The vast Sahara, the exotic labyrinth of Fez, Marrakech with its flowers and traditional buildings, the photogenic blue town of Chefchaouen: Morocco is full of attractions. This article explains how to get there, answering two common questions — are there direct flights, and how long does it take? Routes and fares below are those researched by our Japan desk for travellers flying from Tokyo.
Are there direct flights from Japan to Morocco?
As of April 2024 there are no direct flights from Japan to Morocco, so you need to connect in Europe or the Middle East. Morocco is also just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, so you can arrive by ferry — a great option if you are combining Morocco with a trip around Europe.
How long does it take?
Journey time depends on the airline and the connection, but allow at least about 20 hours from Japan.
Flight routes from Japan
Morocco’s main airports are Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca (CMN) and Menara Airport in Marrakech (RAK). Most flights from Japan arrive in Casablanca. Connections in the Middle East are with Emirates via Dubai, Etihad via Abu Dhabi and Qatar Airways via Doha. To reach Marrakech without going through Casablanca, connecting in Paris Charles de Gaulle (Air France) or London Heathrow (British Airways) is convenient.
The examples below are for a weekday departure from Narita or Haneda in May 2024. Flight times and fares vary widely, so treat them as a guide only.
| Route | Lowest one-way fare | Total time (of which connection) |
|---|---|---|
| Narita (NRT) → Dubai (DXB) → Casablanca (CMN) | ¥117,680 | 22 h 25 min (2 h 40 min) |
| Narita (NRT) → Abu Dhabi Zayed (AUH) → Casablanca (CMN) | ¥112,823 | 22 h 10 min (2 h 20 min) |
| Haneda (HND) → Doha Hamad (DOH) → Casablanca (CMN) | ¥120,920 | 23 h 30 min (3 h 45 min) |
| Haneda (HND) → Paris CDG → Casablanca (CMN) | ¥229,470 | 19 h 30 min (1 h 30 min) |
| Narita (NRT) → Paris CDG → Marrakech (RAK) | ¥224,300 | 20 h 15 min (2 h 05 min) |
| Haneda (HND) → London Heathrow (LHR) → Casablanca (CMN) | ¥246,761 | 19 h 35 min (1 h 50 min) |
| Haneda (HND) → London Heathrow → transfer to Gatwick (LGW) → Marrakech (RAK) | ¥243,690 | 33 h 50 min (15 h 45 min transfer and waiting) |
| Haneda (HND) → Istanbul (IST) → Marrakech (RAK) | ¥122,504 | 25 h 30 min (6 h 50 min) |
Notes: Dubai, despite its luxury image, often has relatively cheap fares. Abu Dhabi International Airport was renamed Zayed International Airport in February 2024, after the UAE’s first president. Doha has many flights and is a popular choice. Paris and London routes are faster than Middle East connections but more expensive.
By ferry from Spain
You can also fly to Spain and take a ferry to Morocco. The crossing takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, so you can even visit Morocco as a day trip from Spain. Ferries have cafés where you can enjoy a drink or snack with a view of the sea. A one-way ticket costs about 4,000–5,000 yen; you can buy it at the port on the day, but booking online in advance is safer.
There are three main routes:
- Algeciras (Spain) → Tanger Med (Morocco)
- Algeciras (Spain) → Ceuta
- Tarifa (Spain) → Tangier city port (Morocco)
The Algeciras–Tanger Med route is the easiest to use, but Tanger Med is about an hour by bus from Tangier city. To arrive close to the city centre, choose Tarifa to Tangier’s city port.
Plan a tailor-made trip with Morocco Travel Destinations
You can fly via the Middle East or Europe, or cross by ferry from Spain; the best route depends on the trip you want. Morocco Travel Destinations designs private tours built around the places you want to see and the things you want to do, and we are happy to advise on how to get to Morocco and how to make the most of your time there. Contact us.