ONCF 1st Class vs 2nd Class: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Every ticket you buy for Moroccan trains comes with the same fork in the road: first class or second class? Whichever train station you're departing from, the price gap between class tickets is often small — but the experience gap can be large. It depends heavily on which train routes you're riding, which train car you end up in, and how busy the day is. This guide breaks down exactly what you get for the extra fare, and when it's worth paying, so you can walk up to the counter or the oncf website and book with confidence.
What You Actually Get in a First Class Train Car
First class guarantees an assigned seat, printed directly on your ticket, so there's no scrambling for a spot the minute you walked onto the platform. On older conventional trains, first-class compartments seat six passengers with more legroom than second class offers in the same footprint. Overhead space is usually enough for a medium-sized suitcase, and on longer routes some trains run a payable snack trolley through the carriage. Staff also tend to move through first class more frequently — handy if you need someone to flag your stop or point you toward your destination.
Second Class: The Budget Option for Train Routes
Second class is the budget pick, and on regional lines it's often open, first-come-first-served seating rather than an assigned seat. Compartments on older trains typically hold eight passengers in the same space first class fits six. It still has air conditioning on most services, but during busy periods — holidays, weekends, peak commuting hours — second class can get busy during peak commuter hours and be louder and more bustling during busy periods, leaving some passengers standing in the aisles.This is the detail that changes the calculation for most travelers. On popular routes, second class tickets can start from around 5 EUR, first class from around 10 EUR on regional services, and first class fares are about 10€ more than second class on many comparable journeys.
Moroccan Trains: The High Speed Trains Network (Al Boraq)
Morocco's flagship high-speed line is Al Boraq, and it's genuinely fast: Al Boraq trains travel at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the dedicated stretch between Tangier and Kenitra. The high-speed line connects Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca, with Kenitra as an intermediate stop, and it's the first high-speed rail service on the African continent. The journey from Tangier to Rabat takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and trains run every hour between Tangier and Casablanca — a level of frequency that makes spontaneous day trips genuinely practical.
Beyond Al Boraq, the classic Al Atlas network of other trains links major cities including Tangier, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech, along with Casablanca, Kenitra, Rabat, and Oujda, using the older first- and second-class compartment system described above. Together, ONCF's network connects Marrakech, Fes, and Casablanca and most of the country's other major hubs, forming one of the more developed rail systems on the continent.
A short 45-minute hop between two nearby cities rarely justifies the extra cost — you'll be fine in second class for that length of time. Longer routes are where the compartment size, guaranteed seating, and reduced crowding of first class start to matter, simply because you're spending several hours in the seat. Overnight trains on select long routes add couchette (sleeper) cabins in addition to standard first-class compartments — worth checking if your trip spans a full night, especially since train travel is more comfortable than bus travel in Morocco over long distances.
Train Tickets and Train Travel: At a Glance
Booking First or Second Class on the ONCF Website
Both first and second class tickets can be booked in advance through Rail Ninja, with your e-ticket delivered instantly by email. Booking usually opens several weeks or months before departure, depending on the route, and reserving early often gives you access to the best available fares. First-class tickets include an assigned seat, while second-class seating may be open on some regional services. During holidays and peak travel periods, trains can fill up quickly, so it's a good idea to secure your ticket as soon as your travel plans are confirmed. Having your ticket ready before arriving at the station also makes boarding faster and more convenient.
With your reservation already taken care of, you can simply arrive at the station and enjoy the journey. Tickets can also be purchased at Moroccan train stations. Station ticket offices and self-service kiosks accept both credit cards and cash, making it easy to buy a ticket if you prefer to decide on your departure time at the last minute. Staff at major stations such as Casa Voyageurs, Rabat Agdal, Kenitra, and Tanger Ville can also help you choose the next available service.
Families traveling with young children should note that children aged 0–3 travel free on ONCF trains, making rail travel an even more affordable option.
Families traveling with young children should note that children aged 0–3 travel free on ONCF trains, making rail travel an even more affordable option.
Frequently Asked Questions
On most routes, yes — the price difference is often small, while the comfort and crowding difference can be significant, especially on longer or busier routes.
Not always. It's often first-come-first-served on regional routes, but on longer routes seats may be assigned at booking. Check your specific route when booking.
Al Boraq trains travel at 320 km/h (199 mph) on their fastest stretch, connecting Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca (via Kenitra).
Yes, on most ONCF trains both classes are air-conditioned, though ventilation can feel weaker in second class on older, more crowded compartments.
For most trips longer than an hour or two, first class is worth the upgrade — the price gap is usually too small to justify the crowding risk and reduced comfort of second class. Save second class for short, off-peak hops where the difference barely registers, and put the savings toward something else on your trip through this beautiful country.