Casablanca airport to the city

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) lies around 30 km southeast of Casablanca and is Morocco's main international gateway. The most reliable way into the city — and onward across the country — is the train, which runs directly from a station beneath the terminal into the heart of Casablanca.

The ONCF train: the best way into Casablanca

Morocco's national railway, ONCF, operates a dedicated airport line from Mohammed V Airport station to Casa-Voyageurs, Casablanca's main railway station, and on to Casa-Port in the city centre. The journey to Casa-Voyageurs takes around 35–45 minutes, with trains running roughly every hour through the day — check the timetable on arrival, as frequency thins out in the evening.

Tickets are inexpensive and can be bought at the station counter or ticket machines; fares are hedged as low relative to a taxi, and the train is generally the most reliable option regardless of Casablanca's traffic, which can be heavy on the airport road at peak times. From Casa-Voyageurs, it's straightforward to continue by rail to Fes or, in the other direction, to Marrakech, without needing to enter the city centre at all if you're just passing through.

Taxi from the airport

Official grand taxis (large shared or private taxis, typically older Mercedes saloons) and regular petit taxis operate from a rank outside arrivals. Fares into central Casablanca are set at an official rate that should be posted or confirmed before you get in, and the journey takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic and your exact destination. Agreeing the fare — or confirming it's metered — before setting off is standard practice and avoids any confusion on arrival.

A taxi makes the most sense late at night when trains have stopped running, or if you're heading somewhere not well served by the station, since Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port are both some distance from certain neighbourhoods and hotel districts.

Ride-hailing and app options

Ride-hailing apps operate in Casablanca with varying degrees of availability compared to Europe; where usable, they offer a fixed, pre-agreed fare, which some travellers find more straightforward than negotiating with a taxi driver on arrival. Coverage and reliability can vary, so it's worth checking current availability rather than assuming it works exactly as it might at home.

What to expect at Mohammed V Airport

The terminal has currency exchange counters, ATMs and SIM card vendors in the arrivals area, and it's worth changing at least some cash or picking up a local SIM before heading to either the train platform or the taxi rank, since neither always accepts card payment smoothly. Signage is in Arabic and French, with English increasingly present but not universal, so having your destination written down — ideally including the French spelling used locally — helps considerably with both taxi drivers and station staff.

Travelling around Morocco by road

Beyond the rail network, Morocco is also well served by long-distance coaches and shared grand taxis, which reach towns and rural areas the trains don't cover. If you're planning to explore beyond the main Casablanca–Rabat–Fes–Marrakech corridor, our guides to coaches in Morocco (covering CTM and Supratours) and driving in Morocco explain what to expect from city traffic, mountain passes and desert routes.

Which should you choose?

For most travellers arriving during the day, the ONCF train is the clear choice — direct, inexpensive, and immune to road traffic, with the added benefit of dropping you at a station that connects onward across the country. A taxi is the more practical option late at night, with heavy luggage bound for a specific neighbourhood, or if your flight lands outside the train's operating hours.

It's worth noting that Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port stations are both some distance from Casablanca's business district and newer hotel areas, so even after a smooth train journey, many visitors still finish the trip with a short taxi ride from the station to their final destination — factor that into your overall time and cost estimate rather than assuming the train covers the whole distance door to door.

• Best value and most reliable: the ONCF train to Casa-Voyageurs.
• Best for late arrivals: an official grand or petit taxi from the rank.
• Best for onward rail travel: stay on the ONCF network and change at Casa-Voyageurs.

Onward travel around Morocco

Casablanca sits on Morocco's core rail corridor, with the Al Boraq high-speed line and conventional services reaching Rabat, Fes and Marrakech in a few hours each — see our overview of Morocco by train for the full network. If you're crossing overland through the country, our Morocco overland guide covers trains, buses and grand taxis together, and our North Africa entry requirements guide is worth checking before you fly.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Casablanca airport to the city?

Yes. ONCF runs a train directly from a station under the terminal to Casa-Voyageurs, Casablanca's main station, taking around 35–45 minutes, with services roughly every hour during the day.

Can I take the train onward to Marrakech or Fes without stopping in Casablanca?

Yes — the airport train connects into ONCF's national network at Casa-Voyageurs, so you can change there for onward services without needing to leave the station or enter the city centre.

How much does a taxi cost from Casablanca airport?

Fares are set at an official rate for grand and petit taxis operating from the airport rank; confirm the fare or that the meter is running before you set off. It costs more than the train but is a reasonable option late at night.

Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?

Requirements vary by nationality — many Western passport holders can enter visa-free for short tourist stays, while others need a visa arranged in advance. Check our North Africa entry requirements guide and your own government's advice before travelling.