Tangier & Chefchaouen: Is the 2-Day Train Tour from Casablanca Worth It?

So, you’re thinking of heading from Casablanca all the way to Tangier and Chefchaouen? Doing it by train over two days? Well, I thought it sounded pretty neat too. A chance to see two, super-unique cities in northern Morocco without having to wrangle a rental car sounded alright to me, actually. I wanted to see what’s up with those famous blue walls and soak up some culture, that’s the truth. Let’s get into my experiences.

First Stop: Getting from Casablanca to Tangier by Train

First, getting to Tangier from Casablanca requires hopping on a train. It is, to be honest, fairly simple. The trains, specifically the high-speed ones (TGV), offer a reasonably swift ride. Expect it’ll take roughly two to three hours. In my case, I located the Casa Voyageurs station, the bigger and more conveniently located option, purchased my first-class ticket – a worthwhile upgrade for the extra comfort if you, like your fellow tourist, value room to spread out – and settled in for the ride. What I remember is this. The Moroccan countryside flashes by; you see a mix of farmland and small towns. So, is the ride comfortable? Well, typically, yes. Did I experience any significant delays? Nope. Purchasing tickets ahead of time, particularly during peak season, is very smart, that is what I am telling you.

Tangier: A City of Many Faces

Okay, so arriving in Tangier can feel like walking onto a film set. There is just a vibe there. I knew, like a lot of folks, Tangier has historically been a gateway between Africa and Europe. That really does reflect in the atmosphere of the place. As I hopped off the train, I wanted to wander around the medina (the old city). The small, narrow streets are like a maze. In those streets you’ll come across shops and cafes at every corner. So, that’s what happened when I arrived. People are doing their best to sell you everything from trinkets to carpets, you see. In a way, it’s great if you are in a shopping frame of mind, and the bargaining is kind of fun. But then it can get pretty tiring, too, very quickly, really. Next, I took a leisurely walk by the beach and along the Tangier promenade. If you are like me, that sounds perfect. The sea breeze provided a bit of respite from the medina crowds, seemingly. Also, a visit to the Kasbah area, located at the top of the medina, provided some awesome views of the Strait of Gibraltar and Spain way off in the distance. Keep in mind, you see some pretty rundown areas right alongside restored historical spots. In short, Tangier is certainly interesting and a bit gritty.

Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl

The next part of the adventure involved going to Chefchaouen. Typically, that’s done by bus or grand taxi from Tangier. Now, the bus is cheaper. However, I opted for a grand taxi. The ride will cost more but is way quicker and more comfortable, really. As I was saying, the drive itself goes up through the Rif Mountains. And the mountain views, they’re certainly something. Getting into Chefchaouen is, apparently, like stepping into a dream, alright? I bet that’s been said so many times, it’s a cliche. The blue-washed buildings are just mesmerizing, totally. I found out people have a whole variety of ideas about why they are blue. Some say it keeps mosquitoes away, other say it’s symbolic, you see. I personally don’t know, and nobody has a perfect idea why. It still looks lovely, anyway. Chefchaouen feels way more relaxed and quieter than Tangier. And you see way fewer people hustling you. I spent hours, it’s true, wandering through the lanes. Then, I visited the local shops and sipped mint tea at a cafe overlooking the town square, too.

Accommodation: Riads and Hotels

When choosing accommodation for this trip, you have to consider two cities with differing vibes. What to keep in mind is this: In Tangier, I found quite a variety of hotels, ranging from budget-friendly to fairly fancy. As for me? I selected something mid-range. I did that hoping for a mix of comfort and value, honestly. One popular option, it seems, is to stay in a traditional riad. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses or palaces with an interior courtyard or garden. They give you, seemingly, a far more intimate and cultural experience, to be honest. In Chefchaouen, riads are more the norm, so that’s, very, very, where I chose to stay. These places often have beautiful tilework and are decorated in traditional Moroccan style, yet they offer breakfast. Waking up in that sort of setting makes a huge difference in a little spot like Chefchaouen, seriously. To make sure you get a decent place, especially if traveling during peak season, book well in advance.

Food Adventures

So, no trip to Morocco is complete without getting involved with the food, am I right? And you see so many options everywhere. So many! You’ll come across street food stalls and established restaurants at every corner. In Tangier, given it’s near the coast, I particularly indulged in the fresh seafood, right? I devoured grilled fish and tagines at restaurants along the beach. Meanwhile, in Chefchaouen, I made an effort to taste some of the more local and traditional Berber dishes. The tagine, full of herbs and unique local ingredients, that was super tasty, clearly. Mint tea is everywhere, and drinking it became, honestly, like a daily ritual. I feel that trying out different cafes to find the best spot makes for an experience in itself, or so I’ve heard from tourists. I’m like, yeah, dude!

The Train Back to Casablanca

Okay, getting back to Casablanca means repeating a few steps, to be honest. From Chefchaouen, I hopped in another grand taxi to Tangier, followed by the train back to Casablanca, naturally. Now, grand taxis only leave when full. That means a short wait if you’re not quick about filling a seat. I had the luck to land some cool, like your average dude. So that makes things a little better, right? It gives you an opportunity to soak in a few experiences. Then comes the train ride again. It lets you reflect on all the different sights you have enjoyed over the past few days. Try not to do all this in just two days, basically. Because that can lead to a whirlwind experience, really. Doing this comfortably requires more time.

Recommendations for this Trip

Having been there, I have thoughts to help plan your journey. Take these considerations to heart!

Book Train Tickets Early: Like your regular traveler, you need to know tickets might get more costly if you hold out. Snag them early.
Consider Grand Taxis: When you need speed between places, they might do, even if they have a higher fare than the bus, for example.
Find Local Guides: You know, to enhance those tours! If a deeper connection is sought. The historical sites can gain a lot of texture that way.
Get your Haggle On: Want to bargain? In Morocco’s vibrant markets, prices begin high. So, start a little lower.
Learn Basic Phrases: You see, mastering a few local pleasantries gets the folks to open up way more, actually. Simple greetings. Basic transactional vocab, maybe!
Dress Mindfully: You see, dressing a bit conservatively just gets things going more easily. That, especially when going into the religious sites.

Is this Tour right for you?

Alright, to cap things off, doing a Tangier and Chefchaouen two-day jaunt by train originating in Casablanca can make a memorable experience. That, however, doesn’t make it perfectly tailored for every person! What’s the good stuff? You see beautiful vistas plus it can pack a serious punch when it comes to the sights. Now the bad stuff? So little time. I’d probably prefer spreading this across at least three or even four days if given a do-over, right? So, if you like a really full travel plate and getting to those places really quickly… that’s pretty cool, right? Otherwise, definitely pad things a bit.

Key Takeaways

Quick Escape: Two-day train tour from Casablanca to Tangier & Chefchaouen.
Travel: Tangier shows you cultural places that may leave you in awe.
Culture: Don’t leave Morocco without tasting authentic Moroccan food!
Be Ready: With these adventures, get ready for taxi drives and train transits in between stops.

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