Getting There By Rail

Rail Services
The Moroccan rail system runs along two branches: from Casablanca on the west coast to Oujda in the northeast, and from Tangier in the north to Marrakech. There are two classes of seats: first has six seats per compartment, and second has eight per compartment. Second-class travel is quite comfortable for most journeys. In summer, note that first class ensures an air-conditioned carriage only on intercity TCR (Train Climatisé Rapide) trains. Marrakech's old railway station is a charmingly ramshackle building (a new one was built next door in 2008) located on Avenue Hassan II at the corner of Boulevard Mohammed VI in the new city of Guéliz. Tickets can be purchased directly at the train station or through your riad or hotel.

Rail Operators
The Moroccan state railway, Office National des Chemins de Fer, or ONCF (tel: 0890 203 040; www.oncf.ma), is a legacy from French colonial times, and although services are limited, they are reliable and inexpensive, and a good option for travel between Morocco's major cities. It's also a greener way to travel, reducing emissions that might otherwise harm southern Morocco's delicate desert ecosystems. The most frequent direct services to Marrakech are from Fes (journey time – 7 hours) and Rabat (journey time – 4 hours), and the direct overnight service from Tangier (journey time – 11 hours) with sleeping carriages. Return tickets are good for up to seven days after your initial date of travel.