Are you thinking of embarking on a road trip that spans the European and African continents? Are you wondering if it is actually possible to drive from Spain to Morocco? Then this blog post is for you!
Take the ferry from Spain to Morocco on your next adventure! Boarding the ferry to Morocco, you’ll find yourself stepping into an entirely different world in no time. In this blog, we’ll guide you through preparing for your crossing to Morocco, where to find the most affordable boat tickets, and other practical tips.
The Ferry as a Day Trip to Tangier
Have you ever considered taking a day trip to Africa? If you’re traveling through southern Spain, it’s a feasible option! Morocco lies just across the southernmost tip of Spain. The Spanish city of Tarifa, positioned just west of Gibraltar, is one of the country’s southernmost points and sits directly across from Morocco. From the coast, Africa is distinctly visible. Tarifa serves as the perfect embarkation point for a pedestrian ferry to the port city of Tangier, offering a brief but enchanting visit to Morocco.
Both the ports of Tarifa and Tangier are located right in the heart of their respective cities, meaning you’re plunged into the bustling city life upon arrival in Morocco. The journey across is surprisingly short, taking only about an hour, making a day trip to Tangier not only possible but highly recommended. However, if you wish to delve deeper into the city’s wonders, consider booking a hotel for one or two nights to fully explore.
Remember that a valid passport is required for this crossing, with at least six months of validity from the date of entry. It’s also worth noting that there is border control upon arrival in Tangier, which could introduce some waiting time.
Taking Your Car or Camper on the Ferry to Morocco
Our journey to Morocco was quite the adventure, as we decided to take our camper on the ferry and spent a month and a half exploring. This trip required a bit more planning than just a day trip.
Exploring Ferry Routes to Morocco
There are several ferry services to Morocco, but the most popular one runs from Algeciras to Tanger Med. Close to the southern edge of Spain and not far from Gibraltar, Algeciras serves as a convenient starting point. Tanger Med, located about 30 kilometers from the city of Tangier, is a major port that welcomes travelers. This route stands out for being quick, frequent, and budget-friendly.
Though we settled on this option quickly, it’s worth noting there are other paths you can take. Ferries also sail from various ports in Spain and even France. For those looking to save on the long drive down to Spain (and the gas that goes with it), these alternatives might be appealing. Departures from Málaga, Motril, Almería, Barcelona, and even Marseille in France are available, with destinations including Ceuta and Melilla, as well as Nador in Morocco.
However, we found these alternatives less attractive. The higher ticket costs didn’t seem worth the potential fuel savings. Additionally, these routes take significantly longer. From Barcelona, expect a 24 to 32-hour journey, and from Marseille, up to 44 hours. Unlike the Algeciras-Tanger Med route, which runs several times a day, these options are less frequent.
How to Book Your Ferry Ticket
Turns out, securing your ferry ride to Morocco is easier than pie. Right near Algeciras’s departure port, there’s a go-to spot for this.
You might read tips urging you to book way in advance to snag a spot on the boat and possibly get cheaper tickets. We think there’s a better way. This common advice often serves to guide readers through affiliate links to ferry websites, which means someone else gets a slice of your payment. But there’s a savvier option.
For the best deals, head straight to Carlos at Viajes Normandie. He’s a legend among the camper community for crossing to Morocco. You’ll find his office a stone’s throw from the Algeciras port (check Google Maps), and it’s always buzzing. We snagged our return crossing for a cool €320 (covering our camper, two adults, and two kiddos), a steal compared to every online offer we stumbled upon. Plus, you can often hop on the ferry the same day if you’re feeling spontaneous.
We chose an open ticket, giving us the freedom to pick our crossing times on the fly. Our ticket was good for a year. While most online tickets are for fixed dates, it’s worth checking if open tickets are available for those preferring to book online.
Preparing for the Crossing
Once your ticket’s in hand, it’s time to prep. With an open ticket, you’ll still need to decide when to sail. We suggest aiming for a morning departure. Time in Spain and Morocco tends to be a bit… elastic. Expect delays to dodge disappointment. We faced a 6-hour wait going there and a shorter 2-hour delay on the return.
Stocking up on supplies is also smart, as supermarkets in Morocco are few and far between. They also tend to be much more expensive than you’d expect from a country like Morocco. The markets are your go-to for fresh goods like bread and veggies. Near Viajes Normandie, you’ll find plenty of supermarkets, including a big Lidl, perfect for pre-trip provisioning.
Make sure your vehicle is ready for the adventure, too. We gave our camper a thorough check-up and tune-up at a garage in Spain before setting off. Double-check your tires, oil, and coolant, and pack spare parts, like extra tires and bulbs. Morocco can get hot, even in winter, so giving your air conditioning system a once-over is a wise move.
Interestingly, some campers prefer to wait until they’re in Morocco for repairs, thanks to lower prices there. The area around Tafraout, a popular spot for camper hibernation, is dotted with helpful garages.
Lastly, a quick word on insurance: check if your travel and vehicle insurance cover Morocco. Since it’s just across the Mediterranean, many European policies do include it. For your vehicle, the green card is your proof of insurance and must be shown in paper form during checks in Morocco. Given the frequency of police checkpoints, having a printed copy on hand is a good idea.
If you’re Morocco-bound in your camper, like we were, here are two great spots in Algeciras for wild camping the night before you sail off, complete with Park4Night links: #158479 of #46770.
During The Crossing
The ferry crossing from Algeciras to Morocco is quick, but it’s smart to prep a little before you board. Remember, once the ferry sets sail, you can’t pop back to your car or camper, so pack what you need before leaving your vehicle.
So, what should you pack? First up, don’t forget your passport and a pen. Why the pen? Well, you’ll be filling out a form to get your Morocco entry stamp right there on the ferry. This form asks for some basics about you and why you’re visiting. Once filled out, you show it with your passport to the onboard police for that all-important stamp. And yep, everyone needs to show their own passport — we even had our little ones say a quick hello to the officer for their stamps.
This stamp isn’t a visa, though. Most Europeans visiting Morocco for a holiday don’t need to worry about getting a visa. You can stay for up to 90 days without one. Although people often call it a ‘free three-month visa’, it’s actually a period that allows you to travel and stay in Morocco without needing a visa.
Also, bring along some snacks and drinks. There’s food and drink for sale on the ferry, but it’s usually a bit expensive, and the choices aren’t that great. Even though the trip to and from Algeciras is usually about an hour, sometimes things don’t go as planned. For example, our ferry was delayed, and then we had to wait hours at sea because there was no space at Tanger Med port. Plus, it was a really stormy day. Luckily, the ferry is well-stocked with seasickness bags if you need them.
Arriving in Morocco
Once you land in Morocco and drive off the ferry, you’ll first go through passport control. This was done right at the exit ramp for us by officials who you might not immediately think are police or customs officers.
Be ready for a few more steps after that, so keep this in mind when planning your arrival. You can’t just drive straight into Morocco. Your vehicle might need to go through a big scanner. Everyone has to get out of their vehicle for this, and then a huge scanning machine checks each vehicle.
Then, you need to get a special document for your vehicle. Customs uses your license plate and passport to register your vehicle and give you a ‘carte grise’. This document is super important because it shows your vehicle is legally in the country. You might need to show this document if you’re stopped for a check during your stay.
Keep in mind, your vehicle can only be in Morocco for up to six months within any year.
Thinking about where to head first in Morocco? Tangier is an easy pick, but if you drive a little south, the lovely town of Asilah is worth a visit. Or, if you head east, you can explore Chefchaouen, the famous blue city.
