Morocco’s Al Atlas Train: What to Expect and How to Book It
If you travel by train in Morocco, you will most likely take some journeys on an Al Atlas InterCity service.
Alongside the Al Boraq – Morocco’s TGV high-speed train – the Al Atlas forms the backbone of the country’s long-distance rail network.
This is what to expect when you take an Al Atlas train and how to book tickets for it.
Two Al Atlas trains at the station of Marrakech. ©AndyBTravels
About the Al Atlas train
The Al Atlas is a conventional, locomotive-hauled InterCity train service operated by ONCF, Morocco’s national railway company.
These trains run on all main railway lines across the country, connecting major cities such as Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez and Tangier, as well as many other destinations in Morocco.
At the station
The main railway stations in Morocco’s largest cities, such as Marrakech and Casablanca, are modern and welcoming.
Here you will find all the facilities you need, including a staffed ticket office, as well as shops and cafés where you can have a drink or snack or buy supplies for your journey.
Marrakech railway station. ©AndyBTravels
On board the Al Atlas train
Al Atlas trains use older French rolling stock but are usually hauled by modern electric locomotives.
In these old French carriages you will find first-class seating in comfortable six-seat compartments, while second-class seating is either in eight-seat compartments, or arranged two abreast in open-plan coaches.
First class is reasonably priced by Western standards, and I would definitely recommend choosing it, as the second class compartments can feel quite cramped when all eight seats are occupied.
Seat reservations are compulsory on Moroccan long-distance trains, but unfortunately you cannot choose a specific seat, and will automatically get one assigned.
Luggage can simply be placed on the overhead racks.
The maximum speed of Al Atlas trains is 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph).
On most major rail routes, you’ll find an Al Atlas departure every two hours.
In the video below, you can see my experience travelling on an Al Atlas train from Marrakech to Casablanca.
Ticket prices
On the Marrakech to Casablanca route – a journey that takes 2 hours 38 minutes on an Al Atlas train – an adult ticket in first class starts at 120 Moroccan dirham (£9.41, €11, $11.98).
A second class ticket on this route starts at 49 Moroccan dirham (£3.84, €4.49, $4.89).
Prices for Moroccan trains are dynamically priced and can cost up to 50 % more than the prices quoted above if you book shortly before departure.
As trains do at times sell out, it’s always smart to buy your ticket ahead of departure.
View from the train between Marrakech and Casablanca. ©AndyBTravels
Booking Moroccan trains
You can easily book Moroccan trains on the ONCF website, although rather annoyingly, the site has geo-blocked much of the world from accessing it.
If you cannot load the website in your country, it’s not your fault – it’s ONCF’s aggressive firewall limiting access!
As a workaround, you can use a VPN to access the ONCF website if you live in a country where it is blocked.
Simply set your VPN to a Moroccan location, or to a country from which access is allowed, such as Spain, and you should be able to use the ONCF website without issues.
Alternatively, you can use reliable third-party booking websites such as 12Go to buy Moroccan train tickets.
Conclusion
The Al Atlas is Morocco’s InterCity train service which connects cities throughout the country, such as Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fez.
Especially in first class, it’s a comfortable ride on these trains, and tickets are affordably priced.
