Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stops
Most bus trips longer than three hours incorporate a scheduled stop to stretch your legs and grab a
snack. Buses are often delayed at police checkpoints for about 10 minutes - longer than grands taxis, whose
local drivers usually know the police.
Bus Operators
CTM
With the most comprehensive nationwide network,
CTM
(
www.ctm.ma
) serves most destinations of interest
to travellers. Established in 1919, it's Morocco's oldest bus company.
»
On CTM buses, children aged four years and over pay full fares, which tend to be 15% to 30% more ex-
pensive than most other lines - comparable to 2nd-class fares on normal trains.
»
Tickets can normally be purchased in advance; check departures with the online timetable.
»
Most CTM buses are modern and comfortable, and some 1st-class buses have videos (a mixed blessing),
air-conditioning and heating (they sometimes overdo both).
»
There is an official Dh5-per-pack baggage charge on CTM buses.
»
Once you have bought your ticket, you get a baggage tag, which you hand over when you've reached your
destination.
SUPRATOURS
The ONCF train company runs
Supratours
(
www.oncf.ma
)
to complement its rail network. For example,
train passengers continuing south from Marrakesh link up at the station with buses to destinations including
Agadir and Ouarzazate.
»
It's possible, at train ticket offices, to buy a ticket covering a complete trip with both rail and bus compon-
ents.
»
On trains, travellers with tickets for connecting buses have priority.
»
Supratours is similar to CTM in terms of both its fares and the comfort of its buses. Check departures with
the online timetable.
OTHER COMPANIES
In the south of the country, Satas and SAT are good second-tier choices, as is Trans Ghazala in the north.
At the bottom end of the price range, and on shorter routes, there are a fair number of two-bit operations
with one or two well-worn buses. These services depart sufficiently full, and frequently stop to recruit more
passengers.
