how to travel by train in morocco

Traveling by train in Morocco is fairly easy. It is a relatively cheap and easy way to get around the country.

The Marrakech train station.

Below are helpful notes to get you through train travel around this beautiful country.

The train stations are called "gare" (sounds like bar but with a "g") then followed by the name of the city. For example, the train station at Tangier is called Gare Tanger Ville and the one in Fes is called Gare de Fes. The big stations are usually modern, large and clean.

As of this writing, it is not possible to buy train tickets online. But, you can check out the schedule online. 

Bring your passport when you buy a ticket. The attendant at Tangier asked for mine but the one in Fes did not. So, just to be safe, bring your passport with you. 

Also, bring cash just in case they do not accept credit cards. In Tangier, I was able to pay with a credit card. But, in Fes, I had to pay with cash.

Buy your ticket at the ticket counter at the train station. You may do so ahead of time or on the day of travel (although I recommend buying your ticket ahead of time just in case it is a heavy travel day). During my travels, a few attendants spoke English, while others did not. So, be prepared to speak a few words of French (or Arabic) just in case:
1 = un
2 = deux 
ticket = billet (sounds like bee-yay)

If all things fail, don't be embarrassed to use hand motions.

When buying a ticket, I recommend paying for the pricier (but still very affordable in US dollars) first class seat. For example, my ticket from Tangier to Fes in first class was about $17. In first class, you have an assigned seat in a relatively comfortable car.

The ticket is in French and Arabic. I will use the picture below to help decipher it:

• The top says "De Marrakech A Tanger." This means from ("De") Marrakech to ("A") Tangier.
• The top right corner has the number one. This means it is a first class ticket.
• The second line says "Depart" and some numbers. This means the time and date of departure. Note that dates are arranged by day/month/year.
• The next line is a chart. 
• The first column says "Place." This refers to your seat number.
• The second column says "Compart." This refers to your compartment number.
• The third column says "Voiture." This refers to your car number.
• The fourth column says "Changement." This refers to where your train will change, if any. In the ticket picture below, the train will change at Casa Voyageurs (i.e., Casablanca).
• The last column is blank but it is the place for your train number. In the ticket pictured below, Train 602 took me from Marrakech to Casablanca. Then, at Casablanca, I transferred to Train 157/358, which took me to Tangier.
• The last line says "Prix Dh." "Prix" (sounds like pree) means price in Dirham (or Dh, i.e., the Moroccan currency).

A sample train ticket.

Once you have your ticket, watch the monitors at the station to figure out which gate you should enter to find your train. Again, the monitors are in French and Arabic. I will use the picture below to help decipher it:

• The top line says "Departs des Trains," which means train departures.
• The second line has a few columns
• "Heure" means the hour or time when a train departs.
• "Destination" is self-explanatory.
• "Principales Gares Desservies" means main train stations served. The train might stop at other smaller stations. Only the main ones are identified. 
• "Voie" means lane where you will board your train. So, for my trip to Tangier, I need to take lane 7 to get on to my train.
• "Train" is self explanatory. 
• "Particularites" means something like special comments or particulars about the trip. For example, for the Tangier train, the particulars about the trip refer to going to Tetouan by car. (In my case, the particulars were irrelevant because I was not going to Tetouan.)

A monitor at the Casablanca train station.

Close to your departure time, you can go through the door leading to the trains. There will be a person checking your ticket. They will punch a hole through it. Then, go to  your lane and find your car. If you bought first class, your car will usually be number 1. The car numbers are printed on the side of the train.

One of the boarding lanes in the Casablanca station.

A first class train (see the number "1" by the door) with a view of the toilet.

Inside the train, you will find many compartments. They are all numbered. Find your compartment number that matches your ticket. 

Compartments in first class. The compartment numbers are on the door.

Inside your compartment, there are numbers above your seat. Choose the seat on your ticket. Note that sometimes, people end up sitting wherever. If you do not feel like arguing with someone in a foreign language, make sure you are one of the first people to enter the compartment so you can sit on your assigned seat.

Seats inside a first class train - from Marrakech to Casablanca.

Another picture of first class seats - from Tangier to Fes.

There are luggage racks above your seat. Feel free to store them up there. If you use a porter to help you with your luggage, please tip them. I have seen tourists fail to tip and it was very awkward.

There is a toilet in the train car but to be honest, I didn't use it. I was a bit wary to do so. But, it is there if you need it.

Keep your ticket with you. A conductor will come by to check it. If you get hungry, an attendant with a trolley full of snacks will come by. But, I prefer to bring my own snacks.

You are now ready to travel by train in Morocco. I wish you safe journeys.

Have you traveled by train in Morocco? If so, please share your experience below.