Casablanca, Morocco — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Aéroport Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN)
Casa-Oasis
Tel: (022) 539 040 or 539 140.
Website: www.onda.org.ma
The main hub for international services into Morocco, Aéroport Casablanca Mohammed V is located 30km (19 miles) south of the city center. Internal flights serve such destinations as Marrakech, Agadir, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Fez and Oujda.
Airport facilities include shops, restaurants, bars, banks, ATMs, bureau de change, tourist information and car hire from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and National. There is a business center with Internet, fax and photocopying facilities in the main hall but no conference facilities.
There is a reliable hourly train service operating into town between 0650 and 2250 daily. Change at Aïn Sebaa for connections to the four main railway stations. A shuttle bus operates between the airport and the CTM terminal, with 12 buses a day between 0730 and 0030. Cheaper than a standard taxi is a seat in a grands taxi, which takes up to six passengers on a pre-planned route. Regular taxis are also available.
Getting There By Road
Traffic in Casablanca drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years. Morocco's roads are generally well surfaced, well engineered and lightly trafficked. Maximum speed outside towns is 100kph (62mph). A 4-wheel vehicle is advisable for driving on the unpaved, gravelled pistes that access remote mountains and desert areas. Your driving license and passport must be carried at all times.
Emergency breakdown services
There is no nationwide breakdown service. However, the network of local garages and body-shops found in even the smaller villages has excellent mechanics who will usually manage to get you going again.
Routes to the city
You can access Casablanca with your own vehicle by driving down through France and Spain and catching the regular car ferry service that cross from Algeciras to Tangier or the Spanish North African enclave of Cueta in two hours. Four ferry companies operate 24 crossings daily and there is no need to book in advance.
Driving times to the city
From Marrakech – 3 hours.
Coach services
National operator CTM (tel: 0524 447 420; www.ctm.ma) and a number of private companies offer long-distance coach services linking Casablanca with destinations throughout Morocco. It is worth buying tickets in advance to ensure a seat. Train operator ONCF also runs comfortable Supratours express buses that connect with rail services (tel: 0524 435 525; www.supratours.ma). The CTM terminal in Casablanca is at 23 Rue Léon l'Africain. The Ouled Ziane Gare Routière, 4km (2.5 miles) southeast of the center, is the main terminal for private long-distance buses.
Getting There By Rail
Casablanca is served by reasonably fast, efficient and comfortable intercity trains, from Tangier, Marrakech, Meknès and Fès, that terminate at the Casa Voyageur station, 2km (1.25 miles) from the city center.
Rail Services
Most Rabat trains arrive at the downtown Casa Port station. First and second-class accommodation is available. The word 'express' usually refers to comfort levels rather than speed. Second-class fares are slightly more expensive than equivalent bus tariffs. Couchettes are available on night services.
Rail Operators
Intercity trains to Casablanca are operated by the national rail company ONCF (tel: 0890 203 040; www.oncf.ma). There are multiple options and pricing for traveling to Morocco by train from other European countries. Rail Europe (tel: 0844 8484 064, www.raileurope.co.uk) can advise.
Connections
From Fès – 4 hours.
Getting Around in Casablanca, Morocco
Public Transport
Casablanca has an extensive network of inexpensive bus routes but rush hour services are usually overcrowded and chaotic. Tickets are purchased on board and you will need small change. As bus signage is in Arabic only, things can get confusing. Get someone to write your destinations on a piece of paper for you in Arabic. It is advisable to use the 'petit taxis' system to save time and trouble. The medina and town center are easily accessible on foot. In late 2012, Casablanca will get its own tram system. It will route through 49 stations covering 30km (19 miles) across the city and will operate with frequent daily trams.
Taxis
Casablanca has abundant metered red petit taxis that prowl the main avenues and can be waved down or picked up at waiting places. They are inexpensive, though a 50% surcharge is made at night. The white-painted minibus-style vehicles known as grand taxis offer a shared service, carrying up to six passengers and following regular routes. They are also an inexpensive option for journeys outside the city - often with shorter travel times than the train or bus.
Driving in the City
Traffic in Casablanca is often gridlocked and parking can be a nightmare. Accident rates are high and driving in town can be manic so it's not recommended for tourists.
Car Hire
The minimum age for driving in Morocco is 21 and car rental in most places is rather expensive. With more than 100 companies competing for business in Casablanca, car rental deals are much better here than elsewhere. The major international operators are Avis (tel: 0522 312 424; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 0522 313 124; www.budget.com), Europcar (tel: 0522 313 737; www.europcar.com), Hertz (tel: 0522 484 710; www.hertz.com) and National (tel: 0522 472 540; www.nationalcar.com), though locally owned companies offer the best deals.
