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How to Take the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech

What to Expert on the Train Ride from Casablanca to Marrakech

Train Travel in Morocco: Reality Check

How do I take the train from Casablanca to Marrakech? What can I expect on the train ride from Casablanca to Marrakech? Is the train the best way to get from Casablanca to Marrakech? Those were the three questions I asked myself before booking a ticket between two of Morocco’s most visited cities.

I had just returned from a nine-day trip to Switzerland, where I used the Swiss Rail Pass to travel around the country. I had also traveled by Shinkansen throughout Japan a few years ago. After researching Morocco train travel, I knew it would be different than my experiences in Switzerland and Japan.

Why the Casablanca–Marrakech Train Is Still the Best Option

So what can you expect when riding the Casablanca to Marrakech train? I recommend not having particularly high expectations other than a safe ride from one city to the other. The trains in Morocco are not nearly as luxurious as the trains in Switzerland or Japan. There is some good news; the Moroccan trains are much cheaper than their Swiss and Japanese counterparts.

When traveling on Moroccan trains, be prepared for the trains to be old, hot, stuffy, and not that comfortable. But for a train journey of under three hours, the average person should be able to tough it out. Just don’t expect luxury, even with the purchase of a first-class ticket.

There are not many alternatives to taking the train from Casablanca to Marrakech other than an expensive flight or a long bus ride. So I recommend taking the train, but be prepared for a less than first-class experience on this ONCF Casablanca to Marrakech route.

The Hassan II Mosque - Seen from the Marrakech Boardwalk
The Hassan II Mosque from the Casablanca Boardwalk
Spices and Fruit for Sale - Medina of Marrakech
Shopping in the Medina of Marrakech

How to Take the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech - Table of Contents

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How to Purchase a Train Ticket from Casablanca to Marrakech

There are two train stations in Casablanca, Morocco. They are Casa Port and Casa Voyageurs. I chose to book my train ticket to Marrakech from Casa Voyageurs as it was closer to my hotel. To purchase the ticket, I went to the Morocco Trains website, which is part of the Rail Ninja network.

Booking a train ticket from Casa Voyageurs to Marrakech was easy. I entered my dates and chose from a variety of different times. As of November 2025 there are roughly hourly departures between Casa Voyageurs and Marrakech on the ONCF network, making it one of the most convenient options for Casablanca to Marrakech transportation.

I highly recommend booking a first-class ticket. The price I paid for a first-class ticket from Casablanca to Marrakech was €32. A standard ticket was €29. Trust me, the first-class train in Morocco is worth the extra €3.

Spices for Sale - Medina of Marrakech
Spices for Sale - Medina of Marrakech

How to Get to Casa Voyageurs Train Station in Casablanca

My train from Casablanca to Marrakech would depart from Casa Voyageurs Rail Station. There are many different ways to get to Casa Voyageurs Rail Station from your hotel in Casablanca. When I travel, my preferred method of getting around is Uber. There is no Uber in Casablanca, although there are a few apps that offer similar services. Without Uber, the best way to get to Casa Voyageurs Station is to either take a taxi or arrange a private transfer.

The day before, I had taken a tour of the city of Casablanca. My guide offered to arrange transportation from my hotel to Casa Voyageurs Station and then from Marrakech Rail Station to my hotel in Marrakech. Although the price was slightly higher than a taxi ($60), I decided to use them for my train transfers. This company provided great service the day before, had English-speaking drivers, and provided safe rides. If you are interested, the name of the company is Premium Transfer and Tours.

I arrived about 45 minutes before my Casablanca to Marrakech train was set to depart, which was more than enough time.

Inside Casa Voyageurs Station and Boarding Your Train

When I arrived at Casa Voyageurs Station, my driver pointed me in the right direction to catch my ONCF train from Casablanca to Marrakech. There are two buildings at Casa Voyageurs Station, the old building and the new building. Be sure to enter through the new building as that is where the gates to the trains are located.

Casa Voyageurs Station (Old Building) - Casablanca, Morocco
Casa Voyageurs Station (Old Building) - Casablanca, Morocco
Casa Voyageurs Station - Casablanca, Morocco
Casa Voyageurs Station - Casablanca, Morocco

To find the trains, enter Casa Voyageurs Station and go up the escalator. To the right will be the entrances to the various gates. If you don’t know what gate your train is departing from, check the signs. My train from Casablanca to Marrakech was departing from gates 5 and 6.

Inside Casa Voyageurs Station

Quick Stop at McDonald’s in Casa Voyageurs

For those of you that don’t know, I teach 8th-grade global studies. My students seem most interested in what McDonald’s is like in each country I visit. With the McDonald’s at Casa Voyageurs only being about 20 yards from my gate, I thought it was the perfect time to see how Moroccan McDonald’s tasted.

Spoiler Alert – It tastes like McDonald’s!

McDonalds I Purchased at Casa Voyageurs Station
McDonalds I Purchased at Casa Voyageurs Station

Boarding the ONCF Train to Marrakech

After eating a crispy chicken, double cheeseburger, and fries at the Casa Voyageurs McDonald’s, it was time to go to my gate. Gates 5 and 6 and gates 7 and 8 shared a waiting area. I showed my ticket, which I had printed ahead of time, to the gate agent at the entrance and entered the waiting area. The gate agent explained that he would let us know when the train was close so we could go down the escalator to the tracks.

About ten minutes before the train was set to depart, we were told to go down the escalator to the train tracks. When I got to the bottom of the escalator, another agent was waiting. He told me to go to the letter “F” for boarding, as I was in the first-class carriage of the Casa Voyageurs to Marrakech train.

The Entrance to My Gate at Casa Voyageurs Station
The Entrance to My Gate at Casa Voyageurs Station
Heading Down the Escalator to the Tracks - Casa Voyageurs Station
Heading Down the Escalator to the Tracks - Casa Voyageurs Station

Be Careful of “Tour Guides” at Casa Voyageurs Station

Be careful when waiting for the train from Casablanca to Marrakech. I was approached by multiple “tour guides” that just happened to be taking the same train as me. They all had “friends” in Marrakech who would be happy to show me around the city. I politely declined and noticed that none of them actually got on the train. These unofficial guides seemed like a scam, and I would recommend avoiding them.

Waiting for the Train - Looking Away from Casa Voyageurs Station
Waiting for the Train - Looking Away from Casa Voyageurs Station
Waiting for the Train - Looking Towards Casa Voyageurs Station
Waiting for the Train - Looking Towards Casa Voyageurs Station

An announcement in Arabic and French announced the arrival of the train. The train from Casa Voyageurs to Marrakech was about five minutes late. When I boarded, there was no one checking tickets or assisting with luggage. The boarding process was basically a free-for-all.

Here Comes the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech
Here Comes the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech

Onboard the Casablanca to Marrakech Train (First-Class Review)

When boarding the first-class car of the Casablanca to Marrakech train, be sure to know your seat number. I was assigned seat 12, which was in the first pod of seats. As I boarded the train, I walked past the first pod of seats.

First Class Cabin - Pods of 6 Seats on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech
First Class Cabin - Pods of 6 Seats on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech

Seat Layout and Comfort in First Class

The seats were in a three-by-three configuration and faced each other. There was a small aisle opposite the pod of seats. My seat, seat 12, was on the aisle but did not provide a lot of room as there was a panel between the seat and the aisle. I thought the seats were uncomfortable and smelled like cigarette smoke.

I would have preferred slightly smaller seats in a two-by-two configuration with a center aisle. The train from Casablanca to Marrakech was the only train I took during my time in Morocco. It is possible that this was an older train and others are more modern.

My Seat (Seat 12) - First Class Cabin - Casablanca to Marrakech by Rail
My Seat (Seat 12) - First Class Cabin - Casablanca to Marrakech by Rail

Luggage Storage on Moroccan Trains

There was limited luggage storage in each pod on the train from Casa Voyageurs to Marrakech. I had to store my luggage in the aisle, which seemed to be a pretty common practice on Moroccan trains.

Limited Luggage Storage on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech
Limited Luggage Storage on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech
Luggage Left in the Aisle on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech
Luggage Left in the Aisle on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech

Train Bathroom: Casablanca to Marrakech

The trip from Casa Voyageurs to Marrakech was only about two hours and forty-five minutes. Although I didn’t need to go, I visited the bathroom to take a photo for this page. The bathroom was clean enough and very spacious.

Toilet in the First Class Cabin on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech
Toilet in the First Class Cabin on the Train from Casablanca to Marrakech

Scenery on the Casablanca to Marrakech Train Route

The highlight of the train ride from Casablanca to Marrakech was watching the climate and vegetation change as we got closer and closer to the city of Marrakech. Below are six photos of the different landscapes I saw on the train ride from Casablanca to Marrakech. The beautiful scenery definitely made me forget how uncomfortable I was on the train.

Looking Out the Window of the Train - Casablanca to Marrakech
Looking Out the Window of the Train - Casablanca to Marrakech
Looking Out the Window of the Train - Casablanca to Marrakech
Looking Out the Window of the Train - Casablanca to Marrakech
Looking Out the Window of the Train - Casablanca to Marrakech
Looking Out the Window of the Train - Casablanca to Marrakech

Arriving at Marrakech Rail Station

I arrived at Marrakech station about ten minutes late. As I disembarked the train, I was happy to be outside in the fresh air. After a brief walk, I was inside the Marrakech Rail Station.

Arriving at the Marrakech Rail Station
Arriving at the Marrakech Rail Station

Transfers and Rides from Marrakech Railway Station

I walked through the station and was met by a barrage of people offering me a ride. Since I had already booked my transportation in Marrakech, I politely declined. When we were about five minutes away from the station, I messaged my driver on WhatsApp. He was waiting for me in the parking lot, and I was at my hotel about 30 minutes later. This pre-booked transfer was an easy way to finish my journey and a stress-free answer to how to get from Casablanca to Marrakech by train and onward to your hotel.

Inside the Marrakech Rail Station
Inside the Marrakech Rail Station
The Exterior of the Marrakech Rail Station
The Exterior of the Marrakech Rail Station

Other Transportation Options from Casablanca to Marrakech

Even though the train from Casablanca to Marrakech was not very comfortable, it was the best way to get between Casablanca and Marrakech for my trip. Some of the other Casablanca to Marrakech transportation options include:

  • Bus – from about $10–15 – 3–3.5 hours

  • Flight – $109 each way – 50 minutes

  • Taxi – $106 – 3 hours

  • Private Transfer – $125 – 3 hours

I have included a few links for alternative travel methods below. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.

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