Province de Tanger Travel Forum

I am going to Spain, and I would like to spend two or three days in Morocco. How difficult is it to catch a ferry from Tarifa or Algeciras to Tanger? I mean, without previous reservations. Are there many lines making the crossing? Are there many departures and arrivals?
I heard that at times it can be a "bottleneck", is that true?
Thanks!!

if you are a foot passenger then you will have no problems getting on the ferries any time.
it's only if you bring a car that reservations are a good idea.

Yes, our VT brother is right, no hassle at all if you board as you are, but I would still try to obtain a ticket ahead of time - get to Algeciras or Tarifa early enough. If you can catch the overnight ferry to Tangier, is one that is quite a serene journey.

Caught ferries quite a number of times - never prebooked(well once i did i guess - bought at the train station at Algeciras and walked up to the ferry terminal and then found that the ticket was not for any ferry as id asked and he told me but only for the company it pertained to and i therefore had to sit and wait while other ferries left before 'mine' - reckon that creates more stress and strife!- so from my experience its best to buy when you get there and buy a ticket for the next ferry leaving - but you have to ask the various booths at the terminal ticket office for which is going first - or watch the departure schedule board closely for a while.

Saw a number of travellers upset about their ticket not being the or one of the first boats leaving.
never saw any bottleneck.

i found it easier to catch a ferry to Tangier from Algeciras and then when coming back the fast ferry to Tarifa from Tangier is excellent, faster, and slightly cheaper.
Tarifa has quite a nice market, and castle to explore.

unless you must catch a specific ferry time - then no, no pre-booking necessary. Even with car. Algeciras would be my advise.

It should be OK. At this time of the year, you do not even need to reserve in advance. I usually take a ferry boat from Tangier to Spain and vice-versa during summer time. Still, I never made a reservation. They are plenty of ferries on each other hour.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip to Tangier.