Rent a Car at Casa Port Train Station in Casablanca

Casa Port Train Station (Gare Casa Port) is one of Casablanca’s main transport hubs, sitting right on the waterfront near the old port. If you’re arriving by train and need wheels to continue your journey, picking up a rental car here makes total sense — you’re already in the city centre, and the major highways heading out of town are just minutes away.

The station itself has a handful of car hire desks in the main concourse, though some companies meet you at the exits. It’s worth knowing that the office hours can be shorter than you’d get at the airport, so aim to pick up your car during normal business hours if you can. Most rental companies accept both credit and debit cards, but expect a larger deposit hold on your card than you might be used to back home.

Picking Up Your Rental Car at Casa Port Train Station

When you step out of Casa Port station, you’ll find yourself on Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Taher, practically on top of the port. The rental counters are inside the station building — look for the row of desks on the ground floor near the main entrance. Popular companies you’ll find here include Avis, Budget, and Europcar, alongside local firms that often undercut the big names on price.

Here’s the practical part: after you’ve signed your paperwork and checked the car (take photos of any existing scratches — seriously, do it), you’ll head to the parking area just outside. The rental companies have dedicated spots in the short-stay car park directly in front of the station. It’s a tight squeeze sometimes, so go easy on the manoeuvre.

One heads-up: if you’re landing at Mohammed V Airport and want to pick up at Casa Port instead, it’s about a 35-minute drive along the A7 highway. Some rental companies will even let you pick up at the airport and drop at Casa Port, or vice versa — useful if your flight times don’t line up with the train schedule.

Where to Go from Casa Port Train Station

Once you’ve got the keys, Morocco opens up. Here are some popular destinations worth the drive:

Rabat — The capital is just 90 kilometres up the coast via the A3 highway. You’ll be there in about an hour, making it an easy day trip. The old medina and Kasbah of the Oudayas are worth wandering.

Marrakech — A 240-kilometre run down the A7 that takes roughly 2.5 hours. The highway is tolled (have some dirhams or a credit card ready), and the drive is straightforward except for the chaos around the Marrakech bypass.

El Jadida — A shorter coastal hop at 100 kilometres, maybe 1.5 hours. The Portuguese city has some lovely beaches and the famous Cistern of El Jadida — great for a quick getaway.

Essaouira — Further up the coast at about 175 kilometres. It’sier road in a wind spots, so budget around 2.5 hours, but the relaxed vibe and seafood are worth it.

Meknes — If you want to dig into Morocco’s imperial history, Meknes is 150 kilometres inland via the A2. Figure on 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic.

Tips for Driving in Morocco

Moroccan driving takes some getting used to. The speed limits are 40 km/h in cities, 60 km/h outside urban areas, and 120 km/h on autoroutes. Yes, locals often push past these, but the police do clamp down, especially around Ramadan and holidays.

Fuel stations are easy to find on major highways — look for the green Shell or black-and-white Total signs. In smaller towns, fill up whenever you see a station because they can be few and far between. Diesel is cheaper than petrol if you’re in a diesel car, which most rentals are.

Parking in Casablanca centre is a pain — expect to park on the street and pay a local attendant a few dirhams to watch your car. In medinas elsewhere, look for official car parks rather than trying to squeeze into narrow streets.

Toll roads (autoroutes) connect the major cities and cost anywhere from 20 to 150 dirhams depending on distance. You can pay with cash or card at the booths. And a final heads-up: rental cars with foreign plates sometimes get extra attention from police checkpoints on major roads, so keep your documents handy.

Ready to explore? Grab your car at Casa Port and hit the road — Morocco is best seen at your own pace.