Travel
Airports
International airports at Casablanca, Tangiers and Agadir ensure that Morocco is well linked to Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Domestic flights are efficient although they can be expensive.
Ground transport
Casablanca - A taxi from the airport to the city (about 35 kilometres), will cost approximately 200 dirhams. A train shuttle runs from the airport to the city every 30 minutes from 6.15am to 10.40pm. It costs approximately 25 dirhams. A shuttle bus also operates from 5.30am to 8.00pm.
Marrakech - A taxi from the airport to the city will cost approximately 70-90 dirhams. The airport is about six kilometres south of the city.
An efficient bus system serves most of Morocco. The larger cities have public bus services and the average ticket price is about two dirham.
Taxis are a reliable and quick means of getting around. Tariffs rise by 50 per cent at night. ‘Petits’ taxis are a common sight in most cities and major towns. They are licensed to carry up to three passengers and the minimum price is five dirhams.
You can take a car from Europe via the ferries and jet foils operating between Algerciras in Spain and Tangiers and Ceuta in Morocco. There are also ferries twice a week from Gibraltar to Tangiers.
All the major car hire companies are represented in Morocco. Local companies, however, are much cheaper. Road conditions vary according to where they are and the weather. The national roads are generally congested and quite narrow. Police strictly enforce traffic regulations in cities and on main highways: there are frequent checkpoints so always carry identification and vehicle documents. The Casablanca-Marrakech and the Casablanca-El Jadida roads are notorious for accidents due to a high volume of traffic.
The rail system, which links most of the main centres, is one of the most modern rail systems in Africa. Trains are comfortable, fast and have sleeping cars for overnight trips.
Hotels
Morocco has a wide choice of hotel accommodation. Internationally known hotels exist in many cities such as Agadir, Marrakech and Tangiers.
Hotel chains such as Hilton Hotels and Accor Hotels (Sofitel, Novotel, Mecure, Ibis) have branches in Morocco.
Dining
Morocco's national drink is mint tea. The national dish is the tagine, a spicy stew of lamb, chicken, veal or vegetables. Also popular are grilled meats (kebabs), couscous (semolina), pastilla (a savoury filo pastry flavoured with almonds and usually filled with pigeon or chicken) and seafood.
Refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset during the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), out of respect for locals. Certain restaurants remain open to receive non-Muslim clients.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in upmarket restaurants, usually 10-15 per cent of your bill. In cafes and restaurants, leave a few dirhams. Tip porters and guides.