» » Popular routes such as Casablanca–Marrakesh often have several flights per day.
» » Flying is considerably more expensive than taking the bus, but may be worth it if you are
pushed for time. The 2¼-hour flight from Casablanca to Dakhla costs from about Dh800 to
Dh3000, compared with Dh580 for a first-class seat on the 17-hour overnight Supratours bus
journey.
» » You can buy tickets online and at RAM offices and travel agencies.
» » English is spoken at RAM’s call centre.
Bicycle
Mountain biking can be a great way of travelling in Morocco. There are plenty of opportunities
for getting off the beaten track, with thousands of kilometres of remote pistes to be explored.
Hazards There are no special road rules pertaining to cyclists, who are afforded little
consideration by drivers. Although surfaced roads are generally well maintained once
completed, they tend to be narrow and, in less-frequented areas such as the Anti Atlas, have
jagged edges, which can be hairy given the kamikaze drivers. Cyclists have reported being
besieged by gangs of stone-throwing children in remote areas, so watch your back.
Hire Moroccan cities and towns are better explored on foot, though you will find bicycles for
hire in places like Essaouira and Taroudannt (around Dh50 to Dh100 per day) and they can
make sense if you are staying far from the centre. Don’t expect to find the latest models of
mountain bike, or you will be sorely disappointed.
Information The UK-based Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC; www.ctc.org.uk) is a mine of
information, with a forum and suggested routes and maps. The USA-based International
Bicycle Fund (IBF; www.ibike.org) has a page on Morocco.
Preparation Distances are great and you’ll need to carry all supplies with you, plus plenty of
drinking water. Useful spares to bring include spokes, brake blocks and inner tubes.
Storage Cities such as Marrakesh have cycle parks, where your bike can be parked and
watched over for the day.
Tours A few tour operators offer mountain-biking trips.
Transport and camping Bus companies will generally carry bicycles as luggage for an extra
fee. Likewise on trains, although it’s generally only possible to transport bikes in the goods
wagon. Camp sites generally charge around Dh10 for bikes.
Bus
The cheapest and most efficient way to travel around the country, buses are generally safe,
although their drivers sometimes leave a little to be desired.
Bus stations Some Moroccan bus stations are like madhouses, with touts running around
calling any number of destinations of buses about to depart. Most cities and towns have a
single central bus station (gare routière), but Supratours and CTM sometimes maintain
separate terminals, and often have offices outside the station. Occasionally, there are
secondary stations for a limited number of local destinations.
Touts Touts will happily guide you to a ticket booth (and take a small commission from the
company). Always double-check that their recommended service really is the most comfortable,
direct and convenient option.