High-Speed Rail to Marrakech: What Changes and When

Morocco opened Africa’s first high-speed railway, Al Boraq, between Tangier and Casablanca in 2018. ONCF, the national railway operator, is now extending it by about 430 kilometres from Kenitra to Marrakech. If the line opens as planned in 2029, Tangier to Marrakech would take about two hours and forty minutes.

What’s happening

The new line continues south from Kenitra through Rabat and Casablanca to Benguerir and Marrakech. It will have stations at Rabat-Salé airport and Casablanca Mohammed V airport, and Casa Facultés is being rebuilt as Casa Sud, planned as Casablanca’s main rail hub. A station is also planned for the Grand Stade Hassan II.

Works started on 24 April 2025. By ONCF’s update a year later, the land had been acquired and earthworks, bridges and tunnels were under way along the route. The line is budgeted at MAD 53 billion and is part of a wider rail programme that also includes new trains and suburban rail for Greater Casablanca.

Why it matters

The line would put four of Morocco’s six World Cup host cities, Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, on one high-speed route, together with the Rabat and Casablanca airports and the new stadium. In 2030 that would make rail the easiest way between most venues; after the tournament, it brings Marrakech and the airports much closer to the northern cities. The journey times ONCF is aiming for:

• Tangier to Casablanca: about 1 hour 40 minutes, against about 2 hours 10 minutes today.
• Tangier to Marrakech: about 2 hours 40 minutes.
• Rabat to Casablanca airport: about 35 minutes.

Fes and Agadir are not on the new line.

When it might be ready

ONCF’s target is passenger service by the end of 2029, and the transport minister has cited September 2029. Both are targets. After the track is laid, signalling, test running and safety approval still have to happen before a timetable is published, and any of them can move the date. None of the journey times above can be booked today.

What changes for visitors and residents

Around Casablanca, expect disruption now. From 14 September 2026 ONCF introduced a new timetable for the works, with shortened routes and the progressive closure of stations including Casa Facultés and Ennassim. Earlier that month, the airport train was replaced by coaches for two days. Before any Casablanca journey, and especially an airport transfer, check the exact service for your date on ONCF. Our Casablanca airport guide covers the alternatives.

Elsewhere, nothing has changed yet. Al Boraq still runs between Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca, and Marrakech, Fes and Meknes are on the conventional network. The ONCF train guide covers booking and stations.

For residents of Greater Casablanca, the suburban rail programme and new stations promise shorter, more frequent journeys later in the decade. Until then, the works mean diversions and temporary closures.

Step-free access. ONCF has not yet published accessibility details for the new stations and trains. If you need assistance today, contact ONCF before you travel, as it varies by station.