Page 366 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

364  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling Around in Morocco

The Moroccan rail network (ONCF) links the towns and cities
of northern Morocco, the southernmost town with a rail link
being Marrakech. Trains are clean and reliable, and journey
times depend on the number of stops along the route. The
rail network is complemented by long-distance bus services,
which are run either by public or by private companies,
and which are cheaper than the train. Whatever your chosen
means of transport, you should check the various timetables
beforehand and note any stops that may seriously lengthen
your journey. Grands taxis (see p362) are a swift means of
travelling from one town to another, but their fares are not Grand entrance of the train
fixed and bargaining is a matter of course. The best way to station in Marrakech
travel between principal cities is often on a domestic flight.
cover the longer distances
between Casablanca, Fès,
Oujda, Tangier and Marrakech,
and are identified by names
such as Koutoubia and Hassan.
They are air-conditioned and
sound proofed and have proper
toilets. On the most heavily
used route (from Casablanca
to Marrakech, Fès and Tangier),
there is a service at least every
two hours, and it is possible
to make the round trip from
Casablanca to Tangier and
back again in a single day.
For long journeys, the
compartments on night
Train drawing into the station at Mohammedia, near Casablanca trains can be converted into
couchettes. Second class,
The Rail Network of which Morocco is the world’s which is air-conditioned, is
Run by the Office National largest producer. very comfortable. The toilets
des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), Casablanca and Rabat have are located at the end of the
the Moroccan rail network, several railway stations, located coach and are reasonably clean.
while very good, is not very in different districts but served On-board catering services are
extensive. It covers just 1,700 by the same line. rather basic. Vendors walk up
km (1,056 miles) and serves and down the coaches offering
mainly the northern part of Trains cakes, confectionery, drinks
the country, linking Tangier, and sometimes sandwiches.
Oujda, Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, With a few exceptions,
Marrakech and El-Jadida. Plans Moroccan trains are relatively
to extend the railways south- modern. Those known as Trains Train Tickets and Fares
wards, particularly to Agadir, Navettes Rapides, or TNR The cheapest way to buy
are under way. The Atlas, how- (express shuttles), and referred a train ticket is at a railway
ever, is an insuperable barrier. to as “Aouita” after a famous station. Passengers must have
Services are frequent, since Moroccan Olympic runner, a ticket valid for the relevant
trains are the preferred means link Casablanca and Rabat in class of seat and type of train.
of transport for ordinary people. 50 minutes, Mohammed V If you reserve a couchette or a
A separate rail network is used Airport and Casablanca in 40 bed in a sleeper, you must be
for transporting phosphates, minutes, and Rabat and Kenitra able to show the ticket for the
in 30 minutes. The service is relevant supplement.
frequent at peak times. You can purchase a ticket
Trains known without booking a seat six days
as Trains in advance, a combined train
Rapides and bus ticket one month in
Climatisés (air- advance, and a ticket with a
conditioned bed booked on a sleeper two
A grand taxi, used for longer journeys express trains) months in advance. You can

364-365_EW_Morocco.indd 364 09/08/16 11:21 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm