Today, there are plenty of airlines serving Morocco’s airports, so access is fairly easy. But there is a more adventurous way to get to Morocco – by ferry! Traveling to Morocco by ferry has many advantages: you have fewer baggage restrictions, you can bring your car to explore Morocco on your own, and you get a unique scenic view as you cross the busy Strait of Gibraltar.
If you’re thinking of traveling to Morocco by ferry, grab your notebook, pen, and a map of the country (here you can borrow our hand-drawn map of Morocco). Here are all the details of the ferry companies that can take you to the Moroccan coast.
Morocco ports and nearby cities
Morocco’s northern coast is dotted with port towns. However, most ferries will drop you off in Tangier, Tangier Med (30km from Tangier) or Nador. Although not technically part of Moroccan territory, many ferries calling at Ceuta and Melilla (Spanish enclaves on the North African coast) are also convenient for those wishing to enter Morocco.
From Tangier, Tangier Med, and Ceuta, you can quickly and easily reach nearby cities to start exploring Morocco. Tetouan is about an hour and a half away by car, the picturesque blue-walled town of Chefchaouen is just over 2 hours away, and the country’s capital is less than 3 hours away. For a longer drive, you can head straight for Casablanca (4 hours), Fez (4h30) or Meknes (4 hours). Nador and Melilla are further east, so it will take a little longer to drive to some of these cities.
If you’re not thinking of bringing your car, you can catch one of Morocco’s many intercity buses and trains as soon as you disembark at Nador and Tangier. Once in Ceuta, take a taxi to nearby Tetouan or Tangier. From Melilla, you’ll want to go to Nador first. You can find more information about Morocco’s buses and trains here.
Main ferry routes to Morocco
Ferries from three different countries arrive in Morocco every day: Spain, France, and Italy. Depending on how you want to travel, where you are in Europe, and where you want to arrive in Morocco, you’ll want to book a particular ferry route. Whichever route you choose, it’s always advisable to book your ticket in advance, especially if you’re thinking of taking your car on the ferry, or if you’re traveling in the low season (September to May). During the summer months, ferries run more frequently, making it easier to book a ticket on the spot.
Below you will find details of the most popular ferry routes to Morocco from these European countries.
Main Ferry Routes (Spain)
Of the three countries that connect to Morocco by ferry, Spain is the closest and therefore the most frequent. Ferries from Spain leave from Tarifa, Gibraltar, Algeciras, Barcelona, Malaga and Almeria. However, ferries, prices, and routes can be very different. What is the best option?
The Tarifa to Tangier route is the best way to get to Morocco through the congested Strait of Gibraltar. You can leave at virtually any time of day and be in Morocco within an hour, with over a dozen ferries departing daily from Tarifa. You can also do some sightseeing in the Spanish port town if you have some time before departure. Below you will find a collection of some of the other popular ferry routes that depart from Spain.
Tarifa to Tangier
Duration of the trip: 1 hour
Number of ferry crossings: 13 departures daily
Ferry Companies: FRS, Intershipping Ferries
Average fare: 140 – 190 euros
From Algeciras to Ceuta
Journey time: 1 hour
Number of Ferries: 21 daily
Companies operating the ferries: Balearia Ferries, Trasmediterranea Ferries, FRS Ferries
Average fare: 65 – 120 euros
Malaga to Melilla
Journey time: 4 hours
Number of ferries: 8 ferries per week
Companies operating the ferries: Trasmediterranea
Average price: 160 – 260 euros
Almeria to Nador
Journey time: 4 hours
Number of ferries: 8 ferries per week
Ferry company: Trasmediterranea
Average price: 160 – 260 euros
Barcelona to Tangier Med
Duration of journey: 32-35 hours
Number of ferries per week: 10 ferries per week
Companies operating the ferries: Grimaldi Lines, Grandi Navi Veloci
Price: €229-€270
Main ferry routes (France)
If departing from Spain isn’t convenient for you, you can start your journey to Morocco in France. Grandi Navi Viloci runs a couple of weekly ferries from Sete (near Marseille), but the journey takes more than a day. These ferries are a good option if you like spending time at sea and have a few days to spare. They will drop you off at either the port of Tangier Med or the port of Nador.
Sete-Tangier Med
Journey time: 40 hours
Number of Ferries: 2 per week
Ferry company: Navi Veloci Grandi
Fare range: €420-€840
Sete-Nador
Duration of journey: 29 hours
Number of ferries: 5 ferries per week
Companies operating the ferries: Grand Navi Veloci
Mean fare: €339-€825
The most important ferry routes (Italy)
Another option for those who like to cross the Mediterranean is to take a ferry from Italy to Morocco. The journey takes between two and three days and you can depart from Genoa or Livorno (near Pisa).
From Genoa to Tangier Med
Journey time: 48h30
Number of Ferries: 2 per week
Companies operating the ferries: Grand Navi Veloci
Average price: € 470 – € 960.
Livorno to Tanger Med by ferry.
Duration of crossing: 60 hours.
Number of ferries: 1 per week.
Ferry Companies: Grimaldi Lines.
Average price: 330 – 960 euros.
What to expect when taking a ferry to Morocco
The comfort of being able to take your own car to explore Morocco and not having to worry about the typical baggage restrictions of flying is one of the main benefits of traveling by ferry. However, not everything is as simple as it seems. While the most popular ferry routes from Spain offer a great alternative to air travel, not all ferry boats are created equal. And not everyone will enjoy the journey.
People can sometimes be put off by long hours (or days) at sea and limited on-board facilities. Despite fixed timetables, ferries are not always on time. This can be a problem for those who need to catch other transport after disembarking. Air travel may also be a more viable option for those on a budget, as prices for some journeys can skyrocket, especially during the summer months.
Ultimately, it comes down to your travel style and preferences. If you’re particularly keen on exploring Morocco by car but don’t want to waste too much time, we’d recommend departing from Tarifa or Algeciras. Sea lovers will enjoy the longer trips from Barcelona, France, and Italy.
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