Morocco by Train: 8-Day Itinerary Without a Car
Travelling around Morocco without a car is entirely possible. Trains link the imperial cities and the coast, and organised tours take over for the desert and the mountains. Here is an 8-day itinerary built on real ONCF timetables.
An 8-day Morocco itinerary by train links Tangier, Rabat, Fes and Marrakech without ever driving. The Al Boraq high-speed train connects Tangier and Casablanca in about 2 h 10, stopping at Rabat; the classic Al Atlas network then serves Fes (about 3 h 50 from Casablanca, 130 to 260 MAD) and Marrakech (about 2 h 40 to 3 h 20 from Casablanca, around 98 MAD in 2nd class). There is no direct train between Fes and Marrakech: expect a change at Casa Voyageurs and 6 to 7.5 hours of travel, for about 204 MAD in 2nd class. The rail network does not serve the desert, Chefchaouen or Essaouira: for those stops, use Supratours and CTM buses or an organised tour. Book on the ONCF website or app up to about 3 months ahead: Al Boraq fares rise with demand.
The Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Stop | Transport | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1-D2 | Tangier + Chefchaouen trip | Arrive by plane or ferry | — |
| D3 | Tangier → Rabat | Al Boraq | ≈ 1 h 20 |
| D4 | Rabat → Fes | Al Atlas train | ≈ 3 h |
| D5 | Fes (medina, tanneries) | On foot | — |
| D6 | Fes → Marrakech | Train via Casa Voyageurs | 6 to 7.5 h |
| D7-D8 | Marrakech + day trip | Organised tour | — |
Times are indicative; check the ONCF app before booking.
Days 1-2: Tangier and Chefchaouen
Tangier is the ideal gateway, with direct flights from Europe and ferries from Spain. The train does not reach Chefchaouen; the simplest option is a day trip with transport included. See things to do in Tangier and the Chefchaouen day trip from Tangier.
| Day trip | Rating | Reviews | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefchaouen with a local guide from Tangier | 4.8 | 3,717 | €43 |
| Shared Chefchaouen trip from Tangier | 4.8 | 900 | €37 |
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Day 3: Rabat by Al Boraq
Al Boraq links Tangier and Rabat in about 1 h 20. Rabat is easy to explore on foot and by tram: the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and the Chellah. See Rabat in 1 day.
Days 4-5: Fes, the Medieval Medina
From Rabat, allow about 3 hours on the classic train to Fes. Plan a full day for the medina and its tanneries, ideally with a guide so you don't get lost. See Fes in 2 days and the medina and tanneries visit.
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Day 6: Fes → Marrakech
This is the longest travel day: no direct train, a change at Casa Voyageurs, 6 to 7.5 hours in total. Leave early, or break the journey with a night in Casablanca to visit the Hassan II Mosque. Another option: reach Marrakech through the desert on a 3-day tour from Fes, see the desert from Fes.
Days 7-8: Marrakech and the Desert or Atlas
Marrakech is the end of the line. For the desert, the Atlas or Essaouira, use an organised tour or Supratours (an ONCF subsidiary) and CTM buses.
| Tour from Marrakech | Rating | Reviews | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day Merzouga and Sahara tour | 4.9 | 22,297 | €118 |
| Hot-air balloon flight with breakfast | 4.8 | 10,196 | €61 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they may change. Desert tour dates fill up fast in spring and autumn.
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FAQ — Morocco by Train
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In Short
- 8 days, 4 cities, no car: Tangier, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech.
- Train for the cities, tours for the desert and Chefchaouen.
- See also getting around Morocco and Morocco in 7 days.
