Morocco - West Africa - page 604

All long-distance trains depart from Casa-Voyageurs train station ( 0522 243818) . Destinations
include Marrakesh (Dh90, three hours), Fez (Dh110, 4½ hours) via Meknès (Dh90, 3½
hours), and Tangier (Dh125, 5¾ hours). Casa Port station (

0522 223011) has commuter ser-

vices to Rabat (Dh35, one hour).
There are two bus stations - the CTM bus station OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (
0522 541010; 23 Rue Léon L'Africain) and the Gare Routière Ouled Ziane ( 0522 444470) , 4km

southeast of the centre.
CTM services from Casablanca include:
Essaouira (Dh145, seven hours, two daily)
Fez (Dh100, five hours, 10 daily)
Marrakesh (Dh90, four hours, nine daily)
Meknès (Dh90, four hours, 11 daily)
Rabat (Dh35, one hour, hourly)
Tangier (Dh145, six hours, six daily)

Getting Around

Trains run hourly from 6am to midnight from Casa Voyageurs to Blvd Mohammed V in-
ternational airport (Dh35, 35 minutes); a grand taxi between the airport and the city centre
will cost you Dh250.
Casablanca's red petits taxis are notorious for arguing about using their meters. Trams
run by the city's new Tramway ( www.casatramway.ma ) network were due to start in 2013; stops
will include Casa Voyageurs, along Blvd Mohammed V and out towards Aïn Diab.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Essaouira
POP 70,000
The port town of Essaouira has long been a favourite of the travellers trail: laid-back and
artsy, with sea breezes and picture-postcard ramparts. Although it can appear swamped
with visitors in summer, once the day-trippers get back on the buses there's more than
enough space to sigh deeply and just soak up the atmosphere.

Sights & Activities