What's a better way of getting from Spain (Madrid) to Morocco??

Question

My initial plan was to get a train and ferry but now I'm thinking of flying as it's cheaper!

Train & Ferry = €100, It'll take pretty much a days travel

Flight = €30, Takes bout hour & half

I know the logical choice seems to be flight but I kinda liked the idea of being on a ferry watching Africa approach - thought it would be cool but is it worth €70 and the best part of a day? What ya think... what would you do? Plus it'll be November so may not be all that spectacular & the free time would allow me to do more stuff in Morocco! I'm not sure what to do so anybody who's travelled by either method please let me know which experience seemed best!

Answer 1

I've done the ferry crossing several times. It's not as cool as you might think. Actually, it was pretty boring... Still, I went with my camper van and simply was able to drive on once I arrived in Tangiers. Do you consider to rent a car over there? If not, I wonder how else you want to see the country. Well, there are buses and taxis, even a train, but I frankly wonder if you liked them since their standard is far behind European standards. Then, the question is: Where do you want to go? The country is huge (3'500 kms from the Mediterranian See to the Mauretanian border).

You see, it is not as easy as it may sound. If I were you (I know, I'm not ;-) ), I would consider getting a flight to Casablanca or, even better, to Agadir. From there get a car and do a round trip to the Eastern part of the country (Zagora, Rissani, Merzouga). Pure beauty! Many hostels, although rather simple and cheap, but also nice to luxurious hotels are at your choice. Forget the big cities as Marrakesh, Fez and Meknès. These are the real tourist traps where you almost can't get rid of many "friends" that want to sell you stuff you'll never need later on.

As for November: A very good month to travel! Still, consider that in the desert areas you should expect night temperatures that can reach the freazing point.

A very efficient source of information, by the way, is the Lonely Planet guide for Morocco. I've read it, I recommend it.

Enjoy your trip!

Answer 2

I've done the ferry twice and it is a cool feelings seeing Africa approach like you said.  Isn't there some saying about the journey being better than the destination?  I say do the ferry if that's what you wanna do.  Plus, you will see some cool stuff in between Madrid and Morocco like some cool beach towns and you will get the chance to hang with some Moroccans on the boat.

Answer 3

Yesterday I would have told you to fly. Today I'm saying take the train and ferry! One of Spanair's planes crashed today flying out of the Barajas airport, and 149 died, only 26 survived. Have fun! I would have loved to go to Morocco when I was in Spain, but I was on a school trip. Did get to go to Lisbon though, that was cool.

Answer 4

The flight will be more expensive than 30 euros if you take into account that you will have to pay the airport taxes.

Anyway, the flight is faster and, as we usually say in Spain : time is more valuable than gold!

Moreover, if the weather is not good in the Gibraltar Chanel you may be would have to wait for hours for the ferry.

Oh!: An accident in Madrid Airport ( Barajas ) some minutes ago of a plain wich was going to fly to Canary Islands!

Don't worry, it is completely unusual. lol

Answer 5

Why would you want to go to Morocco? It sucks.  The beaches have garbage everywhere, beggers and street merchants follow you around demanding money or you buy something.