advantage of the ONCF system is that Supratours — ONCF’s bus subsidiary — has its terminal directly alongside Marrakech station. You can buy a combined train-to-Essaouira ticket (train from Casablanca to Marrakech, then Supratours bus to Essaouira) as a single ticket at any ONCF station. This seamless connection is genuinely useful and underused by tourists who assume they need to arrange the bus separately.

Train vs Bus vs Rental Car

A decision guide for the main transport choices:

Practical Tips

• Download your e-ticket before travel. Mobile signal on platforms is not always reliable. A screenshot or PDF works.
• Arrive early at major stations during holidays. Station queues during Eid are significant. At Casablanca Voyageurs during a holiday peak, allow extra time.
• Ask at the ticket window for “premier classe” specifically. Ticket agents default to second class if you do not specify.
• Keep small bills for platform vendors, porters, and station toilets. Station toilets at major stations charge a small fee (approximately 2–5 MAD).
• The Casablanca–Marrakech train is the best introduction to the rail system for first-time users. Frequent departures, reliable journey time, and well-organised stations at both ends.
• For Marrakech departures toward Essaouira, check the Supratours terminal immediately beside the station — do not go to the CTM terminal, which is in a different location in Marrakech.
• Night train couchettes cannot be booked online. If you are planning the Tangier–Marrakech overnight, go to any station ticket window and ask specifically for a “couchette” on the Train Hôtel service. Passport required. Book ahead during busy periods.
• Schedules change seasonally. Always verify departure times on oncf-voyages.ma or at the station before your travel day. Do not rely on travel guides (including this one) for precise schedules.

Related Morocco Unpacked Guides

• Morocco Without a Car — Complete guide to bus, taxi, and shared transfer options across the whole country
• Morocco Taxi Guide — How petit taxis, grand taxis, and airport taxis work
• Morocco Travel Budget — What everything costs, including transport
• Marrakech Travel Guide — Getting to and around Marrakech
• Fes Travel Guide — Getting to and around Fes
• Casablanca Travel Guide — Using the rail hub
• Rabat Travel Guide — Navigating Rabat’s two stations
• Tangier Travel Guide — Al Boraq arrivals and onward connections
• 7 Days in Morocco Itinerary — Sample rail-connected route
• 10 Days in Morocco Itinerary — Longer route combining rail and bus