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Cars 4 Rental Guide To Travel In  Morocco

Following the series of terrorist attacks that took place in Casablanca on 16 May 2003, all travellers are advised to be vigilant and to avoid crowds and public places crowded with other foreigners. Most visits to Morocco are trouble-free, but violent crime - though not a major problem in Morocco - is on the increase. Visitors to the Western Sahara region should contact their relevant travel advice department for advice prior to arrival. International Airports Casablanca (CMN) (Mohammed V) is 30km (19 miles) south of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, post office, banking and bureau de change facilities, restaurant, bar and car hire facilities (Avis, Budget, Europcar, InterRent and Hertz). There are taxi services into Casablanca and train services available to Rabat. Tangier (TNG) (Boukhalef Souahel) is 11km (7 miles) from the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, banking and bureau de change facilities, restaurant, bar and car hire facilities (Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Tourist Car). Bus and taxi services are available into Tangier. Other international airports include Fez (FEZ), Marrakech (RAK) and Rabat-Sal (RBA). Departure tax: None. Back to Top Air Travel Morocco’s national airline is Royal Air Maroc (AT) (website: www.royalairmaroc.com). Other airlines serving Morocco include Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and SWISS. There are frequent direct flights from all major European cities, from North America and from the Middle East. Approximate flight times: From Casablanca to London is three hours; from Tangier is two hours 30 minutes. From Casablanca to New York is six hours 30 minutes. Royal Air Maroc (AT) operates regular services from Casablanca airport to Agadir, Dakhla, Fs, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda and Tangier. There are cheaper deals for those under 26 years of age depending on their destination in Morocco. Contact Royal Air Maroc for further details. There is also a new airline company, Regional Airlines (FN). Back to Top Travel By Water Principal ports are Tangier, Casablanca and Ceuta. Lines serving these ports are Bland Line (from Spain and Gibraltar), Comanav (from France, Spain and Italy), Compaa Trasmediterrnea, Limadet, Polish Ocean Lines (from Northern Europe) and Transtour. Car/passenger ferries: Ferry operators include FerriMaroc (website: www.ferrimaroc.com) and Trasmediterranea (website: www.trasmediterranea.com). There are cheap and regular car- and passenger-ferry links between southern Spain and Tangier and the Spanish enclaves on the north Moroccan coast. Most links are roll-on, roll-off car ferries except where shown. The routes are from Algeciras to Ceuta (Sebta) (car ferry); Algeciras to Tangier (hydrofoil and car ferry); Tarifa to Tangier (hydrofoil); Gibraltar to Tangier (hydrofoil and car ferry); Almera to Melilla (car ferry); Mlaga to Melilla (car ferry); and Almera to Nador (car ferry). There are also car ferries between Ste on the French coast (between Bziers and Montpellier on the Golfe du Lyon) and Tangier run by Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation. Back to Top Rail The Moroccan rail system is all standard gauge and, run by Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) (website: www.oncf.org.ma), provides regular and cheap services with first-class travel available between major centres. Rail fares are amongst the cheapest in the world, although a supplement must be paid for air-conditioned trains. Sleeping cars and restaurant cars are available. The network runs from Oujda in the northeast to Casablanca on the west coast, Tangier on the north coast and Fs and Marrakech in the interior. The main routes include: Marrakech–Casablanca–Rabat–Meknes–Fs–Oujda; Marrakech–Casablanca–Rabat; Marrakech–Casablanca– Meknes–Fs; and Casablanca–Rabat–Tangier. The most useful route is from Fs to Rabat and Casablanca, with five daily and two overnight trains. There are also two daily trains and one overnight train (without sleepers) which run from Casablanca to Marrakech. Also, from Monday to Friday, a train runs every 30 minutes from Kenitra to Rabat. Rail links between Morocco and Algeria are currently suspended. The main international routes are from Oujda to Algiers or from Oran to Algiers. Cheap fares: Children under four travel free and children from four to 12 may travel for half fare. The European Inter-Rail pass is valid in Morocco; holders may be entitled to a discount on the fare of a ferry ticket – check with the company concerned for details. Discounts of up to 30 per cent are available for groups of more than 10. First- and second-class seats can be reserved in advance. For more information, contact Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848; website: www.raileurope.co.uk). Back to Top Travel By Road Traffic drives on the right. The major Moroccan roads, particularly those covering the north and northwest of the country, are all-weather highways. In the interior, south of the High Atlas Mountains, road travel becomes much more difficult, especially across the Atlas Mountains in winter. Coach: The main centres are connected by a wide variety of coach services, many of which are privately run. The two largest firms are CTM (covering the whole country) and SATAS (between Casablanca, Agadir and south of Agadir). Visitors should bear in mind, however, that Morocco has a poor road safety record; the roads from Agadir to Marrakech, via Imi'n Tanoute and Chichaoua, are particularly hazardous. Bus: Connections between most major towns and villages are regular and frequent, although buses can be very crowded and it may be wise to buy tickets in advance and arrive well before departure to secure a seat. The price of tickets is very low, especially with some of the smaller local bus companies. It is customary to tip the guard for loading luggage. For charter purposes, air-conditioned motor coaches are available from several companies. Taxi: Those available in major towns, the petits taxis, are metered (see below under Urban). Other larger taxis, usually Mercedes cars, are used for travel to areas outside towns. These can be shared, but fares should be agreed before departure. Car hire: Avis, Hertz and other major hire companies have offices in major towns and cities, including Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, Fs, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat and Tangier. Car hire is generally expensive. Documentation: Foreign driving licences are accepted, as well as International Driving Permits. Third Party insurance is required. A Green Card is also necessary. Insurance can be arranged locally. The best road link is from southern Spain or France via passenger/car ferries (see above under Sea). The road link on the north Algerian border is currently closed. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Morocco. For further information, contact Eurolines (52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1; tel: (08705) 143 219; website: www.eurolines.com or www.nationalexpress.com). URBAN: There are extensive bus services in Casablanca and other main towns. Pre-purchase tickets are sold. Urban area petits taxis are plentiful and have metered fares. Taxi drivers expect a 10 per cent tip. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Casablanca to other major cities/towns in Morocco. Air Road Rail Rabat 0.30 1.30 1.00 Marrakech 0.30 4.00 4.00 Agadir 0.55 9.00 - Fs 0.40 5.00 5.00 Mekns - 2.30 4.00 Tangier 0.50 6.00 6.00 Oujda 1.05 12.00 12.00 Laayoune 1.30 20.00 - Er Rachidia 1.35 12.00 - Back to Top

Car Hire Morocco

Cars 4 Rental can provide car hire vehicles in all the popular locations throughout Morocco.

Whatever your requirements Cars 4 Rental will be able to provide a car to meet your needs. Our hire cars can be equipped with many optional extras including child seats so that your car rental is ideally suited to your needs.

Hire a car in Morocco