If you are staying near Andalusia, particularly close to Gibraltar, then you may notice that you can spot the coast of Africa, specifically Morocco, just across the sea. It is a fast trip, and many people make the journey from Algeciras to Tangier every day.
You can find direct ferries traveling from Algeciras, Spain to Tangier. Both foot passengers and those with a car can travel on the ferry. It takes about 1.5 hours to arrive, so is a very short trip. The ferry travels year-round, but the cost depends on the season.
On this page, we want to give you a bit more information on how to get on the ferry between Algeciras and Tangier, as well as give you more information about how much it may cost for you to make the crossing.
Yes. You could fly from Spain to Morocco. It is quite expensive, though. Thankfully, because Morocco is fairly close to the south coast of Spain (around the Gibraltar area) then you can hop on a ferry. The distance between Europe and Africa is incredibly small here, and it doesn’t take long at all.
People make the journey between Algeciras and Tangier every single day. In fact, for some, the crossing route is part of their daily commute. If you head out to certain parts of Spain throughout the day, then you may find plenty of Moroccans working in the stores.
There are multiple sailings across the route each day, so you shouldn’t have too many issues finding Tangier ferries from Algeciras. Ferry companies operate more routes during the summer months, as a lot of people enjoy making the trip between the two countries.
Departure Port Algeciras
Algeciras is a port city, and plenty of ships pass through the port every single day. This means that you have absolutely no issues making your way from the city center so you can make your trip from Spain to Morocco.
Do bear in mind that the quickest way to get to the port is via car. Public transportation options can be quite limited for those looking to make the crossing as a foot passenger. This is because many of the options won’t get you that close to the terminal. You will have to walk the last bit.
Getting to Algeciras Ferry Port
There are multiple ways to get to Algeciras ferry port.
Car
Bus
Train
Taxi
Car
Both Algeciras and the ferry terminal will be well-signposted throughout Andalusia. Even if you are located in Malaga (one of the most common places for people to stay), you will find signposts to Algeciras, or at least Gibraltar, which is close by.
Once you are at the terminal, follow the signs that guide you toward your ferry. If you are not taking your car on the ferry, there are two large paid car parks on site.
Bus
Many major towns and cities throughout Andalusia have buses running to Algeciras. However, do bear in mind that many of these buses will not take you directly to the ferry terminal. Instead, they will take you to the bus terminal, which is 800m away from the terminal.
There are some tour operators that offer direct buses, but these are rarer.
If you are getting a bus from within Algeciras, then look for any bus that takes you to the main terminal. Once you are there, it is about 20 minutes walk to the terminal.
Train
Train trips will run throughout Spain to Algeciras. The train will stop you close to the bus station. So, once again, you will need to get a taxi or walk if you want to make the final part of your trip to the vessel.
Taxi
There are taxi ranks located next to the train and bus station in Algeciras. They run throughout the day, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding a taxi. The cost of a taxi in Spain is affordable, and since the distance from the center of Algeciras to the port isn’t too far (under 1km), it should only cost a few Euros.
Getting to Algeciras from Gibraltar
Algeciras will be signposted once you leave Gibraltar. It will not be signposted inside of Gibraltar. So, you will need to make your way to the region’s exit if you want to head to the Algeciras to Tangier ferry.
Do bear in mind that you will need to add a bit of extra time to your trip here. Because Gibraltar is technically part of the United Kingdom (it is a dependency on the UK), you will need to show your passport when crossing the border from Gibraltar into Spain. During the summer months, this can easily take 1 to 2 hours. So, even though Algeciras is very close by, the trip time will be considerably longer.
When To Arrive at Port
It is recommended that you arrive at least 2 hours before your crossing time. However, during the high season, we recommend that you arrive 3 hours before. This is because you will have to go through passport control.
Arrival Port in Tangier
Despite the name, Tangier Med port is not in Tangier. It is 25 miles north of Tangier. It is actually closer to the town of Ceuta. However, this is a very modern port city, so you will find plenty of public transport connections from Tangier Med into the Tangier city center. The journey should take about an hour.
A lot of people that head to Tangier from Algeciras don’t even stay in Tangier. This is one of the most easily accessible ports in North Africa, and there are plenty of routes elsewhere in Morocco, and even to other countries in Africa.
A lot of Spanish people will also travel to Tangier to get on other ferries to Europe. Tangier is a bustling hotbed of ferry operators, and you can travel to multiple European countries by boat from Morocco. You just have to get to Tangier first.
Cost of Ferry Tickets to Tangier
The Algeciras to Tangier ferry cost is between €30 and €60, depending on when you are traveling. This is for a one-way ticket. Although, you can score better ticket prices if you book a roundtrip in advance.
Ticket prices vary depending on when you are traveling. Expect prices on the Algeciras to Tangier route to be considerably higher during peak season, and at the peak times of the day i.e. you will get the best deals if you are willing to travel on the midnight ferry from Algecricas to Tangier.
If you are bringing a vehicle, the cost will vary depending on the size of the vehicle you are bringing. It could easily be €100-€200+.
Cheap Ferry Tickets to Tangier
If you want the cheapest tickets for the Algeciras to Tangier Med trip, then you will need to book well in advance. You should also book online.
Do bear in mind that you may not be able to find huge savings on the ferry ticket cost. This is because the route is incredibly popular, so a ferry operator doesn’t really need to offer a discount on a ferry ticket to get people on the ships. Most of them will be filled up anyway.
The main reason to book your Algeciras to Tangier ticket in advance is that these ships fill up quickly. If you don’t book in advance, then you may struggle to get ferry tickets during the high season of the year e.g. Summer, when everybody seems to be wanting to head to North Africa.
Buy Ferry Tickets From Algeciras
You can buy the Algeciras to Tangier ticket directly from the ferry company online. There are also ticket terminals located throughout the port. However, during the peak season, there may be no tickets available unless you buy in advance.
Travel Times to Tangier Med
The fastest ferry from Algeciras to Tangier takes about 1 hour, but the vast majority of ships take around 1.5 hours to make the full trip. There are faster ferries elsewhere in Spain, but they travel to a different part of Morocco. The sailing time on those journeys can take as little as thirty minutes.
There are only direct ferries operating on the Algeciras-Tangier Med route, so your journey will never take longer than 1.5 hours. This is because there will be no other stops for the ship.
Ferry Operators Algeciras to Tangier
Ferry companies operate trips on the Algeciras to Tangier Med route throughout the night. In fact, the earliest ferry, at least during the high season, will start making its way to Tangier port at 5:30 am. The last ferry of the day leaves at 2:30 am.
Ferry operators currently allowing foot passengers and vehicles include:
Balaeria: up to 6 crossings per day.
Trasmediterranea: up to 7 crossings per day
Navlera Armas: up to 6 crossings per day
AML: up to 9 crossings per day
FRS Iberia: up to 8 crossings per day
You will need to check the ferry schedule, as sailing times can vary throughout the year. Do bear in mind that when you book ferry tickets, the sailing times can still vary a little. While it isn’t common, some trips can be canceled if the route seems a bit too rough for the high-speed ferry.
Ferry from Algeciras to Tangier Ville
The ferry service from Algeciras to Tangier Ville provides a convenient and efficient mode of transportation for travelers seeking to connect between Spain and Morocco. The ferry journey typically takes around one hour to reach Tangier Ville, the port city in northern Morocco.
Unlike the routes to Tangier Med, which is located further east, this particular option allows visitors to directly access the vibrant city of Tangier without the need for additional transportation.
The Algeciras-Tangier Ville ferry route is known for its reliable schedules and comfortable vessels, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable crossing experience.
Several operators serve the ferry route from Algeciras to Tangier Ville, providing travelers with a range of options. Some of the prominent operators include:
Trasmediterranea
FRS (Ferry Rapido del Sur)
InterShipping
Do You Need a Passport?
Yes. Most of the time.
When you travel to Tangier Med from Algeciras, you will have to go through two passport control points. There is the Spanish passport control point at Algeciras Port. You will find a second Moroccan control point on most ferries. You will need to show your passport here too.
Some ferries allow permanent residents of the EU (with the relevant ID card) to get on the ferry without a passport. However, you will have to ask the ferry company in advance. You cannot just get on the ferry with an EU ID card without prior permission.
Because you have to show your ticket before you board the ferry, it is important that you arrive well in advance of your departure time, particularly during the summer months when the queues can build up at the port.
Final Thoughts
Many people make the journey between Algeciras and Tangier every day. It is one of the most popular ferry routes in the world. It is perfect for a day trip too, since the ferry time is no longer than 1.5 hours. Make sure that you book your tickets for the ferry from Algeciras to Tangier in advance, though. These ferries fill up quickly.
Hi, my name is Andrea Arthur and I have always been fascinated by the Mediterranean Basin. From the warm climate to the crystal clear sea, this area of the world is truly magical.
I first learned about the Mediterranean in school and instantly felt a connection. I had posters on my bedroom walls of the place, collected postcards from the surrounding countries, and begged my parents to let us visit.
Fast forward three years later, and I now live in Croatia! I haven’t yet achieved my dream of getting a house where I can see the ocean. I’ll get there, though!
Anyway, my fascination with the Mediterranean has never faltered, and I want to share my knowledge with anyone who will listen. If you want to know more about the Mediterranean in all its glory, I hope you’ll love my website.
