Travelling from Tangier to Casablanca is one of Morocco’s most popular trips, and you now have two excellent ways to do it: the Al Boraq high-speed train or your own rental car on the A1 motorway. Which one is better depends on how many people travel, how much luggage you carry and whether you want to stop on the way. This guide compares time, cost and comfort so you can decide.
In this guide
Tangier to Casablanca: train vs car at a glance
| Al Boraq train | Rental car | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | About 2 h 10 | About 3 h 30 to 4 h without stops |
| Distance | About 323 km by rail | About 340 km by road |
| Cost | Roughly 150 – 225 MAD per person in second class; promotional fares from about 99 MAD | Rental per day, motorway tolls of about 90 MAD, plus fuel |
| Best for | Solo travellers and couples going city to city | Groups, families, luggage and stops on the way |
Fares and times change, so check the official site of ONCF before you book your Al Boraq train. The figures above give you a realistic range for planning.
Al Boraq train: fast, comfortable, city centre to city centre
The Al Boraq line, the first high-speed railway in Africa, links Tangier Ville to Casablanca via Kenitra and Rabat in about two hours ten. It is the best choice if you travel alone or as a couple, carry little luggage and have meetings or a flight in Casablanca. Book a week or more ahead for the cheapest promotional seats. Tangier Rabat takes roughly one hour twenty by train.
The limit of the train is what happens at both ends: you still need a taxi to your hotel, and once you arrive you have no car for Casablanca’s large, spread-out districts.
Tangier to Casablanca by car: freedom and stops
Driving from Tangier to Casablanca by car takes about three and a half hours on the A1 and the motorway beyond Rabat, plus about 90 dirhams in tolls for a standard car. For three or four people the total cost per person is often lower than four train tickets, and you decide when to stop.
- Asilah (45 km): coffee and a walk on the ramparts, see Tangier to Asilah by car.
- Larache and Lixus: Roman ruins above the estuary.
- Moulay Bousselham lagoon: a great place for birdwatching on the Atlantic coast.
- Rabat: the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas are worth half a day.
Tangier to Rabat by car, or train?
Tangier to Rabat by car is about 250 kilometres and takes roughly two and a half hours. By train it is faster, around one hour twenty. If you only visit the capital, the train wins; if you continue to Casablanca or Marrakech with the same car, driving wins.
One-way rentals and returning the car
Many travellers hire a car in Tangier for a round trip, which is the simplest option and avoids one-way fees. One-way rentals depend on availability and carry a fee, so ask us before you plan them. Read the car rental Tangier requirements and our tips for driving in Tangier to prepare for the highway: speed limit 120 km/h, regular tolls and frequent police checkpoints.
How to choose: 5 quick rules
- One or two travellers, city to city: take the Al Boraq train.
- Three or more travellers: compare four tickets with a rental car and tolls.
- Luggage or sports gear: a car is easier.
- Stops on the way: a car is the only practical option.
- Going beyond Casablanca: a car gives you Marrakech, El Jadida and the Atlantic coast.
Ready to drive? See the fleet and the car rental Tangier price guide, or ask about a longer monthly car rental if you plan a long Moroccan trip.
Need a car in Tangier?
Tell us your dates and we confirm availability and your final price quickly. Free delivery at the airport, the port or your hotel.
Tangier to Casablanca: frequently asked questions
How long does the Al Boraq train take from Tangier to Casablanca?
About two hours ten minutes, with stops in Kenitra and Rabat.
How long is the drive from Tangier to Casablanca?
About three and a half to four hours for roughly 340 kilometres, depending on traffic and stops.
How much are the tolls from Tangier to Casablanca?
Roughly 90 dirhams for a standard car. Prices change, so check the motorway operator before you leave.
Is it cheaper to drive or take the train?
For one or two people the train is usually cheaper and faster. For three or more people, or with luggage and stops, a rental car often costs less per person.
