The Al Boraq high-speed train is Africa’s first high-speed rail service, linking Tangier and Casablanca via Kenitra and Rabat. It opened on 15 November 2018 and has become the fastest way to travel along Morocco’s Atlantic corridor.
For visitors and Moroccans living abroad, it turns many day trips into easy rail journeys. This guide explains the route, the stops, the trains and what to expect on board.
Al Boraq route and stations
The line covers about 323 km between Tangier and Casablanca. The first 186 km, from Tangier to Kenitra, were built as a dedicated high-speed track where trains can reach 320 km/h. From Kenitra to Casablanca, trains run on an upgraded conventional line that was rated at 160 km/h at launch, with a planned upgrade to 220 km/h.
Main stations on the route:
- Tanger-Ville: the northern terminus, close to the port and the old town.
- Kenitra: the junction where the dedicated high-speed section ends.
- Rabat-Agdal: the main station for the capital.
- Casa-Voyageurs: the central station in Casablanca.
Journey times and the trains
At launch, the trip from Tangier to Casablanca fell from 4 hours 45 minutes to about 2 hours 10 minutes. Once the dedicated high-speed track is extended to Casablanca, the journey is expected to drop to around 1 hour 30 minutes. On the dedicated section alone, Tangier to Kenitra takes roughly 45 minutes.
The service uses Alstom Euroduplex double-deck trainsets. Twelve sets are in service, each carrying 533 passengers in first and second class, with a catering coach. Another 18 Avelia Horizon sets are on order, with deliveries due to start in 2027.
Ridership has grown steadily, from about 3 million passengers in 2019 to around 5.5 million in 2024, according to published figures.
Travel tips for riding Al Boraq
- Book ahead: tickets for popular departures, especially on Fridays, Sundays and holidays, can sell out. Check fares and seats on the official ONCF website or app, as prices change.
- Arrive early: allow time at the station for security checks and finding your platform.
- Pick your class: second class is comfortable for a two-hour trip, while first class offers more space.
- Plan the day: from Casablanca or Rabat, Tangier is a realistic one-day trip. See our one day in Tangier itinerary and one day in Rabat guide.
- Other ideas: our guide to day trips from Casablanca shows what else is reachable by train.
What comes next: the Marrakech extension
The next stage is a 430 km high-speed line from Kenitra to Marrakech, with a cost estimated at about MAD 53 billion and a design speed of up to 350 km/h, although trains are expected to run at 320 km/h. The project includes a 3.3 km tunnel in Rabat. Once complete, Tangier to Marrakech is expected to take about 2 hours 40 minutes. Planning also covers a further Marrakech to Agadir line, which we explain in our report on the high-speed rail link to Agadir.
Opening dates quoted for the Marrakech extension vary between 2029 and 2030, so treat them as targets rather than fixed dates.
Al Boraq FAQ
How fast is the Al Boraq train?
It can reach 320 km/h on the dedicated Tangier to Kenitra line. South of Kenitra it runs at lower speeds on the conventional line.
How long does Tangier to Casablanca take by Al Boraq?
About 2 hours 10 minutes at launch, with a target of around 1 hour 30 minutes after future upgrades.
Does Al Boraq go to Marrakech?
Not yet. A dedicated high-speed line from Kenitra to Marrakech is under development.
Sources: Wikipedia: Al Boraq; Wikipedia: High-speed rail in Morocco.
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