Ferry from Spain to Morocco.
Sep 27th, 2003, 03:55 PM
#1
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Ferry from Spain to Morocco.
I will be in Spain next summer and wanted to know where you catch the ferry to morocco. also is it expensive. About what does it cost does anyone know? Are their any websites to check it out. Would a eurorail pass get me a trip free on the ferry? Any information is great
Sep 27th, 2003, 06:21 PM
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You can get a ferry from Algeciras in Spain over to Tangier. I believe Eurailpasses are accepted. Go to
www.transmediterranea.net for further info. You want the info for the "southern strait" routes.
www.transmediterranea.net for further info. You want the info for the "southern strait" routes.
Sep 27th, 2003, 07:38 PM
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Hi: I was in Sevilla in June and took the bus to Gibralter as one of the tour books said you could get the ferry to Tangiers from there. That wasnt true. I took a day tour from Gibralter but we had to go to Algeciras in Spain to go over. I think it was about 20 E but I paid 45 for the tour. I then took the bus back to Sevilla from Algeciras. You can pick up a tour guide when you get off the ferry in Algeciras to help fend off the people selling. I enjoyed the trip. Have fun,
Sep 27th, 2003, 07:47 PM
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I made this trip approx 20 yrs ago from the port of Algeciras to Tangiers. We signed up with a tour company (for the day trip over) in Marbella, Spain where we were staying. The hydrofoil boat trip takes approx 2-1/2 crossing. Even then, once in Morroco being on one's own, was not very safe. Be careful.
P.S. I understand leaving from Ceuta vs. Algeciras is quite a bit cheaper.
Good luck, and enjoy.
P.S. I understand leaving from Ceuta vs. Algeciras is quite a bit cheaper.
Good luck, and enjoy.
Sep 27th, 2003, 09:35 PM
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We also bought the round trip ticket on the Ferry in Marbella. As I recall any travel agency sells the tickets. We didn't make any advance plans, just walked into a travel agent on a main street and within an hour we were on the ferry. I don't recall the cost but I don't think it was unreasonable. It was an exciting day trip so go for it.
Sep 28th, 2003, 09:51 AM
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You don't have to book in advance, just go to Algeciras to the ferry port and you'll be able to get on the next available boat to Tangier without a problem. Also, they travel that route many times each day, so you won't have to wait long for the next boat. Depending on which class of ticket you purchase (and which boat you take), it will cost you between 23 and 30 Euros each way. The trip takes about 2.5 hours.
Sep 28th, 2003, 11:29 AM
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I made this trip last summer. On the outward journey I took the ferry from Algeciras to Ceuta, which is a Spanish enclave within Morocco. The return journey I made from Tanger to Algeciras. I strongly recommend to travel both ways via Tanger, as the boarder crossing in Ceuta is no very easy, especially when you don't have your own transport.
The fare for both journeys was 28 Euro. IMO Eurailpasses and Europasses are not accepted, even not for a discount.
In Algeciras, the harbour is 2 20-minutes-walk away from the train station. You'll find ferry ticket offices in the train station, on the way to the harbour and at the harbour. Although there are about 5 different ferry companies, the fare for the crossing does not vary, so it doesn't matter where you buy the ticket.
If you continue your journey in Morocco by train, take a taxi from the harbour to the train station, which is about 5 km beyond the city center.
The fare for both journeys was 28 Euro. IMO Eurailpasses and Europasses are not accepted, even not for a discount.
In Algeciras, the harbour is 2 20-minutes-walk away from the train station. You'll find ferry ticket offices in the train station, on the way to the harbour and at the harbour. Although there are about 5 different ferry companies, the fare for the crossing does not vary, so it doesn't matter where you buy the ticket.
If you continue your journey in Morocco by train, take a taxi from the harbour to the train station, which is about 5 km beyond the city center.
Sep 28th, 2003, 01:00 PM
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great!! Ok now that i am in Morocco (Tangiers) what would you suggest i do. I mean is Tangers a good place to stay or should i head to Casablanca. Are their any adventures i should partake in?
Sep 29th, 2003, 12:55 PM
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Tangier is not an ideal place to stay I guess, and Casablanca is not really a typical Moroccan town. I would go to Meknes or Fes, about 300 km from Tangier, or to Marrakech in the south of the country. All these cities can easily reached by train. To Marrakech, there's even a night train, but it offers limited comfort.
To travel throuh Morocco as an individual traveller is an adventure of it's own, no need to organise any kind of additional adventure...
To travel throuh Morocco as an individual traveller is an adventure of it's own, no need to organise any kind of additional adventure...
Sep 30th, 2003, 09:30 AM
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Last October, we traveled from Algeciras to Tangier on Ferrys Rapidos del Sur. Their web page is as follows
http://www.frs.es/eng/index.htm
On the web page, there is information that they are again offering trips from Tarifa to Tangier available for all nationalities. Some books have written that this is better than Algeciras (the trip is shorter for sure), but the train doesn't go all the way to Tarifa. We didn't have a problem with Algeciras and spent our extra time there for a short trip by bus to Gibraltar.
The company also offers one-day excursions that include guide, transportaion, and lunch for about 50 euros per person. We took the overnight option that was offered (it's now 86 euros per person) that includes the ferry crossing, transportaion, guide, lunch, hotel (it was a pretty nice hotel), dinner, breakfast, lunch the second day, and transportation back to the return ferry. We arranged everything with them in advance by e-mail and then paid when we arrived in Algeciras.
W. A. Robison
(If you need any additional information about this, contact me using my screen name above at aol.)
http://www.frs.es/eng/index.htm
On the web page, there is information that they are again offering trips from Tarifa to Tangier available for all nationalities. Some books have written that this is better than Algeciras (the trip is shorter for sure), but the train doesn't go all the way to Tarifa. We didn't have a problem with Algeciras and spent our extra time there for a short trip by bus to Gibraltar.
The company also offers one-day excursions that include guide, transportaion, and lunch for about 50 euros per person. We took the overnight option that was offered (it's now 86 euros per person) that includes the ferry crossing, transportaion, guide, lunch, hotel (it was a pretty nice hotel), dinner, breakfast, lunch the second day, and transportation back to the return ferry. We arranged everything with them in advance by e-mail and then paid when we arrived in Algeciras.
W. A. Robison
(If you need any additional information about this, contact me using my screen name above at aol.)
Oct 3rd, 2003, 12:14 AM
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Tips - Algeciras is a hellhole.Rememember that this is a major drug port.If staying the night on the Spanish side, stay in Tarifa, worth visiting for its own sake - not a costa-style resort, actually an ancient pirate port, great view over to Africa.Fast boat from Tarifa is 35 mins, or get the bus to nearby Algeciras.
As soon as you get within miles of the ferries there are roadside offices & billboards (many in Arabic) offering tickets.
Be prepared for major hassle in Morocco from drug vendors, touts etc.To reduce this get as far as you can from ferry terminals & bus stations ASAP and, more importantly, learn a little Arabic.Just a few words are usually enough to persuade touts that there are easier marks.The hasslers will quickly disappear when they see you know the ropes.Moroccans are pretty good people.
Hanging around in Tarifa first is a good way to pick up ideas about where to go.
Does anyone know how the plans for a tunnel from Bolonia to Africa are going?I heard some time ago they were seeking an EC grant, nothing since.
As soon as you get within miles of the ferries there are roadside offices & billboards (many in Arabic) offering tickets.
Be prepared for major hassle in Morocco from drug vendors, touts etc.To reduce this get as far as you can from ferry terminals & bus stations ASAP and, more importantly, learn a little Arabic.Just a few words are usually enough to persuade touts that there are easier marks.The hasslers will quickly disappear when they see you know the ropes.Moroccans are pretty good people.
Hanging around in Tarifa first is a good way to pick up ideas about where to go.
Does anyone know how the plans for a tunnel from Bolonia to Africa are going?I heard some time ago they were seeking an EC grant, nothing since.
Oct 3rd, 2003, 12:44 PM
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When have you been to Algeciras zippo? When I was in Algeciras last summer, it was a peaceful little town. A stayed there during an afternoon and I couldn't see any drug dealers or other nasty people. And the village square was quite lovely.
Eurailpasses are not valid in Morocco, but as train tickets are so incdredible cheap, this doesn't matter. A ticket from Tangier to Marrakech, for instance, costs les than 15 Euro. Buses are even cheaper, but less comfortable.
To avoid problems with guides and other touts, dress properly (no shorts!) and don't show around your guidebook. I also made the experience that it's better not to wear a rucksack, but to carry you belongings in one of these ugly plastic bags, as the Moroccans do.
Eurailpasses are not valid in Morocco, but as train tickets are so incdredible cheap, this doesn't matter. A ticket from Tangier to Marrakech, for instance, costs les than 15 Euro. Buses are even cheaper, but less comfortable.
To avoid problems with guides and other touts, dress properly (no shorts!) and don't show around your guidebook. I also made the experience that it's better not to wear a rucksack, but to carry you belongings in one of these ugly plastic bags, as the Moroccans do.
Oct 9th, 2003, 06:17 PM
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A Eurail pass will get you a discount on the ferry ride. About 20% if I remember correctly. We took the night train to Marrakech and had a very interesting time. Go to the Morocco site and I will top some information I wrote when we returned in 2000.
Oct 10th, 2003, 10:31 AM
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It would be well worth the money to pick up a guide... traveling solo is not the best idea in Morocco, and I am all for independent traveling. It's not even necessarily dangerous, just very overwhelming. I went with a large group of students (I studied in Sevilla for a semester) and we had a hired tour guide from the moment we set foot in Morocco. It was a huge help.
Tangiers is cool, but Tetuan (about an hour east, by bus, if I remember correctly) is awesome. This is where you'll find a traditional Moroccan market. Also, try to hit the coast, if you can. The beach is beautiful along most parts of the coast.
If you like to bargain, this is the place. But beware of cheesy tourist gimmmicks - our group of students lined up for a two-minute ride on camels, which was great, until it was my turn and the camel handler handled more than the camel as he helped me into the saddle!
Tangiers is cool, but Tetuan (about an hour east, by bus, if I remember correctly) is awesome. This is where you'll find a traditional Moroccan market. Also, try to hit the coast, if you can. The beach is beautiful along most parts of the coast.
If you like to bargain, this is the place. But beware of cheesy tourist gimmmicks - our group of students lined up for a two-minute ride on camels, which was great, until it was my turn and the camel handler handled more than the camel as he helped me into the saddle!
