Morocco - West Africa - page 621

Meknès (Dh25, 1½ hours, six daily)
Rabat (Dh70, 3½ hours, seven daily)
Tangier (Dh115, six hours, three daily)
Tetouan (Dh100, five hours, two daily)
TAXI
There are several grand taxi ranks dotted around town. Taxis for Meknès (Dh20) and
Rabat (Dh60) leave from in front of the main bus station (outside Bab el-Mahrouk) and
from near the train station.
TRAIN
The train station ( 0535 930333) is in the Ville Nouvelle. Trains depart every two hours to
Casablanca (Dh110, 4½ hours), via Rabat (Dh80, 3½ hours) and Meknès (Dh20, one
hour); there are also services to Marrakesh (Dh195, eight hours) and Tangier (Dh105, five
hours).
Getting Around
Drivers of the red petits taxis generally use their meters without any fuss. Expect to pay
about Dh9 from the train or CTM stations to Bab Bou Jeloud.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Meknès
POP 690,000
Morocco's third imperial city is often overlooked by tourists, but Meknès
OFFLINE MAP is worth getting to know. Quieter and smaller than nearby Fez, it's
more laid-back and less hassle, but still awash with the winding, narrow medina streets
and grand buildings befitting a one-time capital of the sultanate.
Meknès is also the ideal base from which to explore the Roman ruins at Volubilis and
the hilltop holy town of Moulay Idriss, two of the country's most significant historical
sites.
Sights
The heart of Meknès' medina lies to the north of the main square, Place el-Hedim, with
the mellah to the west. To the south, Moulay Ismail's imperial city opens up through one
of the most impressive monumental gateways in all of Morocco, Bab el-Mansour