Contents
In short
Casablanca Airport (CMN), officially Mohammed V International Airport, lies at Nouaceur, about 30 km south of central Casablanca. The city centre is about 35 to 45 minutes away by car, or about 35 minutes by the hourly train. The airport also has its own exit on the motorway to Marrakech.
It is the main international gateway to Morocco, and many travellers land there before driving to Rabat, the north or south to Marrakech. Its location outside the city makes the first hour simpler than it looks: you do not need to cross Casablanca to reach the motorway. We are Choumacars, a car rental agency based in Marrakech, open 24/7, and we deliver cars at Mohammed V airport, including at night. This guide covers the terminals, the ways into Casablanca, the drive to Marrakech, the arrival and departure steps with estimated times, and the mistakes to avoid.
Where is Casablanca Airport and what is its official name?
The airport is officially called Mohammed V International Airport, IATA code CMN, and it sits in the province of Nouaceur, south of the city, according to Wikipedia. Travel sources place it about 27 to 30 km from the centre of Casablanca.
The airport is run by the national operator, Airports of Morocco (ONDA). It is the main hub of the national airline and handles flights to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, as well as domestic connections.
The location is practical for drivers. The airport lies close to the motorway between Casablanca and Marrakech, which has a dedicated exit for it, so you can head south without entering the city.
How many terminals does Mohammed V airport have?
Mohammed V has two main passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Your airline and your boarding pass tell you which one to use. The railway station is located in the Terminal 1 building.
On arrival, the sequence is the same in both terminals: passport control, baggage reclaim, customs, then the arrivals hall, where you find currency exchange desks and cash machines. Check the screens for your terminal before you meet someone, since a meeting point at the wrong terminal can make you lose time.
| Step on arrival | What happens | Time (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving the aircraft | Air bridge or bus to the terminal | 5 to 15 min |
| Passport control | Passport check and entry stamp | 15 to 60 min depending on the hour |
| Baggage reclaim | Belts shown on screens | 10 to 30 min |
| Customs and exit | Bags may be scanned | 5 to 10 min |
| Meeting your driver or rental agent | Arrivals hall of your terminal | 5 min |
How do you get from Casablanca Airport to the city centre?
You get from the airport to the city centre by the Al Bidaoui train, by taxi or by car. The train is the simplest option for light travellers; a car makes more sense if you continue to Rabat, Marrakech or the coast.
- Train: Wikipedia describes the Al Bidaoui service run by ONCF, with departures roughly every hour from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., linking the airport to Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port stations. Travel guides give about 35 minutes to Casa-Voyageurs.
- Taxi: large taxis wait outside the terminals. Agree on the fare before leaving; travel guides note that official fares are displayed in Terminal 1. Allow about 35 to 45 minutes to the centre outside rush hour.
- Rental car: the most practical option if you do not stay in Casablanca, since you can join the motorway directly.
For details on how a rental works at the airport, see our page on car rental at Casablanca airport.
How do you drive from Casablanca Airport to Marrakech, step by step?
You drive from Mohammed V to Marrakech by joining the motorway south from the airport exit and following it for about 200 km via Berrechid and Settat. Plan about 2 hours 15 of driving. Here is the trip in order, with estimated times.
- Collect the car at the terminal (0 min). Check the bodywork and tyres with the agent, take photos and adjust seat and mirrors.
- Follow the signs for the motorway and Marrakech (0 to 10 min). The airport road leads straight to the motorway interchange.
- Take the toll ticket (about 10 min). Wikipedia places a toll station just south of the airport on the Casablanca to Marrakech motorway.
- Pass Berrechid and Settat (10 to 50 min). Traffic is heavier on this section, with lorries heading south.
- Cross the plains towards Marrakech (50 min to 2 h). Long straight lines; take a break at a service area.
- Enter Marrakech (about 2 h 15). Follow the signs for your district. Allow 15 to 25 minutes more to reach the Medina or Gueliz.
Our guide to Marrakech to Casablanca by car describes the same motorway in the other direction, with the rest areas and the toll.
Should you stay in Casablanca or drive on after landing?
The choice between a night in Casablanca and driving on after landing depends on your arrival time and your plans. After a daytime landing, driving straight to Marrakech or Rabat is easy. After a long-haul flight that lands in the evening, one night near the airport or in the city makes the first drive much safer.
| Arrival time | Plan we suggest | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Morning or early afternoon | Drive on to Marrakech or Rabat | Daylight for the whole motorway section |
| Late afternoon | Rabat (shorter) or one night in Casablanca | Avoid reaching Marrakech late and tired |
| Evening or night | Sleep near the airport or in Casablanca | Rest after the flight, drive the next morning |
If you sleep in the city, the car can be delivered the next morning instead of at the terminal. Tell us your plan when you book, and we will set the time and place that suit it.
Where can you drive from Casablanca Airport?
From the airport, you can drive south to Marrakech, north to Rabat and the imperial cities, or along the Atlantic coast to El Jadida. The motorway network starts right next to the airport, so each direction is straightforward.
- Marrakech: about 2 hours 15 on the motorway, the most common route for our customers.
- Casablanca city: the Hassan II Mosque on the ocean front and the Corniche at Ain Diab, 35 to 45 minutes away.
- Rabat: the capital, reached by the motorway around the city. Avoid the ring road at rush hour.
- El Jadida: the coast south-west of Casablanca, with its Portuguese city, for a first night by the sea.
- Fes: a longer day on the motorways via Rabat. Our guide to Marrakech to Fes by car describes the route and the stops.
How does picking up a rental car at Casablanca Airport work?
Picking up a rental car here with Choumacars works by meeting our agent in the arrivals hall of your terminal at your landing time, day or night. Give us your flight number and terminal when you book, so that the meeting point is clear.
Each driver needs a licence held for at least 2 years and a passport or national ID. The minimum age is 22, with no young driver supplement. Insurance is included and mileage is unlimited, which matters on a trip that may cover Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and the coast. A second driver can be added on the same conditions.
If you stay in Casablanca for several weeks, our long term car rental in Casablanca is simpler than several short bookings. For a short stay in the city itself, see our page on car rental in Casablanca.
Which car suits an arrival at Mohammed V?
The car that suits this arrival is a comfortable car for the motorway, with room for long-haul luggage. A compact saloon or a small SUV with an automatic gearbox covers most needs.
- Audi A3: quiet and stable on the motorway, popular with business travellers. See the Audi A3 page.
- Hyundai Tucson: a compact SUV with an automatic gearbox and space for a family and large suitcases.
- Hyundai Accent: a four-door automatic saloon, easy in city traffic.
How should you plan your departure from Casablanca Airport?
Plan your departure by arriving at the terminal about three hours before an international flight. There is a security check at the terminal entrance, then check-in, passport control and a second security check, and queues can be long at peak hours.
- Agree the return point the day before. Confirm the terminal and time with us.
- Leave with a margin. From Marrakech, allow at least 3 hours 30 between leaving and reaching the terminal; from central Casablanca, allow 45 minutes to an hour at rush hour.
- Hand back the car (departure minus 3 hours). Check the boot and the glovebox, and take a photo of the dashboard.
- Pass the entrance security check, then check in and drop your bags.
- Clear passport control and security.
What should you prepare before landing at Casablanca Airport?
Before landing, prepare your documents, your first destination and a little local cash, so that nothing has to be decided in the arrivals hall after a long flight. A short checklist covers it:
- Documents: your passport or national ID and a driving licence held for at least 2 years, for each driver.
- Booking details: your flight number and terminal, sent to us before you fly.
- First address: the location of your hotel saved offline, with the name of the district.
- Cash: a few small notes in dirhams for the motorway toll and parking attendants.
- Rest plan: where you will sleep if the flight is late.
What are the local tips for Casablanca Airport?
Our main local tip is to choose before you fly between a night in Casablanca and driving on, since a long-haul arrival followed by a night drive is tiring. Here is what our team tells guests.
- Check your terminal on your booking and on the screens before meeting anyone.
- Carry small notes in dirhams for porters, tolls and parking.
- Save your hotel’s location offline before landing.
- Avoid the Casablanca ring road at rush hour if you head to Rabat.
- Keep the motorway ticket safe until the last toll barrier.
- Compare with Marrakech. If your stay is mostly in Marrakech, our guide to Marrakech Airport may suit you better.
Which mistakes should you avoid at Casablanca Airport?
The most common mistake here is driving straight to Marrakech after a long-haul night flight. The GOV.UK travel advice for Morocco warns that poor lighting makes night driving more dangerous. Avoid these errors too:
- Waiting at the wrong terminal for your driver or rental agent.
- Arriving at the airport late for an international departure.
- Taking a taxi without agreeing the fare.
- Crossing Casablanca at rush hour when your route goes south.
- Losing the motorway ticket before the toll barrier.
- Leaving the car park without checking the rental car with the agent.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Casablanca Airport from the city centre?
Mohammed V airport is about 27 to 30 km south of central Casablanca, at Nouaceur. Allow 35 to 45 minutes by car outside rush hour, more in the evening, or about 35 minutes by the Al Bidaoui train to Casa-Voyageurs.
Is there a train from Casablanca Airport to the city?
Yes. ONCF runs the Al Bidaoui service roughly every hour from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., according to Wikipedia, linking the airport to Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port stations. The station is in the Terminal 1 building.
How long is the drive from Casablanca Airport to Marrakech?
About 2 hours 15 on the motorway via Berrechid and Settat, for roughly 200 km, plus 15 to 25 minutes inside Marrakech. The airport has its own motorway exit, so you do not need to cross Casablanca.
Can Choumacars deliver a car at Casablanca Airport at night?
Yes. Choumacars delivers at Mohammed V airport within 24 hours of booking, including for night arrivals. Give us your flight number and terminal. Insurance is included, mileage is unlimited and there is no young driver supplement.
Can I pick up a car at Casablanca Airport and return it in Marrakech?
Yes. A car delivered by Choumacars in Casablanca or at Mohammed V airport can be handed back in Marrakech. This suits travellers who land in Casablanca, drive south and fly home from Marrakech, or end their stay there.
How early should I arrive at Mohammed V airport?
About three hours before an international flight. There is a security check at the terminal entrance, then check-in, passport control and a second check. From Marrakech, leave at least 3 hours 30 before reaching the terminal.
What do I need to rent a car at Casablanca Airport?
With Choumacars, you must be at least 22, hold a licence for at least 2 years and show a passport or national ID. A second driver can be added on the same conditions as the main driver, useful for the motorway drive to Marrakech.
Ready to land at Casablanca Airport?
Send us your flight number, terminal and dates, choose a car from our fleet, and we will meet you at Mohammed V airport, whatever the hour. For more about renting with us, see our page on car rental in Marrakech.
