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Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
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  #1  
Old 6 Sep 2015
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Recommended port of entry
Hi,

In a few weeks I'll be riding to Morocco. This will be my first visit to Morocco by motorcycle.

Out of the three main ferry ports (Tangier, Tangier Med or Cueta), which is best?
I'll be heading south to Chefchaouen initially and then east to Oujda.

I'll need to buy insurance and exchange my euros for dihrams (or withdraw dihrams from an ATM).

Has anyone got any recommendations based on recent experience? Obviously I'd like the entry to be as straight forward and hassle-free as possible.

Any advice is appreciated.

Luke
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  #2  
Old 6 Sep 2015
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Tanger med is the best option


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  #3  
Old 6 Sep 2015
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Absolutely agree with Tangier Med. As long as you arrive at a reasonable time you can buy insurance and change money easily.

Its an easy hasstle free to get out of the port and an easy ride down to Chef from there too. 2 hours or so.
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  #4  
Old 6 Sep 2015
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Good to hear Tangier Med is the best option. I'll make sure I get there early.

Thanks for the advice
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  #5  
Old 7 Sep 2015
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Hi Luke:

I entered Morocco (for the first time ever) via Tanger Med in the spring of this year, and it was a very pleasant and trouble-free experience.

Do be aware that there are a fair number of touts hanging about, despite the port police making an effort to control them. Hence, when you get to the place where you buy the insurance and change your money (or use an ATM, whichever you prefer), be very skeptical of anyone wearing a reflective jacket and attempting to direct you. The people who are the "genuine" employees are all dressed as security guards.

Michael
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  #6  
Old 7 Sep 2015
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Compared to elsewhere the numbers of touts at Tanger med is pretty low and one of the reasons its the favourite port of entry for many
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  #7  
Old 7 Sep 2015
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Thanks for the warning Michael.

I don't imgaine the touts will be much of a problem for me, but it's always useful to know what they look like.

Luke
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  #8  
Old 7 Sep 2015
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I did get touted on my way out by a dude who had really got it down to an art, he had no vest on and a really good ID card around his neck that he flashed in my face. I ended up giving him 5 euros, he would have accepted less but that was all I could give him. It was not the worst thing that could happen and everything went very smoothly.

Don't worry too much about the touts, for a few euros, they might make your passage a lot easier!
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  #9  
Old 9 Sep 2015
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Tarifa - Tangier Ville
Just wondering why people don't use Tarifa - Tangier Ville crossing.

Personally I use it every time and find it very straight forward and a quick crossing also.

Never pay the touts !
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  #10  
Old 9 Sep 2015
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I agree about the touts. And don't stop for anyone unless they are in uniform with a gun.

I use A Ferry To to check out prices each trip. Stick in Algeciras to Tanger Med and it will also give you prices for Algeciras to Ceuta and Tarifa to Tanger.

Normally the best value is Trasmediterranea/Acciona from Algeciras to Tanger Med. Currently quoting £63 return for bike+rider.

I like Tarifa to Tanger Ville using FRS (quote £93.50) but whatever you do don't use Intershipping on that route who are a bunch of villains.

My experience of buying tickets from motorway booths rather than at the port is that you get royally ripped off. Has anyone ever had a good experience?
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  #11  
Old 26 Oct 2015
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Just a comment on port of entry to Morocco. I came in on the 19th to Tanger Med. I must have made close to 200 border crossings with my motorcycle in the last 40 years and Tanger Med has to be in the top 5. It was well organized, and professional. Add a friendly crew and you have one of the best.
Get your passport stamped on the ferry, they check it as you exit the ferry, drive up to booth so police can enter you in the system, turn in your D16 at the next booth and wait for them to return top two sections, then place to exchange $ and place to get insurance. No one pestering you to help. Wish they were all this simple.
Bob
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  #12  
Old 27 Oct 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
My experience of buying tickets from motorway booths rather than at the port is that you get royally ripped off.
Really? We - three first-timers - bought our tickets at Viajes Normandy, a little office in Algeciras run by someone called Carlos, he seems to be quite well known (in a postive way). We had a very good experience, but as I don't know the price at the harbour I can't say if we have been ripped of or not.
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