Casablanca
Best day trips from Casablanca: how to get there and what to see
Rabat is the best day trip from Casablanca: about 1 hour by train, no car needed, and enough for a full day of Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and the medina. El Jadida (about 1.5 hours by train) suits a half-day of Portuguese walls and sea air. Skip Marrakech as a day trip — 2.5–3 hours each way leaves too little time.
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GuideCasablanca
Key facts
- Best day trip
- Rabat — about 1 hour by train, all day, no car needed
- Second choice
- El Jadida — about 1.5 hours by train, half day is enough
- Do not day-trip
- Marrakech — 2.5–3 hours each way by train
- Train operatorcheck
- ONCF; Al Boraq high-speed line serves Rabat and Tangier
- Typical return train farecheck
- Rabat roughly 80–120 MAD return; El Jadida similar (2026 estimate)
- Car needed
- No for Rabat or El Jadida; yes for most other options
- Best months
- Mar–May and Oct–Nov; coastal cities are workable all year
The choices at a glance
Casablanca sits on the main ONCF rail line, so the two easiest day trips are also the two closest cities. Everything else needs a car, a tour or a long bus ride, and turns into a very long day.
Use the table to pick by time and cost, then read the detail below for the practical bits: which station, how long you actually get on the ground, and what to do first.
| Destination | Getting there | Time each way | Time on the ground | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabat | Train (ONCF) | About 1 h | 6–8 h | 80–120 MAD return |
| El Jadida | Train (ONCF) | About 1.5 h | 4–5 h | 80–120 MAD return |
| Marrakech | Train (ONCF) | 2.5–3 h | 3–4 h | 200–300 MAD return |
| Fes | Train (ONCF) | About 4 h | 2–3 h | 300–400 MAD return |
| Tangier | Train (Al Boraq) | About 2 h 10 | 4–5 h | 300–400 MAD return |
| Essaouira | Bus or car | About 3.5 h | 3–4 h | 150–250 MAD each way |
| Meknes and Volubilis | Train plus taxi or tour | 3.5–4 h | 3–4 h | Train plus local taxi |
Fares are 2026 estimates for second class; first class costs more. Times are scheduled, not door to door.
The detail
Rabat is the obvious pick. Trains run frequently from Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port, and the ride is short enough that you can leave after breakfast and be back for dinner. The Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the old medina sit within a walkable loop; add the Chellah if you have time. Rabat is calm and uncrowded compared with Casablanca, which is exactly the point of going.
El Jadida is a smaller, quieter day. The Portuguese walled city and cistern are the reason to come, plus the Atlantic promenade and fish grills. Half a day covers it; a full day lets you slow down. Trains are less frequent than on the Rabat line, so check the return times before you commit.
Marrakech is the trap. It looks close on a map and the train is comfortable, but 2.5–3 hours each way leaves you 3–4 hours in the medina, which is not enough for Jemaa el-Fnaa, the souks and a garden. Treat Marrakech as a two- or three-night stop, not a day trip.
Fes and Tangier are both reachable by train but the journeys eat the day. Tangier works better as an overnight or as a stop on the way north; Fes belongs in a longer itinerary. Essaouira needs a bus or a car and about 3.5 hours each way, so it is a long day or, better, an overnight.
Meknes and Volubilis combine an imperial city with Roman mosaics, but the last stretch to Volubilis is by taxi or tour, which pushes the total travel time up. Only attempt it if you leave early and accept a late return.
- Book train tickets at the station or online; second class is fine on these routes.
- Casa-Voyageurs is the main station; Casa-Port is handy if you are staying near the old medina.
- Keep your ticket for the exit gates.
- Friday afternoons are quieter at monuments but some shops close.
What a day trip costs
Train fares are the main cost and they are low by European standards. Budget roughly 80–120 MAD return for Rabat or El Jadida, and 200–400 MAD return for Marrakech, Fes or Tangier, all 2026 estimates for second class. First class adds a few tens of dirhams and is worth it on the longer runs.
On the ground, expect 50–100 MAD for lunch at a simple restaurant, 20–50 MAD for entry to most monuments, and 100–200 MAD for a taxi if you need one. A guided tour to Volubilis or Essaouira, booked locally, typically runs several hundred dirhams per person including transport.
| Item | Typical cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Return train, Rabat | 80–120 MAD |
| Return train, Marrakech | 200–300 MAD |
| Lunch, simple restaurant | 50–100 MAD |
| Monument entry | 20–50 MAD |
| Local taxi in town | 20–50 MAD |
Practical tips
Start early. The first trains out of Casablanca are the least crowded and give you the most time at the other end. Buy your return ticket when you arrive at the destination station if you have not already, so you are not queuing at the end of the day.
Carry small change for taxis and monument tickets, and a light layer: coastal cities are cooler and windier than Casablanca's inland feel suggests. If you are relying on mobile data for maps and train times, sort out an eSIM before you leave.
If your only free day is the day you fly, do not plan a day trip. Use the airport transfer page and keep the day local instead.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What are the best day trips from Casablanca?
Rabat is the best: about 1 hour by train, no car needed, and a full day of sights. El Jadida is a good second choice for a half day. Marrakech, Fes, Tangier and Essaouira are all too far for a comfortable day trip.
Can I visit these places without a car?
Yes for Rabat and El Jadida, both on the ONCF train line from Casa-Voyageurs. Marrakech, Fes and Tangier are also reachable by train but the journeys are long. Essaouira and Volubilis need a bus, a car or a tour.
How long do day trips from Casablanca take?
Rabat is about 1 hour each way, El Jadida about 1.5 hours, Marrakech 2.5–3 hours, Fes about 4 hours and Tangier about 2 hours 10 minutes. Add door-to-door time for taxis at both ends.
Is Marrakech a good day trip from Casablanca?
No. The train takes 2.5–3 hours each way, leaving only 3–4 hours in the city. Marrakech deserves two or three nights, so treat it as a separate stop rather than a day trip.
Do I need to book train tickets in advance?
Not usually on these routes; you can buy at the station. Booking ahead helps on weekends and holidays, and on the Al Boraq service to Tangier. Keep your ticket for the exit gates.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialONCF (Moroccan National Railways)
- officialMoroccan National Tourist Office
- secondaryWikivoyage – Casablanca
- secondaryWikivoyage – Rabat