The short answer
Partly. The ONCF railway links Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Tangier, and it is safe, air-conditioned and easy to book. CTM and Supratours coaches fill many gaps, including Essaouira, Agadir and Chefchaouen. South of the Atlas, though, the gorges, the kasbah road and the Sahara are slow and patchy by public transport, so most travellers use a driver there.
In more detail
The north works well without a car. You can travel Casablanca to Rabat on the fast train, then on to Meknes and Fes, and take a CTM bus from Fes to Chefchaouen. Tangier is on the Al Boraq high-speed line. Chefchaouen has no railway at all.
Marrakech is at the southern end of the line, and its northbound trains go via Casablanca. There is no direct train from Marrakech to Fes; you change at Casablanca. Grand taxis, shared between towns and leaving when full, cover shorter hops.
The south is different. The best places, such as Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra gorges and the Erg Chebbi dunes, sit on roads with infrequent buses and no trains. A private driver, or a small-group desert tour, is the practical choice for that half of the trip.
Good to know
- Book first class on longer train journeys for a reserved seat.
- Reserve CTM seats ahead for popular routes.
- Mix trains in the north with a driver in the south.