Meknes Train: Train Station, Routes, Tickets & Travel Guide

Traveling by train from Meknes is one of the easiest ways to explore Morocco’s imperial cities and connect with major destinations such as Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, and Marrakech.

Meknes is served by Morocco’s conventional ONCF Al Atlas railway network. Although the city is not directly served by the Al Boraq high-speed line, travelers can connect to the high-speed network at Kenitra or continue through Casablanca depending on their itinerary.

Meknes Train at a Glance

Main station: Meknès Train Station
Operator: ONCF
High-speed service: No direct Al Boraq service
Main destinations: Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Oujda
Conventional service: Al Atlas
Best for: Imperial-city trips, Fes connections, Casablanca travel and longer Morocco itineraries

Meknes is located on an important railway corridor between Rabat, Fes and eastern Morocco, making it a useful stop for travelers exploring Morocco by train.

Meknes Train Station

Meknès Train Station is the principal railway station serving the city.

The station is located on Avenue de la Gare and provides access to ONCF’s conventional train network.

It is particularly useful for travelers visiting Meknes and nearby attractions such as:

• Meknes Medina
• Bab Mansour
• Place El Hedim
• Heri es-Souani
• Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
• The Royal Stables

The station also provides connections toward Fes, Rabat, Casablanca and other destinations.

Meknes to Fes by Train

The Meknes–Fes train is one of the most useful short-distance rail journeys in northern Morocco.

The two cities are connected by conventional ONCF trains, making it easy to visit both during the same itinerary.

A popular itinerary is:

Rabat → Meknes → Fes

Fes is only a relatively short journey from Meknes, so the train is a practical option for travelers who want to explore both imperial cities without renting a car.

In Fes, you can visit:

• Fes el-Bali
• Al Quaraouiyine
• Bou Inania Madrasa
• Chouara Tannery
• Nejjarine Museum
• Traditional souks

Meknes to Rabat by Train

Traveling from Meknes to Rabat is straightforward using conventional ONCF trains.

The route generally connects:

Meknes → Kenitra → Rabat

Rabat is Morocco’s capital and makes an excellent addition to an imperial-city itinerary.

Popular attractions include:

• Hassan Tower
• Mohammed V Mausoleum
• Kasbah of the Udayas
• Rabat Medina
• Chellah

If you’re traveling north or south through Morocco, Meknes can therefore be a convenient stop between Rabat and Fes.

Meknes to Casablanca by Train

The Meknes–Casablanca train is another useful connection for travelers arriving or departing through Morocco’s largest city.

A typical itinerary is:

Meknes → Kenitra → Rabat → Casablanca

Depending on the service, the journey can involve intermediate stops.

Casablanca is an important transport hub, with onward connections toward:

• Marrakech
• El Jadida
• Rabat
• Tangier
• Mohammed V International Airport

This makes the train useful for travelers flying into or out of Morocco through Casablanca.

Meknes to Tangier by Train

You can also travel between Meknes and Tangier by conventional train.

The journey connects central Morocco with the northern city and can be useful for travelers following an itinerary such as:

Tangier → Meknes → Fes

or:

Fes → Meknes → Tangier

Tangier is connected to the high-speed Al Boraq network, so travelers continuing toward Casablanca or Rabat can change to Al Boraq after reaching the appropriate station. Al Boraq itself directly serves Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat Agdal and Casablanca.

Meknes to Marrakech by Train

Traveling from Meknes to Marrakech is possible using Morocco’s conventional railway network.

Because Marrakech is south of Casablanca, this is a longer journey than Meknes–Fes or Meknes–Rabat.

A useful itinerary is:

Meknes → Rabat → Casablanca → Marrakech

For travelers who want to experience several major Moroccan cities, this route can be combined into a longer journey through the country’s imperial and Atlantic destinations.

ONCF continues to operate conventional Al Atlas services on the national network, while current timetables should be checked for the exact connection and departure time.

Meknes to Oujda by Train

Meknes also provides access to the eastern part of Morocco through the conventional railway network.

Travelers heading toward Oujda can continue east via the rail network, with routes passing through cities such as:

• Fes
• Taza
• Guercif
• Oujda

This is useful for travelers who want to explore a less-visited part of Morocco beyond the main tourist route.

Al Boraq and Meknes

Meknes does not have a direct Al Boraq station.

The Al Boraq high-speed network currently connects:

Tangier → Kenitra → Rabat Agdal → Casablanca

Meknes is connected to this high-speed corridor through the conventional railway network and transfers.

If you’re traveling from Meknes toward Tangier or Casablanca and want to use Al Boraq for part of your journey, check the available connections when booking.

Buying Train Tickets in Meknes

Train tickets can be purchased at the station or through the official ONCF Voyages booking platform.

Before purchasing, check:

• Departure station
• Destination
• Departure time
• Train type
• Class
• Seat information
• Connection details

ONCF’s online booking system allows travelers to search schedules and purchase tickets in advance.

For busy travel periods, booking ahead is recommended.

First Class vs Second Class

Meknes trains generally offer first- and second-class seating, depending on the service.

First Class

First class can be a good choice for longer journeys if you prefer:

• More comfortable seating
• More personal space
• A quieter environment
• A more relaxed journey

For longer trips such as Meknes to Casablanca or Tangier, first class can be worth considering.

Second Class

Second class is the more affordable option and is perfectly suitable for most travelers.

For shorter journeys such as:

Meknes → Fes

or

Meknes → Kenitra

second class can be a practical choice.

Meknes Train Station for Tourists

For most visitors, the main Meknes Train Station is the station to use when arriving or departing by train.

The station is useful for travelers staying in Meknes who want to explore the historic city and then continue toward other Moroccan destinations.

If your accommodation is in or around the Medina, allow enough time to travel between the station and your hotel or riad.

This is particularly important if you have an early morning departure or a train connection.

Train or Bus from Meknes?

For destinations served by the railway network, the train is usually one of the most convenient transportation options.

Choose the train for:

• Fes
• Rabat
• Casablanca
• Tangier
• Kenitra
• Oujda
• Marrakech

Choose a bus or private transfer for destinations outside the railway network, such as:

• Chefchaouen
• Volubilis
• Moulay Idriss
• Merzouga
• Ouarzazate
• Smaller rural destinations

For example, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss are excellent excursions from Meknes, but they require road transportation rather than a train.

Meknes Train and Morocco Travel

Meknes works particularly well as part of an imperial-city itinerary.

A popular route is:

Rabat → Meknes → Fes

Another option is:

Tangier → Meknes → Fes → Merzouga

For travelers arriving in Casablanca:

Casablanca → Rabat → Meknes → Fes

And if you want to continue south:

Tangier → Meknes → Fes → Marrakech

Meknes is also an excellent starting point for a combination of Fes, Volubilis and the Middle Atlas before continuing toward the Sahara.

Meknes Train Travel Tips

A few simple tips can make your journey easier:

• Check your departure time before leaving your accommodation.
• Arrive around 15–30 minutes before departure.
• Check the station departure screens.
• Keep your ticket accessible.
• Keep valuables close to you.
• Book ahead during busy travel periods.
• Allow extra time when traveling to the station by taxi.
• Check the latest ONCF timetable before departure.
• If you have a connection, confirm the connecting station and train.

ONCF specifically recommends checking current schedules before traveling, as timetables and services can change.

Best Time to Travel by Train

Train travel from Meknes is available throughout the year.

However, trains can become busier during:

• Summer
• Christmas and New Year
• Easter holidays
• Moroccan public holidays
• Major festivals
• Ramadan travel periods

If you’re traveling during a busy period, booking your ticket in advance can give you more flexibility.

Meknes Train and Desert Tours

Meknes can also be a useful starting point for a Morocco desert itinerary.

A popular route is:

Meknes → Fes → Merzouga → Sahara Desert → Ouarzazate → Marrakech

You can also visit Volubilis and Moulay Idriss before continuing to Fes and the Sahara.

For travelers who want to combine history and desert landscapes, Meknes provides a natural connection between Morocco’s imperial cities and the eastern regions.

Final Thoughts

Taking the train from Meknes is an easy and practical way to explore Morocco.

The city’s main railway station provides conventional ONCF Al Atlas connections with important destinations including Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech and Oujda.

Although Meknes does not have a direct Al Boraq service, travelers can connect with Morocco’s high-speed network through Kenitra or other major railway hubs.

For travelers exploring Morocco without a car, Meknes is particularly valuable because of its location between Rabat and Fes. Combine the train with road transfers for places such as Volubilis, Chefchaouen or the Sahara, and you can create a comfortable itinerary covering some of Morocco’s most fascinating destinations.