Night Train from Marrakech to Tangier

Taking the night train from Marrakech to Tangier in Morocco may not be the most enticing way to get around. It is, however, often necessary and more convenient. The night train from Tangier to Marrakech is an experience many backpackers and independent travelers undertake to combat time. Transportation in Morocco is decent, but it is also very slow. 

Taking the night train in Morocco can help travelers avoid losing a day of exploring to transportation, but the idea makes many foreigners uneasy. Here’s what you should know to take the night train in Morocco with ease:

Why Take the Night Train?

Via bus, car, train or camel, traveling from Marrakech to Tangier takes a long time. Other than the enormous mosque in Casablanca, there is little reason for most travelers to stop there or anywhere else along this route. Fez is a popular destination for tourists, but it can be reached directly from Marrakech in a few hours. 

If travelers have no intended stops between Marrakech and Tangier, the night train is the most practical option. A bus is certainly cheaper, but it will take longer than the train. The bus will also be uncomfortable, and the night bus will be a particularly miserable experience. Taking the bus during the daytime is the worst choice, as travelers will lose an entire day of exploring to transportation.

On the night train from Marrakech to Tangier, travelers can sleep in a bed and arrive ready to start the day. The train is more expensive, and the sleeper train more expensive still, but some of the cost is offset by not having to pay for a night in a hostel or hotel. Ultimately, the train is the most practical option for travelers with time constraints. 

Where to Take the Train?

Marrakech and Tangier are the two most popular destinations for tourists in Morocco. Millions of foreigners visit these cities each year. Many of those tourists reach Tangier by ferry from Spain, as it is only a few miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe. Those traveling to Marrakech typically fly, as it is hundreds of miles farther to the south. 

Traveling between the two cities, and around Morocco, is not as simple. Much of Morocco is covered in rugged landscape, and transportation is a challenge. That is why the night train from Marrakech to Tangier is popular with tourists, and the train stations of these respective cities are bright spots in the transportation system of Morocco.

The train stations in Marrakech and Tangier are nice. Shockingly nice. In fact, each is beautiful and spotless. Use the bathroom at the train stations before departure. All of the facilities in the stations are clean. And you do not want to face the toilets on these trains.

Gare de Marrakech (Marrakech Station) is about 2 miles from the medina.  The area around the train station is nothing like the old quarter. It is spacious, clean and modern.

The same goes for Gare Tanger Ville. The station is in a nice area away from the medina, and the interior looks more like it belongs in Abu Dhabi than Morocco.

Each train station has coffee shops and restaurants within the terminal. Prices are reasonable but slightly higher than the norm in Morocco. 

How Much Does the Night Train Cost?

The night train from Marrakech to Tangier costs as little as 370 dirhams, about $38 USD, for a place to sleep. This is for a bed, essentially a bunk, in a 4-person cabin. There are more expensive options that come with more privacy, though the 4-person cabin is comfortable enough. There are also cheaper options with seats, but don’t expect to get much sleep.

Comfort of the Night Train from Marrakech to Tangier

How comfortable is the night train from Marrakech to Tangier? It’s not first-class on a transoceanic flight comfortable. If that’s what you’re expecting, it might be best to avoid Morocco altogether. The night train provides what you need, a place to sleep and pass the time.

The beds on the train are padded vinyl mats with tiny pillows and a sheet. It sounds fairly minimalist, but it works. The cabins can become stuffy, so there is no need for a heavy quilt. For the price and convenience, a bed on the night train beats a bus or a seat on the same train.

The main drawback to the night train from Marrakech to Tangier is the bathroom situation. As stated above, use the toilets at the station before leaving, otherwise you’ll face a sight that cannot be unseen. The bathrooms on the train seem to be the only unclean part of the experience. They aren’t as bad at the beginning of the journey, but by the end they are disgusting. Oh, just in case you have no other choice, bring your own paper.

When is the Train?

The night train from Marrakech to Tangier (or vice-versa) is fairly straightforward. Whether the starting point is in Tangier or Marrakech, the train leaves about 9 PM each night. There are several stops along the way, including Casablanca (after about 3-4 hours), Rabat and other stations.

The total journey on the night train from Marrakech to Tangier is about 9 hours. In the reverse direction (to Marrakech), the train takes about 10 hours. This is a loose estimate. Trains in Morocco are fairly reliable, but this route can occasionally be faster or take a little longer.

Night trains arrive in Tangier and Marrakech fairly early, around 6 AM or 7 AM, respectively. This is on the early side in Morocco, especially when trains arrive ahead of schedule. Prepare yourself for early-morning haggling with taxi drivers.

Other Night Trains in Morocco

There are other options to take the night train in Morocco. All of the night trains in Morocco involve Casablanca. There are trains from Casablanca to Tangier, Oujda and Nador. The routes to/from Oujda and Nador are less commonly used by tourists.

Overall Night Train in Morocco Experience

The night train from Marrakech to Tangier is a surprisingly decent experience. Aside from the bathrooms, the overnight trip from Marrakech to Tangier meets expectations. The price of the journey is fair, expensive (by Moroccan standards) for the distance and quality but cheap for the duration.

The trains are comfortable enough. The cheap bunks are perfectly adequate, assuming there aren’t any rude or loud passengers in the cabin. More expensive options for higher levels of comfort and privacy are always available. 

All in all, the night train from Marrakech to Tangier serves its purpose. It is a safe, easy way to undertake the tedious journey halfway across Morocco and sleep through most of it. The night train in Morocco is an excellent way to save time and money, and it makes for an interesting experience as well.