A train ride through Morocco has been a rustically romantic affair on the bucket list of most travelers since the days of the famed Marrakesh Express chugged south from Tangier in the 60s, carry with it the hopes, dreams, and music of the hippy era. The Marrakesh Express was more than a train. It was how the West found connection with the East, and at the same time, opening up Morocco more fully to the world. Here is everything you need to know about Morocco’s high speed train: Al-Boraq.
Now you can embark on a modern Moroccan high-speed rail adventure starting with a thrilling 186-kilometer (116-mile) ride from Tangier to Kenitra. Here, the trains zoom along a sleek, dedicated track, reaching an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph). As you continue for the final 137 kilometers (85 miles), the journey transitions to an upgraded mainline, taking you past Rabat and through Morocco’s bustling heart to Casablanca.
This route marks the first step in Morocco’s ambitious plan to build a 1,500-kilometer (932-mile) high-speed rail network, promising an even more exciting future for travelers looking to enjoy comfortable, clean, air-conditioned rail travel in Morocco.
A Brief Overview of Morocco’s High Speed Train, the Al-Boraq
Morocco proudly, and somewhat controversially, inaugaurated the first high-speed train service on the entire continent of Africa on November 18, 2018. Since then, merry travelers have been able to be quickly whisked up at down the North Atlantic Coast, from Casablanca, through Rabat and Kenitra, all the way to Tangier in just over two hours! It’s amazing what you can do in Tangier!
Al-Boraq is the mythological horse that carried the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) to heaven after… . Morocco, as you will discover, is a wonderful country to learn a lot about Islam.
Where Does the Al-Boraq High-Speed Train Go?
The current train line connects Casablanca (the southernmost terminus) with Tangier (the northernmost terminus). There are stops in Rabat and Kenitra as well. It takes two hours and ten minutes to travel between Tangier and Casablanca. If you’re looking to travel to Marrakesh or Fez, you will have to board the local train still. Plans are in place for the high speed train to head east into the country from the Casablanca-Rabat metropolitan region, as well as south through Marrakesh and all the way to Agadir in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup is slated to be co-hosted in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. As of now though, the only connection is from Casablanca through Rabat and Kenitra to Tangier.
What Train Stations Serve the Al-Boraq?
With three of its four connecting cities hosting multiple train stations, it can be confusing figuring out which train station connects with the Al-Boraq high-speed train. Here is a quick list:
Casablanca: Casa Voyageurs Train Station
Rabat: Rabat Agdal Train Station
Kenitra: Kenitra Train Station (Kenitra only has one train station)
Tangier: Tanger Ville Train Station
How can the Al-Boraq help me travel Morocco?
Good question! Happy you asked! With the new Al-Boraq high speed train taking over shuttling duties, the train ride, at least between Tangier and Casablanca, is much less rustic and much more inline with the high speed trains found around Europe. This makes travel much easier, much quicker, and much more environmentally friendly. Here are some ideas to help you plan your travel using the Al-Boraq high-speed train:
- Â If you are arriving to Casablanca or Rabat but wanted to go directly to Tangier to begin your tour or Morocco, simply take a taxi from the airport to the Rabat-Agdal Train Station and catch the next high-speed train direct to Tangier! Â The train ride is 1h05 and only has one quick stop in Kenitra before you are zooming through the northern pastures to the Mediterranean Coast.
- If you are starting your journey in Tangier (and wanted to skip Chefchaouen), you can take the Al-Boraq straight from Tangier to Rabat or Casablanca and continue on your journey from there.
- If you have a flight out of Casablanca in the afternoon, but wanted to avoid staying in the city because of time or interest, you could take a morning train from Tangier directly to the Rabat-Agdal train station and then catch a taxi from there to the airport. It’s a 2 hour trip in all with about 1 hour by taxi and 1 hour by train (though give yourself 2.5 hours to have a little cushion!). As a comparison, from downtown Rabat or Casablanca, you want to give yourself an hour to get to the Casablanca airport.
- If you wanted to link directly from Marrakesh to Tangier, this is possible, though with one transfer in Casablanca from the slower line that still connects Marrakesh to Casablanca, and the Al-Boraq from Casablanca to Tangier. In this case, most travelers will feel most comfortable purchasing a 1st class ticket from Marrakesh to Casablanca to make sure of an air conditioned car. It’s about 3 hours between Marrakesh and Casablanca, and with usually a half-hour layover while you switch trains in Casablanca, plan on a solid 6 hours of travel time.
- With kids, it can be a comfortable break from cars and busses, complete with bathrooms equipped with changing stations for those traveling with the younger set. Not to mention the display showing the speed where you can explain to your kids the difference between kilometers and miles and enjoy the math lesson that follows!
Where can I buy tickets for the Al-Boraq?
The Al-Boraq is run by the ONCF here in Morocco. Though you can try to purchase tickets through their website online, do be aware that the ONCF website can be finicky and frustrating and will often not accept bank cards outside of Morocco.
Many travelers end up giving up and just purchasing tickets their day of travel at the train station. This usually is okay, though do pay careful attention to weekends, Moroccan holidays, and local school vacations when long lines and big crowds are the norm in all the train stations around Morocco. Generally speaking, if you are traveling in Morocco and want to buy a ticket at the train station, come as early as possible and aim for those early-morning trains.
About the Author
Text and photos by award-winning writer, photographer, and Morocco expert, Lucas Peters. Lucas is a recognized Morocco Travel Expert. He authored and is the principle photographer of the best-selling Moon Morocco guidebook as well as Marrakesh and Beyond. and Grand European Journeys. He edited and contributed to the Our Morocco anthology and has been a guest on podcasts and radio shows worldwide. Find out more on his personal website: http://lucasmpeters.com . Lucas lives in Tangier with his family and is the owner and director of Journey Beyond Travel.
