Getting around Morocco is best done with a mix of trains between major cities (Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Tangier), buses or private drivers for smaller towns and the desert, and taxis for short hops within a city — most travelers combine at least two or three of these depending on their route.
Morocco's national rail operator, ONCF, connects the main northern and central cities with clean, reliable and comfortable trains, including a high-speed line (Al Boraq) between Tangier and Casablanca. Trains are the easiest way to move between Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Marrakech, with first class offering a genuinely comfortable and inexpensive way to travel. Trains do not reach the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains or most of the south, however.
CTM and Supratours are the two main long-distance bus companies, and both are well-regarded, air-conditioned and far more comfortable than the informal minibuses you'll also see around. Buses reach towns trains don't, including Essaouira, Chefchaouen and gateway towns to the desert, at a lower cost than trains or private transport, at the expense of more travel time.
Small beige or blue "petit taxis" handle short trips within a single city and are metered (insist on the meter, or agree a price first if it's broken). "Grand taxis," typically shared Mercedes sedans, run fixed routes between nearby towns and are a fast, cheap, if slightly cramped, local option once you're comfortable navigating them.
For multi-day routes — especially anything heading into the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains, or a full southern loop — a private driver or organized tour is, in our experience, the most comfortable and genuinely practical option. Roads through the mountains and desert routes involve long winding sections that are far more enjoyable with a driver who knows them, and a private vehicle also means stops at viewpoints, kasbahs and gorges along the way rather than a fixed bus schedule.
| Mode | Best For | Comfort | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (ONCF) | City to city, north/central | High | $10-25 |
| CTM/Supratours Bus | Smaller towns, budget travel | Good | $5-20 |
| Petit Taxi | Within one city | Basic | $1-4 |
| Private Driver | Desert, mountains, multi-day | Highest | $60-150/day |
Most itineraries combine modes: a train between Marrakech and Fez, then a private driver for the desert loop, for example. Two cities we're asked about constantly are Marrakech and Fez, both well connected by train and worth comparing before you decide which to prioritize — see our Marrakech vs Fez comparison. If your route includes the Sahara, our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour guide explains exactly how that transport leg typically works. For rail specifics and network history, see this overview of rail transport in Morocco.
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No, the rail network doesn't reach Merzouga or Zagora; a private driver or organized tour is needed for the final desert legs.
Yes, ONCF trains connect Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Marrakech and Tangier reliably and comfortably, making them the easiest way to travel between major cities.
A grand taxi is typically a shared sedan running a fixed route between two nearby towns, a fast and inexpensive local transport option.
It's possible and gives flexibility for coastal routes, but we generally recommend a private driver for mountain and desert routes given unfamiliar roads and driving styles.
A pre-arranged private transfer or a metered petit taxi are both straightforward options, taking roughly 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Both are reputable long-distance operators; CTM has a slightly larger network while Supratours often connects well with train stations, but either is a safe, comfortable choice.
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