Book tickets online at oncf-voyages.ma at least one week in advance to secure the “S’rîi” promotional fare, which can cut ticket prices by 30-40%. During peak travel periods (Moroccan holidays, summer), trains fill up quickly. Don’t assume you can just show up and buy a ticket at the station.

Ticket classes matter. Second class is perfectly adequate — clean, air-conditioned, with comfortable seats. First class offers more legroom, wider seats, and fewer passengers. If you’re traveling with large luggage, first class is worth the extra 50-80 MAD for the easier storage.

The Al Boraq is punctual. Boarding begins 20 minutes before departure. Arrive at the station 30 minutes early to navigate ticket checks, find your platform, and locate your assigned car and seat (marked on your ticket).

City Navigation: The Petit Taxi System

When you arrive at Rabat Ville or Casablanca Voyageurs station, you’ll need to get to your hotel. This is where Morocco’s petit taxi system becomes your best friend.

Petit taxis are color-coded by city: blue in Tangier, red in Rabat, white in Casablanca. They’re small sedans (usually Dacia Logans or Fiat Unos) that operate on meters within city limits only. Maximum capacity is three passengers.

Key logistics:

1. Insist on the meter: Tell the driver “Compteur, s’il vous plaît” (meter, please). If they refuse, find another taxi. The meter starts at 7-8 MAD and increments based on distance. A typical ride from the train station to a medina hotel should cost 15-30 MAD depending on the city.

2. Have small bills: Drivers often claim they don’t have change for 200 MAD notes. Keep 20 MAD and 50 MAD bills handy.

3. Know your destination: Have your hotel name and address written down or on your phone. “Near the medina” isn’t specific enough. If your riad is deep in the medina, the taxi will drop you at the nearest accessible gate — you may need to walk the final 100-300 meters.

4. Night surcharge: After 8:00 PM, fares increase by 50%. This is legal and indicated by a “Tarif 2” setting on the meter.

Train stations always have taxi stands with queues. Don’t accept offers from “helpful” men claiming to arrange taxis for you — they’ll take a cut of an inflated fare. Just walk to the official taxi line.

Rabat’s distinctive red petit taxis operate on meters within city limits, providing reliable transport from train stations to medina hotels for 15-30 MAD per ride.

Car Rental Logistics: The One-Way Option

You have two main pickup locations in Casablanca: Mohammed V Airport (CMN) or city center agencies. The airport is more convenient if you’re ready to leave immediately, as it connects directly to highways. City center rentals work if you’ve spent time in Casablanca and want to avoid the airport drive.

The critical decision is whether to do a one-way rental. If you drop the car in Agadir or Marrakech instead of returning to Casablanca, expect a one-way fee of 500-1,000 MAD depending on the agency and distance.

Is it worth it? Calculate the trade-off:

One-way (Casa → Agadir): Pay the fee but save 4-5 hours of driving back. Makes sense if you’re flying out of Agadir or continuing south.

Round-trip (Casa → Agadir → Casa): No one-way fee, but you must budget time and fuel for the return drive via the inland A7 highway (approximately 550 kilometers, 5-6 hours).

Negotiate the one-way fee. Some agencies waive or reduce it during low season or if you’re renting for 7+ days. It never hurts to ask.

Full insurance is mandatory. Morocco’s roads can be unpredictable — donkey carts, unmarked speed bumps, aggressive drivers. Don’t risk being liable for damage. The peace of mind is worth the extra 80-120 MAD per day.

The Toll System: A1 and A3 Highways

Morocco’s modern toll highways (autoroutes) are excellent — smooth, well-maintained, and significantly faster than secondary roads. The main coastal highways are the A1 (Rabat-Casablanca-El Jadida) and A3 (Casablanca-Marrakech).

Here’s how tolls work:

1. Entry ticket: When you enter the highway, you collect a ticket from an automated machine or attendant. Keep this ticket — you need it to exit.

2. Exit payment: At your exit, hand the ticket to the toll booth attendant. They calculate the fee based on distance traveled. Payment is cash (MAD) or credit card at most major toll plazas. Some smaller exits are cash-only.

3. Costs: Tolls are reasonable. Casablanca to El Jadida on the A1 costs around 15-20 MAD. Casablanca to Marrakech on the A3 is approximately 60-70 MAD.

4. Tag Jawaz: This is Morocco’s electronic toll system, similar to E-ZPass. Only useful if you’re a resident or frequent traveler. Tourists stick to cash/card.

Keep small bills (20 MAD, 50 MAD) in your car console for tolls. Some attendants genuinely don’t have change for 200 MAD notes during slow hours.

Road Conditions: Speed Reality Check

The primary coastal roads are the R301 (Casablanca-El Jadida-Oualidia-Safi) and the N1 (Safi-Essaouira-Agadir). These are paved national roads, not dirt tracks, but they’re nothing like the highways.

Expect:

Highway speed: 120 km/h (75 mph) on autoroutes, though you’ll often cruise at 100-110 km/h comfortably.

Coastal road speed: 60-80 km/h (35-50 mph) on R301 and N1 due to curves, villages, speed bumps, and slower traffic.

What Google Maps tells you (2 hours from Safi to Essaouira) often becomes 2.5-3 hours in reality when you factor in slow-moving tractors, photo stops at cliffs, and the inevitable argan cooperative visit.

The coastal roads are scenic but demand attention. Curves appear suddenly, livestock crosses without warning, and farm vehicles pull out unexpectedly. Drive defensively. This isn’t the place to zone out.

Fuel Planning: The Quarter-Tank Rule

Gas stations in northern Morocco (Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier) are everywhere. South of Safi, they become sparser. You don’t want to be searching for fuel with 20 kilometers of range remaining on a windy coastal road with no services.

The golden rule: “Never go below 1/4 tank.”

Practical fuel strategy:

Fill up in major towns: Casablanca, El Jadida, Safi, Essaouira. These have multiple stations with competitive prices.

Don’t wait for “cheaper” fuel: Prices are regulated and vary by only 1-2 MAD per liter across the country. Waiting to save 10 MAD isn’t worth running low.

Diesel vs. gasoline: Diesel (“Gazole”) is cheaper (around 11-12 MAD/liter) and rental cars often run on diesel for better mileage. Gasoline (“Essence”) is around 14-15 MAD/liter.

Attendant service: Most Moroccan gas stations are full-service. An attendant pumps your fuel. Tipping 2-5 MAD is customary, especially if they wash your windshield.

Major chains: Shell, Afriquia, Petrom, Total. All are reliable. Avoid isolated independent stations unless desperate — fuel quality can vary.

The N1 coastal route between Essaouira and Agadir winds through the Atlas foothills with hairpin curves requiring careful navigation and frequent fuel monitoring south of major towns.

Who Are the Men in Yellow Vests?

In almost every Moroccan town, certain streets and parking areas are monitored by parking guardians — men (occasionally women) wearing yellow or orange reflective vests. They’re not government employees. They’re self-employed individuals who have claimed a street or lot as their territory.

Their role is simple: they guide you into parking spots, watch your car while you’re away, and help you exit when you return. It’s a legitimate job that provides income for people who might otherwise be unemployed.

The system is informal but highly structured. Guardians have territories, respect each other’s zones, and provide real value. Cars under their watch are less likely to be broken into or ticketed (though official parking restrictions still apply).

Pricing: What to Pay

Payment is customary and expected, though not legally mandatory. Here’s the going rate:

Short-term (1-3 hours): 2-5 MAD when you return to your car.

Long-term (overnight or full day): 10-30 MAD depending on the location and security level. Tourist areas cost more.

Guarded lots near medinas: 10-20 MAD per 24 hours in designated parking areas. These are the safest option for overnight.

Pay when you return to your car, not when you park. The guardian will approach you as you’re leaving. Have small bills ready — 5 MAD, 10 MAD, 20 MAD coins and notes.

Communication Tips

A simple interaction makes everything smoother:

When parking: Make eye contact with the guardian. They’ll guide you with hand signals. Nod to acknowledge. If you plan to park long-term, tell them: “Je reviens demain matin” (I’m returning tomorrow morning) or “Trois heures” (Three hours). This helps them know what to expect.

When returning: The guardian will be watching. They’ll often help you navigate out of tight spots. Hand them payment with a simple “Merci” or “Shukran” (thank you in Arabic).

If a guardian seems overly aggressive or demands unreasonable amounts (50+ MAD for an hour), politely refuse and park elsewhere. Most are honest, but bad actors exist.

Where to Park: Gate Parking Locations

Every medina has designated parking areas near the main gates (babs). Examples:

Essaouira: Large lots near Bab Marrakech and the port. 10-15 MAD per 24 hours, guarded.

El Jadida: Parking along Boulevard de Suez near Bab Marrakech. Street parking with guardians.

Rabat: Parking areas near Bab el-Had and along the medina’s outer walls.

These lots fill up during peak season. Arrive early or be prepared to circle for a spot. Once parked, lock valuables in the trunk, take what you need, and either carry your bags or hire a porter.

Using Porter Services (Charrettes)

In larger medinas like Essaouira, licensed porters operate blue hand carts (charrettes). They wait near parking areas and medina gates specifically to transport luggage.

Standard rates:

Short distance (near the gate): 10-20 MAD per cart.

Deep medina (10+ minutes walk): 20-40 MAD per cart.

Negotiate the price before they load your bags. Most riads can arrange for a porter to meet you at a specific gate if you call ahead — highly recommended if you have heavy luggage or are arriving at night.

In smaller medinas without formal porter services, you’ll need to walk. Pack light or use wheeled luggage that handles cobblestones reasonably well.

Essaouira’s main parking area near Bab Marrakech gate serves the car-free medina with 24-hour guarded lots requiring porters to transport luggage to interior riads.