Getting to Morocco by Land or Sea

By Land

Borders

Spain (Ceuta and Melilla; 6 and 10 km), Algeria (1,600 km), plus at the level of Western Sahara the Mauritania (1,560 km).

From France

There are roughly 2,000 km from Paris to Morocco (Tangier). In two or three days, you can easily reach the country by land (with just a ferry between Spain and Morocco). You can choose to travel with your own vehicle (carpooling is quite common), Eurolines buses (around 200 € round trip depending on the city), or even the train (much more expensive).

From Neighboring Countries

There are possibilities for land crossings between Morocco and Mauritania, as well as the Spanish enclaves. However, the border with Algeria has been officially closed to all traffic since 1994, with numerous mines in the southern part dating from the Western Sahara conflict.

Morocco-Mauritania Crossing

Ferries

Morocco is very well served by ferries from Europe, with around half a dozen companies. There are routes from Sète to Tangier or Nador, as well as from Spain or Gibraltar to the northern Moroccan coast. There is also a route from Italy between Tangier and Genoa.

However, there is still no route to or from the Canary Islands despite the relative proximity of the archipelago and recurring projects for connections.

Ferry Companies for Morocco

Balearia, FRS, Grandi Navi Veloci, Grimaldi Lines, Inter Shipping, Naviera Armas, Trasmediterranea.

Routes from France

Expect roughly thirty hours of sailing to reach Morocco once or twice a week from Sète (Hérault).

Tangier or Nador: Sète with Grandi Navi Veloci.

Routes from Spain and Gibraltar

Logically, these are the shortest routes, with Algéciras-Ceuta (35 minutes), Tarifa-Tangier (45 minutes), and Algéciras-Tangier (2.5 hours of sailing) being the most common. In season, there are dozens of crossings each day.

Al Hoceima: Motril with Naviera Armas.

Ceuta (Spanish enclave): Algéciras with Balearia + FRS + Trasmediterranea.

Melilla (Spanish enclave): Almería or Málaga with Trasmediterranea.

Melilla (Spanish enclave): Motril with Naviera Armas.

Nador: Almería with Trasmediterranea.

Nador: Motril with Naviera Armas.

Tangier: Algéciras with Balearia + FRS + Inter Shipping + Trasmediterranea.

Tangier: Barcelona with Grandi Navi Veloci + Grimaldi Lines.

Tangier: Gibraltar with FRS.

Tangier: Tarifa with FRS + Inter Shipping.

Routes from Italy

The crossing between Italy and Morocco takes roughly two full days at sea.

Tangier: Genoa with Grandi Navi Veloci.

Tangier: Livorno with Grimaldi Lines.

Other Maritime Options

Cargo

Several Moroccan ports are accessible by cargo; Tangier and Casablanca are the main ones.

Cruises

Morocco is not really on the main cruise ship routes. However, the country still welcomes around 400,000 cruise passengers each year and aims to increase this number in the future with major port projects in Casablanca. Tangier, Casablanca, Safi, and Agadir are generally the ports of call for ships.

Sailboats

Yacht clubs dot the coast from Tangier to Agadir, the most important being located in Rabat or Casablanca. On the Mediterranean coast, note the new marina in Saïdia.