Tangier is Morocco's northern gateway — the ferry terminals from Spain, Ibn Battouta Airport and the high-speed train all meet here. Within the city you'll walk and use petit taxis; for the Rif day trips you'll want a private driver or an intercity bus.
In this guide
Arriving and the rail link
Most visitors reach Tangier by fast ferry from Tarifa (about one hour) or Algeciras, by air into Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG), or by the Al Boraq high-speed train, which connects Tangier to Rabat and Casablanca in roughly two hours from the modern Tanger Ville station. From the south, the same ONCF line reaches Fes and Marrakech via a change. For Chefchaouen, Tetouan and the Rif — none of which the train serves — you'll want a private driver or a long-distance bus (CTM and Supratours are the reliable operators).
Why most visitors use a private driver for day trips
For the classic excursions out of Tangier — the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, the artist's town of Asilah, Roman Lixus or whitewashed Tetouan — a private driver is the comfortable choice: door-to-door from your hotel, your own schedule, and the freedom to stop at a viewpoint over the Rif on the way. The mountain roads south are winding, and a good driver doubles as a guide and translator.
Taxis and city transport
Within Tangier, small blue 'petit taxis' handle short hops — insist on the meter or agree the fare first, especially from the port or airport. Larger 'grand taxis' run fixed routes out to Cap Spartel, the Caves of Hercules and nearby towns. For airport or port arrivals, a pre-booked private transfer with a name-board pickup spares you the arrivals-hall haggling entirely.
Frequently asked
How do I get from Tangier to Chefchaouen?
There's no train. A private driver (about two and a half hours each way through the Rif) is the most comfortable option for a day trip; CTM and Supratours buses also run the route for budget travellers.
Should I rent a car in Tangier?
Self-driving is fine on the motorways and for reaching Asilah or Tetouan, but the medina and kasbah are car-free and parking in the old town is awkward. Many visitors prefer a private driver, who also navigates, translates and guides on the Rif roads.
How do I get from the ferry or airport to my hotel?
Pre-book a private transfer with a fixed price and a name-board pickup, or take a metered petit taxi. The Tangier medina is partly car-free, so your driver will walk you the last few minutes to the hotel door.
Planning a trip?
Let a Tangier atelier handle the details.
Tell us your dates and style and we'll send a written itinerary and a transparent quote within 24 hours.
Request an itineraryKeep reading
Planning
Tangier Travel Costs & Budget
Tangier can be done on almost any budget, and a day-trip from Spain barely dents the wallet. Mid-range travellers spend roughly US$70–130 per person per day; private, guided days with a driver typically run US$180–350+ depending on season and style.
Planning
Is Tangier Safe to Visit?
Yes — Tangier is a safe, easy-going gateway city, well used to travellers arriving by ferry from Spain and by air. The old reputation of the 1980s and 90s is long gone; the realistic concerns today are petty scams and a little medina hustle, both easily managed.
Planning
The Best Time to Visit Tangier & Northern Morocco
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the best all-round times for Tangier — warm but not heavy, the Strait breeze still gentle, and ideal conditions for the kasbah, the beaches and day trips to Chefchaouen, Asilah and Tetouan.