Departure Schedule
Morning departures
Fastest trip4 hrs 3 min
Longest trip4 hrs 41 min
Earliest05:25
Latest11:56
Departures12
Afternoon departures
Fastest trip4 hrs 3 min
Longest trip4 hrs 41 min
Earliest12:34
Latest17:56
Departures12
Evening departures
Fastest trip4 hrs 3 min
Longest trip4 hrs 41 min
Earliest18:34
Latest20:34
Departures4
Travelling from Rabat to Marrakesh by Train
The fastest trip from Rabat to Marrakesh is the direct ONCF train, which covers 280 km in about 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes. If you are planning your next trip de Rabat à Marrakech, this guide compares all available options, from train schedules and ticket prices to buses, flights and driving, so you can pick the best transport for your budget. Trains are run by ONCF, the Office National des Chemins de Fer du Maroc, with about 6 daily direct departures and more services with a change in Casablanca, so you can travel roughly every hour or two. The earliest train departs Rabat at 05:25 AM. You can board at Rabat Ville, in the city center near the medina, or Rabat Agdal, in the modern Agdal district, and all trains arrive at Marrakech train station in the Guéliz district. Train tickets cost about €12 to €25 (about MAD 130 to MAD 270) per adult, and ticket prices vary depending on the class, the day of the week and how early you book. Second class offers the lowest price, while first class gives travelers a reserved seat, more legroom and a quieter carriage. Availability depends on popularity: Friday and Sunday afternoons, summer holidays and the days around Ramadan fill up fast, so the cheapest time to travel is usually midweek, on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday morning. Buying your ticket is easy: book online, at the station or download the ONCF app, and check the rules on la sécurité de la gare, as all bags may be screened at the entrance.
Rabat to Marrakesh trains Information
Rabat
334 km
Marrakesh
4 h 3 m
Shortest travel time:
$35
Lowest ticket cost:
28
Avg. daily departures:
05:25
Earliest departure:
20:34
Latest departure:
Several factors, like budget, comfort and travel time, decide which option suits you best. A direct bus is the cheapest alternative: a bus ticket costs about €14 to €28, and bus companies such as CTM and Supratours run daily departures. A direct bus takes about 4h 20m, while long-distance coaches with more stops take about 4.5 to 5.5 hours, so the duration varies by provider and service. If you prefer to fly, note that no airline offers direct flights from Rabat to Marrakech Menara airport (RAK), and connecting flights usually go via Casablanca's Mohammed V airport. Thursday is the cheapest day to fly, and you can save up to 16% by flying on Thursday. Booking on Sunday costs 6% to 13% less than booking on Friday, and booking domestic flights at least one month in advance could save you 24%, but flying is still slower and more expensive than the train. If you drive your own car, the road distance is about 324 km, and the trip takes about 3.5 to 4 hours on the motorway. Private car transfers take about the same time and offer door-to-door service for groups and families. A high-speed line extending Al Boraq to Marrakesh is under construction and will make the train even faster in the future.
Popular questions about trains from Rabat to Marrakesh
The direct train is the fastest journey, covering 280 km in about 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes. Driving takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, and flights require a connection.
There are about 6 daily direct departures to Marrakech, plus more services with a change in Casablanca. The earliest train departs Rabat at 05:25 AM.
Rabat Ville is best if you stay in the city center or near the medina. Rabat Agdal is better for the Agdal district and for travelers arriving on Al Boraq from Tangier or Kenitra.
Marrakech train station is in the Guéliz district, a short taxi ride from the Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the medina.
ONCF, the Office National des Chemins de Fer du Maroc, operates all passenger trains, including Al Boraq high-speed trains.
Train tickets cost about €12 to €25 per adult. A bus ticket costs about €14 to €28.
You can buy tickets online, at station ticket offices or with ticket machines. You can also download the ONCF app and show your e-ticket on your phone.
Midweek trains on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday are usually less crowded and easier to book at lower prices. For flights, Thursday is the cheapest day, with savings of up to 16%.
During Ramadan, schedules can change and trains around the start and end of the holiday fill up quickly. Check the timetable and book early.
Yes. A direct bus takes about 4h 20m, and long-distance coaches with more stops take about 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
The road distance is about 324 km. Driving your own car or taking a private car transfer takes about 3.5 to 4 hours.
Yes. Rabat is clean and pedestrian-friendly, with easy walks along the Atlantic Ocean, through the medina and around the Udayas Kasbah.
In Rabat, explore the Udayas Kasbah, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. In Marrakesh, enjoy the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Bahia Palace and desert excursions.
The train passes through Casablanca, the largest city on the route, then crosses rolling agricultural fields before the landscape turns to semi-arid scrubland near Marrakesh.
Compare all available options, check schedules and availability for your date, and book in advance. Morocco's rail network is one of the most modern in Africa and in the world for its size, so the train is usually the best choice.
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