Getting Around: A Practical Guide to Trains, Petits Taxis, and Grands Taxis in Morocco

Navigating the Kingdom Like a Local

One of the great joys of traveling in Morocco is the journey itself. Whether you're zipping through a city in a petit taxi or watching the landscape roll by from a train window, understanding the local transport system will make your trip smoother, more affordable, and more authentic. This guide covers the three main modes of transport you'll encounter: trains, petits taxis, and grands taxis.

Of course, the most comfortable and convenient way to see the country is with a private driver, which is included in all of our multi-day tours. A private driver gives you the ultimate flexibility to stop for photos, visit spontaneous points of interest, and travel directly from door to door. However, if you have free time in a city, you'll definitely be using local taxis.

Trains: The Comfortable Way to Travel Between Cities

Morocco has an excellent, modern, and efficient train network, managed by the state-owned company ONCF. It's the best way to travel between major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech.

• Classes: There are two classes: 2nd Class (2ème classe) and 1st Class (1ère classe). 1st Class offers reserved seats in a six-person compartment and is more comfortable and spacious, well worth the small extra cost.
• Buying Tickets: You can buy tickets at the train station (la gare) on the day of travel or in advance. The ONCF website also allows for online booking.
• High-Speed Train (Al-Boraq): For travel between Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca, the high-speed Al-Boraq train is a fantastic option, cutting travel times significantly.
• Why use the train? It's comfortable, reliable, affordable, and offers a great way to see the Moroccan countryside.

Petits Taxis: Your In-City Transport

Petits taxis ("little taxis") are your go-to for getting around within a single city.

• How to Spot Them: They are small cars, and their color is different in every city (e.g., red in Marrakech and Casablanca, blue in Rabat).
• The Meter (Compteur): This is the most important rule: always insist the driver uses the meter (le compteur). When you get in, a simple "le compteur, s'il vous plaît" (the meter, please) is all you need. If the driver refuses, simply get out and find another taxi. This will save you from being overcharged.
• Hailing: You can hail them on the street. If the taxi already has a passenger, they may still stop if you are going in the same direction (each passenger pays their own fare on the meter).
• Limitations: Petits taxis are only licensed to operate within their city limits. They cannot take you to the airport (which is usually outside the city) or to another town.

Grands Taxis: For Inter-City and Airport Trips

Grands taxis ("big taxis") are larger cars, usually older Mercedes sedans, that handle trips between cities or to destinations outside the city limits, like airports.

• Shared vs. Private: Grands taxis operate in two ways:
  1. Shared (Collective): This is the most common and cheapest method. Taxis wait at designated ranks for a specific destination. They leave only when all six seats are filled (two in the front passenger seat, four in the back). You pay for your seat, not the whole car.
  2. Private (Course): You can also hire the whole taxi for yourself for a "course". This is more expensive but much more comfortable and allows you to leave immediately. You must negotiate the price for the entire journey before you get in the car.
• Finding Them: Grands taxis have specific ranks (station de grands taxis) for different destinations. Ask a local where to find the rank for the town you want to go to.
• When to Use Them: They are essential for trips where trains don't go, for reaching airports, or for day trips to nearby attractions if you haven't arranged a private driver.

By understanding the roles of these three transport types, you'll be able to navigate Morocco with confidence, whether you're on a short city hop or a cross-country adventure. Yallah! (Let's go!)