Morocco 10 days - plz review
#1
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Morocco 10 days - plz review
Hi all, I'm going to Morocco in late Feb 2017, I have a draft plan and hopefully can get some feedback:
Day 1: arriving at Casablanca in pm, spending the night
Day 2: take morning bus to Chefchaouen (6hr bus ride)
Day 3-4: Chefchaouen
Day 5: take bus to Fes, spending the night (4hr bus I think?)
Day 6: take train from Fes to Marrakesh (8hr train)
Day 7-9: Marrakesh
Day 10: Marrakesh - Casablanca, flight in pm
I'm very concerned with the transportation...
1. based on my research, I can't buy Casa-Chef bus ticket in advance and there is only 1 bus per day. If flight is on schedule, do you think I can make it to bus station and get tickets for next morning (Day 2)?
2. I think there are multiple buses from Chef-Fes, does someone have a recent bus schedule?
3. How far is bus station and train station apart in Fes?
4. ONCF shows multiple train schedule from Fes to Marrakesh, but I can't buy tickets in advance?
5. Any feedback/idea/suggestion to my draft travel plan?
Thank you so so much in advance!
Day 1: arriving at Casablanca in pm, spending the night
Day 2: take morning bus to Chefchaouen (6hr bus ride)
Day 3-4: Chefchaouen
Day 5: take bus to Fes, spending the night (4hr bus I think?)
Day 6: take train from Fes to Marrakesh (8hr train)
Day 7-9: Marrakesh
Day 10: Marrakesh - Casablanca, flight in pm
I'm very concerned with the transportation...
1. based on my research, I can't buy Casa-Chef bus ticket in advance and there is only 1 bus per day. If flight is on schedule, do you think I can make it to bus station and get tickets for next morning (Day 2)?
2. I think there are multiple buses from Chef-Fes, does someone have a recent bus schedule?
3. How far is bus station and train station apart in Fes?
4. ONCF shows multiple train schedule from Fes to Marrakesh, but I can't buy tickets in advance?
5. Any feedback/idea/suggestion to my draft travel plan?
Thank you so so much in advance!
#2
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OK I'd be more concerned about pieces of your itinerary than I'd be about the transportation at this point.
Your itinerary starts out similar to mine, in that I flew into Casa and arrived at my hotel in the late afternoon. However, are you NOT planning to visit the stunning Hassan 2 mosque the next morning? It was the one, single most incredible thing I saw in Morocco. Visit it in the morning and take the early afternoon bus to Chefchaouen. If I recall correctly, it left Casa around 1:00 p.m. and arrive actually 8 hours later around 9:00 pm
IMO, 2 night in Chefchaouen are sufficient. That will leave you one full day and possibly a portion of the next morning before you leave for Fes.
My biggest concern with your itinerary though is Fes. WHY are you taking a 4 hour bus trip to Fes from Chefchaouen, only to spend the night in this fascinating city? Basically, you are wasting two full days of travel (days 5 and 6) to sit on a bus or train. If I were you, I'd take a morning bus from Chaouen on day 4 and then give yourself a full days 5 and 6 for Fes itself. I would give day 7 to a day trip to Volubulis and Meknes. With days 8 and 9, I would give them to something else in the north of Morocco and skip wasting the full day of train travel to Marrkech (this assumes you are locked into leaving on day 10 from Casa)
Rethink portions of your itinerary. You are wasting WAY too much of your time on buses and trains and not giving enough of your time to experiencing this incredible country.
Your itinerary starts out similar to mine, in that I flew into Casa and arrived at my hotel in the late afternoon. However, are you NOT planning to visit the stunning Hassan 2 mosque the next morning? It was the one, single most incredible thing I saw in Morocco. Visit it in the morning and take the early afternoon bus to Chefchaouen. If I recall correctly, it left Casa around 1:00 p.m. and arrive actually 8 hours later around 9:00 pm
IMO, 2 night in Chefchaouen are sufficient. That will leave you one full day and possibly a portion of the next morning before you leave for Fes.
My biggest concern with your itinerary though is Fes. WHY are you taking a 4 hour bus trip to Fes from Chefchaouen, only to spend the night in this fascinating city? Basically, you are wasting two full days of travel (days 5 and 6) to sit on a bus or train. If I were you, I'd take a morning bus from Chaouen on day 4 and then give yourself a full days 5 and 6 for Fes itself. I would give day 7 to a day trip to Volubulis and Meknes. With days 8 and 9, I would give them to something else in the north of Morocco and skip wasting the full day of train travel to Marrkech (this assumes you are locked into leaving on day 10 from Casa)
Rethink portions of your itinerary. You are wasting WAY too much of your time on buses and trains and not giving enough of your time to experiencing this incredible country.
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Hi MinnBeef,
Thanks for your reply! Here are my replies:
(1) I did not elaborate on my trip plans, but Hassan 2 mosque is definitely on my list. I remember seeing some blogs saying now the daily bus from Casa-Chef leaves in the morning..but I just checked CTM, still 1:30pm. In this case, I would see the mosque at night on Day 1 and also Day 2 AM. thank you for pointing out!
(2) I need to do some modeling photo shoot in Chefchaouen, that's why my stay seems too long
(3) On Day 5, I didn't say I would take PM bus to Fes, did I? AM bus is what I have in mind
(4) I agree Fes - Marrakesh is too long but I would not want to skip Marrakesh. Also other places that you pointed out are very fascinating to me. I am also considering (A) driving on my own, that way it's more flexible and I can go to way more places or (B) hire a tour guide for most of my trip, but I haven't found any recommended company, please let me know if you know any.
That being said, my new question is (thank you everyone who could answer them!):
- Would people recommend renting a car? How about parking in Chefchaouen, easy to park? Overnight parking fees? I read some articles that people had tire pressure issue/flat tire/bad service etc and I am really concerned.. =(
Thanks for your reply! Here are my replies:
(1) I did not elaborate on my trip plans, but Hassan 2 mosque is definitely on my list. I remember seeing some blogs saying now the daily bus from Casa-Chef leaves in the morning..but I just checked CTM, still 1:30pm. In this case, I would see the mosque at night on Day 1 and also Day 2 AM. thank you for pointing out!
(2) I need to do some modeling photo shoot in Chefchaouen, that's why my stay seems too long
(3) On Day 5, I didn't say I would take PM bus to Fes, did I? AM bus is what I have in mind
(4) I agree Fes - Marrakesh is too long but I would not want to skip Marrakesh. Also other places that you pointed out are very fascinating to me. I am also considering (A) driving on my own, that way it's more flexible and I can go to way more places or (B) hire a tour guide for most of my trip, but I haven't found any recommended company, please let me know if you know any.
That being said, my new question is (thank you everyone who could answer them!):
- Would people recommend renting a car? How about parking in Chefchaouen, easy to park? Overnight parking fees? I read some articles that people had tire pressure issue/flat tire/bad service etc and I am really concerned.. =(
#4
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I too have some concerns about distances, time taken to travel, plus the fact that it's mostly northern Morocco in winter time with short daylight hours.
Do you realise that Fez to Marrakech by train goes via Casablanca through fairly boring scenery?
Do you realise that Fez to Marrakech by train goes via Casablanca through fairly boring scenery?
#6
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All of your comments make me want to rent a car instead of taking bus/train...would renting a car be a good/worry-free idea? Anyone wants to share their experience please?
Thank you all so much for your comments!
Thank you all so much for your comments!
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oliveroliver
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Sep 8th, 2015 10:23 AM