Ferries to Morocco
Algeciras - Tanger Med
The busiest ferry route between Spain and Morocco - year-round with Baleària, FRS, Naviera Armas and AML
- Up to 30 daily departures - round the clock with four ferry operators
- Fastest Europe-Africa crossing at around 1.5 hours across the Strait of Gibraltar
- Cars, motorhomes and pets on board - entry with a green insurance card
Algeciras - Tanger Med
90 minutes across the Strait of Gibraltar
The Algeciras - Tanger Med route is the main artery between Europe and Africa - in around 1.5 hours you cross the Strait of Gibraltar from the port of Algeciras in southern Andalusia to Morocco's deep-water port of Tanger Med. Four ferry operators run the crossing year-round and around the clock - Baleària, FRS, Naviera Armas and AML - with up to 30 combined daily departures, so you can pick a sailing to suit your schedule.
On board you'll find seating areas, a bar-cafeteria with halal options, a shop and free wifi. Moroccan border police stamp your passport during the crossing itself. Tanger Med lies around 40 kilometres east of the city of Tangier and is connected to the motorway network - a convenient starting point for onward travel by car, bus or train.
- Crossing time
- approx. 1.5 hrs
- Ferry operator
- Baleària, FRS, Armas & AML
- Frequency
- up to 30x daily
- From price
- €10
- Balearia
- FRS Iberia
- Africa Morocco Link
- Naviera Armas
Next departures
Route guide
Algeciras - Tanger Med ferry at a glance
Everything about the busiest ferry route between Europe and Africa - getting to the port of Algeciras, check-in and border formalities, what to expect on board, entering with a vehicle including the green insurance card and customs declaration, and onward travel from Tanger Med.
Getting to Algeciras port
The port of Algeciras sits directly on the Strait of Gibraltar in southern Andalusia and is easy to reach via the motorway network; coming from Málaga or Jerez, follow the port signs to the terminal after crossing the river. If you're travelling without a car, Algeciras railway station is only around 800 metres from the port, with a taxi rank right at the exit. The nearest airports are Gibraltar (around 15 km), Jerez (around 100 km) and Málaga (around 120 km) - convenient arrival points if you're flying in. The port has two public parking areas, a covered one with the first hour free and an open-air one; outside the port, Aparcamiento del Carmen and Parking Verboom are also options.
Check-in and border control
You need a valid passport for the crossing - a national ID card is not accepted for Morocco. Your passport must still be valid for at least six months and undamaged on arrival; EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Passport and customs checks take place at the boarding gate, and how long they take can vary. The check-in deadline differs by operator: with FRS you should be at the port at least 90 minutes before departure, while with a vehicle and during peak season it's safer to allow two hours. Book only with a fixed date for your crossing - open tickets aren't accepted for entry at Tanger Med. If a minor is travelling without their parents or guardians, a signed consent letter is also recommended.
On board
On board the ships serving the route, such as FRS's Tanger Express or Naviera Armas's Volcán de Tamasite (capacity for 1,500 passengers and 300 vehicles), you'll find seating areas, a bar-cafeteria with snacks and halal options, an on-board or duty-free shop and free wifi. For the short daytime crossing of around 1.5 hours you won't need a cabin. Moroccan border police stamp your passport during the crossing itself, and you'll also fill in an entry card - do this early so you can disembark quickly at Tanger Med.
Vehicle, motorhome and pet
All four operators carry cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans; give the exact dimensions when booking, including any roof box or bike rack, as these affect the fare. To enter with your own vehicle you'll need the vehicle registration document, a valid driving licence and vehicle insurance that covers Morocco - typically a green card with the country code MA; if Morocco isn't included, you can take out border insurance on arrival. You declare the vehicle to customs with a temporary import declaration: fill in the D16ter online in advance via the Moroccan customs authority (douane.gov.ma), or the D16bis at the border counter instead; an import card is issued, which you show at any checks within the country. Details for campervans are covered in our motorhome guide. Pets are welcome with several operators and are registered when you book; what Morocco requires is summarised in our pet travel guide.
Arrival at Tanger Med and onward travel
The deep-water port of Tanger Med opened in 2007 and lies around 40 kilometres east of the city of Tangier, connected by motorway. After docking you disembark and pass through customs control before entering Morocco proper. Without your own car, you can reach Tangier city (Tanger Ville) by direct bus or by grand or petit taxi; eight trains a day also run between Tangier and Tanger Med, with a free shuttle connecting to them. If you're continuing by vehicle, the motorway gets you quickly to Tangier, Tétouan or onward towards Rabat and Casablanca. The port has two public car parks, one at the vehicle entrance (Gate 3) and one next to the ferry terminal (Gate 2).
Tickets and fares
This route is the main artery between Spain and Morocco: up to 30 daily departures are spread around the clock across Baleària, FRS, Naviera Armas and AML. The price depends on the operator, season and vehicle - as a foot passenger you pay considerably less than with a car, and spring and autumn are cheaper than summer. Rebooking is possible with some operators; with FRS, for example, up to 48 hours before departure via sales points, phone or WhatsApp. The booking window shows exact fares for your travel date, with an overview on the prices page.
FAQ Algeciras - Tanger Med
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Algeciras - Tanger Med ferry route
How long is the ferry from Algeciras to Tanger Med?+
Most operators cover the crossing in around 1 hour 30 minutes. With AML (Africa Morocco Link) the crossing can take up to 2 hours. The exact duration depends on the operator, the ship in service and weather conditions.
Which ferry operators run from Algeciras to Tanger Med, and how often?+
The route is served year-round by four operators - Baleària, FRS, Naviera Armas and AML (Africa Morocco Link). Between them they run up to 30 departures a day depending on the season, around the clock from early morning to midnight. Check the timetable for exact times on your travel date.
How much does the Algeciras to Tanger Med ferry cost?+
The price depends on the operator, season, vehicle type and how far ahead you book. As a foot passenger you pay considerably less than with a car, and summer is more expensive than spring or autumn. It pays to book early, since prices rise as sailings fill up. Current fares for your travel date show up in the booking window and are summarised on the prices page.
What documents do I need for the crossing to Morocco?+
You need a valid original passport - for every passenger, including children. A national ID card is not accepted for entry into Morocco, and your passport must still be valid for at least six months and undamaged on arrival. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
You fill in an entry card on board, and Moroccan border police stamp your passport during the crossing itself.
Can I bring my car or motorhome on the ferry?+
Yes, all four operators carry cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans. Give the exact dimensions of your vehicle when booking - roof boxes and bike racks count too, as they affect the price. For entry you'll need your vehicle registration document, driving licence and vehicle insurance that covers Morocco (a green card); you declare the vehicle to customs with a temporary import declaration. Details for campervans are covered in our motorhome guide.
How early should I arrive at the port before departure?+
It depends on the operator. With FRS you should be at the port at least 90 minutes before departure; with the other operators, and if you're travelling with a vehicle, allow closer to two hours. The port of Algeciras gets very busy during peak season, so it's worth building in extra time. Passport and customs checks also take place at the boarding gate.
Can I bring my pet on the ferry?+
Pets are allowed on board with several operators and must be registered when you book. For entry you'll need an EU pet passport (or equivalent documentation) with valid vaccination records. Check current entry requirements before you travel; our pet travel guide covers everything you need to know.