Casablanca Airport to Rabat: Train, Taxi or Rental Car (2026 Guide)
Landing at Mohammed V Airport and heading to Rabat? We compare the train, a grand taxi and a rental car on time, cost and luggage, so you can pick the right option before you fly.
You land at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN), and your hotel, your meeting or your family is in Rabat. There is no direct flight shortcut: you still have about 130 km to cover. There are three realistic ways to do it, and the right one depends on your luggage, your arrival time and what you plan to do after Rabat.
The short answer
- Train: the cheapest option if you travel light and land during the day. Expect one change in Casablanca and around two hours door to door.
- Grand taxi or private transfer: the simplest option for a late arrival or heavy luggage, and the most expensive one for a single trip.
- Rental car: the best value if you will keep moving after Rabat (Chefchaouen, Fes, the coast, business visits), and often the easiest option for families.
Option 1: the train
The airport has its own ONCF station directly under the terminal. Airport trains run to Casablanca, where you change for a train to Rabat (Rabat Agdal or Rabat Ville, depending on where you are staying).
- Time: plan on about two hours in total, including the wait and the change.
- Cost: the cheapest of the three options. Check the current fare and timetable in the ONCF app before you fly, because early morning and late evening departures are limited.
- Watch out for: carrying suitcases through a station change, and the last trains of the day if your flight is delayed.
Option 2: grand taxi or private transfer
Official taxis wait outside arrivals. For Rabat you need a grand taxi (the large white intercity taxis), not a city petit taxi. Agree the price before you get in and make sure it is for the whole car, not per seat.
- Time: about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by motorway, depending on traffic around Casablanca.
- Cost: the most expensive single journey. Prices are higher at night and prebooked transfers usually cost more than a taxi from the rank.
- Good for: arrivals after the last train, very heavy luggage, or when you will not need a car in Rabat.
Option 3: a rental car from the airport
The drive is simple: motorway almost all the way, well signposted, with tolls paid in cash or by card at the booths. You avoid the station change, you keep your luggage in the boot, and you already have a car for the rest of your trip.
- Time: about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Cost: the daily rental plus fuel and tolls. Over three days or more it usually costs less than taking taxis around Rabat and back.
- Good for: families, business travellers with several appointments, and anyone continuing to Chefchaouen, Fes, Asilah or the Atlantic coast.
| Train | Grand taxi / transfer | Rental car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door to door | About 2 h | About 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 | About 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 |
| Cost for one trip | Lowest | Highest | Medium, lower over several days |
| Luggage | Hard with a change | Easy | Easy |
| Late night arrival | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Useful after Rabat | No | No | Yes |
Driving from CMN to Rabat: what to expect
- Route: follow the motorway signs for Casablanca, then Rabat. Most of the trip is on toll motorway.
- Tolls: keep some dirhams handy; the booths also accept cards, but cash is the safest backup.
- Speed limits: 120 km/h on the motorway, and radar checks are frequent. Keep your licence and rental contract in the car.
- Traffic: the Casablanca ring road is the slow part at rush hour (roughly 8:00 to 9:30 and 17:00 to 19:30).
- In Rabat: parking is easier than in Casablanca. Many hotels have parking; in the centre, use paid car parks or supervised street parking.
How renting with Bandy's Cars works at the airport
Rabat is where most of our fleet is based, and we deliver cars to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport as well as to hotels and addresses in Rabat.
- 100% digital: you book online, and the contract is signed digitally at handover.
- Photos at pickup and return: the condition of the car is photographed with you, so there is no argument about scratches later.
- No credit card needed: you can pay with a debit card or in cash. See how renting without a credit card works.
- No deposit with Premium insurance on standard categories. Details on our no deposit page.
- Mostly automatic cars: useful if you are not used to a manual gearbox in city traffic.
Browse the cars available in Rabat and Casablanca, or see the full fleet.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Casablanca airport from Rabat?
About 130 km, which is roughly 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by car on the motorway.
Is there a direct train from Casablanca airport to Rabat?
In most cases you change trains in Casablanca. Check the ONCF app for the current timetable and connections on your travel day.
Can I pick up a rental car at Casablanca airport and return it in Rabat?
Yes, a different return location is possible. Choose "different return" when you book to see the fee before you pay.
Is it easy to drive from Casablanca airport to Rabat?
Yes. It is almost entirely motorway, clearly signposted in Arabic and French. The only busy section is around Casablanca at rush hour.
What do I need to rent a car at the airport?
Your passport or ID card, your driving licence, and a payment method (debit card, credit card or cash). Read our guide to driving in Morocco for the rules of the road.