For getting between Moroccan cities without a car or driver, the two mainstays are the train and the long-distance coach, and they complement each other more than they compete. The national rail operator, ONCF, runs a comfortable and generally reliable network that links a corridor of major cities — including the Al Boraq high-speed line connecting Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca, plus the regular intercity trains tying Casablanca to Marrakech and the line out to Fes, Meknes and on towards Oujda. Trains are smooth, scenic and let you walk around, and Al Boraq in particular is fast, so booking it ahead is wise. The catch is that the railway simply does not reach many of the places travellers most want to visit. That is where the coaches come in: CTM and Supratours, the two main intercity bus companies, run comfortable services to Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Agadir and the southern and desert towns that have no station at all. Beyond those two operators there is also a web of cheaper local buses whose comfort and reliability vary more. In practice, many Morocco itineraries mix both — train along the corridor, coach for everywhere off it.
Option A
Train (ONCF)
Comfortable, reliable rail along the main corridor, plus the Al Boraq high-speed line
Best for
Travel between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes and Meknes; comfort-first journeys
Full guideOption B
Bus (CTM & Supratours)
Comfortable coaches that reach the many towns the trains do not
Best for
Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Agadir and southern/desert towns; routes off the rail network
Full guideSide-by-side breakdown
Train (ONCF) vs Bus (CTM & Supratours): how they compare
| Category | Train (ONCF) | Bus (CTM & Supratours) |
|---|---|---|
| Network coverage | A corridor of major cities only — Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, towards Oujda | Far wider — reaches Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Agadir and southern/desert towns with no train |
| Comfort | Comfortable and smooth; you can get up and walk around; Al Boraq is sleek and modern | CTM and Supratours coaches are comfortable and air-conditioned; cheaper local buses vary |
| Speed | Fast on the corridor, especially Al Boraq high-speed between Tangier and Casablanca | Follows the roads, so slower over long distances, but direct to towns the train cannot reach |
| Reliability | Generally reliable and runs to a published timetable | CTM and Supratours are dependable and scheduled; informal local buses are less predictable |
| Booking | Book Al Boraq and busy intercity trains ahead, especially at weekends and holidays | Book CTM and Supratours ahead too, particularly on popular routes and in high season |
| Scenery | Pleasant, scenic ride along the corridor with room to move about | Road-level views that reach the coast, the Rif and the desert approaches |
| Cost | Reasonable; high-speed Al Boraq costs more than the regular trains — check current fares | CTM and Supratours are good value; cheaper local buses cost less but vary in comfort — check current fares |
| Best routes | Tangier–Casablanca–Marrakech and Casablanca–Fes–Meknes along the rail corridor | Marrakech–Essaouira, Fes/Tangier–Chefchaouen, and routes to Agadir and the south |
Our verdict
Which should you choose?
Let your route decide. If you are travelling along the rail corridor — Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes and Meknes — the train is usually the better choice: it is comfortable, reliable and lets you stretch your legs, and on the Tangier–Casablanca stretch the Al Boraq high-speed line is genuinely fast (book it ahead). For the many places the railway does not reach — Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Agadir and the southern and desert towns — a CTM or Supratours coach is the dependable, comfortable option; just reserve ahead in high season. Plenty of trips combine the two: take the train between the big cities, then switch to a coach for the coastal and mountain towns off the line. The cheaper local buses can save a little money but vary in comfort and reliability, so most visitors stick with the train and the two main coach companies.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should I take the train or the bus in Morocco?
It largely depends on your route. For journeys along the main rail corridor — between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes and Meknes — the train is comfortable, reliable and usually the better option, with the Al Boraq high-speed line making the northern stretch fast. For towns the railway does not reach, such as Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Agadir and the southern desert towns, a CTM or Supratours coach is the way to go. Many travellers use both on the same trip.
What is the Al Boraq high-speed train in Morocco?
Al Boraq is Morocco's high-speed rail line, run by ONCF, connecting Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca. It is fast, modern and comfortable, and it is the quickest way to travel along the northern corridor. Because it is popular, it is wise to book ahead, especially around weekends and holidays. Fares are higher than the regular trains, so check current prices when you plan.
How do I get to Essaouira or Chefchaouen without a train?
Neither Essaouira nor Chefchaouen is on the rail network, so the coach is the standard public-transport option. CTM and Supratours run comfortable services to both — to Essaouira typically from Marrakech, and to Chefchaouen from cities such as Fes and Tangier. Book ahead in high season, as popular runs can fill up. A private transfer is the alternative if you prefer door to door.
Are CTM and Supratours buses comfortable?
Yes. CTM and Supratours are Morocco's main intercity coach operators and their buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and run to a timetable, with reserved seats and a hold for luggage. They are the dependable choice for longer journeys. Beyond these two there are cheaper local buses, which can be a bit more crowded and basic and vary more in comfort and reliability, so weigh the saving against the journey.
Do I need to book Moroccan trains and buses in advance?
It is a good idea on the busier services. For trains, booking the Al Boraq high-speed line and popular intercity departures ahead is sensible, particularly at weekends and during holidays. For coaches, reserving CTM and Supratours seats in advance is wise on popular routes and in high season. Outside peak times you can often buy closer to departure, but booking ahead removes the risk of a sold-out service.
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