Getting to Fez, Morocco
 

I'm looking at a one-way trip through Morocco; Fes - Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech (or vv). RAK seems pretty well connected by air to the outside world, but FEZ is not. In fact, it doesn't seem possible to connect even domestically via CMN without a 10+ hour layover. Is the 3.5-4h drive from Casablanca really the only practical way to get to FEZ? The only other alternatives I've found are to fly to/from AMS or Paris and then jump on Transavia, Air Arabia, or (shudder) Ryanair. How does Ryanair have better connections to Fes than Royal Air Moroc?!

Check out your options re: flying in here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A...C3%AFs_Airport

Fez is 3h away from Rabat, 4h away from Casablanca by train. That's pretty well connected - flights will not be competitive for domestic traffic.

Plenty of LCCs flying point-to-point from Europe, covering the majority of the leisure traffic.

The trains are quite nice in Morocco, at least they were when I was there around 2005. I travelled from Fez to Marrakech stopping off along the way. I am sure taxis have improved (they seemed to have when I visited Casablanca a few years ago) but when I did the train trip, the train was infinitely better than taking a taxi long distance. 1st class on the train really was OK with compartments, comfy, spacious seats... better than a lot of trains in Europe.

Thanks for the train comments. I thought about this option, but understood that the new trains only rain north/south between Marrakech and Tangiers (not to Fez). But maybe that's just the new high-speed train...

Yes, the new TGV runs north-south. However, the train to Fez is perfectly fine. It's no different than a standard IC train in Europe.

Indeed. :tu: You can actually do the CMN airport-Casablanca Voyageurs-Fex journey by train and it's very reasonable in price even in First class. It's a no-brainer TBH.

Note there are flights to Fez, Ryanair fly from STN amongst other locations but it's not especially convenient off an TATL flight.

Slightly OT.
Can you confirm there is a train running between the CMN airport and Casablanca Port? Do they accept US-issued credit card as payment for train ticket? I see it in Rome2Rio dot com that the last train is at 9:50PM. Is that correct?
TIA

yes, the train runs CMN- Casa Oasis - Voyageurs - Port.
Not sure about credit cards, I’ve always used cash (only 50dhm, about $5, one way from the airport to town in second class).
I think that’s about right for the last train time, but you can check at oncf.ma which is the official Moroccan trains website, they have an English version which is very good.

EDIT - just checked times and the last train from CMN is at 22:50 arr Casa Port at 23:36

Thank you for the confirmation, and the link. Very helpful indeed. :tu:

Just get cash from an airport ATM. IIRC there is a pretty helpful if French/Arabic bilingual ticket office at the airport. Note that Voyageurs is a more enjoyable changing point than Port. Also the ONCF website needs Aeroport Med V and Fee as origin and destination.

Thank you again for the helpful info.
My flight arrives 20 minutes before the LAST train at night.
What are transportation options from CMN to a hotel near Casa Port? Approximate cost? Pre-book or just hop in at outside arrival terminal?

Back in June I arrived late in the day (the AT flight from LHR)
So, I just booked into a hotel near the airport (one with a free shuttle bus service)
After a leisurely breakfast I returned on the shuttle to the Airport, bought my ticket to Marrakech (change at Casa Oasis) and had a pleasant journey there in daylight.
The ticket staff at the CMN train station speak some English, so it was easy to purchase the ticket.

Useful info noted. Many thanks.

Rethinking my trip to Fez and Morocco in light of the devastating earthquake. Praying for the people of Morocco!

Please, still go. Morocco will need all the tourist revenue they can get. Chatting to people in Marrakech they are expecting to be back fully in business next week. Fez was entirely unaffected.