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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Moroccan Discovery

London to Marrakech by Eurostar, TGV, AVE, ferry and Moroccan rail.

Illustration of Moroccan Discovery

Tailor Made Rail's Moroccan Discovery is a 9-day independent rail journey from London to Marrakech, spanning Spain and Morocco. The route combines well-established European rail services (Eurostar, TGV and AVE trains) with a ferry crossing of the Straits of Gibraltar and Moroccan train travel in first class. Day one departs London on Eurostar to Paris, continues by TGV through France and Spain to Barcelona. Day two accelerates south on the AVE through Madrid to Algeciras on the southern coast. On day three, a 90-minute ferry carries you across to Tangier in North Africa. Moroccan rail takes over for the journey north to Rabat, where you explore the walled medina and the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The centrepiece is a three-night stay in Marrakech, where you wander the medina and visit Djemaa-el-Fna square, with its food stalls, spice merchants and street performers. Guests enjoy six nights of hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast included. Those who prefer not to fly home can extend the trip with a seven-day rail-and-sea return through Fez, Tangier, Cordoba and Narbonne.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels listed as 'or similar' accommodation; final choice depends on the tier selected.
  • Return flight from Marrakech is not included in the 9-day price; flight-free return requires a 7-day rail-and-sea extension (additional £700 per person).
  • Pricing is per person based on two people sharing; single supplements apply for sole occupancy.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Abba Sants Hotel (or similar), Barcelona

    London to Barcelona

    Eurostar from London to Paris Gare du Nord, metro transfer to Gare de Lyon, then a direct TGV through France and northern Spain to Barcelona, arriving in the evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Globales Reina Cristina (or similar), Algeciras

    Barcelona to Algeciras

    High-speed AVE service to Madrid, with time for lunch at Atocha station, continuing south to the coastal town of Algeciras.

  3. Day 3overnight: Hilton Garden Inn (or similar), Tangier

    Algeciras to Tangier

    Ferry service across to North Africa (90 minutes), arriving in Tangier by lunchtime.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Riad Dar El Kebira Hotel (or similar), Rabat

    Tangier to Rabat

    First Moroccan train journey (First Class) to capital Rabat.

  5. Day 5overnight: Riad Dar El Kebira Hotel (or similar), Rabat

    Rabat

    Explore the walled Medina and the Kasbah of the Udayas, a Berber-era royal fort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Riad Karmela Princesse (or similar), Marrakech

    Rabat to Marrakech

    Direct train via Casablanca to Marrakech, arriving in the late afternoon, for a 3-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Riad Karmela Princesse (or similar), Marrakech

    Marrakech

    Explore the medina and the iconic square of Djemaa-el-Fna, with its food stalls, spice merchants and street entertainment.

  8. Day 8overnight: Riad Karmela Princesse (or similar), Marrakech

    Marrakech

    Further day exploring Marrakech; optional extra nights to visit the Atlas Mountains.

  9. Day 9rail

    Marrakech to the UK (or return by rail)

    Fly home with a choice of carriers (not included), or continue on the flight-free rail-and-sea extension via Fez, Tangier, Cordoba and Perpignan, extending the holiday by 7 days.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ferry crossing from Algeciras to Tangier (90 minutes) marks arrival in North Africa.
  • Day 4First Moroccan train journey in first class from Tangier to Rabat.
  • Day 7Exploration of Djemaa-el-Fna square in Marrakech, with food stalls, spice merchants and street entertainment.

Included

  • Rail journeys to the south of Spain, in standard class
  • Moroccan rail journeys, in first class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • Boat crossing from Spain to Morocco
  • 6 nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Not included

  • Return flight from Marrakech (not included in the 9-day option)

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes Eurostar from London to Paris, TGV to Barcelona, AVE to Algeciras, Moroccan rail from Tangier to Rabat and Rabat to Marrakech in first class, and all seat reservations. European trains travel in standard class; Moroccan trains in first class.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is a tailor-made independent rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation and handles proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions, but guests travel and explore independently.
What is included in the price?
Rail journeys to southern Spain and in Morocco, seat reservations, ferry crossing from Algeciras to Tangier, six nights' hand-picked hotel accommodation with breakfast, travel documentation, email ticket dispatch, and proactive rerouting support.
How many nights are in each city?
Barcelona 1 night, Algeciras 1 night, Tangier 1 night, Rabat 2 nights, Marrakech 3 nights. An optional 7-day extension adds nights in Fez, Tangier again, Cordoba and Narbonne.
How do I return to the UK from Marrakech?
The 9-day option requires a return flight (not included). Alternatively, Tailor Made Rail offers a flight-free 7-day rail-and-sea extension for an additional £700 per person, returning via Fez, Tangier, Cordoba and Narbonne.
Can I add activities or extra nights?
Yes. Optional extras include Atlas Mountains jeep safari, camel trek or mountain retreat in Marrakech; a day trip to Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis from Fez; extended stays in Cordoba; and custom additions to destinations and tours.

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