Nador to Marrakesh
Travel time: 12 hrs by train. You change trains in Fes
Cost: 35 euros per person for 1st class
Limited food options so bring your own
From Nador, there are routes to Fes, Casablanca, Marrakesh and everywhere else though not all direct, everything is easily accessible
Traveling from Nador to other parts of Morocco is very easy. We came from Spain by Ferry and stayed 2 nights in Nador before finally heading off South. We are off to Senegal and just passing by Morocco but a few days turned to weeks and 3 weeks later, we’re still in Morocco. 😛
We used the company ONCF and it didn’t seem like there was any other choice. The website is too complicated so I highly suggest to just go to the train station a day before to buy your tickets. It’s also possible to buy on the day itself. Our train to Marrakesh left at 6 am and the ticketing station opened an hour before that so no problem.
City Center to Train Station
From the city center of Nador, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the train station of Gador Ville. You can take a taxi too for 1 or 2 euros if you have luggage in tow. The cost of 1st class is 35 euro per person. I suggest booking the 1st class because the standard ones can get too packed. The only difference between the two is the cart, seats are almost the same.
Changing Trains in Fes
We had to change trains in Fes. Make sure to board on time and ask personnel where your train is as they leave right on point without any clue or whatsoever. No announcements or anything. Kinda stressful actually when you have several bags and don’t understand the signages. The 1st class is usually in the 1st cart.
There’s no food or coffee for sale from Nador to Fes and we had hoped to buy something during our connection from Fes to Marrakesh but there’s nowhere to buy anything from as well. Luckily, there was a food cart on the 2nd train for sandwiches and drinks. So make sure to pack sufficient food before you travel. The whole trip including connection took 12 hrs.
Upon arriving in Marrakesh, we booked the next bus leaving to Agadir. That was another 3hrs. So it’s good to note that in the same train station in Marrakesh, the bus station is just next to it. Overall, traveling in between cities in Morocco is quite easy and straightforward.