Tangier vs Tangier Med
 

What are peoples thoughts on Tangier vs Tangier Med as an entry point from Spain into Morocco?


I've trawled through the last few years and failed to see a discussion on this topic. Lots on getting into Tangier Med, but less on Tangier itself

My understanding is that Tangier Med is a bit easier to enter via and there is less hassle.


Part of me though quite likes the idea of going into Tangier if its a bit more challenging and difficult, heading to Cape Town, no point shying away from it. I also wanted to spend a day or two in Tangiers so I'd be heading there anyway


What are peoples thoughts on the choice


Cheers

If you want to see Tangiers, that would be the only reason to go there.
OTOH so few go to Tangiers now so perhaps it has changed from the mess it was?
Customs man had the habit of walking around with our passports and carte gris in his hat.

I have no experience with the Tangier port, but my experience with Tangier Med has been that it is a very modern, efficient, and pleasant port. Everything is logically organized, and security is pretty good (meaning, not too many touts around). Roads in and out of the port are new, in great condition, well signed, etc.

Hence, I can't see any possible benefit arising from trying out the Tangier port.

Kind of like "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it", if you get my drift.

Michael

Tangier - oh yes the only place on this planet I felt like punching someone.
If you also enjoy being constantly hassled by half the male population of Tangier then yes go for it. The other option is far more enjoyable. But as said above, maybe it is better now? Let us know what its like if you go :rofl:

Edit: I'm referring to the border not the town.

That's been my experience of Tangier as well since my first visit there getting on for 50yrs ago right up to the last one a few years back (I must be a glutton for punishment:rofl:). You can either wait it out (they stop bothering you after you've been there for a week or two) or "employ" one of them to keep the rest away.

And they start 'em very young:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/1970-2as.jpg


(Tangier 1970)

Those kids are probably still hassling tourists now! :rofl:

Tangiers was my first contact with Africa, in 1982, and it was a traumatic one, from the very start.
We came from the ferry and asked a couple guys where to find the train station.
Boy oh boy how angry we were ten minutes later.

Sailings from Algeciras to Tanger Med are more frequent, normally cheaper, and the landing/police/customs experience is easier.

But if you want to visit Tanger anyway then you should sail from Tarifa to Tanger Ville. Tanger Ville port has recently been revamped and I'm told the landing experience is better than it was, though I've not visited since the work was carried out so I can't confirm that.

Use A Ferry To to compare prices. Stick in Algeciras to Tanger Med and it will come up with all the companies running across the Strait of Gibraltar including Algeciras to Ceuta and Tarifa to Tanger Ville.

But DO NOT use Intershipping based on numerous bad reviews. I normally go for Trasmediterranea.

cheers to you all. I have to confess I'm slightly being talked into Tangier Med, but a big part of me still relishes the 'challenge'. I've lived and worked in a few hassle heavy places and always seen it as a bit of a game.


I'll be booking the ferry from Spain so I have time to think it over. If I head through Tangier Ville, I'll update

I've looked on the various ferry websites for the minimum time for check in both at Algeciras and Tangier Med, does anybody know what it is if there is one? Alternatively what would you say is the minimum before the scheduled time of departure? Thanks.

I turned up at Algericas 90 minutes before departure. I was the first! Next time I'd get there an hour before

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Many thanks, :thumbup1: I had two hours before sailing in mind doh

One hour before sailing is fine, but sailings are never on time, so if you aim at 30 minutes before you will probably be one hour before. ;)

Travel in hope, rather than expectation then Tim?

cheers guys,

in April 2016 I came from Algeciras to Tangier Med with Intershipping. I did not have problems with the company at all.

Arrived at noon at the Algeciras port office to buy a ticket for the 2pm sailing. Queued up, and was quite in front of the line, only to kill time and chase away the guys who want to sell you the (free!) customs temporary import declaration. Do that at home already, you need it anyway, and they quickly leave you alone when you can wave it (you have to put the port of entry, but can leave the date open). Morocco Customs D16ter form

The ship departed with approx. 45 min delay. So I agree, if you don't fancy waiting come 1 hour before schedule, IF you have a ticket. I did not have, and initially wanted to go for Transmediterranea because they were cheaper and sailed only 30 mins later, but their booth was closed and cars queued already veery long.

Lashing on the ship was poor, asked me to put bike on centerstand and tied it with a single old rope to a side railing - the worst way how you can secure a heavy Super Ténéré. But the sea was quiet.

Tanger Med was normal border crossing procedure I'd say. A bit pushy as nobody can wait, but always friendly, also from officials. Make sure you have the stamp from the officer on the ship already. At land, the police (first booth) was unoccupied, but if you pass straight to the second (customs) they can send you back no matter how long you have been waiting already. Because if you enter the first time to Morocco they take the passport number in their system first. Customs can't proceed you if your not double-sure registered through police first (at least they say...). I'm not saying you can pass police from your second arrival on. Just the above mentioned I learned this year being my first travel to the country. It took an hour in total for the border and they did not want to see inside any of my luggage, whilst the transporters and campers were searched.

Tanger town port itself I only passed later, but it appears very small and crowded, and it seems they have moved majority of incomings to the new port 50km out of town where they have lots of lanes and facilities for that now.

happy cruising ;)

Thanks for that information. Bike and I will be crossing the Bay of Biscay, so hopefully it and the Straits of Gibraltar will be pleasant crossings!

Just recognised your forum name is of the bike I'll be taking to Morocco, mine's a 2016 model.