Air Travel

Morocco is served by major airlines from North America, the Middle East, and Europe. Consider flying if traveling long distances within Morocco. For example, to concentrate on the southern oasis valleys, land in Casablanca, take a connecting flight to Ouarzazate, and rent a car. Domestic carriers may require reconfirmation to hold your seat, so remember to place this call ahead of time, or ask your hotel to do it for you; a call to the airline also suffices. The national airline, Royal Air Maroc, flies to more than 80 destinations worldwide and within Morocco. Look for special offers and last-minute promotions on the airline’s website.

Airline Security Issues

Transportation Security Administration. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has answers for almost every question that might come up regarding travel safety. www.tsa.gov.

Airports

Although Rabat is the capital, it is Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport (CMN) that serves as the main entry point for nonstop flights from the United States. From here, U.S. travelers can easily connect to other destinations throughout the country on frequent domestic flights. They can also reach Morocco easily through European hubs like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, and Frankfurt. A number of airlines offer regularly scheduled direct flights to major destinations like Marrakesh (RAK), Agadir (AGA), Fez (FEZ), Ouarzazate (OZZ), Rabat (RBA), and Tangier (TNG). Other airports with regularly scheduled domestic or international service include Al Hoceima (AHU), Dakhla (VIL), Essaouira (ESU), Fez Ifrane (GMFI), Laayoune (EUN), Oujda (OUD), Nador (NDR), and Tetouan (TTU).

Airport Information

Moroccan Airport Authority. 080/1000--224; www.onda.ma.

Ground Transportation

Office National des Chemins de Fer, the national rail company, has a station directly under Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport. Trains come and go between 6:30 am and 11 pm and make travel to and from the airport easy and hassle-free. The ride to the city takes 30 minutes. Taxis are always available outside arrivals at the Casablanca airport; official fares to the city and other destinations are posted on a board at the taxi stand. It costs approximately 250 DH. Many hotels offer a transfer service to/from the airport.

Contacts

Office National des Chemins de Fer. 2255; www.oncf.ma.

Flights

Royal Air Maroc and other major carriers and budget airlines offer daily direct or one-stop flights to Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, and Tangier from nearly all western European countries. Discount airlines such as Air Arabia, EasyJet, and Ryanair fly to many of the major cities. Be aware that certain flights between Casablanca and the United States have been affected by a ban on laptops in the cabin, a measure enforced by U.S. Homeland Security. Check airline and USHS websites for further information.

Airline Contacts

Air Arabia. Air Arabia, which was awarded "Best Low-Cost Airline" in the Middle East in 2013, operates regular budget flights to Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, and Nador, and in 2017, a very convenient internal Fez-Marrakesh connection started. The London Gatwick to Fez and Tangiers routes are handy connectors for those flying into Europe from the United States. www.airarabia.com.

Air France. Air France offers flights from several U.S. airports to Casablanca with a connection in Paris. 800/237–2747; www.airfrance.com.

Brussels Airlines. Brussels Airlines is a low-cost airline operating from Brussels, Belgium, with direct flights to Casablanca and Marrakesh. Brussels Airlines General Aviation zone, b. house, Bldg. 26, Diegem, Flanders, 1831. 866/308--2230; www.brusselsairlines.com.

EasyJet. Currently serving Marrakesh, Essaouira, and Agadir from European hubs, budget airline EasyJet often changes its routes for their summer and winter schedules. 330/365--5454; 330/365--5000; www.easyjet.com.

Iberia. Part of the oneworld alliance, Iberia offers flights from Spain to Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Tangiers. 800/722–4642; www.iberia.com.

KLM. KLM flies to Marrakesh, Rabat, and Casablanca. 866/434–0320; www.klm.com.

Royal Air Maroc. Morocco's national carrier offers an ever-expanding network of more than 80 domestic and international destinations, including Europe, North America, and the Middle East. They are the only carrier that offers direct flights from Morocco (Casablanca) to the U.S. (New York). 08/9000--0800; 800/344–6726; 0207/307--5800; www.royalairmaroc.com.