The quickest answer: from Mohammed V Airport (CMN) you have three sensible ways to reach Casablanca's city centre — the ONCF airport train from the station beneath the terminal (about 30 to 45 minutes to Casa-Voyageurs), an official taxi from the rank outside arrivals, or a pre-booked private driver who meets you in the hall. To continue to Marrakech, either change onto an intercity train at Casa-Voyageurs (around three hours on from there) or take a private transfer door-to-door — roughly a three-hour, 240 km drive down the A3 motorway. Here's how each option works, and when to pick which.
Getting from CMN into Casablanca
Casablanca's airport sits some way south of the city, so you do need a plan for the last leg — but the options are straightforward and the airport is genuinely well connected by rail, which is unusual and very welcome.
The airport train (ONCF)
CMN has its own ONCF train station directly beneath the terminal — follow the signs down from arrivals. Trains run on the dedicated airport line to Casa-Voyageurs, the city's main long-distance station, in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. From Casa-Voyageurs you can hop a short connection on to Casa-Port, the central downtown station handy for the Hassan II Mosque and the old medina. It's cheap, it skips the road traffic, and it's the most predictable option — the one catch is that trains run to a timetable rather than turning up constantly, so check the current ONCF schedule against your landing time.
An official taxi
Official taxis wait at the rank outside arrivals. The golden rule is to agree the fare before you set off — airport runs are typically a set price rather than metered. We're not quoting a number here on purpose, because fares shift with fuel, the time of day and demand; confirm the current rate at the rank. A taxi is more flexible than the train if you're heading somewhere the rail line doesn't serve directly, but you're at the mercy of road traffic, which can be heavy.
A pre-booked private transfer
If you'd rather not work anything out after a long flight, a private driver meets you in the arrivals hall with your name on a board, helps with bags, and takes you door to door at a price agreed in advance. A good operator also tracks your flight, so a delayed landing isn't a problem — the driver simply waits. It's the easiest option for families, late-night arrivals, or anyone who wants the holiday to start the moment they step off the plane.
Getting from CMN on to Marrakech
A great many visitors fly into Casablanca but are really headed for Marrakech, so the airport-to-Marrakech question is one of the most common of all. There are two clean ways to do it.
By train (with a change at Casa-Voyageurs)
There isn't usually a single direct train from the airport to Marrakech — you change at Casa-Voyageurs. Take the airport-line train from beneath the terminal to Casa-Voyageurs (about 30 to 45 minutes), then connect to a Marrakech-bound intercity train, which is around three hours on from there. All in — with the connection and any wait between trains — budget roughly four to five hours from landing to arriving in Marrakech, plus a taxi from Marrakech station to your riad. Check the live ONCF timetable so the two legs line up neatly.
By private transfer (door to door)
Casablanca to Marrakech is about 240 km and roughly a three-hour drive on the A3 toll motorway — one of the straightest, smoothest stretches of tarmac in the country. A private car takes you straight from arrivals to your Marrakech riad with no station changes and no luggage juggling, and a driver can even build in a stop along the way. It costs more than the train, but it's the most comfortable, predictable way to bridge the two cities — especially with bags, children, or after an overnight flight.
At a glance
| Journey | Option | Rough time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMN → city centre | Airport train | ~30–45 min | To Casa-Voyageurs; runs to a timetable |
| CMN → city centre | Official taxi / private car | Varies with traffic | Agree the fare first; door to door |
| CMN → Marrakech | Train (change at Casa-Voyageurs) | ~4–5 hr all in | No direct service; check connections |
| CMN → Marrakech | Private transfer | ~3 hr drive (240 km) | A3 motorway; door to door |
Which should you choose?
For solo and budget travellers who are comfortable with a connection and travel light, the train is excellent value and avoids road traffic entirely — take it into the city, or change at Casa-Voyageurs for Marrakech. For families, late-night arrivals, anyone with luggage, or travellers who simply want zero friction after a long flight, a private transfer wins on comfort and certainty: a fixed price, a driver who tracks your flight, and a single seamless ride to your door. A taxi sits in between — fine for the city, but you're exposed to traffic and to negotiating a fair fare at the rank.
A few practical tips
- Check the ONCF timetable before you fly. Both the airport line and the Marrakech intercity trains run to a schedule — knowing the times saves a long platform wait.
- Allow for immigration and bags. Whatever your onward plan, build in time to clear passport control and collect luggage before the clock on your transfer really starts.
- Agree taxi fares up front, at the rank, before you get in — airport runs are usually a set price, not metered.
- Book transfers ahead for night arrivals. A pre-arranged driver who waits is worth far more than its cost when you land tired and in the dark.
- Keep some cash handy. Useful for taxis, train tickets and tipping, even if you mostly pay by card elsewhere.
For more on moving around once you arrive, see our guide to getting around Casablanca. If you're only passing through, our Casablanca layover guide covers leaving the airport between flights, and our neighbourhood guide helps you base yourself well. Or browse our private tours and arrange a transfer.