Arrival brief · Casablanca CMN
CMN Arrival Guide: Casablanca Airport to the City, Without the Traps
Casablanca's airport has a cheap train that runs right into the city, so the only ways to overpay are a taxi tout or the airport exchange. Take the ONCF train or an official grand taxi, and skip the hall touts.
2026-08-26
What to expect after landing
Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN) is Morocco’s main international gateway, a fair way south of the city, and arrival is straightforward with mild tout pressure (‘taxi?’ offers in the hall). The honest options are easy: a cheap ONCF train right into the city, and official grand taxis with set fares. The only ways to overpay are a taxi tout or the airport exchange — both simple to skip.
For cash, use a bank ATM (dirham) and decline conversion; skip the airport exchange counters.
Option 1 — ONCF train (cheapest, direct)
The ONCF train runs from the station beneath the airport to Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port (central stations) cheaply and directly — the best-value option, avoiding traffic and haggling. Buy at the machine/counter, then use cheap petit taxis (meter on) in the city.
Option 2 — Official grand taxi
Use the official airport grand-taxi rank and agree/confirm the set fare before setting off. Know the rough rate and carry small dirham. Don’t take a ride from a driver who approaches you in the hall — the official rank or the train only.
What it looks like
At CMN the tells are the airport-hall taxi tout with an inflated ‘tourist’ fare, and the airport exchange counters’ poor rates. The ONCF train, or an official grand taxi with a confirmed fare, fixes the ride; a bank-ATM dirham withdrawal fixes the money. Once in the city, it’s petit taxis with the meter on.
Do this instead
Take the ONCF train to Casa-Voyageurs/Casa-Port, or an official grand taxi with the fare confirmed — never a driver who approached you in the hall. Withdraw dirham from a bank ATM and pay in dirham, skipping the airport exchange. That’s the whole CMN arrival.
Late-night arrivals
Check the ONCF train’s last/first departure for a very late landing; otherwise use the official grand-taxi rank (fare confirmed), or a pre-arranged hotel transfer (a named driver) for the calmest option. Draw some dirham from a bank ATM, keep valuables low, and don’t accept a hall approach — use the official rank or the train into your central hotel.
Quick answers
What's the best way from Casablanca airport to the city?
The ONCF train — there's a station beneath the airport, and trains run directly to Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port (the central stations) cheaply and reliably, avoiding traffic and taxi haggling. It's the best-value option. For door-to-door, use the official airport grand-taxi rank and agree/confirm the set fare before setting off (airport taxis have official rates but overcharge tourists who don't ask). Ride apps have limited/unofficial presence in Morocco, so the train or an official grand taxi is your best bet. Don't take a ride from a driver who approaches you in the arrivals hall.
How do I avoid taxi overcharging at Casablanca airport?
Use the official airport grand-taxi rank and agree or confirm the fare against the posted rate before you get in — the overcharge is a driver quoting an inflated tourist price. Know the rough going rate into the city, carry small dirham, and don't accept a driver who approaches you in the hall or offers a 'special price.' Even better for value, take the ONCF train into the centre and use the cheap red 'petit taxis' (meter on) once you're in the city. The airport grand taxis are larger, shared-capable cars with set city rates; confirm the fare and you're fine.
Should I change money at Casablanca airport?
Only a small amount if you need it immediately — airport exchange rates are poor. Morocco uses the dirham (MAD), a closed currency you generally obtain inside the country, so withdraw dirham from a bank-branded ATM in the terminal (choose dirham, decline the machine's home-currency conversion offer). Change the rest at licensed bureaux in the city rather than the airport counters or street changers. You'll want cash for petit taxis, the medina, and small vendors. Always pay or be charged in dirham to avoid a poor conversion rate.
What if I land at Casablanca airport late at night?
The ONCF train runs frequently but check the last/first departure for a very late arrival; otherwise use the official airport grand-taxi rank and confirm the fare. A pre-arranged hotel transfer (a named driver) is the calmest option for a late landing. Draw some dirham from a bank ATM, keep valuables low-profile, and don't accept a ride from anyone who approaches you in the hall — use the official rank or the train. Casablanca is a big working city; a booked or official ride into your central hotel is the simplest late-night plan.