Getting from Casablanca to Marrakech is easy — about 240 km, or 2.5 to 3 hours by train, car or private transfer. Many travelers land at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport and head straight for Marrakech, so it’s worth knowing your options: the fast, cheap ONCF train, a private transfer that lets you stop along the way, or a full road-trip tour that turns the journey into part of the trip. This guide covers the distance, every way to travel, what to see in Casablanca first, and what’s waiting when you reach Marrakech.
- Distance: about 240 km — roughly 2.5–3 hours between the two cities.
- Train (ONCF): direct, hourly, around 2h40; second class ~49–139 MAD, first class ~120–200 MAD, booked at oncf-voyages.ma.
- Private transfer: door to door in comfort, with the option to stop for the Hassan II Mosque before leaving Casablanca.
- See Casablanca first: the Hassan II Mosque — one of only two mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors — is worth an hour before you go.
- Once in Marrakech, the Agafay desert is only 40 minutes away — an easy first (or last) excursion.
How far is Casablanca from Marrakech?
The two cities are about 240 km apart, connected by a fast toll motorway and a direct rail line. In practice the journey takes 2.5 to 3 hours whichever way you travel. Because most international flights arrive into Casablanca’s Mohammed V airport (CMN) while Marrakech is the tourism hub, this is one of Morocco’s most-travelled routes — and a smooth one.
Option 1: the train (fast and cheap)
The ONCF train is the easiest budget option. Direct services run roughly hourly, with up to ten departures a day, and take about 2 hours 40 minutes city centre to city centre. Fares are low — around 49–139 MAD in second class and 120–200 MAD in first class — and you can book online at oncf-voyages.ma or buy at the station. From the airport, take the airport train to Casa-Voyageurs and change for Marrakech, or start from Casa-Voyageurs if you’re staying in the city. First class is worth the small extra for a reserved seat on busy departures.
Option 2: private transfer (comfort and flexibility)
A private transfer takes you door to door in a car with a driver — no changes, no luggage handling, and space to relax after a long flight. It’s the most comfortable choice for families, groups or anyone arriving tired, and it lets you stop along the way or start with a quick visit to the Hassan II Mosque before leaving Casablanca. It costs more than the train but removes all the logistics.
Option 3: make it a road-trip tour
If you have the time, you can turn the transfer into a guided road trip, breaking the drive with sights and a stop for lunch rather than rushing straight through. It’s a relaxed way to arrive and see a little more of the country between the two cities, especially if Casablanca is your only taste of Morocco’s Atlantic coast before heading inland.
See Casablanca first: the Hassan II Mosque
Before you leave, give Casablanca an hour for its landmark. The Hassan II Mosque, inaugurated in 1993, sits dramatically on the Atlantic shore — built half over the water — and is one of only two mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. Entry is by guided tour only, daily except during Friday prayers, with admission around 140 MAD for adults (less for children and students). From the airport it’s a 35-minute taxi (roughly 250–300 MAD) or the express train to Casa-Port, a short walk from the mosque. It’s the single best thing to do in the city on a short stop.
Arriving in Marrakech: what’s next
Marrakech is where most travelers really begin: the medina and Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, the gardens and the food. It’s also the launch pad for the country’s best day trips — the High Atlas valleys, the waterfalls, and, closest of all, the Agafay desert, only about 40 minutes from the city. If you’ve just arrived from Casablanca and want an easy, high-impact first day, Agafay delivers the desert — camel and quad rides, camp pools and huge sunsets — without a long drive.
Start your Marrakech trip in the desert
Plan the rest of your stay with our guides to things to do in Marrakech and the best day trips from Marrakech.
Casablanca to Marrakech FAQ
How long does it take to get from Casablanca to Marrakech?
About 2.5 to 3 hours. The direct ONCF train takes roughly 2 hours 40 minutes, and driving or a private transfer takes a similar time on the motorway.
Is there a direct train from Casablanca to Marrakech?
Yes. ONCF runs direct trains roughly hourly, up to ten a day, with no changes needed. The journey is about 2h40, and tickets can be booked at oncf-voyages.ma or at the station.
How much is the train from Casablanca to Marrakech?
Second class is roughly 49–139 MAD and first class about 120–200 MAD, depending on the departure. First class is worth the small extra for a reserved seat on busy trains.
Should I visit Casablanca before Marrakech?
If you have a few hours, yes — the Hassan II Mosque is Casablanca’s must-see and one of only two mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, by guided tour. Otherwise, most travelers head straight to Marrakech.
What is the best way to get from Casablanca airport to Marrakech?
The cheapest is the train (airport train to Casa-Voyageurs, then direct to Marrakech). The most comfortable, especially after a long flight or with a group, is a private transfer door to door.
What should I do first when I reach Marrakech?
Explore the medina and Jemaa el-Fna, then take an easy excursion — the Agafay desert is only 40 minutes away and makes a high-impact first day with camel rides, quad biking and sunsets.
Arriving by cruise ship? See our guide on what to do on a cruise stop in Casablanca or Agadir — the best excursion is a private 2-day Marrakech & Agafay trip.