Morocco's Train Network Explained: Where ONCF Trains Do (and Don't) Go
ONCF connects Morocco's major cities well, including the high-speed Al Boraq line — but the network has real limits, and knowing them early saves a lot of itinerary confusion.
The train is one of the most useful tools for getting around Morocco's northern and coastal cities. It's also, by design, not built to reach the places a lot of travelers are most excited about.
The core network — cities it connects well
ONCF's main lines link Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech, with frequent daily departures between the busiest pairs. The standout is Al Boraq, Africa's first high-speed line, which covers Tangier to Casablanca, via Rabat, in about two hours — a genuinely impressive piece of infrastructure and a fast, comfortable way to move along that corridor. Between other city pairs, standard intercity trains run multiple times a day, and the network as a whole is well maintained, punctual by regional standards, and a reasonable backbone for a trip that sticks to those specific stops.
Where the rail line simply doesn't go
Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Merzouga, and the Sahara more broadly have no rail service at all — there's never been a line built to any of them, and there isn't likely to be one soon given the terrain. This isn't a gap in the schedule, it's a gap in the map. If any of those places are on your list, the train simply isn't part of the plan for that leg, and you'll need a bus, grand taxi, or private vehicle to get there, no matter how far in advance you look for tickets.
Booking and classes
Tickets are bookable online through ONCF's own site or app, at station counters, or via machines at larger stations, and booking ahead for popular routes and peak times is worth it. First class gets you a bit more space and a quieter carriage; second class is perfectly fine for shorter trips and costs less. Both are clean, reasonably punctual, and easy to navigate even with limited French or Arabic, since stations and platforms are signed clearly.
Using the train as one piece, not the whole plan
The most practical way to think about ONCF is as the connective tissue between a handful of specific cities, not a system that covers Morocco. A lot of well-planned trips use the train for one or two city-to-city legs — say, arriving via Tangier and training down to Casablanca or Fes — and then switch to a private vehicle for everything that follows into the mountains, gorges, or desert. Treating the train and a private driver-guide as complementary, rather than picking one for the whole trip, is usually how people end up seeing the most.
Related tours
Related guides: Merzouga
Planning where to start? See tours from Tangier, tours from Casablanca, tours from Fes, tours from Marrakech.
Related reading: Getting Around Morocco, CTM and Supratours Buses: How Long-Distance Bus Travel Works in Morocco, Can You Take a Train From Marrakech to Fes?.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ONCF train network reach Chefchaouen?
No — Chefchaouen has no rail line; it's reached by road, typically bus or private vehicle from Tangier or Fes.
Is there a train to Merzouga or the Sahara?
No, there's no rail line into the desert at all; it's reached exclusively by road.
What's the difference between first and second class?
First class offers more space and a quieter carriage for a modest price increase; second class is comfortable and fine for most trips.
Is ONCF reliable for on-time departures?
Generally yes, particularly on the Al Boraq high-speed line and the busier intercity routes.
What is Al Boraq?
Morocco's high-speed rail line, connecting Tangier and Casablanca via Rabat in around two hours — the fastest way to cover that specific corridor.
Can I book ONCF tickets in English?
The website and app support English, and station staff at major stops can usually assist beyond French or Arabic.