Trains are by far the best way to travel throughout Morocco. They are inexpensive, have frequent timetables, get you to most major cities in Morocco, and you can watch the varied landscapes of Morocco pass you by as you travel from one place to the next. There’s even a first class cabin if you want to travel in style, but I’m not sure what more they afford you other than a little bit bigger seat. Otherwise, the second class cabins are clean and comfortable with just a few exceptions of some train relics still on the tracks. While they can get crowded, you can more often than not find a seat. The double-decker commuter trains from Rabat to Casablanca (I think they actually start in Kenitra) are crowded to standing room only during the mornings and evenings- rush hour.
Unfortunately, mishaps can occur when riding the train. On one of our first train rides to El Jadida, we were stopped for an unusually long time, but not at an actual station. After about 20 minutes, people started milling about and eventually reported that our train had struck a man. Though he didn’t die from his injuries as far as we know, this isn’t the first and only incident of its kind.
The good news is you can easily travel on the trains with a big piece of luggage or even two. We actually brought seven with us when we arrived, but we were travelling at night when the trains are empty. It took three of us, and we had to stack them in the pass throughs and stand with them the entire time of course, but at least we were able to manage it.
Taxis are always at the ready when trains pull into the station, mostly petit taxis, but at some stations like in Tangier and Marrakesh grand taxis are abundant as well.
Unlike the city buses, the train system in Morocco has a well-developed website with information, train schedules, and customer service phone line (though you probably have to speak French or Darija).
On long journeys, there are sleeper trains which offer private cabins with beds that travel overnight. I can hear them pass in the distance when everyone is sleeping and the night air becomes still. I’ve always wanted to travel on one, but with my luck I’d be up all night and when I got to the destination I’d have to sleep through it!
The company also offers monthly commuter passes that offer little, but at least some discount on regular travel if you are going to be traveling from one place to another on a regular basis. They are a little restrictive in that the passes are only good for point to point destination such as Rabat to Casablanca and whatever stops are in between, but you can’t use them on a train trip to Marrakesh for instance. There may be other types of travel passes, but I’m only familiar with the commuter pass since we purchased them during our short stint working in Casablanca.
On our recent trip home from El Jadida, we started out on the city to city buses, but found it hot, crowded, and cramped. At the stop in Casablanca, we opted to take a taxi to the nearest train station and ride back to Rabat by rail. It was a good decision even with the extra cost of the taxi, which by the way, is only 10 DH from the bus station to Casa Voyagers. We found a cabin style car, where little cabins have bench or individual seating and a closing door. Most trains have open cabins with individual seating 2×2 which is a little better in my view. But, then again, when you’re in close quarters you can meet and talk with the most random people.
And, on most journeys a little refreshment cart that passes by with over-priced snacks, drinks (hot coffee, tea, soda and juices), and pastries. But, if you’re rushing on the train and hungry, at least you have an option. In some places, enterprising individuals also roam the carts selling cookies, cakes, chips and drinks at reduced prices too. I found this most often on the northern trains between Tangier and Fes.
Some of my favorite Morocco photos were captured from the windows of the train.
Now that I’ve written a whole post on my point of view about trains, here are many others. I actually meant to just create a post full of links to these, but see I somehow had a little more to say first!
What are you train experiences? Has anyone ever travelled on the overnight sleeper trains? Please share any tips, stories or otherwise useful information on train travel in Morocco.
Date stamped photo credit to my dad.
