Casablanca
Getting around Casablanca: public transport, passes and taxis
Use the tram for the city centre and the coast, petit taxis for short hops after dark, and the train for the airport, Rabat and Marrakech. Walk the central grid by day. Skip the bus unless you know the route; it is slow and hard to read for a first visit.
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GuideCasablanca
Key facts
- Best all-round mode
- Tram (T1/T2) for the centre, coast and Casa-Port; cheap, fixed stops, runs late
- Best for short trips
- Petit taxi, metered by law in cities; night rate is 50% more
- Best for the airport
- ONCF train from Mohammed V airport to Casa-Port and Casa-Voyageurs
- Typical tram fare
- MAD 6–8 a ride (2026 estimate)
- Typical petit taxi fare
- MAD 10–40 in the city (2026 estimate)
- Ride-hailing
- Available in Casablanca; useful when taxis refuse the meter
- Worst time to move
- Weekday 07:30–09:30 and 17:00–19:30; traffic is heavy
- Cash
- Small notes and coins for taxis and tram tickets; drivers rarely have change
Quick answer
Casablanca is a car city with a good tram spine and a dense taxi supply. For a short stay, base yourself near the tram line or the Casa-Port / Casa-Voyageurs area and you can cover the main sights without a car: Hassan II Mosque and the old medina on the coast, the Art Deco centre, the Corniche and the Habous quarter.
Decide by trip type. Two or three days in the centre: tram plus walking, with petit taxis for evenings. Airport arrival: train if your flight lands in the day, taxi if it lands late. Day trip to Rabat: train. Day trip to El Jadida: train or bus, both about an hour and a half.
- Tram: the default for the centre and the coast
- Petit taxi: short hops, evenings, anywhere the tram does not reach
- Train: airport, Rabat, El Jadida, Marrakech
- Bus: only if you already know the route
- Rental car: only if you are leaving the city for the coast or the interior
Options, price and time
Fares below are 2026 estimates in dirhams. Tram and train tickets are fixed; taxi fares depend on the meter and traffic. Always carry small change.
| Mode | Best for | Typical cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tram (T1/T2) | Centre, coast, Casa-Port, Casa-Voyageurs | MAD 6–8 a ride | 10–30 min between central stops |
| Petit taxi | Short city trips, evenings, luggage | MAD 10–40; +50% at night | 5–20 min depending on traffic |
| Grand taxi (shared) | Regional hops, some suburbs | MAD 20–100 a seat | Leaves when seats fill |
| ONCF train | Airport, Rabat, El Jadida, Marrakech | MAD 20–150 | Airport to Casa-Port about 30–40 min |
| Bus | Local routes the tram misses | MAD 5–10 | Slow; 30–60 min for short hops |
| Ride-hailing | When a taxi refuses the meter | Comparable to a metered taxi | 5–20 min |
| Rental car | Leaving the city | MAD 300–600 a day | City driving is slow; parking is hard |
Tram and train fares are fixed by the operator; taxi fares vary with traffic and time of day.
Detail by mode
Tram. Two lines cross the city and link the coast, the centre and the main rail stations. Buy a ticket from the machine at the stop or a kiosk, validate it, and keep it until you exit. Stops are announced and signed in Arabic and French, which makes the tram the easiest option if you do not read Arabic. It gets crowded at rush hour; keep bags in front of you.
Petit taxi. Small cars, metered by law in cities, with a higher rate at night. Drivers sometimes say the meter is broken, especially at the airport and stations; insist politely or agree a price before you get in. Have small notes ready. For a group of three or four, a taxi is often cheaper than four tram tickets.
Grand taxi. Older Mercedes-style cars that run fixed routes and leave when six seats fill. Useful for some suburbs and regional hops. Buy two seats if you want space, and agree the price per seat before loading bags.
Train. ONCF runs the airport line and the coastal corridor to Rabat, Kenitra and Tangier, plus south to Marrakech. Casa-Port and Casa-Voyageurs are the two main stations; Casa-Port is the one for the old medina and the mosque. Buy ahead on the ONCF app on Fridays and holidays, and expect trains to run late.
Bus. Cheap and extensive, but routes and stops are hard to read without local knowledge. Fine for a long stay, not worth the learning curve on a short trip.
Ride-hailing. Apps work in Casablanca and are a useful fallback when a taxi will not use the meter. Pick-up points at the airport and stations can be awkward; follow the app's pin.
Rental car. Only worth it if you are leaving the city. Driving in Casablanca is dense, parking is scarce, and there are many radar traps on the roads out. Night driving on mountain passes in winter is a separate risk.
- Validate your tram ticket and keep it until you leave the station
- Insist on the meter in a petit taxi, or agree the fare first
- Buy train tickets ahead on Fridays and around holidays
- Keep MAD 20–50 in small notes for taxis
What a day of moving costs
A sightseeing day on the tram and on foot is cheap: two or three rides plus a taxi home is roughly MAD 30–60 (about USD 3–6). A taxi-heavy day across the city runs MAD 100–200. Add MAD 20–150 if you take the train to Rabat or El Jadida and back.
| Day type | How you move | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Centre on foot and tram | 2–3 tram rides, one taxi | MAD 30–60 |
| Spread-out day | 4–6 petit taxi trips | MAD 100–200 |
| Rabat day trip | Train both ways plus local taxis | MAD 100–250 |
| Airport arrival | Train or taxi to the centre | MAD 20–150 |
Tips
Time your moves around the commute. Weekday mornings and late afternoons are slow, and the tram is packed. Mid-morning and early afternoon are the easiest windows.
Cash is the practical currency for transport. Drivers rarely have change for MAD 100, and tram machines take coins and small notes.
Friday midday prayers slow the city; allow extra time and expect some drivers to be off the road.
If you are staying several days, a tram pass or multi-ride card can beat single tickets; ask at a tram stop kiosk for current options.
For airport arrivals, decide before you land: train if it is running, taxi if it is not. See the airport transfer page for the detail.
- Carry small change
- Avoid 07:30–09:30 and 17:00–19:30
- Agree taxi fares before loading bags
- Check the last tram and train times for your return
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Casablanca?
The tram for the centre and the coast, petit taxis for short hops and evenings, and the train for the airport, Rabat and Marrakech. Walking works well in the central grid by day. Buses are cheap but hard to read on a short trip.
Is there a transit pass for Casablanca?
The tram operator sells single tickets and multi-ride or period passes at stop kiosks; prices and options change, so ask at a stop. For a two- or three-day visit, single tickets are usually enough unless you are staying outside the centre.
Are taxis or ride-hailing better in Casablanca?
Petit taxis are everywhere and metered by law, but drivers sometimes refuse the meter, especially at the airport and stations. Ride-hailing apps are a useful fallback and often comparable in price. For a group, a taxi usually beats four tram tickets.
How do I get from Casablanca airport to the city?
The ONCF train runs from Mohammed V airport to Casa-Port and Casa-Voyageurs in about 30–40 minutes. A petit taxi takes longer in traffic and the fare should be agreed or metered. Late arrivals may have no train, so plan a taxi.
Do I need a car in Casablanca?
No. Traffic is dense, parking is scarce and the tram plus taxis cover the main sights. Rent a car only if you are leaving the city for the coast or the interior.
Is the tram safe at night?
The tram runs into the evening and is generally used by locals at all hours. Keep bags in front of you at crowded stops and use a taxi for late returns to quieter areas. See the safety page for the wider picture.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialONCF (Moroccan national railways)
- officialCasa Tramway
- officialMoroccan National Tourist Office
- secondaryWikivoyage – Casablanca