Getting There By Rail
Although services are limited, the Moroccan state railway, ONCF (tel: (07) 776 520; e-mail: voyages@oncf.ma; website: www.oncf.org.ma ) is reliable, cheap and comfortable, and by far the best option for travelling between Morocco’s major cities. Marrakech’s railway station (tel: (044) 447 703), a handsome, colonial-era building, is located on Avenue Hassan II at the western edge of Guéliz.
Rail services: The Moroccan rail system runs along two branches: from Casablanca on the west coast to Oujda in the northeast, and from Tangier in the north to Marrakech. There are two classes of seats – first and second. First class usually ensures an air-conditioned carriage, although second-class travel is quite comfortable for most journeys. All tickets can be booked in advance. Inter-rail cards (for those under 26 years of age) can be used in Morocco.
The most used direct services to Marrakech are from Casablanca (approximate journey time – 3 hours), Rabat (4 hours), Fez (7 hours 30 minutes) and the direct overnight service from Tangier (9 hours), which has sleeping carriages.
Transport to the city: The station is about 1.5km (one mile) west of the tourist office, off Avenue Hassan II. Bus 3 or 14 run from the station through Guéliz to Jemaa-el-Fna. Petit taxis will take visitors to Guéliz or Jemaa-el-Fna for around Dh10.
|
