Ferry crossing Spain to Morocco
 

Hi all,
What’s the best ferry crossing from Spain to Morocco. What are your preferred options?
Can you just rock up and get a ticket, or is it best to get one in advance?
... and what if your early or late at arrivals?
I’m looking to drive down the west coast once into Morocco and looking for ease and time rather than cost

Thanks

No need to book in advance you can just turn up and go, I always get an open return so I don't have to worry about being at the port for a particular time.

Algeciras - Tanger Med is the preferred crossing for many

Hello all,


Well;

it looks like they're now x-raying vehicles/bikes randomly going into Morocco as well, but using a different x-ray lorry near the entry passport/customs posts. But it only takes 2 vehicles or 1 motorhome, so you can imagine the horn honking etc going on, it took an hour just to get through this part of entry, and only 1 ferry of about 150 vehicles. I can't imagine 2/3 ferries arriving at the same time.



Safe travels.

We have soft luggage on our bikes. How concerned need we be for them being left unattended while the ferry is crossing?

There is also another ferry route from Tarifa (a little further south along the coast) to Tanger too - it's a fast catamaran ferry and takes less than an hour.

Security wise, like any ferry, once the ship is under sail the vehicle deck/s are closed to passengers. You're unlikely to have anything stolen by deck crew, but if you're concerned at all, unmount it from your bike and take it with you - electronics in the cockpit area are a given of course.

It might also be an idea (although I've found it by no means essential) to consider something like the pack-safe mesh covers for your soft bags if you plan to spend any time away from your bikes sight-seeing in towns and tourist attractions while en-route south. Nothing will stop the determined thief of course, but most opportunists will move on.

Jx

The Tangier-med port is very professional compared to some others, deffo the way to go. No one will touch anything there, booths for changing money, buying insurance. Grand job. Ferries safe as any I might suggest.

The one thing i would say is to go early. Get your ticket first thing in the morning, and get a sailing to arrive earlier in the day rather than later, just so you dont end up driving in the dark on your first spin in Morocco.

Merv.

It's worth clarifying that Tan-Med is a modern, purpose-built port 50km east of old Tangier city which I only ever did once. Usual commotion. I think now it's more suited to Tangier residents or foot passengers catching the train south.

For first-timers Tan-Med is by far the least stressful way to enter Morocco with a vehicle and leads straight to the toll motorway south.

I had some stuff pinched off the bike on the longer Almeria-Nador ferry years ago. It was clearly the crew. I think Tim Cullis mentioned recently there's now a locked cage on the car deck for external luggage on this route, so I assume it continues.
On Tan-Med crossing (only an hour), never had an issue.

As suggested; turn up early and buy an open return.

More on Mk ports, including maps:
https://sahara-overland.com/2014/12/...getting-there/

I don't think you need to worry about that. I've done the trip about 4 times, and access is not allowed to the car decks whilst the ferry is in motion.

Common sense suggests you don't leave your passport, Rolex watch, & money in your soft luggage (you can't leave your passport in the luggage anyway, you'll need it to do immigration pre-clearance on the ferry). Beyond that, I think the odds are very low that anyone would go digging through your luggage.

Michael

Now I prefer to cross from Tarifa to Tanger Ville. Ferries are smaller, so not so crowded. You can even get your passport stamp while in the ferry, when crossing the Estrecho.

Border entrance is quicker too, as there are only a few vehicles to cross.

If you stay at Tarifa, ask for "Morilla" restaurant to eat incredible tuna dishes.

Only thing you must consider is that in case of really bad weather, port could be closed. That's not a serious problem, as you can go to Algeciras, which is 1/2 hour from Tarifa, as it's usually open, even with bad weather,

My friend and me done Barcelona - Nador in September 2019 for £90 one way including a shared cabin. Ferry looked dated from outside, but in good condition inside with good reasonable priced food.
Didn't bother riding all the way through Spain. Cheaper and in comfort from Barcelona.
Barcelona port was chaotic and boarding took a while.
Nador port is small compared to Tanger Med. Also chaotic, but that's how it is.
Bought our 10 days bike insurance at port with AXA Insurance.
Exit out of port was easy and simple.
All depends where you want to travel to in Morocco.

Ferry Company for Morocco
 

Hi Everyone

A south African friend needs to book a ferry ticket to Morocco in order to get his Spanish visa. Has anyone got any recommendations

Thanks,

Balearia, FRS, Trasmeditteranae, and Africa Morocco Link (AML) all cross Spain to Morocco

The ferry trip from the Gibraltar area to Morocco is short, in some cases it only takes about 90 minutes.

For that reason, I don't really think it matters what ferry company your friend uses - it's not like he will be depending on the quality of the food or the comfort level of the bed in his cabin.

Do be aware, though, that there are two different ferry terminals in Morocco. The biggest one, and the one most ferry companies use, is called "Tanger Med". It is quite a long distance from Tangier city. The other ferry terminal, used only by one or two companies, and with less frequent service (meaning, not every 60 to 90 minute departures like Tanger Med) is very close to Tangier city.

So, if your friend has to go to Tangier city to get his visa, it would be more convenient for him to take a ferry to the smaller port near Tangier city.

Michael

Talk of new UK > Morocco freight ferry
 

https://www.niferry.co.uk/new-brexit...-to-uk-checks/

I suppose such routes must exist already and it's not a passenger ferry, but new deal/greater frequency and direct to Mk might ease shipping vehicles to or from Mk?

I don't know what the status of Malaga van delivery vans is right now either, and if prices have been affected by Brexit complications.

Initially it sounds interesting but when you dig deeper its not so perfect.

It will likely be freight service and possibly no passengers
Company behind it was only formed in December (I think) and has no ships

It would also have to come in at under £1000 for a vehicle and a passenger to get from the UK to Tanger Med to be a viable alternative to the current options.

I have a friend who runs a shipping company keeping me informed of the developments