Marrakech To Casablanca: Planning The Ultimate Day Trip

Whether it’s the picturesque coastline dotted with attractive, ocean-facing villas or the inland landscape that’s one of the most scenic in the world, Morocco is a travel destination like no other. Granted, there are many other reasons why everyone will want to book the next flight to Morocco. However, whatever the reason, Marrakech and Casablanca, undoubtedly two of the country’s most famous towns, should somehow find a place in the itinerary. Marrakech, for instance, is not only among the best places to visit in the Sahara—it’s actually the gateway to the Sahara. It’s where one will want to join the Bedouin and go camel-riding through the cascades of sand.

On the other hand, Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, though mainly used as a transit point, is not without its fair share of breathtaking scenes and sites. How about a day trip where one goes from one gem to the other? Here’s how to do it.

Here Are Your Options For a Marrakech-Casablanca Day Trip

There is much need-to-know information about visiting Marrakech. And the same applies to Casablanca. But if one wants to visit both towns on a day trip, some prior information about what the trip could entail and the travel options—will come in handy. For starters, one option is to travel between Marrakech and Casablanca by train. As a heads-up, it’s not quite the cheapest option. But let’s face it, at a price range that can vary from about $10 to $20, depending on the day of the week and the time of day, this is not something that will seriously dent the pockets. Actually, considering the convenience, one might argue that these prices are justifiable, even cheap.

Aside from using a train, another option to travel from Marrakech to Casablanca (and vice-versa) is by bus. Although the price range that traveling by bus entails is probably as wobbly as the sands of the Sahara, it’s almost always cheaper than the train. On a good day, on a good bus, and at the right time, one can pay $7, sometimes even less. And while one may pay up to $20 for a Marrakech-Casablanca train ride, the most that one may have to pay for a bus ride will rarely go beyond $15. Riding the bus is a popular means of travel in Morocco. Quite a number of buses ply the Marrakech-Casablanca route that one can easily be spoilt for choice.

Other Options For Day Tripping From Marrakech To Casablanca

The train and the bus are not the only Marrakech-Casablanca day-tripping options. Aside from these two options, there’s the option of flying from Marrakech to Casablanca. Flying can be a good option, especially if cash is not a constraint. This is because a flight from Marrakech to Casablanca will set one back by about $162 on average. Of course, that’s a round trip. But still, those who’ve flown this route will admit that there’s no big difference between one-way Marrakech-Casablanca price tickets and two-way Marrakech-Casablanca price tickets.

Then again, traveling by flight from Marrakech to Casablanca may be ideal if one is landing at the Marrakesh Menara Airport and making an immediate trip to Casablanca. But for someone already in Marrakech—and who has to travel to the airport—contending with a number of travel hassles will not be completely avoidable. Aside from taking a train, riding a bus, or taking a flight, there’s the option of taking a taxi or even renting a car for a self-drive road trip, especially if one is confident and knows her way around. But make no mistake. A taxi trip from Marrakech to Casablanca can punch a 140-dollar hole in the pockets. It’s good to know that in Africa, haggling is a useful survival tactic.

Here’s The Best Option For Day Tripping From Marrakech To Casablanca

Choosing the best way to travel from Marrakech to Morocco may boil down to whether a road trip is better than flying or whether traveling by train is better than traveling by road and other permutations. All said the local Moroccan context would have to have a bearing as well. And then again, a favorable travel option will depend on a myriad of factors, of which money is not the least. Still, if all factors are constant, the best option for traveling from Marrakech to Casablanca on a day trip is by train. Why so?

For starters, a train trip from Marrakech to Casablanca is fast. Of course, not as fast as a flight but definitely faster than a bus. Secondly, a train trip is super convenient. That’s not to say it’s hassle-free. And let’s admit it, at no more than $20, a train ride from Marrakech to Casablanca is relatively cheap. Regardless of the favored travel option, a day trip from Marrakech to Casablanca is not only possible but amazingly scenic as well.

Source: The Travel