Marrakesh Travel Forum

Hello! We hope to take the 9 PM night train from Tangier to Marrakesh and read that it can only be booked at the train station. We hope to arrive from Spain to Tangier around noon. Does anyone know if a sleeping car can be booked for the same day? If we pre-book a hotel in Marrakesh, I don't know if we will arrive in time otherwise...

Also, is it best / easiest to take the train from Fez to Tangier? Or is there a faster bus?

Looking at accommodations, I am debating between Hotel Islane,outside the Medina or Dar Marhaba or Hotel Sherazade both in the Medina. Any thoughts from anyone?
Thank you!

Hi, the night train they usually do say if you want a sleeping car you can only book it at the train station - I guess if you are set on getting one then theres the 50% chance you get one and that you dont! - my norm is travelling so I can see the countryside so for me I dont have that issue!
My thinking is that from Tangier there are lovely spots such as Asilah or Chefchouen to take opportunity of and then on down - its quite easy to get to Fes from Chefchouen. and Asilah is still on the train line on down through Casa where you change for the train to Marrakech.
there are early am buses from Fez to Marrakech arriving each day at 315 pm.

If you are in a hurry then I guess you better just get a train! - just hardly see anything from them....but yes the train is generally faster than buses - but the CTM buses - which are international quality buses - do go from Fez to Marrakech.
as for your question re tha hotels - each is fine and really only a few minutes from each other - Hotel Islane is only 2 minutes outside the main square/Djma Elfna - I recommend it in amongst my tips on Marrakech - and Hotel Sherazade is nicely popular and other VTers have it in amongst their recommended tips.
You would enjoy having a look at VTers travel pages with their tips and so on which is also a nice part of VT, not only info here in the forums.

Depending on what time of year you are travelling you should be able to book night sleeper tickets at noon the same day. June & August are the busiest months when sleeper tickets get sold out in advance. Take a petite taxi from the port to the train station, book your ticket and you will then have all day to explore Tangier. There are no luggage lockers at the station but you will find a couple of places near the port where you can leave your bags. There is one to the right on the hill as you leave the port. It is best to secure your bag with a good lock.
The Hotel Islane is well located and has very helpful staff. There is a roof top restaurant where breakfast is served. Perhaps you should enquire about the check in time, I think it is noon as with most hotels in Morocco.
Have a great trip...