Getting to Tangiers
Located in Morocco, but also only a short drive away from Europe, Tangiers is easily accessed via many kinds of transport, be it by air, train or bus. Taking a ferry to Tangiers is a popular option, as Tangiers boasts its own port right in the heart of the city.
By air
Tangier Boukhalef Souahel Airport is conveniently located 12kms from the city centre. Royal Air Maroc, British Airways, Iberia and Regional Airlines are among the airlines that fly here. The airport is equipped with duty-free shops, restaurants, banks, bureaux de change outlets and car rental booths. There are taxi and bus services waiting to take you to the city centre. A taxi ride takes about 20 minutes from the airport to the city centre.
By train
Morocco has an excellent railway system, with southern Spain being reachable by train from across Europe, from where you can get a connecting ferry to Tangiers. ONCF now has a new train station called Tangiers Ville, which opened in 2003 and is at the end of the line, not far from the centre of Tangiers. From the station, you can take a petit taxi into the centre. If you want to take an overnight train to Tangiers, make sure you take a direct train, as indirect ones make frequent stops, making the journey very lengthy.
By car
As with other cities in Morocco, Tangiers is served by a good road network, making driving to Tangiers easy. However, most people choose to use other means of transport and hire a car once they get to Tangiers. There are car ferry services from Spain and Gibraltar if you want to bring your own vehicle with you. Be aware that there can be dodgy hustlers on motorbikes along the routes into the city.
By bus
Tangier features two long distance bus stations. Buses serve all major cities in Morocco. The first one is at the CTM offices near the port, which is the arrival point for most CTM buses. Another station is at Place Jamia el-Arabia, which receives some other CTM buses and those from other companies.
By ferry
Many travellers choose to visit Tangiers by taking a ferry from Spain. The most popular routes are from Algeciras and Gibraltar. The trip takes 70 minutes and you will arrive right in the heart of the city, as the port is located near the Medina and only a few hundreds metres from the new city. From the port, you can take a a taxi from the taxi rank located at the port.
By taxi
Taxis in Morocco are known as le petit taxi. In Tangiers, these taxis are blue. All taxis are metered, but you have to remind the drivers to use them. Grand taxis are also perfect for long journeys or if you are travelling with many passengers. Make sure you negotiate the price first.
On foot
Walking is perhaps the best way to explore the city, and taking a walking tour on your own is quite easy. There are two main roads which are Boulevard Mohamed V, running from near the Medina through the Ville Nouvelle (new city); and Boulevard Mohamed VI (formerly ave des FAR), running from the beachfront to the port and Malabata. Walking gives you an opportunity to discover the many hidden places around the city that other tourists might not know about.