Today, many airlines fly into Morocco’s airports making it quite easy to visit. But there is a more adventurous way to arrive in Morocco – by ferry boat! Traveling to Morocco by ferry also offers a multitude of advantages: you have fewer baggage restrictions; you can bring your car along to explore Morocco on your own; and you get a unique scenic view while crossing the busy strait of Gibraltar.
If you’re thinking of traveling to Morocco by ferry boat, grab your notebook, pen and a map of the country (here, well lend you our hand-drawn Morocco map). Here are all the details on the ferry boats that can take you to Morocco’s shores.
Morocco Ports and Nearby Cities
Morocco’s northern coast is filled with port cities. Most ferries, though, will drop you off at Tangier, Tangier Med (30km from Tangier), or Nador. Although not technically part of Moroccan territory, many ferries that arrive in Ceuta and Melilla (Spanish enclaves on the North African coast) are also handy for those looking to get into Morocco.
From Tangier, Tangier Med, and Ceuta, you will be able to reach nearby cities quickly and easily to start exploring Morocco. By car, Tetouan is about 1 hour and a half away, the picturesque blue-walled town of Chefchaouen is a little over 2 hours away, and you can reach the country’s capital city in less than 3 hours. On a longer trip, you can drive straight to Casablanca (4h), Fez (4h30), or Meknes (4h). Nador and Melilla are located further East, so it will take you a bit longer to drive to some of these cities.
If you’re not thinking of bringing your car, you can catch one of Morocco’s many intercity buses and trains as you step off the ferry boat in Nador and Tangier. If you arrive in Ceuta, take a taxi to nearby Tetouan or Tangier. From Melilla, you’ll want to head to Nador first. Find more information on Morocco’s buses here and on its trains here.
Main Ferry Routes to Morocco
Every day ferries arrive in Morocco from three different countries: Spain, France and Italy. Depending on your travel style, where you are in Europe, and where you want to arrive in Morocco, you’ll want to book yourself a particular ferry route. Whatever route you choose, it’s always advisable to book your ticket in advance especially if you’re thinking of bringing your car on the ferry or if you’re traveling in the off-season (September to May). In the summer months, ferries run more frequently making it easier to book a ticket on the spot.
Below, we give you all the details on the most commonly used ferry routes to get from these European countries to Morocco.
Main Ferry Routes (Spain)
Out of the three countries that link to Morocco by ferry boat, Spain is the one that is geographically closest and thus the one that runs ferry rides most frequently. Ferry boats from Spain depart from Tarifa, Gibraltar, Algeciras, Barcelona, Malaga, and Almeria. But ferry companies, prices and routes can vary greatly. So which one should you book?
Tarifa to Tangier Ville remains the best route for travelers heading straight into Tangier city center — it’s the shortest crossing and lands you within walking distance of the medina. FRS — bought by DFDS in 2023 and now operating under the DFDS brand — retired its 25-year run on this crossing in May 2025; Balearia and Africa Morocco Link (AML) have stepped in and keep it well-served, with around 10-14 sailings daily between them. Algeciras–Tangier Med is the better pick if you’re driving and want maximum departure frequency, but Tangier Med is a commercial port about 30-45 minutes outside the city, so factor in that extra transfer. Below you can find a collection of other popular ferry routes departing from Spain.
Tarifa to Tangier
- Length of trip: 1 hour
- Number of ferries: 10-14 daily (was 13, now run by Balearia and AML rather than FRS)
- Ferry companies: Balearia, AML
- Average price: €30–€50 foot passenger; €140+ with a car
Algeciras to Tangier Med
- Length of trip: roughly 1.5 hours (varies 1h20–2h30 by operator)
- Number of ferries: 15+ daily
- Ferry companies: DFDS, Balearia, Naviera Armas, AML
- Average price: €40–€150 (foot passenger to standard car fare)
Algeciras to Ceuta
- Length of trip: 1 hour
- Number of ferries: roughly 15–19 daily (was 21)
- Ferry companies: Balearia, DFDS, Naviera Armas (Trasmediterranea has largely been replaced by Naviera Armas on this route)
- Average price: €38–€150+ (wide range depending on season/vehicle)
Malaga to Melilla
- Length of trip: roughly 6 hours (was listed as 4)
- Number of ferries: roughly 1 daily / 7–10 weekly (was 8 weekly)
- Ferry companies: Balearia (sometimes Naviera Armas) — Trasmediterranea no longer the operator
- Average price: €53–€91 foot passenger (was €160–€260)
Almeria to Nador
- Length of trip: 6–9 hours depending on operator (was 4 hours)
- Number of ferries: roughly 7–14 weekly depending on season
- Ferry companies: Balearia, Naviera Armas — Trasmediterranea has been phased out on this route
- Average price: €70–€90 base fare (was €160–€260)
Barcelona to Tangier Med
- Length of trip: 28–36 hours
- Number of ferries: roughly 2–5 weekly
- Ferry companies: Grandi Navi Veloci
- Average price: from around €90, rising well above €280 for cabins/cars in high season
| Route | Length of Trip | No. of Ferries | Ferry Companies | Average Price |
| Tarifa-Tangier | 1h | 10–14 daily | Balearia, AML | €30–€50 |
| Algeciras-Ceuta | 1h | 15–19 daily | Balearia, DFDS, Naviera Armas | €38–€150 |
| Malaga-Melilla | 6h | 1 daily / 7–10 weekly | Balearia | €53–€91 |
| Algeciras–Tangier Med | 1.5h | 15+ daily | DFDS, Balearia, Naviera Armas, AML | €40–€150 |
| Almeria-Nador | 6h–9h | 7–14 weekly | Balearia, Naviera Armas | €70–€90 |
| Barcelona-Tangier Med | 28h–36h | 2–5 weekly | Grandi Navi Veloci | from €90 |
Main Ferry Routes (France)
If departing from Spain isn’t handy for you, you can also start your journey to Morocco in France. Grandi Navi Veloci runs ferries from Sete (near Marseille), now with up to 4 weekly departures in high season (down to roughly 1 every 4 days off-season). If you enjoy spending time at sea and have a couple of days to spare, these ferries are a good option. They will drop you off in either Tangier Med or Nador.
Sete to Tangier Med
- Length of trip: 35–48 hours (varies by source/season)
- Number of ferries: up to 4 weekly in high season
- Ferry companies: Grandi Navi Veloci
- Average price: from around €90, up to €300+ for cabins (was €400–€800)
Sete to Nador
- Length of trip: 24–29 hours
- Number of ferries: up to 4 weekly in high season
- Ferry companies: Grandi Navi Veloci
- Average price: from around €90 (was €340–€820)
| Route | Length of Trip | No. of Ferries | Ferry Companies | Average Price |
| Sete-Tangier Med | 35h–48h | up to 4 weekly | Grandi Navi Veloci | from €90 (up to €300+ for cabins) |
| Sete-Nador | 24h–29h | up to 4 weekly | Grandi Navi Veloci | from €90 |
Main Ferry Routes (Italy)
Yet another option for those who love to navigate the Mediterranean Sea are the ferries from Italy to Morocco. With the journey taking anywhere between two to three days, you can depart from Genoa or, in summer only, Civitavecchia (near Rome) — direct Livorno–Tangier service appears to have been discontinued or significantly reduced, and Civitavecchia has taken over as the seasonal Italy–Morocco link.
Genoa to Tangier Med
- Length of trip: 48–54 hours
- Number of ferries: 2–3 weekly
- Ferry companies: Grandi Navi Veloci
- Average price: from around €89, rising toward €500+ for cabins/cars in peak season (was €470–€960)
Civitavecchia (Rome) to Tangier Med
- Length of trip: roughly 53–55 hours
- Number of ferries: 1 weekly, summer only (June–August)
- Ferry companies: Grandi Navi Veloci
- Average price: from around €110
| Route | Length of Trip | No. of Ferries | Ferry Companies | Average Price |
| Genoa-Tangier Med | 48h–54h | 2–3 weekly | Grandi Navi Veloci | from €89 (up to €500+ peak season) |
| Civitavecchia–Tangier Med | 53h–55h | 1 weekly, summer only (Jun–Aug) | Grandi Navi Veloci | from €110 |
What to Expect when taking a ferry to Morocco
The comfort of being able to take your own car to explore in Morocco and not have to worry about the typical airplane baggage restrictions is one of the main perks of traveling by ferry boat. But not everything is as easy as it seems. While the most frequent ferry routes from Spain offer a great alternative to flying into the country, not all ferries are created equally. And not everyone will enjoy the ride.
Long hours (or days) at sea and limited onboard amenities can sometimes prevent people from enjoying the journey. Despite set schedules, ferry boats are not always timely which can be a problem for those needing to catch further transportation after disembarking. The prices for some journeys can also skyrocket, especially during the summer months, making air travel a more viable option for budget travelers.
In the end, it all comes down to your travel style and preference. If you’re particularly keen on taking your car to explore Morocco on a self-driven road trip but you’re not interested in wasting too much time, we advise you to depart from Tarifa for the most direct route into Tangier, or Algeciras if you’re driving and prioritize sailing frequency over a short port transfer. Sea lovers will enjoy the longer trips from Barcelona, France and Italy.
Plan Your Trip to Morocco
If you’re preparing for your trip, choosing your ferry route is just one part of getting there.
Explore more guides:
Knowing what’s waiting once you dock makes the rest of the trip a lot smoother.
FAQ: Ferry Travel to Morocco
Do I need a visa to enter Morocco by ferry? Most Western travelers (including US, UK, and EU passport holders) don’t need a visa for stays under 90 days, regardless of whether you arrive by air or ferry. Check requirements for your specific nationality before booking.
Can I bring my own car into Morocco on the ferry? Yes, most operators on these routes accommodate vehicles. You’ll need your registration, insurance, and a valid driving license.
Should I land at Tangier Ville or Tangier Med? Tangier Ville drops you in the city itself, within walking distance of the medina. Tangier Med is a commercial port roughly 30-45 minutes outside the city, better suited to drivers prioritizing departure frequency over a short transfer.
How early should I arrive at the port before departure? Most operators recommend arriving 1-2 hours before sailing, more if you’re traveling with a vehicle during peak summer months when ports get congested.
Disclaimer: These routes are accurate as of time of publishing (June 2026). Please double check with the providers before departing to verify it is still accurate. Prices listed are approximate ranges pulled from multiple booking aggregators and can vary significantly by season, booking window, and whether a vehicle is included — always confirm directly with the ferry operator.
About the Author
Written by Morocco expert, award-winning author and photographer Lucas Peters. After spending years driving in a combination of rental cars and an old Honda CRV to the distant corners of Morocco, he pens the popular Moon Morocco. He lives in Morocco with his family… and these day drives a 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4XE plug-in electric, to and from Europe and all around Morocco.
