To Marrakesh by train

[John Ashworth]

To Marrakesh by train

Crispin Burrell wants to go by rail to Morocco but is worried about safety

From Times Online
February 25, 2009

Richard Green

I like the idea of arriving into Marrakech by train. Is this a sensible idea, and are Moroccan trains safe? Crispin Burrell, Harlow

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: The trains in Morocco are some of the best in Africa, with smart comfortable carriages, very cheap fares, and they are even pretty good at running to time.

You can catch the train to Marrakech from Casablanca (3hrs), Rabat (4hrs 15min), Meknès (6hrs 45min), and Fez (7hrs 40 min), but the most popular for tourists is the overnight service to and from Tangier.

The journey takes almost 11 hours, and there is one air-conditioned couchette carriage per train: with single berth compartments for £48 one-way, doubles for £36, or a bunk in a four-berth compartment for £28 - all come with pillows, sheets and blankets. The compartment doors lock from the inside and there is a train guard in the carriage, so security isn't normally an issue.

The brand new station in Tangier is a model of order and a good introduction to the country's rail network. You can hop off a ferry from southern Spain or Gibraltar; take a short taxi ride to the station from the port, and be on your way in a matter of minutes.

The Moroccan (ONCF) website, www.oncf.ma, has information and timetables in English, but as yet it isn't possible to book via the site. If you are booking through a Morocco specialist tour operator, they can book trains for you, but if you are making your trip independently, it's a bit tricky.

You¹ll be fine if you are spending a week or two in Morocco, as it is easy to book most trains a day or two in advance ­ usually all that is needed - from the train station, or a downtown travel agent. But if you are on a tight schedule and need to get the overnight train from Tangier, they get very busy in the tourist season, and it is better to book in advance. Try contacting Morocco based agent, Travel Link.