Are you interested in travelling from Casablanca to Rabat on your Moroccan vacation but aren’t quite sure the best way to do it?
Keep reading because I’ve got you covered!
Rabat is a beautiful costal city just north of Casablanca. If you’re visiting Casablanca, then making the trip to Rabat is a must.
You can visit Rabat from Casablanca on a day trip or spend two or three days casually exploring the city.
The best part?
It’s extremely easy to travel from Casablanca to Rabat!
The two main ways to travel from Casablanca to Rabat are by train or by bus. Both options are very similar. They cost basically the same, and the train is only faster than the bus by ten minutes.
It all comes down to what options fits your travel style and schedule the best.
But worry not!
I’m breaking down everything you need to know about all the different ways to travel from Casablanca to Rabat, so you can easily decide what option is the best for you.
Before We Get Started
If I’m being honest, one of the aspects of travel I dislike the most is figuring out how to travel from one city to another.
I find the information is scattered around the internet, and it takes me much longer to find the information I need than it should.
That’s why I write these transportation guides for you!
Hopefully they make your travel planning for Morocco a little bit easier.
Here are my other Morocco transportation guides in case you’re visiting more of the country:
Option One: Taking the Bus from Casablanca to Rabat
The first option you have is to take the bus from Casablanca to Rabat.
There isn’t really a big difference between taking the bus and taking the train, and it all comes down to what is most convenient for you.
As in what option has the best departure and arrive location and what has the best time schedule for you.
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How Much Does a Bus Ticket Cost?
As with most forms of transportation, the cost of your ticket varies depending on what you travel.
If you travel on a weekend during peak hours, you’ll be paying more than if you travel during off-peak hours on a weekday.
That being said, there isn’t a huge difference in what you’ll pay for your ticket. Pick what time works best for you and go with it.
You can expect to pay anywhere from 38 MAD (approximately $4 USD) and 68 MAD (approximately $7 USD).
As you can see, it’s very affordable to take the bus from Casablanca to Rabat!
Where to Purchase Bus Tickets
The easiest way to get your bus ticket (well, really the only way) is to go to the bus station and purchase it there.
The bus route from Casablanca to Rabat is very popular, and you need to get to the bus station well in advance of your bus leaving if you want to get a ticket.
If you don’t get there early enough, you may have to wait for the next bus.
That isn’t a huge issue since the buses leave on an extremely regular basis.
If you need to take a certain bus and cannot miss it for any reason, you may want to go t the bus station a day or two ahead of time and purchase your bus ticket.
The same goes for purchasing your return bus ticket.
I highly recommend you purchase your return bus ticket as soon as you arrive in Rabat.
You’re at the bus station anyways, and this way you know for sure that you’ll get on the return bus you want.
You can purchase you return ticket for later that day if you’re doing a day trip to Rabat or for a few days in the future if you’re spending more time in Rabat.
Either way, you’ll be very happy you took the time to purchase your return bus ticket when you arrived in Rabat.
Where Does the Bus Depart from in Casablanca?
The bus departs from CMT Bus Station.
The bus station is quite convenient to get to. Much more convenient than the train station is.
It’s located near the port just a short walk away from the main touristy part of town.
However, if you have a lot of luggage, you may want to consider taking a taxi. Navigating the busy streets with luggage can get a bit overwhelming at times.
Where Does the Bus Arrive at in Rabat?
The bus arrives at Rabat Center.
It’s located in the centre of Rabat, but it isn’t that close to the tourist attractions you likely want to visit.
For example, the Old Market is 3.3km away from the bus station and about a 45 minute walk.
Your best option is to take a bus or taxi to wherever you’re going as soon as you arrive in Rabat. Whether it is your hotel or a tourist attraction.
Pros of Taking the Bus from Casablanca to Rabat
- Very affordable
- Buses leave on a regular basis
- Luggage storage under the bus
Cons of Taking the Bus from Casablanca to Rabat
- Inconvenient arrival location
- Buses are busy, and you may have to wait for the next bus because it is sold out
- Bus will be crowded
Option Two: Taking the Train from Casablanca to Rabat
Your next option is to take the train to Rabat from Casablanca.
Just like the bus, the train from Casablanca to Rabat is quick and affordable!
How Long Does the Train from Casablanca to Rabat Take?
The train to Rabat from Casablanca takes about 1 hours and 10 minutes.
So, it’s just a few minutes quicker than the bus.
The upside to the train though is you’re not going to run into any traffic jams like you can on the bus. You likely won’t run into any major traffic jams on the bus, but you never know.
How Much Does a Train Ticket Cost?
You can expect to pay anywhere from 38 MAD (approximately $4 USD) and 88 MAD (approximately $9 USD).
As you can see, there isn’t really a difference between the cost of the bus and the cost of the train.
The train may cost you a couple dollars more, but most tickets will cost the same as a bus ticket.
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Where to Purchase Train Tickets
Just like the bus, it’s best if you go to the train station to purchase your ticket.
Seating is first come first serve, so it you really want to sit on your journey, be sure to be at the train station at least half an hour in advance.
This way you’ll be able to purchase your ticket and be standing on the platform when the train arrives.
If you’re late, you’ll likely need to stand on your trip from Casablanca to Rabat.
That’s normally not an issue though since it is such a short trip. However, if you have mobility or health issues that make standing difficult, you’ll need to arrive at the train station as early as possible.
Where Does the Train Depart from in Casablanca?
Trains depart from Casa Voyageurs.
The train station isn’t in the heart of the city, and is quite a walk away from where you’re likely staying.
You can either take a bus or taxi to get to the train station, but I don’t suggest trying to navigate you and your luggage to the train station by foot.
Where Does the Train Arrive at in Rabat?
The train arrives at Rabat Ville station.
It’s in a very convenient location, and you can likely walk to wherever you’re staying (or whatever sights you want to visit).
You can always take a bus or taxi to wherever you need to go as well if you don’t want to walk.
Advantages of Taking the Train from Casablanca to Rabat
- Very affordable
- Convenient arrival location
- Trains leave on a regular basis
Disadvantages of Taking the Train from Casablanca to Rabat
- May have to stand on the train
- Less convenient departure location than the bus
- Limited luggage storage
Other Ways to Travel from Casablanca to Rabat
There are a few other ways you can travel from Casablanca to Rabat, but I’m not going to give them their own dedicated section.
Either because they’re very expensive or because you’ll have to do your own research and pick a company to help you in your journey.
I’ve never used a transportation company to travel to Rabat from Casablanca and don’t feel comfortable recommending one in particular.
Your other options include:
- Driving from Casablanca to Rabat
- Taking a taxi from Casablanca to Rabat
- Hiring a private car to drive you to Rabat
- Taking a guided day trip from Casablanca to Rabat
I don’t recommend driving to Rabat unless it is part of a larger road trip around the country. It’s too expensive (and stressful) to rent a car just to drive to Rabat.
In terms of hiring your own car, taking a taxi, or doing a guided day trip, these are all legitimate options, but they are significantly more expensive than taking public transportation.
They are likely more convenient though.
You don’t have to worry about getting to the bus or train station and finding your way around once you get to Rabat. They normally pick you up at your hotel and drop you off wherever you need to go.
Easy peasy!
It all comes down to your travel style and budget.
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Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to travel from Casablanca to Rabat.
I personally recommend taking the bus or train. It’s super affordable and quick. But others may prefer to pay for private transportation or a guided tour.
Just be sure to research the tour company and make sure they’re legitimate before booking it.
They probably are, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The important thing is now you know it’s incredibly easy to travel to Rabat from Casablanca, and you don’t have an excuse not to visit the beautiful city of Rabat while in Morocco!
