Al Boraq, Africa's first high-speed rail line, connects Tangier with Casablanca in just 2 hours 10 minutes, transforming travel along Morocco's Atlantic corridor and setting a new benchmark for rail ambition across the continent.
A Historic Milestone for African Rail
When Al Boraq made its inaugural run in November 2018, it did more than simply cut journey times between two of Morocco's largest cities — it rewrote what was possible for rail travel on an entire continent. Before its launch, the roughly 323-kilometre journey between Tanger Ville and Casa-Voyageurs could take well over four hours by conventional train. Al Boraq reduced that to 2 hours and 10 minutes, operating at maximum speeds of up to 320 km/h on dedicated high-speed infrastructure.
The project was a partnership between Morocco's national rail operator ONCF and the French national railway SNCF, with the rolling stock supplied by Alstom in the form of Euroduplex TGV trainsets — the same family of double-deck trains used on France's high-speed network. The line cost approximately €2 billion to build, with financing from France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, among others. King Mohammed VI inaugurated the service alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, underlining its geopolitical as well as infrastructural significance.
The Route: Tanger Ville to Casa-Voyageurs
Al Boraq operates between Tanger Ville station in the north and Casa-Voyageurs in Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital. The high-speed line itself runs from Tangier to Kénitra, where trains join the upgraded conventional network to continue south via Rabat to Casablanca.
Key stops along the way include:
- Tanger Ville — the departure terminus, a modern station near the city centre
- Kénitra — a major Atlantic coast city where the dedicated high-speed track ends
- Rabat-Agdal / Rabat-Ville — the national capital, a significant hub for onward connections
- Casa-Voyageurs — Casablanca's main intercity rail station, well connected to the city's tram and suburban rail networks
Not all Al Boraq services call at every intermediate station, so checking the timetable at the time of booking is worthwhile. The service runs daily throughout the year — it is not a seasonal operation — and departures are spread across the day, with the busiest slots typically in the morning and early evening.
Onboard Experience
The Euroduplex TGV trainsets used on Al Boraq are double-deck, air-conditioned, and equipped to a standard that reflects the service's flagship status. Passengers can expect comfortable, wide seating, good legroom by regional rail standards, and a generally quiet ride even at high speed thanks to the smooth dedicated track.
Onboard amenities include power sockets at seats and a bar-buffet car where light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. The trains are kept to a high standard of cleanliness. Free Wi-Fi availability has been offered on the service, though connectivity can vary — a downloaded playlist or offline maps are always a sensible backup for long journeys.
The interior layout differs between the two travel classes:
- First Class (Première): Wider seats, more personal space, and a quieter carriage environment. Often preferred by business travellers on the Rabat–Casablanca corridor.
- Second Class (Deuxième): Comfortable and practical for the journey length, representing good value given the speed of travel.
Scenic and Cultural Highlights En Route
Morocco's Atlantic corridor is one of the country's most densely populated and historically layered regions, and Al Boraq passes through the heart of it. From Tangier, the train skirts the Rif foothills before descending towards the coastal plain. The landscape between Kénitra and Rabat offers glimpses of wetlands and the broad estuary of the Bou Regreg river.
Rabat itself — a UNESCO World Heritage city — is visible briefly from the train, its whitewashed medina and the tower of the Hassan Mosque forming part of the urban panorama. Passengers with time to break the journey here will find one of Morocco's most rewarding and least crowded capital cities.
Further south, the train enters Greater Casablanca, Morocco's commercial engine, where Art Deco architecture, the vast Hassan II Mosque on the seafront, and a lively cosmopolitan food scene await.
Planning and Booking
Reservation is required on all Al Boraq services — open tickets are not accepted. This means seats must be booked in advance, which also ensures you board the correct service and have an assigned seat.
Tickets are available through ONCF's official website at oncf.ma, as well as at station ticket windows and self-service machines. Online booking is straightforward, with the option to select your class and seat position. As with most rail systems, booking further in advance typically gives you a wider choice of departure times and, in some pricing periods, better fares. Last-minute tickets are usually still available, but peak departures — particularly Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons — can fill up quickly.
Tickets are issued as e-tickets (printable or displayed on a mobile device) or as physical tickets collected at station machines. Bring a valid ID matching the name on the booking, as checks are routine.
Getting To and From the Stations
Tanger Ville is centrally located and accessible by taxi or city bus. Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport lies roughly 15 kilometres from the station; a taxi or shuttle connection is the typical transfer option. For travellers arriving by ferry from Spain or Gibraltar, the Tangier-Med port is about 40 kilometres east of the city — a shuttle bus or taxi to Tanger Ville station completes the intermodal journey, making Al Boraq a natural extension of a ferry crossing from Europe.
Casa-Voyageurs connects directly with Casablanca's tram network (Tramway de Casablanca) and the suburban rail system (Casa-Train), providing onward access to the city centre, the port, and Casa-Port station. Mohammed V International Airport is served by the ONCF Aloula airport train from Casa-Port station — a short ride from Casa-Voyageurs, making the Tangier–Casablanca airport-to-airport rail journey entirely feasible. TravelerPulse.pro's airport pages for Tangier Ibn Battouta and Casablanca Mohammed V include terminal maps and ground transport summaries.
How Al Boraq Compares to Alternatives
| Mode | Approximate Journey Time | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Al Boraq (HSR) | 2h 10m | City-centre to city-centre, no check-in, comfortable |
| Conventional ONCF train | 4h 30m–5h | Cheaper, more stops, no dedicated track |
| Domestic flight | ~1h flight + airport time | Total door-to-door often longer; higher carbon footprint |
| Long-distance bus (CTM/Supratours) | 5h–6h | Lowest cost, subject to road traffic |
| Self-drive (A1/A2 motorway) | 4h–5h | Flexible but tolls apply; parking costs in Casablanca |
For most travellers prioritising time, comfort, and a central arrival point, Al Boraq is the clear preferred option on this corridor. The premium over a conventional train or bus is modest relative to the time saved.
Practical Tips
- Arrive at the station at least 20–30 minutes before departure; boarding typically closes a few minutes before the train leaves.
- Luggage racks are available above seats and at carriage ends — there is no dedicated hold, so keep bags manageable.
- If your trip involves crossing into Morocco from Europe, check current entry requirements and visa information well in advance; the /visas section of TravelerPulse.pro is a useful starting point for documentation checklists.
- The Dirham (MAD) is the local currency; card payment is accepted online, but having some cash for taxis at either end is advisable.
- First class is a genuine upgrade on a 2-hour journey and worth considering, especially for business travel or if you want guaranteed quiet.
- Trains run year-round, but book earlier around Moroccan public holidays and the summer peak (July–August) when demand on the Tangier–Casablanca corridor rises significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a reservation always required on Al Boraq?
Yes. Unlike some regional trains in Morocco, every Al Boraq service requires a confirmed seat reservation. Walk-up boarding without a prior booking is not permitted. Reservations can be made online via oncf.ma, at ticket windows, or at self-service machines in larger stations.
How long does the journey from Tangier to Casablanca actually take?
The scheduled journey time is 2 hours and 10 minutes, covering 323 kilometres. The service maintains speeds of up to 320 km/h on the dedicated high-speed section between Tangier and Kénitra, before transitioning to upgraded conventional track for the final stretch into Casablanca.
Can I stop in Rabat and continue on a later Al Boraq service?
In principle, yes — Rabat is served by Al Boraq — but your ticket is issued for a specific train and departure time. Breaking your journey requires purchasing a separate ticket for the onward leg. If Rabat is a destination in its own right, it may be more economical to book two separate tickets from the outset.
Is Al Boraq suitable for travellers arriving by ferry from Spain?
Absolutely, and the combination makes for a compelling Europe-to-Morocco overland route. Ferries from Tarifa and Algeciras arrive at Tangier-Med port; from there, a shuttle bus or taxi (roughly 40 km) brings you to Tanger Ville station, where Al Boraq departs. Allow sufficient transfer time — at least 90 minutes — to clear port formalities and reach the station comfortably.
Conclusion
Al Boraq is not merely a fast train — it is a statement about Morocco's ambitions and a genuinely transformative service for travellers moving along the country's most important economic corridor. Linking Tangier's port and medina with Rabat's government districts and Casablanca's business hub in little over two hours, it offers a city-centre-to-city-centre journey that no domestic flight can realistically match on total door-to-door time. For any traveller planning time in northern or central Morocco, building an Al Boraq leg into the itinerary is straightforward, rewarding, and — by the standards of inter-city travel — quietly remarkable.
