How much time do you need in Morocco?
I am often asked this question and, the answer is, it depends!
If you live in Europe, it’s easy to hop over to Morocco for a week, or even a long weekend. So, with the possibility of returning easily and cheaply, there's no need to pack the whole country into one trip. But if you’re travelling from Australia or the west coast of the US, Morocco is a long way and maybe a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ destination. Which leads to a tendency for guests to want to cover as much ground as possible in a short time.
Morocco is a large country and trying to pack everything from north to south into ten or twelve days will inevitably lead to long days of driving and spending only one night in most locations, with limited time to explore when you get there. Of course, it’s a balance between doing as much as possible and keeping to your timeframe and budget. If you can’t extend your trip, it may be better to focus on what you really want to experience and build your itinerary around that area. So, if the highlight for you is the Sahara, maybe stick to exploring the south and Marrakech. Visiting Tangier or Chefchaouen in the far north might have to wait for another time.
Travel independently or join a tour?
Should you travel independently or join an escorted tour? This really comes down to personal preference, and perhaps how confident you feel travelling in an unknown country.
Do you like everything to be organised for you or do you prefer the spontaneity of independent travel?
Do you like to share travel experiences with a group or are you happy with your own company or travelling with a partner or friend?
Joining an escorted tour takes the stress out of travelling to an unfamiliar destination: someone else has done the research and the organising and, once you arrive, your tour leader or local guide will be on hand to provide assistance, deal with the unexpected and help navigate cultural differences. Joining a small group tour can also be a great way to make new friends. But, of course, a group tour is not for everyone. If tours are not your thing, but you're nervous about going it alone, a good middle ground is a personalised itinerary that allows you to travel independently, but without the hassle of doing all the research and bookings yourself.
How to get around
If you decide to join a tour, you won't need to think about transport - it will be organised for you. But if you are travelling independently, a key consideration is how you plan to get around in Morocco. Public transport, private car and driver, hire car, domestic flight?
Public transport
For independent travellers, public transport in Morocco is very affordable and ranges from slick and efficient to almost non-existent, depending on where you want to go. But, of course, it takes time, you have to fit in with the transport schedule, and you will often arrive in a bus or train station that may be at the opposite end of town from your accommodation.
The train service is especially good between major cities in the north and along the west
coast of Morocco. Africa's first high speed bullet train, Al Boraq, will whisk you from Casablanca to Tangier in just over two hours, by far the fastest way to do this 320 kilometre journey.
Regular trains also run between Marrakech and Casablanca in a little under 3 hours, although there is no direct train from Marrakech to Casablanca airport: you should allow another hour, to an hour and a half, to get to the airport, depending on the connection time. From Rabat to Fes, the train journey is about 3 hours and Fes to Marrakech takes about 6.5 hours. First and second class carriages are available.
In other parts of Morocco, and to explore rural areas, buses and grand taxis are the only options, if you're relying on public transport. CTM and Supratours are the two main bus companies that connect bigger towns and cater to tourists. For shorter trips, and to reach smaller towns, grand taxis are shared taxis, usually taking up to six passengers, sometimes with two passengers in the front seat of an old Mercedes and four in the back! These taxis run from fixed points and will leave only when the car is full.
If you need transport within a city, it's easy to hail a local taxi. The taxis in each city are a distinct colour so they're easy to spot: light blue with a yellow stripe in Tangier, red in Casablanca, blue in Chefchaouen, white in Ouarzazate, yellow in Marrakech etc. The biggest challenge is establishing a reasonable fare.
Private driver
Hiring a private car and driver is, of course, more expensive when compared to public transport, but, if this is within your budget, there are several advantages:
It's always nice to have someone meet you at the airport. Your driver will be waiting for you on arrival and will be with you for the duration of your tour.
You don’t need to worry about dragging your luggage on and off trains or buses. You will be delivered to the door of your accommodation each day, or, if it’s in the medina, to a designated meeting point, and won’t have to worry about getting from the train or bus station to where you’re staying.
You are free to make ad hoc stops along the way, either for a coffee or impromptu sightseeing, an option that is not possible if you’re travelling by public transport on a designated route.
Drivers are a font of local knowledge and can recommend the best restaurants, shops and other attractions and activities. They will usually go out of their way to help you, making bookings or other arrangements to ensure you get the most from your tour.
In short, a private driver takes all the stress out of travelling around Morocco, without compromising your independence.
Hire car
Hiring a car and driving yourself is, of course, another option. It allows complete flexibility and is less expensive than hiring a private driver. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of driving yourself is that, even with extensive research, you are bound to miss some interesting stops and won’t have the benefit of a driver’s local knowledge.
You should be aware that speed limits are strictly enforced in Morocco and the ever-present roadside police will not hesitate to issue fines. Finding safe parking in the bigger cities can be challenging, so be prepared to leave your car some distance from your accommodation.
Domestic flight
The national airline, Royal Air Maroc, and budget airlines, Air Arabia and Ryanair, fly internally within Morocco.
Flights are available between major cities and, if you are short on time, and want to visit destinations in both the north and south of the country, a domestic flight is definitely worth considering.
Getting around in cities
When you’ve reached your destination, the best way to experience Moroccan cities is to walk and, if you’re exploring the medina, walking is the only option. If you need directions, some locals will helpfully assist, some will be happy to guide you on the expectation of payment for their services and others will tell you the medina is closed or the street you want is blocked off - even when it isn't. It's best to have Google Maps and/or the maps.me app on your phone. Both apps will sometimes struggle in the medina, where streets are narrow and covered: you may find that one will work when the other doesn't.
If you need to travel a longer distance outside the medina, unless you have a private driver, you will have to run the gauntlet of the local taxis. Always agree the price before you get in or ensure the driver is using the meter and beware of meters that ‘don’t work,’ drivers who don't have change or vastly inflated fares.
Still have questions?
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about planning a Moroccan itinerary. I would love to help you!
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