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Two sleeps to Tangier...
This page explains how to travel from the UK to Tangier, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, & Morocco without flying, by train & ferry. What a journey! Take Eurostar to Paris and stay overnight. Next day, speed south to Barcelona on an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex and take another high-speed train to Madrid. Stay overnight in the Spanish capital, then ride an Intercity train through wonderful scenery to Andalusia and sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa. Once in Morocco, the real Marrakech Express speeds you south to the Atlas mountains. No flights, no airports, no stress.
UK to Morocco by train
London to
Morocco train times, morning departure
London to
Morocco train times, evening departure
Morocco to London train times,
morning departure
Morocco to London train times,
afternoon departure
What's the journey like? Video guide
Other useful information
Useful country information: currency,
dial code...
Places to stay & things to see in Tangier
Car hire in
Morocco - ideal for south of Marrakech
Recommended hotels in Algeciras &
Morocco
Insurance, mobile data, VPN & other tips
Train travel in Morocco
Train travel
in Morocco: Tangier to Fes, Rabat, Casablanca & Marrakech
Route map
Useful country information
London to Tangier & Marrakech
Choose between a morning departure with overnight stops in Barcelona & Algeciras, or an evening departure with overnight stops in Paris & Madrid. Pick whichever suits you best, the evening departure gives you time to travel up to London from Scotland or the north, and an evening Eurostar is often cheaper. Both options take just two sleeps to Tangier, although with the morning departure it's (just) possible to do the whole trip to Tangier in 1 night, 2 days. If you have more time, by all means stop off on the way.
There's a similar choice for the return journey, I personally favour the afternoon departure from Tangier with overnight stops in Algeciras & Barcelona, simply because all you have to do on day 1 is take the ferry and any lengthy North African ferry delays won't impact the rest of the journey.
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The mud-built town at Aït ben Haddou, south of Marrakech. Many movie scenes were filmed here, including the North African scenes in Gladiator. It's well worth hiring a car for a few days and exploring. |
London ► Morocco (morning departure)
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Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar
Leave London St Pancras at 09:31 every day, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:50.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine, served at your seat.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon.
Why not book an earlier Eurostar and have lunch at the wonderful Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex
Leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42 every day, arriving Barcelona Sants 21:29.
The TGV Duplex is a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train with 1st & 2nd class, café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches. Look out for Béziers cathedral on the right, colonies of flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses on the right approaching Perpignan and great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona
The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme. Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station. Other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Algeciras by AVE + local train
Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35, change at Antequera-Santa Ana onto the 15:09 Media Distancia train arriving Algeciras 18:23.
The high-speed AVE S103 has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Remember that at Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for long-distance & high-speed trains. When booking, you can normally book this as one journey.
If you pay the Premium fare you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge for up to 2h before your train leaves and you get a tray meal with wine served at your seat on the AVE.
The Media Distancia train is comfortable & air-conditioned but bring your own food & drink as there's no catering. It passes superb scenery on its way to the Straits of Gibraltar.
Same day ferry to Tangier? If the train is on time, it's possible to catch the 19:30 FRS transfer bus from Algeciras ferry terminal to Tarifa for the 21:00 fast ferry to Tangier Town, arriving 21:00 Moroccan time (1h behind Spain). By all means do this if you like, but just in case of delay, I suggest staying overnight and taking a morning ferry. It makes for a more comfortable journey!
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Stay overnight in Algeciras
I recommend staying at the lovely Hotel Reina Cristina, easily the best hotel in Algeciras, set in its own grounds just 13 minutes walk from the station, see walking map. Next morning it's just 15 minutes walk from the ferry terminal. For such a historic hotel, it's remarkably inexpensive.
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Day 3, take the FRS transfer bus to Tarifa & ferry to Tangier
Next morning it's a 15 minute 1.1 km walk from the Hotel Reina Cristina to Algeciras ferry terminal (Estación Maritima), see walking map.
Ferry company FRS (www.frs.es, now owned by DFDS) operates regular fast ferries from nearby Tarifa to Tangier town. A free transfer bus leaves Algeciras ferry terminal 90 minutes before each ferry sails. Sailing times vary so check them at www.frs.es and book any departure you like.
You must exchange your online ticket for a boarding pass at the FRS office at Algeciras passenger ferry terminal before boarding the bus. FRS's transfer bus then leaves from a bus parking space outside the passenger terminal 90 minutes before your ferry leaves Tarifa. The 22 km (14 mile) drive to the pretty town of Tarifa takes 30 minutes, through hills and past numerous wind turbines.
FRS ferries arrive at Tangier's original ferry terminal in Tangier itself, 10 minutes walk from the wonderful Continental Hotel, see walking map.
Taking FRS from Tarifa avoids the 52 km transfer from Tanger Med Port to Tangier. Arriving directly at Tangier's old town is far more romantic than arriving at the concrete-and-oil-tanks Tangier Med Port 50 km away. The FRS seacats have lounge seating and a refreshment counter.
A second ferry company now operates from Tarifa to Tangier Town, also with a free transfer bus from Algeciras, AML aml.ma. AML gives a 30% discount to Interrail & Eurail passholders, you can book online with the discount at booking.aml.ma.
Or sail from Algeciras to Tangier Med Port & take a bus or taxi to Tangier
FRS & AML are the only ferry companies still sailing to Tangier's original ferry terminal in Tangier itself. All the other ferry companies sail from Algeciras to Tangier Med Port, 52 km outside Tangier. The one advantage of taking a conventional ferry to Tangier Med Port is all the outside deck space from which to appreciate a classic crossing of the Straits of Gibraltar.
There's no need to book in advance, just turn up and buy a ticket from one of the ferry company ticket offices in the passenger terminal. Then go upstairs to the check-in windows. There are a various departures through the day, operated by various ferry companies. You can choose a leisurely ship taking 1h30 or a fast ferry taking 50 minutes. Check sailing times and buy tickets for all operators using the Direct Ferries website, or check ferry operator websites www.comarit.es (ships), www.trasmediterranea.es (fast ferry & ships), www.balearia.com (fast ferry & ships) or www.aml.ma (ships).
The fast ferries run by Trasmediterranea & Nautas are quicker, but you're sealed-in except for a windy observation deck at the rear which may or may not be open. The conventional ships are slower, but open decks allow you to enjoy the crossing and take photos. Whichever ferry you choose, it sails out of Algeciras harbour in a wide arc to starboard with the Rock of Gibraltar to port, then sails across the Straits of Gibraltar into Tangier Med ferry terminal, an ugly concrete-and-oil-tanks affair 52 km east of Tangier. It's a scenic crossing, and you can see for yourself just how narrow the Straits of Gibraltar between Europe and Africa really are, between the two famous Pillars of Hercules.
At some point during the crossing you'll need to fill out a white landing card and have it stamped by a passport officer on board. The passport officer may set up shop in a lounge or he may have a small office on board. It's easy to miss announcements and wonder what's happening, so forewarned is forearmed! Also be aware that the ferries regularly run an hour or two late, so don't plan any tight connections in Tangier.
When you arrive at Tangier Med Port, you walk off the ferry, a free shuttle bus takes you up the hill to the modern ferry terminal building marked Gare Maritime. You enter the building and pass through passport control and a brief X-ray customs check into the main hall. Get some Moroccan dirhams from the two ATMs on the left as you enter the main hall. There are toilets in the far left corner. You exit the terminal onto the forecourt for taxis & buses to Tangier town. Tangier Med Port has a railway station directly underneath the terminal, but trains are not running.
Option 1, transfer from Tanger Med Port to Tangier town by frequent Alsa bus.
Bus LI3 run by Alsa links Tanger Med Port with Tangier railway station on downtown Tangier every 10 minutes, see www.alsa.ma/tanger/lignes and click on LI3. It costs around 25 dirhams, about €2.50. The bus leaves from the Gare Maritime forecourt and takes around 60 minutes.
Option 2, transfer from Tanger Med Port to Tangier town by taxi.
A private Grand Taxi from Tanger Med Port direct to your hotel in Tangier town will cost you 250 dirhams (300 dirhams at night) or €25-€30 and you'll find plenty of these sand-coloured Grand Taxis (mostly ancient Mercedes) parked to your right as you exit the Gare Maritime.
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For trains south from Tangier to Rabat, Casablanca, Meknès, Fez or Marrakech, see the train travel in Morocco page.
London ► Morocco (evening departure)
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Day 1, travel from London to Paris on any Eurostar you like
The last Eurostar leaves London St Pancras at 20.01 arriving Paris Gare du Nord 23:18.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine, served at your seat.
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Stay overnight in Paris
At the Gare du Nord I recommend the 25 Hours Terminus Nord across the road, with great feedback from Seat61 users. At the Gare de Lyon, the Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex with great reviews for staff, cleanliness & comfort. Other suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex
Leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42 every day, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.
Until 14 December 2024 this train leaves Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 16:31.
The TGV Duplex is a 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train with 1st & 2nd class, café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number above 60 is upper deck.
The train speeds along the Rhône valley past pretty villages & picturesque churches. Look out for Béziers cathedral on the right, colonies of flamingos on the étangs (lakes) in southern France, the Fort de Salses on the right approaching Perpignan and great views of Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees..
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE
Leave Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.
Or leave Barcelona Sants by Iryo at 15:55 daily except Saturdays, arriving Madrid Atocha 18:40.
Or leave Barcelona Sants by AVE S103 at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.
Until 14 December, you leave Barcelona Sants at 18:25 arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55.
The high-speed AVE S103 has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
If you pay the Premium fare you can use the Sala Club 1st class lounge for up to 2h before your train leaves and you get a tray meal with wine served at your seat on the AVE.
At Spanish stations there's a brief X-ray baggage check at the entrance to the platforms for high-speed trains.
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Stay overnight in Madrid
The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station. For somewhere cheaper, try the Pensión Mollo or Hostal Residencia Fernandez.
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Day 3, travel from Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train
Leave Madrid Atocha at 07:38 by Intercity train, arriving Algeciras 13:54.
The Intercity train is an articulated air-conditioned Talgo train with cafe-bar. This is a lovely scenic ride - the train dashes along the high-speed line through the mountains to Cordoba, then it slows right down onto the scenic single-track to Algeciras on the Straits of Gibraltar. You'll see the scenery in this video guide. At Antequera-Santa Ana the train is propelled through a gauge-changing shed and its axles adjust from standard gauge (4'8½, used for Spanish high-speed lines) to Iberian gauge, 5'6".
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Day 3, take the transfer bus to Tarifa & ferry to Tangier
Algeciras' modern ferry terminal (Estación Maritima) is a 17-minute (800m) walk from the station, see walking map.
Ferry company FRS (www.frs.es, now owned by DFDS) operates regular fast ferries from the nearby town of Tarifa to Tangier town. A free transfer bus leaves Algeciras ferry terminal 90 minutes before each ferry departure. Sailing times vary so check them at www.frs.es.
Depending on the date, you'll usually find an FRS fast ferry leaving Tarifa at 17:00, arriving Tangier Town at 17:00. Bus leaves Algeciras at 15:30.
Or leaving Tarifa at 19:00, arriving Tangier Town at 19:00 (Morocco is 1 hour behind Spain). The transfer bus leaves Algeciras at 17:30.
You must exchange your online ticket for a boarding pass at the FRS office at Algeciras passenger ferry terminal. FRS's transfer bus then leaves from a bus parking space outside the passenger terminal 90 minutes before each ferry leaves Tarifa. The 22 km (14 mile) drive to the pretty town of Tarifa takes 30 minutes, through hills and past numerous wind turbines.
FRS ferries arrive at Tangier's original ferry terminal in Tangier itself, 10 minutes walk from the wonderful Continental Hotel, see walking map.
Although this involves an Algeciras-Tarifa bus, it avoids the 52 km transfer from Tanger Med Port to Tangier that other ferry companies now require. Arriving directly at Tangier's old town by ferry is far more romantic than arriving at the concrete-and-oil-tanks Tangier Med Port 50 km away. The FRS seacats have comfortable lounge seating and a refreshment counter.
A second ferry company now operates from Tarifa to Tangier Town, also with a free transfer bus from Algeciras, AML aml.ma. This operator gives a 30% discount to Interrail & Eurail passholders, you can book online with the discount at booking.aml.ma.
Or sail from Algeciras to Tangier Med Port & take a bus or taxi to Tangier town
FRS & AML are the only ferry companies still sailing to Tangier's original ferry terminal in Tangier town itself. All the other ferry companies now sail from Algeciras to Tangier Med Port, 52 km outside Tangier. The one advantage of taking a conventional ferry to Tangier Med Port is all the outside deck space from which to appreciate a classic crossing of the Straits of Gibraltar.
There's no need to book in advance, just turn up and buy a ticket from one of the ferry company ticket offices in the passenger terminal. Then go upstairs to the check-in windows. There are a various departures through the day, operated by various ferry companies. You can choose a leisurely ship taking 1h30 or a fast ferry taking 50 minutes. Check sailing times and buy tickets for all operators using the Direct Ferries website, or check ferry operator websites www.comarit.es (ships), www.trasmediterranea.es (fast ferry & ships), www.balearia.com (fast ferry & ships) or www.aml.ma (ships).
The fast ferries run by Trasmediterranea & Nautas are quicker, but you're sealed-in except for a windy observation deck at the rear which may or may not be open. The conventional ships are slower, but their open decks allow you to enjoy the crossing and take photographs. Whichever ferry you choose, it sails out of Algeciras harbour in a wide arc to starboard with the Rock of Gibraltar to port, then sails across the Straits of Gibraltar into Tangier Med ferry terminal, an ugly modern concrete-and-oil-tanks affair 52 km east of Tangier. It's a scenic crossing, and you can see for yourself just how narrow the Straits of Gibraltar between Europe and Africa really are, between the two famous Pillars of Hercules.
At some point during the crossing you'll need to fill out a white landing card and have it stamped by a passport officer on board. The passport officer may set up shop in a lounge or he may have a small office on board. It's easy to miss announcements and wonder what's happening, so forewarned is forearmed! Also be aware that the ferries regularly run an hour or two late, so don't plan any tight connections in Tangier.
When you arrive at Tangier Med Port, you walk off the ferry, a free shuttle bus takes you up the hill to the modern ferry terminal building marked Gare Maritime. You enter the building and pass through passport control and a brief X-ray customs check into the main hall. Get some Moroccan dirhams from the two ATMs on the left as you enter the main hall. There are toilets in the far left corner. You exit the terminal onto the forecourt for taxis & buses to Tangier town. Tangier Med Port has a railway station directly underneath the terminal, but trains are not running.
Option 1, transfer from Tanger Med Port to Tangier town by frequent Alsa bus.
Bus LI3 run by Alsa links Tanger Med Port with Tangier railway station on downtown Tangier every 10 minutes, see www.alsa.ma/tanger/lignes and click on LI3. It costs around 25 dirhams, about €2.50. The bus leaves from the Gare Maritime forecourt and takes around 60 minutes.
Option 2, transfer from Tanger Med Port to Tangier town by taxi.
A private Grand Taxi from Tanger Med Port direct to your hotel in Tangier town will cost you 250 dirhams (300 dirhams at night) or €25-€30 and you'll find plenty of these sand-coloured Grand Taxis (mostly ancient Mercedes) parked to your right as you exit the Gare Maritime.
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For trains south from Tangier to Rabat, Casablanca, Meknès, Fez or Marrakech, see the train travel in Morocco page.
Morocco ► London (morning departure)
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For trains to Tangier from Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat or Fez, see the train travel in Morocco page.
Stay overnight in Tangier, I recommend the historic Continental Hotel on the edge of the medina, walking distance from the FRS ferry terminal.
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Day 1, sail from Tangier to Tarifa by ferry & transfer to Algeciras by bus
There's usually an 09:00 FRS fast ferry from Tangier Town arriving Tarifa at 10:00, check ferry times at www.frs.es.
The FRS ferry sails from Tangier's original ferry terminal in Tangier town, 10 minutes walk from the Continental Hotel, see walking map.
Moroccan passport checks can be slow, so get there sooner rather than later. First, exchange your self-print FRS ticket for a boarding pass at the FRS office on the right as you approach the flying-saucer-like ferry terminal, then go upstairs into the terminal for passport control and boarding. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure.
The crossing takes an hour, at Tarifa the transfer bus will be waiting outside the ferry terminal when you emerge from passport control.
The 22 km (14 mile) drive to Algeciras takes just 30 minutes through pretty hills past many wind turbines. It arrives in front of Algeciras ferry terminal (Estación Maritima), just 17 minutes walk from the railway station (see walking map) or the Hotel Reina Cristina.
Don't take any chances, you should allow several hours between arrival in Algeciras and the afternoon train to Madrid, in case of delay. Ferries from Morocco can run hours late.
A second ferry company also operates from Tangier Town to Tarifa, also with a free transfer bus to Algeciras, AML aml.ma. This operator gives a 30% discount to Interrail & Eurail passholders. You can book online with the discount at booking.aml.ma.
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Or take a bus or taxi to Tangier Med Port & ferry to Algeciras
Take a bus or taxi from Tangier town to Tangier Med Port. Since 2010, all ferries to Algeciras leave from the new ferry terminal at Tanger Med port (Port Tanger Méditerranée, see map) 52 km east of Tangier town.
A bus run by Alsa leaves every 10 minutes from a stop outside Tangier Ville railway station, see www.alsa.ma/tanger/lignes and click on LI3. It costs around 25 dirhams (€2.50) and takes around 60 minutes. A taxi from Tangier town to Tangier Med Port costs 250-300 dirhams or €25-€30.
At Tanger Med Port's modern Gare Maritime there are ferry company ticket offices and check-ins, you pass through passport control and customs, then a free transfer bus shuttles you down the hill to the ferry berths for your ferry.
You can check sailing times prices for all operators using the Direct Ferries form here, or check each ferry operator separately at www.comarit.es (ships), www.trasmediterranea.es (fast ferry & ships), www.balearia.com (fast ferry & ships) or www.aml.ma (ships). Make sure you allow as many hours as you can between ferry arrival and the afternoon train to Madrid as these ferries can run an hour or two late, sometimes more.
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Day 1, travel from Algeciras to Madrid by Intercity train
Travel from Algeciras to Madrid by Intercity train, leaving Algeciras at 14:58 & arriving Madrid Atocha 21:10.
The Intercity train is an air-conditioned articulated Talgo train with cafe-bar. It takes the classic curvaceous (and scenic) line from Algeciras to Antequera-Santa Ana, where it is propelled through a gauge-changing shed to adjust its axles adjust from Iberian gauge, (5'6") to standard gauge (4'8½), used for Spanish high-speed lines. It then joins the high-speed line for a scenic dash through the mountains to Madrid.
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Stay overnight in Madrid
The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha are also across the road from the station.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by train
A lo-cost high-speed Avlo train leaves Madrid Atocha at 06:15 and arrives Barcelona Sants at 08:45.
This is a lo-cost train, 2nd class only, no catering, check their luggage limits and fees. More about Avlo.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex
Leave Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.
This 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train has a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views as the train rolls past flamingos on the étangs in southern France, then speeds along the scenic Rhône Valley towards Paris.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi, just 2 stops on RER line D.
Why not have an early dinner in Paris and catch a later Eurostar? The Brasserie Terminus Nord (www.terminusnord.com) is good and typically French, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord. Oysters & Sancerre?
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Day 2, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar
Leave Paris Gare du Nord at 18:12 arriving London St Pancras 19:39.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine, served at your seat.
Morocco ► London (afternoon departure)
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For trains to Tangier from Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat or Fez, see the train travel in Morocco page.
Stay overnight in Tangier, I recommend the historic Continental Hotel on the edge of the medina, walking distance from the FRS ferry terminal.
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Day 1, sail from Tangier to Tarifa by ferry & transfer to Algeciras by bus
Ferry company FRS (www.frs.es, now owned by DFDS) operates regular fast ferries from Tangier to Tarifa, sailing from Tangier's original ferry terminal in Tangier town, 10 minutes walk from the Continental Hotel, see walking map. On arrival in Tarifa, a free transfer bus takes you to Algeciras ferry terminal.
Sailing times vary so check them at www.frs.es and book any departure you like. Just remember that ferries can easily run an hour or two late so I wouldn't book the last ferry, I'd allow plenty of leeway for delay and plan to spend a pleasant evening in Algeciras.
Moroccan passport checks can be slow, so go to the terminal sooner rather than later. First, exchange your online FRS ticket for a boarding pass at the FRS office on the right as you approach the flying-saucer-like ferry terminal, then go upstairs into the terminal for passport control and boarding. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure.
The crossing takes an hour, at Tarifa the transfer bus will be waiting outside the ferry terminal when you emerge from passport control.
The 22 km (14 mile) bus ride to Algeciras takes just 30 minutes through pretty hills past many wind turbines. It arrives in front of Algeciras ferry terminal (Estación Maritima), 15 minutes walk from the Hotel Reina Cristina, see walking map.
A second ferry company also operates from Tangier Town to Tarifa, also with a free transfer bus to Algeciras, AML aml.ma. This operator gives a 30% discount to Interrail & Eurail passholders. You can book online with the discount at booking.aml.ma.
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Or take a bus or taxi to Tangier Med Port & ferry to Algeciras
Take a bus or taxi from Tangier town to Tangier Med Port. Since 2010, all ferries to Algeciras leave from the new ferry terminal at Tanger Med port (Port Tanger Méditerranée, see map) 52 km east of Tangier town.
A bus run by Alsa leaves every 10 minutes from a stop outside Tangier Ville railway station, see www.alsa.ma/tanger/lignes and click on LI3. It costs around 25 dirhams (€2.50) and takes around 60 minutes. A taxi from Tangier town to Tangier Med Port costs 250-300 dirhams or €25-€30.
At Tanger Med Port's modern Gare Maritime there are ferry company ticket offices and check-ins, you pass through passport control and customs, then a free transfer bus shuttles you down the hill to the ferry berths for your ferry.
You can check sailing times prices for all operators using the Direct Ferries form here, or check each ferry operator separately at www.comarit.es (ships), www.trasmediterranea.es (fast ferry & ships), www.balearia.com (fast ferry & ships) or www.aml.ma (ships). Make sure you allow as many hours as you can between ferry arrival and the afternoon train to Madrid as these ferries can run an hour or two late, sometimes more.
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Stay overnight in Algeciras
It's just 15 minutes walk from the ferry terminal to the lovely Hotel Reina Cristina, see walking map, easily the best hotel in Algeciras, set in its own leafy grounds. Next morning it's a 13 minute walk to the station, see walking map. For such a historic hotel, it's remarkably inexpensive.
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Day 2, travel from Algeciras to Antequera by Media Distancia train
Leave Algeciras at 10:17 & arriving Antequera-Santa Ana 13:26.
The Media Distancia train is comfortable and air-conditioned, but there's no catering so bring your own food & drink. There's great scenery along the route. There's a longish wait at Antequera-Santa Ana, 17 km from Antequera town, but there's a cafe at the station.
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Day 2, travel from Antequera to Barcelona by AVE
Leave Antequera-Santa Ana at 16:39 arriving Barcelona Sants at 22:39.
The high-speed AVE S103 has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. If you pay the premium fare, a meal with wine is served at your seat. When booking, you'll need to book Algeciras-Antequera and Antequera-Barcelona trains separately.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona
The Hotel Barcelo Sants is top choice here, it's located above Barcelona Sants station itself and gets great reviews, with nice rooms, a great breakfast buffet and a delightfully kitsch space theme. Alternatively, the Nobu Hotel and AC Sants Hotel by Marriot are both just across the road from the station. Other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex
Leave Barcelona Sants at 09:28, arriving Paris Gare de Lyon 16:12.
This 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train has a café-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Book an upper deck seat for the best views as the train rolls past flamingos on the étangs in southern France, then speeds along the scenic Rhône Valley towards Paris.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi, just 2 stops on RER line D.
Why not have an early dinner in Paris and catch a later Eurostar? The Brasserie Terminus Nord (www.terminusnord.com) is good and typically French, directly across the road from the Gare du Nord.
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Day 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar
Leave Paris Gare du Nord at 18:12 arriving London St Pancras 19:39.
Eurostar has two cafe-bars, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Plus & Premier fares include a meal with wine, served at your seat.
 Andalusia: The train from Madrid to Algeciras snakes across the Andalusian plateau on its way south to the Straits of Gibraltar. |
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 The Slow Boat to Africa. Aboard the ferry from Algeciras to Tangier with the Rock of Gibraltar on the port beam. |
How much does it cost?
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London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in Standard, £97 one-way or £168 return in Plus (1st class).
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Paris to Barcelona by TGV starts at €39 each way in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. More details.
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Barcelona to Madrid by AVE starts at €29 in standard class or €58 in comfort class (1st class).
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Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train starts at €25 in standard class or €38 in comfort class.
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Tarifa to Tangier starts at €42 each way with FRS, with free transfer bus to/from Algeciras.
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Fares for all these trains vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
How to buy tickets
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Buy tickets for each train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Both sites connect to the British, French & Spanish rail ticketing systems so you can buy all your tickets together in one place, easily in plain English, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem. There's a small booking fee. You can book a one-way or round trip in either direction. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
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When do bookings open?
Bookings for Eurostar open up to 11 months ahead, the Paris-Barcelona TGVs open up to 4 months ahead, longer over the summer.
Spanish AVE trains between 1 & 9 months ahead, it varies as Renfe releases dates in blocks pretty much when it feels like it. By all means book London-Barcelona as soon as bookings open and wait to book the Madrid-Barcelona-Algeciras part of the journey later. Madrid-Algeciras will be the last to open for booking.
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Step 1, book the Eurostar from London to Paris & back.
Always book London-Paris as a round trip as Eurostar return fares are less than two one-ways. Beyond Paris, trains are priced one-way so a round trip is simply two one-ways, I find it easier to book one train at a time. Add this to your basket.
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Step 2, book the TGV from Paris to Barcelona. Add to your basket.
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Step 3, depending which option you're taking, book from Barcelona to Madrid then Madrid to Algeciras, or book from Barcelona to Algeciras. Add to your basket.
Then check out, paying for all tickets as one transaction.
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Step 4, buy a ferry ticket from Algeciras or Tarifa to Tangier.
Tickets for the ferry can be bought at the ferry terminal when you get to Algeciras, ferries leave regularly and there are always places available. Or book your ticket beforehand, the easiest way to check sailing times and prices for all ferry operators on the Spain-Tangier route is using the Direct Ferries website.
Or book the FRS fast ferry from Tarifa to Tangier Town direct with FRS at www.frs.es or the competing Tarifa-Tangier AML ferry at booking.aml.ma. In both cases, book from Tarifa to Tangier, the free Algeciras-Tarifa transfer bus doesn't need to be pre-booked.
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You can also make this journey using an Interrail pass, this option is explained below. It isn't usually any cheaper unless you're under 28, and is more hassle to arrange than simply buying regular tickets. But a pass gives more flexibility than inflexible cheap advance-purchase tickets.
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Let Byway or Tailor Made Rail arrange it
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Yes, there are now two tour firms which offer holidays to Morocco from the UK by train not plane, the most hassle-free way to arrange such a journey, with trains, hotels & stopovers all sorted for you.
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Tailor Made Rail's suggested tour package from London to Marrakech by train is at www.tailormaderail.com/itinerary/moroccan-discovery. This can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip, with any stopovers you want. They welcome complex itineraries! As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike. They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.
Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking. From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461. Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.
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Byway (Byway.travel) is a new UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating. If you're nervous about booking trains all the way to Morocco travel yourself, they'll book a London-Morocco holiday for you as a package, including overnight hotels. Byway includes package protection, a 100% Covid refund guarantee, free disruption & re-planning and on-demand WhatsApp support while you're away.
They can build a trip to your requirements, call 0300 131 7173 (open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, from outside the UK call +44 300 131 7173) or email them or use this contact form. Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.
How to do this with an Interrail pass
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If you simply want to travel to and from Morocco, forget railpasses, just buy regular advance-purchase tickets as explained above, a railpass is unlikely to save any money over these especially once you add the passholder reservation fees.
However, if you are under 28 the youth Interrail pass may be almost as cheap as advance tickets even with the reservation fees included and better value as it gives flexibility.
Even if you are 28 or over, a pass may still be worthwhile if you have to travel at short notice when the cheapest regular fares are sold out, or if you want to make other side trips on the way or simply want to pay extra for the flexibility a pass gives compared to train-specific, no-refunds, no-changes advance-purchase tickets bought several months ahead. Here's how to use a railpass for this journey:
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First you need an Interrail pass.
See the Interrail pass page to check global Interrail pass prices & buy online. The pass gives unlimited travel across most of Europe, including UK, France & Spain, as explained on the Interrail page. You buy online, get a pass number, and load it into the Rail Planner app on your phone.
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You then need to a Eurostar passholder ticket from London to Paris:
This costs €30 each way in standard class with a 2nd class pass or €38 with a 1st class pass. Passholder places on Eurostar are limited, check availability before buying a pass. How to make Eurostar passholder reservations.
Lo-cost operator Avlo is not covered by Interrail so you'll need to buy a normal ticket if you use them from Madrid to Barcelona.
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You also need to pay the following reservation fees:
Paris-Barcelona TGV £35, Barcelona-Madrid or Barcelona-Antequera AVE train €10, Madrid-Algeciras Intercity train €10.
Passholder places on Eurostar and the Paris-Barcelona TGVs are limited, so book ahead. If you find passholder places sold out, try splitting the booking or using an alternative route. How to make these passholder reservations.
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You then need to pay for the ferry to Morocco.
One ferry company gives an Interrail discount, AML. They sail Tarifa-Tangier Town and Algeciras-Tangier Med with 30% off for passholders. You can check sailing times and book online with the pass discount at booking.aml.ma.
Can I stop off on the way?
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The London-Paris Eurostar, the Paris-Barcelona TGV, the Barcelona-Madrid AVE & Madrid-Algeciras train are all ticketed separately, so feel free to book each of them on whatever dates you like, spending however long you like between trains Paris or Barcelona.
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Figueres: Consider a stopover at Figueres for the amazing Salvador Dali museum. Dali's home at Port Lligat is just a bus or taxi ride away on the coast, also a museum and well worth visiting.
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Cordoba or Ronda: The trains from Madrid to Algeciras stop at Cordoba and Ronda, both wonderful cities. Luggage storage at stations.
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Granada: You can travel from London to Barcelona to Granada as shown on the UK to Spain by train page. See the famous Alhambra Palace, then catch one of the several daily regional trains from Granada to Algeciras, just use www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (see advice on using Renfe.com, no fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, small mark-up).
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Gibraltar: Bus M-120 links Algeciras bus station (across the road from the station) with La Linea, the frontier with Gibraltar, every 30-45 minutes, taking about 45 minutes, fare about €2.50. You then walk across the frontier through Spanish then UK passport control into Gibraltar (5-10 minutes), then either walk (10-15 minutes) or take a taxi from the taxi stop just inside the border into Gibraltar town centre. The walk or taxi ride takes you across Gibraltar Airport's main runway, but don't worry, they stop the cars and pedestrians when a plane comes in to land! The M-120 bus operator website is siu.ctmcg.es.
Alternatively, a taxi from Algeciras railway station to La Linea at the gates to Gibraltar costs €24.75 (fixed-price, the Spanish taxis don't use the meter for longer runs like this, and aren't allowed to cross into Gibraltar itself).
What's the journey like?
1. London to Paris by Eurostar
Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi. Plus and Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00). There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train. More about Eurostar & check-in procedure. St Pancras station guide. Paris Gare du Nord station guide. How to change trains & stations in Paris by metro or taxi.
2. Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex See TGV Duplex video guide
The Paris to Barcelona TGV Duplex is an impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck high-speed train. You board the train through a wide sliding external door into a small hall at one end of the lower deck, where an internal door opens into a lower deck seating area. A wide, short & easy flight of stairs leads from the entrance door to a landing at one end of the upper deck. You walk along the train from car to car at the upper level, and the café-bar is also at the upper level. There are toilets both upstairs & downstairs. If you have problems with stairs or very heavy luggage, the lower deck might be best. But for the best views, definitely choose an upper deck seat. For couples in 1st class, an upper deck club duo table-for-two is the nicest option. More pictures & an account of what to see on the Paris to Barcelona journey.
TGV Duplex at Paris Gare de Lyon. These 320 km/h double-deck trains link Paris with Barcelona. Watch TGV Duplex video.
Above right, after calling at Nimes and Montpelier, the train passes non-stop through Béziers station and crosses the River Orb. Look to your right for a magnificent view of Béziers' 13th century cathedral.
Above left, food from the cafe-bar, a magret de canard avec pommes de terre and some wine. Or feel free to bring your own picnic and bottle of red!
One of the highest peaks in the mighty Pyrenees, the 2,784m (9,137 feet) Mt Canigou dominates the skyline on the right of the train all the way from Perpignan to Girona. More pictures & an account of what to see on the Paris to Barcelona journey.
3. Barcelona to Madrid or Antequera-Santa Ana by AVE
These superb AVE S103 high speed trains are amongst the classiest in Europe, with Standard (2nd) class & Comfort (1st) class, cafe-bar serving beer, wine, tea, coffee, snacks and some hot dishes. The train has power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. If you pay the Premium fare you get access to the Sala Club lounge in Barcelona, and a meal with wine served at your seat. More about Renfe's fares & classes.
A type S103 AVE at Madrid Atocha. See virtual tour
Scenery from the high-speed AVE between Barcelona & Madrid. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Madrid Atocha station: One of my favourite stations, the old trainshed has been preserved and turned into a tropical garden, see Madrid Atocha station guide.
4. Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train
If you're going via Madrid, the Madrid-Algeciras Intercity train has standard & comfort class and a cafe-bar. It travels over the standard-gauge high-speed line from Madrid to Antequera at up to 200 km/h (125 mph), then passes slowly through a gauge-changing shed which adjusts the wheels to Iberian broad gauge (5' 6"). The train continues on the classic line to Ronda and Algeciras, through superb scenery.
Andalusian scenery seen from the train to Algeciras. The rail line to Algeciras is one of my favourite routes, especially the last part from Antequera southwards, a scenic treat. Watch the video.
5. Tarifa to Tangier Town by FRS ferry with free bus from Algeciras
The FRS fast ferry seen at her berth at Tangier Town. The ferry terminal & town are out of shot to the left. FRS is now owned by ferry company DFDS.
Crossing the Straits of Gibraltar. One of the world's iconic ferry journeys and an inter-continental one at that, between the Pillars of Hercules from the coast of Europe to the shores of Africa.
Tangier. Taken from the observation deck at the stern of the FRS ferry. The flying saucer on the left is the ferry terminal building. The arrow indicates the recommended Continental Hotel, 5 minutes walk away.
Or Algeciras to Tangier Med Port by ferry, taxi or bus to Tangier
Video: Tangier to Madrid by ferry & train
See for yourself how straightforward, comfortable and scenic a Morocco to Europe journey can be by train & ferry. The video shows a journey on the FRS fast ferry from Tangier to Tarifa and the train ride from Algeciras to Madrid.
Other routes & options
(1) UK to Morocco by GNV or Grimaldi Lines ferry Barcelona to Tangier
This is an attractive alternative to the route via Algeciras. Indeed, with a day exploring Barcelona then a cruise to Tangier, it's a holiday in itself. However, it's not daily and not necessarily cheap, given the cost of the cruise ferry. Grandi Navi Veloci operate superb regular cruise ferries from Barcelona to Tangier up to 3 times a week, with Grimaldi Lines also running a cruise ferry once a week.
London ► Morocco via ferry from Barcelona
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Travel from London to Barcelona by Eurostar & TGV, arriving at 21:25, see the London to Spain page. You may need to stay overnight, a same-day connection is sometimes possible depending on the ferry time and required check-in time.
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Check Grimaldi Lines sailing dates and times at www.grimaldi-lines.com. Their cruise ferry usually sails at 23:59 on Sundays (which could be your day 2 from London) arriving Tangier at 10:30 on Tuesdays (day 4 from London). Check the required check-in time carefully.
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Check Grandi Navi Veloci ferries at www.gnv.it. GNV's ferry usually sails on Tuesdays at 17:00, on Fridays at 10:00 and on Sundays at 14:00, arriving at Tangier 26 hours later. With a departure at 17:00 or 14:00, a departure from Barcelona on day 2 is possible, getting you to Tangier day 3. With a 10:00 departure, the connection with the sleeper from Paris is too tight, so you'd sail on day 3, arrive Tangier day 4 from London.
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Both companies' ships are true cruise ferries, with comfortable cabins with en suite toilet and shower, swimming pools, self-service and a la carte restaurants, cinema and bars. Having said that, don't be surprised to see many Moroccan families who haven't paid for a cabin, camped in the hallways!
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As a rough guide, Barcelona to Tangier one-way for two people sharing a 2-bed cabin in May might cost €232, in other words €116 per person. See the Spain page for details of prices London-Barcelona.
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To buy tickets, start with the ferry, as they only sail on certain days but the trains run daily. Book either ferry using the Direct Ferries website or book the Grandi Navi Veloci ferry at www.gnv.it, Grimaldi Lines at www.grimaldi-lines.com. Then book the trains from London to Barcelona as shown on the Spain page.
Morocco ► London via ferry to Barcelona
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Day 1: To check Grandi Navi Veloci's sailing days and times, see www.gnv.it. The cruise ferry usually sails on Mondays at 23:00, on Wednesdays at 23:00 and on Saturdays at 16:00. The 23:00 departures arrive in Barcelona around 08:00 two nights later (day 3), the 16:00 departure arrives at 19:00 one night later (day 2).
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Day 1: To check Grimaldi Lines sailing days and times see www.grimaldi-lines.com. Grimaldi usually sail from Tangier on Tuesdays at 17:00, arriving Barcelona at 20:00 on Wednesdays. Don't risk any tight connections, stay overnight in Barcelona!
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Both companies' ships are true cruise ferries, with comfortable cabins with en suite toilet and shower, swimming pools, self-service and a la carte restaurants, cinema and bars. Having said that, don't be surprised to see many Moroccan families who haven't paid for a cabin, camped in the hallways!
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Day 3: Travel from Barcelona to London by TGV & Eurostar, arriving London in the evening, see the London to Spain page.
On board a Grimaldi Lines ferry from Barcelona to Tangier Med Port
(2) France to Morocco by GNV ferry
If you prefer a longer sea voyage, there are regular passenger ships from Sète in the South of France to Tangier, originally run by Comanav (Compagnie Maroccaine de Navigation), now taken over by the Italian ferry operator Grandi Navi Veloci. See www.gnv.it for sailing dates, fares & online booking. It's easy to get from London to Sète by train - You can check train times & buy tickets online at www.raileurope.com. Allow several hours minimum to connect in Sète, if necessary staying overnight.
Tangier's Continental Hotel: Check prices
In Tangier, easily the most interesting, historic & atmospheric place to stay is the venerable Continental Hotel. Whatever your budget, and it's one of my favourite places. If you arrive by FRS fast ferry from Tarifa, you'll easily spot it on your right high up on the edge of the Medina as you walk into town - as I did, the first time I stayed there in 1984. Opened by a British family in 1888 and used by many famous people including (allegedly) Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria's son Alfred, it's a travellers' favourite, with classic Moroccan décor and an atmosphere straight out of Agatha Christie - indeed, it's been used as a film location at various times.
In spite of all this history, it's cheap, a single room with shower & toilet costs around 595 dirhams (£49) per night including a light breakfast, a double room with shower & toilet around 735 dirhams (£61) including breakfast. Ask for a room on the first floor with a balcony overlooking the port and new town. Rooms are fairly basic, only a handful have A/C, but they have clean en suite showers & toilets, the hotel is handy for the FRS ferry, superbly located inside the old medina walls a stone's throw from the old town centre, Petit Socco & Grand Socco. The hotel now has free WiFi and 24 hour reception. It has a good and cheap restaurant for lunch and dinner, too, although alcohol isn't served. Rooms can now be booked online at Booking.com. Or just turn up, they usually have rooms available. The address is 36, Dar Baroud (Medina), Tangier
Tip: There's a flight of steps straight up to the hotel, but you can see how high the hotel is in the photo below. If you have heavy luggage you might prefer to zig-zag further into town then turn right up the sloping road to the hotel.
Things to see in Tangier
Tangier sometimes gets a bad press from travellers who are hassled by a few touts at the port, who then hurry through without seeing it and tell everyone else to do the same. This is very short-sighted, as Tangier is the intriguing and atmospheric city where Europe meets Africa. Indeed, fans of the film Casablanca will find it a much more plausible setting for Rick, Elsa, Captain Renault and Major Strasser than the big and unremarkable city to the south. Tangier was an international zone from 1923 until its incorporation with Morocco in 1956, and it really was awash with spies from both sides in world war 2. It retains an air of mystery and intrigue even today, although I've always felt very safe there. It's a wonderful and fascinating place to spend a day or two, so make sure you include it in your itinerary.
Make sure you see the medina (old town), kasbah (fort), the Petit Socco (small square, be sure to have a coffee or mint tea here) and Grand Socco (large square), the lovely English Church, and Tangier American Legation museum (the first bit of overseas territory ever acquired by the United States). For more about Tangier, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangier.
Where next? Take the train to Fez, Casablanca & Marrakech
Modern air-conditioned trains are waiting to whisk you south to the rest of Morocco, see the Train travel in Morocco page. Rabat is the country's capital and well worth a stop; Casablanca is certainly a name to conjure with (you have to say you've been there!) but in reality it's just a large city. Marrakech is the obvious destination, and a worthy (if touristy) one. Why not hire a car for a few days and explore the country south of Marrakech? Meknès & Fez are amazing places, as good or better than Marrakech with fewer tourists, so don't miss them!
Guidebooks
Make sure you take a good guidebook. Easily the best guidebooks for the independent traveller are Lonely Planets and Rough Guides. Both provide an excellent level of practical information and historical background. You won't regret buying one of these!
Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk
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European Rail Timetable & maps
The
European Rail Timetable
(formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable)
has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus
currency & climate information. It is essential
for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair
travellers. Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of
publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing
department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and
resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.
You can buy it online at
www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses) or
www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide).
More information
on what the European Rail Timetable contains.
Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south. Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted. See an extract from the map. Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).
Hotels in Morocco
In Algeciras: For Algeciras hotels, click here. I recommend the Hotel Reina Cristina, which is easily the best hotel in Algeciras as well as the most historic, set in its own grounds just 10 minutes walk from either rail station or ferry passenger terminal. For such a grande dame of a hotel, it's remarkably inexpensive.
In Tangier, the classic and wonderfully atmospheric Continental Hotel is the top choice, and inexpensive. Ideally located for both port and old medina, and with its own restaurant too. It can now be booked online at Booking.com.
In Marrakech, the Hotel Islane is a good mid-range choice at around €35-€45 (£26-£31) per room per night, with an excellent central location just round the corner from the Jemaa el Fnaa, the main market square. It also has a good rooftop restaurant. The most famous hotel in Marrakech is of course the top-notch La Mamounia Hotel, if you can (a) afford it and (b) get a room!
You can arrange hotels before booking opens for train tickets if you use a site with free cancellation such as www.booking.com.
Hotel Reina Cristina, Algeciras: Book here
The classic Hotel Reina Cristina is easily the best place to stay in Algeciras, set in its own grounds just 10 minutes walk from both rail station and ferry terminal.
Backpacker hostels
www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.
Car hire in Morocco
Hiring a car isn't the first thing you'd think of in Morocco, but the roads are relatively empty and driving is surprisingly easy. If you've a few days to spare when you get to Marrakech I highly recommend hiring a car and driving south over the High Atlas Mountains via the absolutely incredible Tizi n Tichka Pass, perhaps the most amazing road I've ever driven. Stay the night at the Kasbah at Tifletout (now a hotel) and visit the Gorge du Dadès, Todra Gorge, and the remarkable mud-built town of Aït ben Haddou. Driving really isn't difficult, indeed the roads are far less crowded than in the UK or Europe, making it a very pleasant way to get around the countryside. Instead of searching multiple websites to sort out your car, try this search engine which compares different hire companies' prices.
Compare 50 different car hire companies: www.carrentals.co.uk
Travel insurance & other tips
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Always take out travel insurance
You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here. Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. There's no need to buy a physical SIM card! Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
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Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I also get some commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone. You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com.
Touring cities? Use hill walking shoes!
One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa. They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities. My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!