Overview
Morocco is a country in Africa according to thereligionfaqs. In Morocco, as you relax in your hammam (steam bath), spoon up your tagine (stew), haggle for good merchandise in souks or don a comfortable kaftan, it’s amazing how easy it is to slip into another culture. To orientate yourself, you only have to look at the horizon. There you’ll see elegant minarets alongside rustic adobe fortifications, the shimmering coastline of silky sand and the striped gorges of the High Atlas Mountains. Morocco has always strived for independence, but remained open to new ideas. This resulted in an interesting mix of cultures (mainly African Berbers, Arabs and Mediterranean peoples), religions and languages with ancient roots but surprisingly modern views. Whether holidaying in family-friendly riads (guest houses), shopping for typical handicrafts, or letting your imagination run free with trips to remote Berber villages, you will always find Moroccans whose hospitality exceeds all expectations.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Royal Air Maroc (AT), the national Moroccan airline, offers flight connections to Morocco from Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Vienna, Geneva and Zurich, among others. Lufthansa (LH) flies non-stop from Frankfurt/M. to Marrakech and Casablanca and from Munich to Marrakech. Condor (DE) connects Frankfurt/M., Hamburg and Munich non-stop with Agadir. Austrian Airlines (OS) flies in cooperation with Lufthansa (LH) via Frankfurt/M. to Marrakech and Casablanca and in cooperation with Swiss (LX) via Zurich to Marrakech. Laudamotion (OE) flies non-stop from Vienna to Marrakech. Swiss (LX) offers non-stop flights from Zurich and Geneva to Marrakech. Edelweiss Air (WK) also flies non-stop from Zurich to Marrakech. Air Arabia Maroc (3O) offers flight connections from Vienna to Marrakech and from Cologne/Bonn to Nador. Easyjet (EC) flies from Basel-Mulhouse and Geneva to Agadir. Wizz Air (W6) flies from Vienna to Marrakech.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Casablanca: 3 hours 30 minutes; Frankfurt/M. – Marrakech: 3 hours 45 minutes; Frankfurt/M. – Agadir: 4 hours; Vienna – Casablanca: 3 hours 50 minutes; Vienna – Marrakech: 4 hours 20 minutes; Zurich – Casablanca: 3 hours 20 minutes; Zurich – Marrakech: 3 hours 35 minutes
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
The best road connection is via Algeciras in southern Spain or France with one of the car/passenger ferries to Tangier, Ceuta, Nador or Melilla. If you travel the country by car, you must also leave the country by car, unless you have a special permit from the Moroccan customs authorities. Crossing the border to Mauritania via Western Sahara is not recommended because of the mining in the border area. The border to Algeria is closed; entry by land is therefore not possible. Long-distance bus: Eurolines buses connect various German and Swiss cities, such as Frankfurt/M., Munich, Düsseldorf or Zurich, with Casablanca. Toll: Some of Morocco’s motorways are subject to tolls, with barriers at entry and exit on the corresponding routes. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card. Documents: The national driving license is valid for stays of up to three months. Some rental car companies, however, require the additional presentation of the international driver’s license.
Arrival by train
The rail connections between Morocco and Algeria are currently suspended; the rail service ends in Oujda, near the Algerian border.
Arrival by ship
The main ports are Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir and Ceuta, which are also served by cruise ships and ferries.
Cruise ships
Phoenix and Transocean cruise ships start in Hamburg and Bremerhaven with stopovers in Moroccan ports. Shipping companies such as MSC, Royal Caribbean and Seabourn also call at Morocco as part of their cruises.
Ferry provider
Trasmediterranea ferries connect Algeciras (Spain) with Ceuta and Tangier and Almeria with Nador. Ferries operated by Grandi Navi Veloci run several times a week between Nador and Séte (France) and between Tangier and Genoa (Italy). The FRS ferry company offers regular shipping services from Spain on the Tarifa-Tangier and Gibraltar-Tangier routes. Balearia ferries operate on the Almería-Melilla, Almeria-Nador and Málaga-Melilla routes and Naviera Armas ferries operate on the Motril-Al Hoceima route.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
Royal Air Maroc (AT) and Air Arabia Maroc (3O) operate domestic flights, connecting Casablanca and Marrakech with other Moroccan cities.
Traveling by car/bus
The Moroccan road network covers around 57,000 km, of which around 36,000 km are paved; all other roads are unpaved. The roads around Marrakech and Agadir in particular are very well developed. The larger cities connect highways. The coastal road between Tangier and Saidia, on which there are various bathing resorts, runs for about 470 km through a wild and rugged landscape along the Mediterranean Sea (journey time: about 7 hours 40 minutes). Tolls: Some Moroccan motorways are subject to tolls. There are barriers at the entrance and exit of the toll routes. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card. Petrol stations: There are enough petrol stations in Moroccan cities; in remote areas, however, travelers should always use the available fueling options. In Melilla and Ceuta, the Spanish enclaves, it is possible to fill up duty-free.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
The roads around Marrakech and Agadir in particular are very well developed. The unpaved roads and slopes to the south and east of the Atlas Mountains are often difficult or impossible to drive on due to heavy rainfall in spring and snow in winter.
Road classification
The Moroccan road network consists of – Motorways (identification: A and a number); – national roads (marking: N and a one or two-digit number); – regional roads (identification: R and a three-digit number) and – provincial roads (identification: P and a four-digit number).
Car rental
The major international car rental companies can be found both at airports and in larger cities. Drivers must be at least 21 years old (depending on the vehicle category) and have held their driving license for at least 1 year; the maximum age for some landlords is 65 years.
Taxi
Taxis are mostly found in larger cities. Small taxis (petits taxis) are used in urban transport and are metered, although travelers should always ensure that they are on. Larger taxis (grands taxis) that can be shared with other passengers are used for intercity transport. The fare depends on the number of passengers and the length of the route and should be agreed in advance.
Coach
The bus network is widely branched; practically every place can be reached by bus. CTM and Supratours buses connect major towns across the country. There are also a large number of private bus companies that also travel to smaller towns on a regular basis. The fares are cheap, especially in regional transport.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰. – Children under the age of 10 must be carried in the back seat. – Right before left in roundabouts. – When parking at parking meters, there is a risk of high fines if the parking time is not observed; often even vehicle claws are attached, which leads to additional costs and possibly several hours of waiting time. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 40-60 km/h (observe the signs!); – country roads: 100 km/h; – Motorways: 120 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. In the event of accidents and breakdowns with a rental car, the rental car company must always be informed first. The ADAC partner clubs in Morocco are the Royal Automobile Club Marocain (RACM), tel. +212 (0)5 22 20 03 96 and the Touring Club du Maroc (TCM), tel. +212 (0)5 22 20 30 64.
Documentation
The national driving license is valid for stays of up to three months. Some rental car companies, however, require the additional presentation of the international driver’s license. The international insurance card for motor transport must always be carried with you.
Note on travel by road
Driving at night should be avoided if possible, since unlit vehicles or animals on the road can lead to accidents.
Traveling in the city
In Casablanca, travelers have the choice between an extensive bus network, a tram line that crosses the city from east to south-west, a commuter train that connects the city to the airport and taxis. The country’s major cities have well-developed bus networks; Taxis are also readily available everywhere.
Locally on the way by train
The Moroccan rail network is operated by the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF). The main railway routes are the north-south Tangier-Rabat-Casablanca-Marrakech line and the east-west Oujda-Fez-Rabat line; the two routes intersect in Sidi Kacem, among other places. There are air-conditioned express trains, fast suburban commuter trains (Trains Navettes Rapides (TNR)) and the so-called Trains Ordinaires that connect all the stations on the Moroccan rail network. Night trains also run between Marrakech and Tangier. Rabat and Tangier are connected by a high-speed TGV line (journey time: 1 hour 20 minutes).
