Morocco Rail Journey: North to South
Skip the car rental and private drivers; connect Tangier to Marrakech via high-speed and standard trains
Follow the railway through Tangier, Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. Transfers are simple and tickets are cheap, making this ideal for those who want to avoid long road trips. Chefchaouen, the desert, and Essaouira are omitted as they are not accessible by train. Volubilis and Cape Spartel require short taxi rides. You can fly in via Tangier and out via Marrakech.
In summer, Marrakech and Fes are scorching hot in the afternoon; plan activities for the morning and evening.
Day by day
Day 1 · Half-Day in Tangier Medina
Tangier（Medina of Tangier、Tangier American Legation、Kasbah of Tangier、Café Hafa）
After entering the city from the airport or port, explore the Medina and Kasbah entirely on foot; half a day is sufficient.
Stay: Tangier Medina
Day 2 · Cape Spartel and the Coast
Tangier（Cap Spartel、Caves of Hercules、Tangier Corniche & Tanja Marina Bay）
Hire a taxi in town for a round trip to Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules. It takes about 40 minutes one way, and half a day is enough.
Stay: Tangier Medina
Day 3 · High-Speed Train Transfer to Fes
Fes（Jnan Sbil Gardens、Bab Bou Jeloud）
Take the high-speed train from Tangier to Kenitra, then transfer to a standard train to Fes. The entire journey takes 3.5–4.5 hours.
Check the official railway website for schedules and to confirm if direct trains are available.
Stay: Bab Bou Jeloud
Day 4 · In-Depth Day in Fes El Bali
Fes（Bou Inania Madrasa、Al-Attarine Madrasa、University of al-Qarawiyyin、Place Seffarine、Chouara Tannery、Marinid Tombs）
The old medina is car-free, so you will be walking the entire time. Hiring a licensed guide for half a day is recommended. Take a taxi up to the Marinid Tombs at dusk.
Stay: Bab Bou Jeloud
Day 5 · Meknes and Roman Ruins
Meknes（Volubilis、Moulay Idriss Zerhoun、Place El Hedim & Meknes Medina、Bab Mansour (Meknes)）
Take a train from Fes to Meknes (about 40 minutes), then hire a taxi for a round trip to Volubilis (about 2 hours).
There is no railway to the ruins; agree on a waiting time with the driver for the return trip in advance.
Stay: Bab Bou Jeloud
Day 6 · Train to the Capital, Rabat
Rabat（Hassan Tower、Mausoleum of Mohammed V、Kasbah of the Udayas、Andalusian Gardens & Oudaya Museum）
Take a direct train from Fes to Rabat Ville station (about 3 hours). Use the tram or walk within the city.
Stay: Ville Nouvelle and Train Station Area
Day 7 · Chellah Ruins to Casablanca
Rabat（Chellah） → Casablanca（Hassan II Mosque、La Corniche, Ain Diab）
Take a taxi to and from Chellah in the morning. In the afternoon, take a train to Casablanca (about 1 hour), then take a taxi to the mosque.
Afternoon guided tours at the mosque are limited; check the schedule for the day in advance.
Stay: Casa Voyageurs Station Area
Day 8 · Heading South to the Red City, Marrakech
Marrakech City（Koutoubia Mosque、Medina Souks、Jemaa el-Fnaa）
Take a direct train from Casa-Voyageurs station to Marrakech (about 3 hours). Spend the afternoon exploring the Medina on foot.
Stay: Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
Day 9 · Marrakech Palaces and Gardens
Marrakech City（Ben Youssef Madrasa、Bahia Palace、Jardin Majorelle / Musée Yves Saint Laurent）
Walk within the Medina. Take a taxi to Jardin Majorelle and the airport, which takes about 15–20 minutes each.
Tickets for Jardin Majorelle must be booked online in advance.