Madrid to Morrocco
 

I'm traveling to Spain in March, and I would like to go to Morocco. I was just wondering if anyone knew a cheap way to get there... I was thinking Casablanca, but does anyone have any suggestions on where to go/where to stay?

thanks guys

Start with www.whichbudget.com/en/cheapflights.php?from=MAD

This is a great search engine, just select Madrid and then it will show the destinations available and what low cost airlines fly the route. You can also go ahead and click to book as well.

http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp

As for Morocco I would recommend Marrakech, much nicer than Casablanca.

Agreed, Casablanca is kind of a dump. Marrakech is nice. In addition to lots of commercial flights, you can also take a ferry. If you're staying in Andalucia, that might be a nice and different option. I think they all arrive to Tangier, also a worthwhile place to visit.

Air Europa have some pretty good fares to Marrakech (starting at €110) and you get all the full-service benefits (assigned seating, free luggage, miles, elite privileges if you have a shiny Skyteam card) apart from free food/drinks.
If you'd rather fly oneworld, IB have service to the towns of Ceuta and Melilla which belong to Spain but are bang in the middle of the Moroccan coastline.

I'd only consider Easyjet if I couldn't find a decent option on either of the above.

Oh, and welcome to FlyerTalk, Maydeetee!

You can also travel by train from Madrid to Algeciras. Then take the ferry to Tangiers, and the train to Casa or Fez, or Marakecch. Its more time consuming, but you get a chance to talk with locals and see some scenery.
If its your first trip to Morocco/Spain, I suggest "Lets Go" guide. They use to have a separate chapter for Morocco in the guide to Spain.
Also, check out the www.lonelyplanet.com.
Very warm and kind people.

I got Iberia MAD-Marrakech for only like $120 and that way two days before Christmas. Spain closes up/empties out for Christmas, so my guess is that fare is probably higher than standard.

Getting back to Spain though (Marrakech-BCN) was a bit more, but BCN is apparently very popular for the holidays, so I went at peakish time there too.

You can get ferries from Gibralter to Tangiers or Ceuta (Spain). Shortest crossing is from Tarifa (close to Gibralter on Spanish side). Cost of Tarifa to Tangiers is 31 Euros each way (55 Euros return for day trip). EU passport holders can get their passport stamped by Moroccan authorities on the boat.
Crossing takes 35 minutes.

I know all this because I did it last week.

I dont want to be the bearer of bad news here, but check if you actually got an Iberia ticket. I believe this flight is actually operated by the low cost ClickAir with an Iberia flight number

It's still an IB flight, for all intents and purposes. I don't know why that would be bad news.

Its bad news, because if its a ClickAir plane, there is no assigned seating, no drink, and tight legroom.

ClickAir has had assigned seats since 10 July.
ClickAir and Iberia both have paid-for catering in Tourist class on that route.
ClickAir has a seat pitch of 31" on their A321, Iberia has a seat pitch of...31" on the MD-81 that operates that route.

So, not really bad news.

I flew them on Jul.5, nice of them to have assigned seating now, I guess when you put it that way, IB is not really all that full service of an airline either....

I must say I do like Clickairs brand new planes, and the seatback pockets located above the tray tables leaving that extra bit of room as opposed to standard pockets that stick out onto your knees

Try Atlas Blue. They're Royal Air Maroc's LCC. Mainly based out of Marrakesh. But they codeshare with Iberia. Just flew Marrakesh-Madrid under an IB flight number. Not bad. Horrible seat pitch, but cheap.

I flew from Madrid to Casablanca in October '07. I booked the flight through American but the flight was on Iberia. It was SUPER cheap - $80 RT. Easy flight though the plane was packed. Fellow travel mates had trouble returning on Air Maroc.