Railway tour of Morocco
Description of Railway tour of Morocco
Morocco by Rail
A stylish journey through imperial cities, with first-class train travel and private guided discovery
Experience the romance and rhythm of Morocco on this seamless and sophisticated holiday by rail, connecting the country’s most captivating cities with comfort, elegance and ease. With first-class train travel, private transfers, and expert-led city tours included throughout, this journey blends rich cultural immersion with relaxed, well-paced travel.
If you fancy clambering aboard the ‘Marrakech Express’ then this Morocco rail holiday lets you do just that with overnight stays in Marrakech, Morocco's capital (Rabat) and Fez giving travellers a real insight into the scenery and lifestyles across the north of the country. Unique, romantic and always exciting, travelling through Morocco by train is a reliable means of experiencing an ever-changing landscape in comfort with excursions possible to Meknes, Volubilis, Casablanca, the Atlas Mountains and Essaouira - all available upon request.
Your adventure begins in Marrakech, where you’ll stay in a beautifully restored riad nestled within the medina’s winding alleyways. Step into a world of carved cedar, mosaic courtyards and rooftop terraces, offering a tranquil haven in the heart of the city. During your private guided tour, uncover Marrakech’s iconic landmarks — from the opulence of the Bahia Palace to the vibrant souks, serene gardens, and the ever-buzzing Djemaa el-Fna. Chic cafés and rooftop restaurants align market places and thriving squares where the mix of mystery, history and cultural enlightenment combine to wondrous effect.
From here, board a first-class train to Morocco’s refined capital, Rabat. With its palm-lined boulevards, Andalusian gardens and elegant colonial architecture, Rabat offers a calm sophistication rarely found elsewhere. Your private guide will lead you through the city’s highlights, including the Kasbah of the Udayas, the impressive Hassan Tower, the necropolis at Chellah and the grand mausoleum of the Kings.
Continue by rail to the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco, the city of Fez. Lose yourself in the medieval maze of the Fez el-Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site where artisans still practise centuries-old crafts. During your privately guided visit, discover the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, the tanneries, and hidden riads and madrasas that bring the city’s layered history vividly to life.
Optional detours by train can also take you to Casablanca, where the grandeur of the Hassan II Mosque meets the modern buzz of Morocco’s commercial capital, or to Tangier, a coastal city of cosmopolitan flair with sweeping views of the Strait of Gibraltar. Both can be tailored into your itinerary, with private transfers and expert-led city tours included.
Throughout your journey, you'll travel comfortably between cities on first-class ONCF trains, with all logistics and transfers arranged for you. Handpicked riads and boutique hotels offer character and comfort, while private guides ensure a deeper connection to each destination.
This is Morocco in motion — elegant, enriching, and effortlessly enjoyable. Whether wandering the labyrinthine streets of Fez or sipping mint tea on a sunlit terrace in Rabat, this holiday is designed for the traveller who values both cultural depth and refined travel.
Information worth knowing:
We’ve included all train and overland transfers to and from your riad or hotel within the overall tour price.
Private guided sightseeing tours are included, along with free time to explore and opportunities for optional activities, such as: hiking or cookery classes. Helping to give travellers a well-rounded picture of Morocco this holiday comes with great rail connections and pre-booked tickets aiding safe travels with the minimum of fuss.
All of the guided city tours are accompanied by an English-speaking guide and include transportation, entry costs, and a tour of the souks and main points of the medinas.
The riad accommodation that we’ve selected is typical to Morocco and features an internal courtyard that’s pivotal to the character, the comfort and the lifestyles of local people. These riads have been carefully converted from private family homes to fine guest houses where local staff are just as integral to the overall experience as the locally sourced produce used in the kitchen.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Welcome to Marrakech. Arrive at the airport and transfer to your choice of B&B riad accommodation which will become your home for the next three nights. The rest of the day is yours to explore in and around Marrakech at leisure. Optional Street Food Tour recommended. |
| Day 2: | Today you'll be invited to explore the city of Marrakech, firstly on a guided tour and then, for the rest of the day, under your own steam. |
| Day 3: | Your third day in Marrakech is yours to do with as you wish with several optional activities, such as: cooking classes, hiking trips and drives into the High Atlas Mountains or along the coast to Essaouira, all easily accessible. |
| Day 4: | Today you'll bid Marrakech adieu as you transfer by taxi to the train station and make the four hour journey to the capital of Morocco, Rabat. Upon arrival in Rabat you'll transfer to your preferred riad or B&B accommodation before having the rest of the day free for exploring and sightseeing. |
| Day 5: | Optional city tour of Rabat in the morning or free time. Another train journey today takes you from Rabat to the ancient walled citadel of Fez where you'll check into your choice of B&B hotel which will become your home for the next three nights. |
| Day 6: | Enjoy the morning sightseeing in Fez before spending the rest of the day exploring amongst the markets and narrow alleyways at your leisure. |
| Day 7: | Today you can continue your exploration of northern Morocco with our private guided tour of Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. |
| Day 8: | Say farewell to Fez before transferring to the local airport. OR, alternatively, taking the train back to Marrakech for another night before departing on your scheduled flight from Marrakech airport on Day 9. |
Price information
Departure information
Travel guides
Reviews
4 Reviews of Railway tour of Morocco
Reviewed on 13 Mar 2025 by Jennifer Wheeler
Just do it! The train is a wonderful way to travel, efficient, affordable, comfortable, and a lovely way to meet local citizens... Fabulous! Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Feb 2020 by Trish Mylan
The most memorable part of the holiday was Rabat , kasbah souk, monuments and shoreline. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Nov 2018 by Kathleen Penny
Most memorable parts of the holiday: For me the guided tour around the souk in Fez, for Emily the road trip through the beautiful mountains from Fez to Volubilis… We enjoyed the beauty and history of the country... Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Nov 2017 by Christina Deacon
The most memorable for us, it was probably being able to stay in the sort of places that brought us into immediate contact with genuine Moroccans! Also the friendliness of the people and experiencing the diametric contrast in culture was great. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
Naturally, the major benefit to the environment of this tour is the use of trains to get between the main cities on the tour. Morocco has invested a lot in upgrading its railway network to offer low carbon travel for its growing population. Where possible all tours include walking between sites.To ensure the best possible service to our customers we engage services that make as low an impact as possible on the environment and local culture, whilst helping to generate long term employment and benefits for local people. Raising awareness of the culture, politics and economy of areas visited encourages responsible tourism practice and indirectly aides the preservation of the Kingdom's most precious resources. We take our responsibilities to the environment seriously and strive to make improvements where we can; there is always more work to be done but little by little one travels far. We have a policy of always using local suppliers wherever we can, so as to bring as much income to the local area as possible
We ask all our customers to respect the environment. Litter, in particular, is damaging to the fragile urban ecosystems and we encourage people to take their litter home. All our trips are tailor made for individuals to minimise the impact of large groups on traditional communities so that interaction can be more personal and respectful.
As a company we employ responsible policies such as recycling paper, ink cartridges, glass and cardboard; we minimise the use of electricity and conducting the vast majority of our correspondence and promotion via the internet and email, minimizing the amount of paper used for our activities. We also compost waste in our company garden.
People
All our guides and drivers in Morocco are local people. We believe that it is vital to work with local operators for our tours, firstly as they will be able to offer an insight into the local people and their culture and history; secondly to enable any profits to be ploughed back into the community. We have worked with our local Morocco agency for many years and have a well established and excellent relationship. We firmly believe in paying fairly for their services and that of the guides.All our holidays are based on individuals or a small group - we feel that this offers a more personal experience and therefore minimises the impact. Most of the riads we use in Marrakech and elsewhere are locally owned or are partnerships with a European owner and a Moroccan National. All staff members at these properties are local and all food and materials are sourced locally. Your visit will give you a taste of the incredible hospitality of Morocco as well as contributing indirectly to the local economy.
All our guides and drivers in Morocco are local people. We believe that it is vital to work with local operators for our tours, firstly as they will be able to offer an insight into the local people and their culture and history; secondly to enable any profits to be ploughed back into the community. We have worked with our local Morocco agency for many years and have a well established and excellent relationship. We firmly believe in paying fairly for their services and that of the guides.
All our holidays are based on individuals or a small group - we feel that this offers a more personal experience and therefore minimises the impact. Most of the riads we use are locally owned or are partnerships with a European owner and a Moroccan National. All staff members at these properties are local and all food and materials are sourced locally. Your visit will give you a taste of the incredible hospitality of Morocco as well as contributing indirectly to the local economy.
Local staff are also encouraged to undertake courses as and when applicable. e.g. The Mule Care Initiative Workshops held on the 1st and 2nd March in Imlil, sponsored by Expedition Providers Association & The Donkey Sanctuary.
Through our long term partnerships in Morocco we have been able to support and encourage volunteering for local causes such as conservation projects. For example, the Berber Cultural Center in the village of Imi'n tahnoute, Association des Bassins d’Imlil for the Protection & Sustainable Development of the Valley Populations around Imlil & the Toubkal National Park, Solidarity & Preservation of Cultural Heritage in the village of Demnate. We also facilitated the opportunity for our local staff to support an initiative alongside Elaine Moran, a volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Demnate. Elaine has the funding to provide materials to repair and maintain pathways but needs manual labour and transportation for work crew which is where our partner agency can help.
Our partner agency in Morocco regularly donates money to local causes. This is done on a case by case basis and is generally not by making monetary donations to large organisations but more by assisting local people/families at times of need. e.g. providing a sheep to a family who cannot afford one at the time of Eid El Kebir, purchasing flight tickets to enable a student to attend study placement awarded overseas, paying for medical treatment or prescription medication, purchasing clothing for a person to attend interviews and obtain employment, offering temporary accommodation/purchasing meals for the homeless as well as initiatives for staff welfare and contributions to local animal and childrens’ charities.
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