How to get there — Morocco

Morocco is one of the best-served destinations from Europe. Air France, British Airways and Royal Air Maroc link London, Paris and other hubs to Casablanca and Marrakech daily, while low-cost carriers — easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia — fly direct to Marrakech, Agadir, Fes, Rabat, Tangier and Oujda from London (Gatwick, Stansted, Luton), Manchester, Edinburgh, Paris-Orly, Lyon, Brussels and many regional airports. Flight time ranges from 2h30 to 3h30 depending on the city. The cheapest fares come from booking two to three months out, avoiding European school holidays: count £70-180 return in economy from London for a good deal, up to £300-450 in peak season.

The time difference is modest: Morocco runs on GMT+1 in winter and shifts during Ramadan, so the gap with the UK is zero or one hour depending on the date. Double-check before flying home so you don't miss your return.

An alternative way into Morocco is the ferry from Spain: Tarifa-Tangier or Algeciras-Tangier Med crosses the Strait of Gibraltar in 35 minutes to 1h30 depending on the port. This route is especially popular in summer with the Moroccan diaspora returning from Europe. Once in country, the ONCF rail network is comfortable and punctual between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech — the Al Boraq high-speed line links Tangier to Casablanca in 2h10. For the Atlas, the desert or secondary towns, shared grand taxis and CTM coaches remain the most practical and economical options.

To save time between regions, internal flights with Royal Air Maroc connect Casablanca to Marrakech, Fes, Agadir or Ouarzazate in under an hour. On arrival, plan the airport transfer in advance: official taxis charge regulated fares that are worth confirming before boarding. Many riads also offer private transfers — a reassuring option for a first arrival in the maze of a Moroccan medina.