The quick answer: the easiest way from Rabat to Casablanca is the train. They sit about 90 km apart on the Atlantic, and the Al Boraq high-speed service covers Rabat-Agdal to Casa-Voyageurs in roughly 50–60 minutes; cheaper conventional trains run to Casa-Port in about an hour, with frequent departures all day. Here is everything that matters — times, fares, which stations to use, and how to make a great day of it.
The quick comparison
| Option | Time | Indicative cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Boraq high-speed | ~50–60 min | ~69–119 MAD 2nd class | Speed and comfort; Rabat-Agdal ↔ Casa-Voyageurs |
| Conventional ONCF train | ~1h–1h 20 | ~35–75 MAD 2nd class | Budget; reaches central Casa-Port |
| Private car / day trip | ~1h–1h 15 drive | Fixed quote, per car | Families, groups, door-to-door, stops |
Fares are indicative and change with class and demand — confirm the current price on the official ONCF channels (oncf-voyages.ma or the ONCF app) before you travel.
Option 1: the Al Boraq high-speed train
Al Boraq is Africa's first high-speed line, running Tangier–Kénitra–Rabat–Casablanca. For the Rabat leg it departs from Rabat-Agdal and reaches Casa-Voyageurs in around 50–60 minutes, with several departures an hour through the day. Trains are modern, air-conditioned and have reserved seating. Second class typically runs about 69–119 MAD (roughly US$7–12) with dynamic pricing, so it pays to book ahead on oncf-voyages.ma or the ONCF app, especially at weekends and holidays. For the wider rail and tram picture, see our guide to getting around Rabat.
Option 2: the conventional ONCF train
The ordinary intercity trains are the workhorse of this route and perfectly good. They run from Rabat-Ville (central, near the medina) and Rabat-Agdal through to Casa-Port and Casa-Voyageurs in about 1 hour to 1 hour 20, with frequent departures. Second-class fares are in the region of 35–75 MAD (about US$4–8), and you can simply buy at the station window on the day. The big advantage is the destination: Casa-Port sits right by the old medina, the port and the downtown Art Deco quarter, so for a sightseeing day it drops you closer to the action than Casa-Voyageurs does.
Which stations to use
- Rabat-Agdal — the modern station and the city's Al Boraq high-speed stop, handy if you are staying in Agdal.
- Rabat-Ville — central, beside the Ville Nouvelle and a short walk from the medina and the Kasbah of the Udayas; served by conventional trains.
- Casa-Voyageurs — Casablanca's main hub and the Al Boraq terminus, about 3–4 km from the centre; a tram or petit taxi runs you in.
- Casa-Port — right by the old medina, the marina and downtown, and the best arrival point for a day of sightseeing.
Casablanca as a day trip from Rabat
With a one-hour train each way, Casablanca is one of the simplest day trips in Morocco. Leave after breakfast and you have a full day before the easy evening run home. The centrepiece is the Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic — one of the largest in the world, with a 210-metre minaret, and the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter. Guided interior tours run several times a day; the adult ticket is around 140 MAD (about US$14). Around it, add the seafront Corniche, the old medina, the Quartier Habous and the Art Deco downtown for a satisfying day.
If you would rather not juggle return trains and tour times, we run a fixed-price Casablanca & Hassan II Mosque day trip from Rabat, and have a dedicated page on planning the Hassan II Mosque day trip from Rabat. To weigh the two cities before you go, see our Rabat vs Casablanca comparison.
Driving, and continuing south
By road it is about an hour to an hour and a quarter on the A1/A3 motorway, but inside Casablanca the traffic and parking make self-driving more hassle than it is worth for a day visit. A private car or guided day trip earns its keep when you are a family or group, want door-to-door comfort, or want to thread the mosque, the Corniche and lunch together without clock-watching. A car is also the natural choice if you are heading on the same day to Marrakech, since that road runs through Casablanca anyway — see Rabat to Marrakech for that leg. Arriving instead from the airport? Our Casablanca airport to Rabat guide covers the reverse journey.
Frequently asked
How do I get from Rabat to Casablanca?
The train is by far the easiest way. The two cities are only about 90 km apart on the Atlantic coast and linked by Morocco's busiest rail corridor. The Al Boraq high-speed train runs Rabat-Agdal to Casa-Voyageurs in roughly 50–60 minutes, while conventional ONCF trains link Rabat-Ville and Rabat-Agdal with Casa-Port and Casa-Voyageurs in about 1 hour to 1 hour 20. Between the two services there are frequent departures all day. Driving is the alternative — about an hour to an hour and a quarter on the A1/A3 motorway — but for a city-to-city hop the train is faster, cheaper and stress-free.
How long does the train from Rabat to Casablanca take?
On the Al Boraq high-speed service, about 50–60 minutes from Rabat-Agdal to Casa-Voyageurs. On the conventional ONCF intercity trains the journey is a little longer, roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 20 depending on the service and the stops, but those have the advantage of running to Casa-Port, which is the handiest station if you are coming to sightsee. Both run frequently through the day, so you rarely wait long for a departure.
How much does the Rabat to Casablanca train cost?
It is inexpensive. Al Boraq high-speed fares are typically around 69–119 MAD in second class (roughly US$7–12) and a little more in first, with dynamic pricing that rises closer to departure on busy trains. The slower conventional trains are cheaper still — second class is in the region of 35–75 MAD (about US$4–8). Fares change with demand and class, so check the current price and, for Al Boraq, book ahead on the official ONCF channels (oncf-voyages.ma or the ONCF app). Conventional trains can simply be bought at the station window on the day.
Which station should I use in Rabat, and which in Casablanca?
In Rabat, Al Boraq high-speed trains use Rabat-Agdal, the modern station; conventional trains also call at the central Rabat-Ville, near the medina and Ville Nouvelle. Board at whichever is closer to your hotel. In Casablanca it matters more: Casa-Voyageurs is the main hub and the Al Boraq terminus, about 3–4 km from the centre; Casa-Port sits right by the old medina, the port and the downtown Art Deco district and is the best choice for a sightseeing day. If your train only goes to Casa-Voyageurs, a quick tram or petit taxi brings you into the centre.
Can I do Casablanca as a day trip from Rabat?
Yes — it is one of the easiest day trips in Morocco. With a one-hour train each way and frequent departures, you can leave Rabat after breakfast, spend the day in Casablanca and be back for dinner. The core of the day is the Hassan II Mosque, the only mosque in Morocco non-Muslims can enter, on a guided tour (several daily, ticket around 140 MAD for adults). Add the seafront Corniche, the old medina and the Art Deco centre, and a day is well filled. We also run it as a fixed-price guided day trip if you would rather not manage stations and tickets.
Is the Al Boraq high-speed train worth it over the ordinary train?
For this short hop, it is a matter of convenience rather than a huge time saving. Al Boraq is faster and very comfortable, getting you Rabat-Agdal to Casa-Voyageurs in under an hour, and it is the smart choice if a departure lines up with your plans. But the conventional trains are cheaper, run to Casa-Port (closer to the sights), and only take a little longer. Pick by which station and departure time suit you rather than agonising over the difference — on a 90 km journey, both are quick.
Should I take the train or hire a private car to Casablanca?
Take the train if you want the cheapest, simplest city-centre-to-city-centre trip — it avoids traffic, tolls and parking, which is real in a city the size of Casablanca. Choose a private car or guided day trip if you are travelling as a family or group, want door-to-door comfort, or want to weave together the Hassan II Mosque, the Corniche and lunch without watching the clock for return trains. A car also makes sense if you are continuing south the same day, since the road to Marrakech passes through Casablanca anyway.
Make the day effortless
The Hassan II Mosque and Casablanca, handled door to door.
Prefer not to manage stations and tour slots? Rabat Tours arranges a relaxed, fixed-price Casablanca day trip from your Rabat door — the mosque, the Corniche and a long lunch — or builds it into a wider Morocco itinerary so every leg is sorted before you arrive.
Plan your day trip