Frequently Asked Questions

Ferries to Morocco depart from Spain, France and Italy. The shortest crossings run via the Strait of Gibraltar: Algeciras - Tanger Med and Tarifa - Tangier get you to Morocco in around an hour. From Almería you can reach the north-east of the country with Almería - Nador and, via the exclave of Melilla, with Almería - Melilla. From the south of France, Marseille - Tanger Med and Sète - Tanger Med connect the mainland, and from Italy there is Genoa - Tanger Med. You will find all connections with times in the timetable.

Three countries offer car ferries to Morocco:

• Spain is the main departure point. From Algeciras, Tarifa, Almería, Málaga, Motril and Barcelona you can reach Tangier, Tanger Med and Nador, as well as the exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
• France connects Sète and Marseille with Tanger Med and Nador. These crossings are considerably longer and usually run as overnight ferries with cabins.
• Italy offers the longest connections to Tanger Med, departing from Genoa and Civitavecchia.

If you are travelling from further afield, you will typically combine your journey to southern Spain or southern France with one of these ferries.

Six ferry operators mainly serve the Morocco routes: AML (Africa Morocco Link), Baleària, FRS, GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci), La Méridionale and Naviera Armas. On the short crossings over the Strait of Gibraltar, several operators share the many daily departures, while the long Mediterranean connections from France and Italy are run by GNV and La Méridionale. You will find which operator serves your chosen route on the relevant route page.

Four ports in Morocco receive ferries from Europe: Tangier City (Tanger Ville) in the centre of Tangier, the modern deep-sea port of Tanger Med around 45 km east of the city, Nador (Beni Ensar port) in the north-east, and Al Hoceïma in the Rif region. Tangier City is within walking distance of the old town and is served by the fast ferry from Tarifa. Tanger Med is linked to the city by motorway and shuttle bus and is the main hub for most car and long-distance ferries.

That depends on your starting point and your destination in Morocco:

• Short on time, travelling by car: Algeciras - Tanger Med, with the most daily departures.
• Straight into central Tangier: the fast ferry Tarifa - Tangier, also suitable for foot passengers and day trips.
• Heading to the north-east (Rif, Nador): Almería - Nador or the overland route via Almería - Melilla.
• Avoiding a long drive through Spain: the overnight ferries from Marseille, Sète or Genoa to Tanger Med.

Crossing times range from around an hour to several days, depending on the route:

• Tarifa - Tangier and Algeciras - Tanger Med: about 1 to 1.5 hours across the Strait of Gibraltar.
• Algeciras - Ceuta: around 1 hour to the exclave, then onward overland across the border into Morocco.
• Almería - Nador and Almería - Melilla: around 5 to 9 hours across the Alboran Sea.
• Marseille and Sète to Tanger Med: around 39 to 42 hours.
• Genoa - Tanger Med: around 51 hours, the longest connection.

The quickest way across is the Strait of Gibraltar, where only around 14 kilometres separate Europe and Africa. The fast ferry Tarifa - Tangier takes about an hour and docks right in the centre of Tangier. Algeciras - Tanger Med is similarly quick and has the most departures per day. If you are travelling from further north and would rather avoid the long drive through Spain, one of the Mediterranean overnight ferries is an option, though you will spend one or two nights on board.

Yes. The long connections from France and Italy are multi-day ferries with cabins, so you can sleep through the crossing. On Marseille - Tanger Med, for example, La Méridionale offers family cabins, restaurants, cinemas and prayer rooms, since the journey takes almost two nights. Cabins and an on-board restaurant are also available on the medium-length routes from Almería to Nador and Melilla. On the short ferries across the Strait of Gibraltar, cabins are not needed.

This depends heavily on the route. Algeciras - Tanger Med has up to 22 crossings a day in high season, Algeciras - Ceuta up to 15 in summer, and Tarifa - Tangier around 8 to 12 daily departures. The long connections from France and Italy run less often, sometimes only once or a few times a week, and often only seasonally. You will find the exact times for your travel date in the timetable.

In the timetable you set your date and your departure and destination port to see all of that day's departures with the operator and crossing time. You can book any connection directly from its route page. The confirmed price for your date and vehicle is shown to you in the booking window.

Arrive at the port earlier rather than later, especially in high season and if you are travelling with a vehicle. The confirmed check-in time depends on the operator and the port, and is stated in your booking confirmation as well as on the relevant route page. Allow enough buffer time on the busy routes across the Strait of Gibraltar, as queues at the terminal can build up on peak days.

Whether and on what terms you can cancel or change your booking depends on the fare you booked, not the route. Cheap saver fares are usually non-refundable and only changeable to a limited extent, while flexible fares can be adjusted right up until shortly before departure. The earlier you make a change, the lower any fees are likely to be. The binding terms are set out in your booking documents.

Yes, all Morocco routes are served by car ferries. Cars, motorhomes, caravans and motorcycles travel on board, making these connections ideal if you are travelling with your own vehicle. The vehicle price depends on its length, and a trailer or roof box can easily push you into the next category, so give accurate measurements when you book. On the long Mediterranean ferries, you will also need to book a cabin alongside your vehicle. Everything on customs and insurance is covered in our guide Travelling to Morocco by Motorhome.

Pets are generally allowed on ferries to Morocco, though the exact rules vary by operator and ship. Register your pet when you book and check whether it will be accommodated in a pet cabin, a dedicated area or in your vehicle. Entry into Morocco is subject to its own veterinary requirements, which you should check in advance with the official Moroccan authorities. Everything on vaccinations, titre tests and on-board arrangements is covered in our guide Travelling to Morocco with a Dog.

The facilities on board grow with the length of the crossing. On the short ferries across the Strait of Gibraltar you will find seating areas, a café and a shop. On the medium and long routes you can expect cabins, restaurants and further amenities: the ship on Almería - Melilla, for example, offers cabins, restaurants with halal options and a pool, while the Marseille - Tanger Med ferry has family cabins, restaurants, cinemas and prayer rooms for the almost two-day journey.

Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on many connections. This is especially popular on Tarifa - Tangier, since the fast ferry docks right in the centre of Tangier and suits a day trip well. Before you travel, check your operator's terminal information, as foot passengers often check in at a different location and at different times than vehicles.

Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish exclaves on the North African coast with a land border to Morocco. If you travel with Algeciras - Ceuta or Almería - Melilla, you first arrive on Spanish soil and then cross the border into Morocco overland, with customs and passport checks. From Melilla it is only around 15 kilometres to Nador. Many travellers find this route attractive as a way of bypassing the ports of Tangier.

Morocco is not part of the EU or the Schengen area. To enter, you need a valid passport, including for children travelling with you. If you are entering with your own vehicle or with a pet, further documents are required. Because entry and customs regulations can change, check the current rules before you travel with the official Moroccan authorities and your home country's foreign ministry, not just at the terminal.

Ferries to Morocco run all year round, but frequency varies considerably with the season. In summer, especially from June to September, crossings are most frequent, but also busiest and most expensive, particularly during the peak return-home period for Moroccans living abroad. Some connections from Motril, Marseille and Sète to Nador or Al Hoceïma run mainly in summer and pause over winter. If you are flexible, spring and autumn offer quieter crossings.