Looking for the perfect route from Spain to Morocco? While there’s nothing wrong with the overland route, you might want to check out the ferry companies and see what they have to offer.
There are several ferry routes between Spain and Morocco, some short enough to serve as a day trip, and others lasting up to 36 hours.
For more on ferries between Spain and Morocco, keep reading.
Advantages of Taking the Ferry Between Spain and Morocco
What are the advantages of taking the Spain – Morocco ferry routes? Well, there are several.
You can book your tickets in advance, online through resources like Ferryhopper, or on the day off at the ticket office.
You can choose the ferry company that works best for you, and the ferry route you want to take from among several options.
There are no baggage limits.
You can take your cars with you, to explore once you’ve reached your destination port, or leave them in designated ferry parking.
Many ferry companies do passport control or documentation checks at the ferry offices, or onboard the actual ferry, eliminating the long lines and long waiting periods.
Book your tickets online in advance
Booking your tickets online and in advance is highly recommended, especially if you plan on traveling during peak season.
Booking online and in advance give you better chances of getting the trip you want when you want it. There’s also a chance of getting better prices, as tickets tend to go up in cost as you get closer to departure time.
If you purchase tickets online, you can pick them up at the ferry company office on the day of departure. It’s recommended to arrive early so that you can get all your paperwork filled out and turned in as quickly as possible.
You can purchase online tickets through the ferry companies, or through sites like Ferryhopper, Go-Ferry, and NetFerry. These sites also have the benefit of giving you your choice of ferry services to patronize.
Visa and Passport Requirements to Enter Morocco from Spain
In any ferry crossing, the one thing you’ll definitely need is a boarding pass.
Passport and visa controls from Spain to Morocco are not incredibly stringent, but you are required to have a valid passport in order to disembark from the ferry in Morocco.
Many ferry companies will do their documentation checks on the trip from Spain to Morocco, to help reduce wait times, but you’ll want to show up at the office promptly to avoid the lines.
For visits to Morocco shorter than 3 months, you don’t need a visa, just a passport.
If you take a ferry from Spain to the Spanish Enclave of Ceuta, you won’t need a passport to disembark, but you will need to visit the overland border patrol to leave the area and enter Morocco.
Can I Bring My Car to Morocco from Spain by Ferry?
The most convenient thing to do with a car when boarding a ferry is to park it in a car park. These are located near the ferries and usually have a reasonable fee for short and long-term parking.
Most ferries will take cars along with their passengers – for a price.
What Do I Need To Bring My Car To Morocco?
To bring a car with you, you’ll need the following:
Vehicle registration certificate
Valid driver’s license
Rental Contract
International Insurance Registration
Can I travel on Spain – Morocco ferries with my pet?
Different companies have different rules, so you’ll need to talk to the company in question. However, most companies will permit it, as long as you have proper documentation.
What Do I Need To Bring My Pet On The Ferry?
To bring your pet on the ferry, you’ll need to plan on the following:
Your pet may need his or her own ticket
Your pet should be microchipped, as well as on a leash, harness, or in a carrier
Some ferry companies provide pet cabins
Your pet should never be left unattended
You need to provide a clean health certificate for your pet
Every ferry has different rules, so be sure you check with the ferry company before you make too many plans.
Note: Companies may have different rules and accommodations for Service Animals and ESA animals, so be sure to check that as well if you have an animal companion in these categories.
The shortest crossing is the Algeciras to Tangier Med ferry route: about 30 minutes and 16 nautical miles.
The longest crossing time listed is the Barcelona to Tangier Med Ferry: It’s about 32 hours and 572 nautical miles.
Can I Go on a Day Trip to Morocco from Spain?
Absolutely. There are several routes that lend themselves to day trips.
You can get tickets to the following:
Almeria to Nador Ferry: The ferry tickets are about 70 euros and the crossing takes about 5 hours, with 1-3 trips daily.
Tarifa to Tangier Med Port: One of the most popular ports and ferry crossings for day tours. There are usually up to 12 departures, and tickers are 40 Euros.
So what are the frequent ferries from Spain to Morocco? It depends on the companies, however, there are some commonalities.
Known Spanish Ports for starting a ferry trip:
Algeciras
Barcelona
Tarifa
Motril
Almeria
Gibraltar
Malaga
And known Destinations in the area of Morocco Ferry Routes include:
Tangier Ville
Tangier Med
Al Hoecima
Nador
Ceuta (Spanish Enclave)
Melilia
For individual routes between these ports, talk to companies that work the ferry terminal and ferry docks.
Check Ferry Options and Rates
For booking a ferry crossing, your most convenient port depends on where you want to start. But wherever that port is, the most common ferry companies to work in the area are the:
Balearia
Trasmediterranea
FRS Ferries
Africa Morocco Link (AML)
Naviera Armas
GNV
Different companies have different routes they serve, with prices ranging from about 36 Euros for foot passengers on the shortest crossings, to over 95 Euros on the long multi-day crossings.
Different Tours
Let’s look at some different routes that are covered, and some of the prices offered for the average foot passenger.
Tarifa to Tangier Day Tour
One of the most popular tours for visitors is the ride from Tarifa to Tangier City. Visitors can choose between destinations in Tangier Ville or Tangier Med ports.
Tarifa is in Southern Spain, one of the reasons it makes for one of the shortest crossings.
The crossing is usually handled by FRS service and connects Tarifa and Tangier Ville.
Cost: ~40 Euros
Crossing time: ~ 1 hour
Ferry from Almería to Nador
This isn’t the average day trip, reserved for those who want to enjoy a longer tour of the coastline.
This passage is handled by the Trasmediterranea, Baleara, and Naviera Armas.
Depending on the company, the passage can take between 5 and 10 hours.
The cost starts out at about 70 Euros.
Barcelona to Morocco Ferry Routes
There are actually two ferries from Barcelona to Morocco.
These are multi-day trips, traveling from the capital city of the Cataluna Province – located on the east coast and facing the Mediterranean Sea – around the coast of Southern Spain to Morocco.
Both trips are generally operated by the GNV Ferry Company.
Barcelona to Nador Ferry
This trip takes about 31 hours, with prices between 90 and 250 Euros.
Barcelona to Tangier Med
This trip can take as long as 35 hours, with prices between 95 and 250 Euros.
Malaga or Almeria to Melilla
These trips are handled by Balearia and Trasmeditteranea Ferry companies.
Slightly longer than the average day trip, these ferry trips usually take about 6 hours.
The cost is around 80 Euros for the average foot passenger, and around 240 Euros for a passenger with a car.
Algeciras to Tangier Med Ferry
The second most common day tour, Algeciras to Tangier is about 30 minutes long and covered by the widest array of companies: Balearia, Trasmeditteranea, FRS, and the Africa Morocco Link (AML).
The crossing can sometimes take as long as 2 hours, depending on the company and the path they charter.
The cost is usually around 40 Euros for a foot passenger.
Final Thoughts
These aren’t the only routes used for travel, but the availability of various companies, destinations, and starting points may vary with the season, or with other factors.
Whether you’re looking to stop in Tangier City, or a less well-traveled destination, you can find a ferry route to give you a beautiful trip from Spain to Morocco – any number of ways.
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