From Paris to Marrakech by train: Louise's story
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Published on 12/24/23, modified on 4/3/26
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Looking for a complete change of scenery without flying? Head for Morocco. Located at the gateway to Europe, just a few kilometers from Spain, the country offers a complete change of scenery: bustling medinas, Atlas mountains, Atlantic beaches, desert, Berber villages... All accessible by train and ferry from France. Yes, yes: you can reach North Africa without getting on a plane!
The good news is that it's perfectly possible to fly to Morocco from France. The quickest option is to cross Spain by train to Algeciras, before boarding a ferry to Tangier. Approximately 15 to 18 hours by train from Paris, followed by a 1 to 2-hour crossing to Morocco.
Another option: reach Sète (or Marseille) by train, then board a ferry to Tangier Med. The crossing takes between 40 and 50 hours, depending on the itinerary chosen. Slower than the route via Spain, this option has a certain charm: that of leaving France by sea and waking up, two days later, on the Moroccan coast.
Once you're here, Morocco's rail network makes it easy to connect the country's main cities. You can even hop aboard Al Boraq, Africa's first high-speed train, which travels between Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca at 320 km/h.
When it comes to discovering Morocco, there's something for everyone. Tangier is a superb gateway, between European influences and North African ambience. Further south, you won't want to miss Fez and its labyrinthine medina, Marrakech and its bustling souks or Chefchaouen, famous for its blue alleyways perched in the Rif mountains.
Trains are also an easy way to connect Rabat, Casablanca or Meknes perfect for a car-free itinerary. And if you want to slow down the pace, head for Essaouira and the Atlantic coast the Berber villages in the Atlas mountains or the gates to the Sahara for an even greater change of scenery.
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