World City Guide

Getting There By Road

Driving in Morocco can be a pleasure, as it has a good network of uncongested roads. However, driving within cities can be much more stressful because of busy traffic and a general disregard for road etiquette.

The official speed limit is 100kph (62mph) outside towns and 40kph (25mph) in urban areas. Driving is on the right. There are frequent road blocks, so drivers should keep their papers accessible. By law, when driving both driver and passengers must wear seat belts (front seat) or face an on-the-spot fine. The minimum age for driving is 18 years. No alcohol level in the blood at all is permitted when driving. Roadside police officers have been well trained to spot drunken driving and will not hesitate to pull cars over. The Moroccan authorities acknowledge most foreign driving licences, but an International Driving Permit is recommended. Further information is available from the Touring Club du Maroc (tel: (044) 279 288).

Emergency breakdown service: AXA Insurance Company (tel: (02) 267 272) offers nationwide breakdown cover for foreign motorists.

Routes to the city: Marrakech is linked to Casablanca by the P7, to Fez by the P24, to Ouarzazate by the P31, and to Agadir by the P10 then P40.

Driving times to Marrakech: From Casablanca – 3 hours; Agadir – 3 hours and 30 minutes; Fez – 7 hours.

Coach services: All urban and intercity routes leave from Marrakech’s central bus station, Place El Mouarabitène (tel: (044) 433 933), just outside Bab Doukkala on the northwestern edge of the old city. Eurolines (tel: +44 (0870) 580 8080, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.co.uk ) runs a service from London to Marrakech every Friday. It takes 60 hours and costs £102 single. Eurolines also runs services from Marrakech all over Europe with many routes involving a change of coach in Paris.

Services between Morocco’s major cities and towns are run by the CTM coach company (tel: (044) 448 328; website: www.ctm.co.ma ), as well as by other private operators. CTM are the most reliable and run to strict schedules. The national train company, ONCF (tel: (07) 776 520; e-mail: voyages@oncf.ma; website: www.oncf.org.ma ), operates express bus services from the train station at Avenue Hassan II between Marrakech and Essaouira, Agadir and Laayoune.

Bus tickets can be purchased in advance from the main bus station. It is no cheaper but it will guarantee a seat, which is particularly advisable on routes that run a limited daily service.