Al Boraq: High Speed Train Morocco – A Revolution in Africa

Al Boraq is the first high speed train of Morocco. Not only Morocco, it was the first high speed rail of Africa as well. It connects Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier. The trip from Casablanca to Tangier takes about two hours and ten minutes thanks to the queue. King Mohammed VI recently launched a new high speed train project that will expand the network to link Marrakech with coastal towns, cutting travel times even more.

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Al Boraq: What is it?

Operated by ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer), Al Boraq is Morocco’s premier high speed rail service. Al Boraq’s November 2018 launch signaled the beginning of a new age for train travel throughout Africa, not just in Morocco.

Three main cities are connected by the railroad, which runs along the Atlantic corridor:

The Tangier
Kenitra
Rabat
Casablanca

The train’s most spectacular section is between Tangier and Kenitra, where it can travel up to 320 km/h (199 mph). Due to infrastructure constraints, the train moves at standard speeds from Kenitra to Casablanca, however improvements are being made.

Max. Speed: 320km/h
Route: Tangier to Casablanca via Kenitra and Rabat
Total travel time: Takes 2h 10 mints
Operators: ONCF
Technology:Alstom’s French TGV-based Avelia Euroduplex trains
Cozy: Wi-Fi, air-conditioned cabins, and business and economy classes
Passengers: Almost 4 millions/years
Opening year: 2018
Initial line cost: Approx. $2 billion

Why It’s Revolutionary

Reduces travel time by more than 50% on important routes
Offers European-level comfort (airline-style seats, power outlets, and Wi-Fi).
Lowers carbon emissions and traffic congestion

Al Boraq’s Impact on Moroccan Travel

Prior to Al Boraq, it might take almost five hours to go by train from Tangier to Casablanca. That time has been drastically reduced to just over two hours with Al Boraq, which is quite beneficial for both commuters and tourists.

The Effect Has Been Revolutionary

Time Efficiency: Perfect for day excursions between cities for business travellers.
Increased tourist: Tangier and northern Morocco have seen a rise in tourist as a result of easier access.
Comfort and Dependability: The train is a better choice than domestic flights or lengthy vehicle rides due to its timely departures and plush seating.

Experience of Passengers

The trip to Al Boraq is described by passengers as comfortable, clean, and easy. What makes it unique is this:

Cabins that are quiet even at maximum speed
On-time schedules
Wi-Fi and power outlets on board
Roomy seats with plenty of legroom
Onboard service and hygienic restrooms

It’s no exaggeration to claim that Al Boraq provides a top-notch experience in the center of North Africa, with speeds comparable to those in France and Japan. The government has the plan to achieve such luxury and comfort on high speed trains Morocco but it will take a bit of time.

The Paths: Al Boraq’s Destinations?

High Speed Train Morocco Route List: Presently Running Route (Since 2018)

Tangier to Kenitra

Total speed in km/h: 320
Remarks: Primary High Speed Area
Status Updates: Operational

Kanitra to Casablanca via Rabat

Total speed in km/h: 160
Remarks: Traditional queue till improvements are finished
Status Updates: Shared line operational

Note: Tangier to Casablanca ‘s total distance is approx. 323km/h and it takes 2 hour and 10 mints for traveling.

Al Boraq Now Links Four Important Cities

The Mediterranean port and entryway to Europe is Tangier.
Kenitra, a center of industry
The capital city of Rabat
Morocco’s economic center, Casablanca

Pro Tip: The high speed section travels 180 km in 1 hour and 05 minutes from Tangier to Kenitra. Trains change to regular rails from Kenitra to Casablanca, adding around an hour.

High Speed Train Morocco Future Plans for Growth

Casablanca is not the end for Morocco. With the goal of making Morocco a true continental rail hub, the nation has launched an ambitious high speed rail development.

Major Expansion Initiatives: Marrakech to Casablanca: The long awaited extension would cut the travel time from Casablanca to Marrakech from 3.5 hours to less than 1.5 hours

In 2024, King Mohammed VI announced plans to build the vital corridor that will connect over 10 million people from Kenitra to Marrakech.

New Rolling Stock

Eighteen new Avelia Horizon trains designed for Moroccan infrastructure will be supplied by Alstom.

When finished, Morocco’s 1,300-kilometer high speed network will connect:

Casablanca
Marrakech
Agadir (vision of the future)
The Tangier
Rabat
Kenitra
Fès (long range strategies)

new rolling stock moroccan infrastructure

Routes which are planned	Status updates	Max. speed (km/h)
Kenitra to Casablanca	In work	320
Casablanca to Marrakech	Announced	Upto 320
Marrakech to Agadir	Long term planning	–
Rabat to Fes	Being investigated	–
Casablanca to Oujda	Imaginative	–
Tangier to Nador via Tetouan	The suggested	–

Global (Long Term Perspective)

Tangier to Tarifa

Potential rail tunnel to link with Spanish rail beneath the Strait of Gibraltar

Morocco to Tunisia via Algeria

Regional corridor of the Maghreb (politically dependant)

Morocco to Mauritania

A plan to connect the rail networks in West Africa

Cost and Types of Tickets

First Class and Second Class are the two service classes that Al Boraq provides. The route and the time of year you book determine the price.

Tangier to Kenitra

1^st Class Pricing ($) – 25
2^nd Class Pricing ($) – 15

Tangier to Rabat

1^st Class Pricing ($) – 35
2^nd Class Pricing ($) – 22

Tangier to Casablanca

1^st Class Pricing ($) – 45
2^nd Class Pricing ($) – 30

Note: Prices vary according to season. In order to avoid any inconvenience you should book ride early for discounts on high speed train Morocco.

Options for Booking

Online through Rail Ninja or ONCF, or third party networks
At stations
The ONCF mobile application

Pro tip: This high speed train Morocco is not only quick but also reasonably priced, with early reservations frequently resulting in up to 30% savings.

Al Boraq vs. Global High Speed Trains

Morocco’s HSR is competitive worldwide with other bullet trains. This is how it compares with high speed trains in world:

Name of country	Name of train	Maximum speed (km/h)
Morocco	Al-Boraq	320
France	TGV	320
Japan	Shinkansen	320
Indonesia	Whoosh	350
Germany	ICE	300

Key Takeaway: Al Boraq outpaces all other African rail and is on par with the greatest in Europe, despite not being the fastest.

Economic and Environmental Effects

The Al Boraq project is important for the ecology and the economy.

Economic advantages include the development of jobs during the building and operation stages.

Encouraged investment in the route’s cities
An increase in business and domestic travel
Environmental Benefits: Trains that run on electricity emit fewer carbon emissions.
Reduced domestic travel by vehicle and aeroplane
Promotes the creation of sustainable cities
High speed rail is essentially more than just a means of transportation.

Obstacles and Remarks

The high speed train Morocco project has encountered certain obstacles in spite of its achievements:

Expensive: The first line, which was financed by loans from France, the EU, and Gulf nations, cost almost $2 billion.
Accessibility Issues: Because of ticket prices, some contend that the service primarily favours more affluent travellers.
Late Expansion: Despite encouraging recent announcements, the expansion to Marrakech has been slow to come to fruition.

However, the majority of experts concur that the advantages greatly exceed the disadvantages, particularly as Morocco attempts to strike a balance between inclusive transport policies and economic growth.

The Function of Alstom in Moroccan Rail

Alstom of France has played a crucial role in the construction of high speed train Morocco.

The business provided Al Boraq with Euroduplex trainsets.
Avelia Horizon trains will be delivered for upcoming routes.
Trained local employees and assisted in the construction of maintenance infrastructure.

This partnership with Alstom guarantees that Morocco’s train industry gains access to state of the art technology while generating employment opportunities locally.

Conclusion

More than just a rail route, the high speed train Morocco project is a revolutionary national accomplishment. Al Boraq, which offers speed, comfort, and sustainability, has already completely changed how Moroccans and visitors travel between cities.

Morocco is setting the stage for a time when high speed rail will serve as the mainstay of African mobility thanks to its ambitious development ambitions and ongoing infrastructure investments.

Taking the Al Boraq means experiencing top notch train travel in the center of North Africa, whether you’re a tourist, business visitor, or student travelling between towns.

FAQ – High Speed Train Morocco

The fastest train in Morocco and Africa is the Al Boraq, which travels between Tangier and Kenitra at up to 320 km/h (199 mph).

Indeed. Because Al Boraq runs on electricity, it lowers carbon emissions and encourages environmentally beneficial travel. It lessens reliance on air and road transport and advances Morocco’s national climate goals.

Alstom, a French firm, used the Avelia Euroduplex type to build the trains. For upcoming expansion routes, new trains (Avelia Horizon) are being constructed.

Morocco intends to:

The high speed line should be extended to Marrakech.
Link cities such as Oujda, Fès, and Agadir.
Build a high-speed network spanning 1,300+ km.
Examine regional train connections to Africa and Europe.

Morocco became the first country in Africa to have a working high-speed rail system when it formally opened its Al Boraq high-speed train service in November 2018.

Like French high speed trains, Al Boraq is equipped with French TGV technology. Its 320 km/h top speed is comparable to several European services, and its safety, punctuality, and passenger comfort all meet international standards.

Indeed, Al Boraq provides Wi-Fi and hygienic facilities on board, particularly in first-class coaches. There are also power outlets and cozy seats in both classes.