Getting Around Berkane
Berkane is a compact city in northeastern Morocco, sitting on the edge of the Beni Snassen mountains and close to the Mediterranean resort town of Saïdia. It has no metro or tram system, and it is not a major rail hub, so visitors generally get around by taxi, bus, or on foot, with grand taxis and intercity coaches handling the longer regional hops. The guidance below covers each of those options.
Walking
The city center is compact and can comfortably be explored on foot, and walking is the best way to see the medina and the marketplaces. If you are staying centrally, many of the everyday sights and the market area are within easy reach without needing any transport at all.
Rail
Berkane is connected by rail to major Moroccan cities, with ONCF trains running from Oujda and Nador. Travelers coming from Casablanca, Rabat or Fes usually change trains in Oujda. Note, however, that Berkane is not a major ONCF rail hub: the nearest ONCF services run to Taourirt and Nador on the eastern branch line, and you complete the last leg to Berkane by grand taxi or bus. Expect roughly 45–75 minutes from Taourirt and 60–90 minutes from Nador, with fares for those legs in the region of 40–120 MAD.
Buses and Other Public Transport
CTM and other intercity coach companies connect Berkane with Oujda, Nador, Fes, Rabat and Casablanca on regular timetables. Travel time from Oujda is about one hour, and fares typically run 30–80 MAD with journey times of roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on where you start. Bus stations are generally in town centers, so no extra transfers are needed once you arrive. It is worth booking ahead during holiday periods. Intercity buses and grand taxis reach places that trains do not, so they are often the practical choice for regional travel.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Petit taxis are the easiest way to get around the city, covering short trips within Berkane and nearby neighbourhoods. Fares are roughly 6–30 MAD. They may lack meters, so confirm the fare before departure, and at busy times you may need to wait or share. Grand taxis (louages) are shared minivans and the backbone of regional travel in eastern Morocco; they depart when full or can be hired privately, with fares of about 40–180 MAD depending on distance and service. They run frequently between Berkane, Oujda and nearby towns. Bring small change for both taxi types.
Car Hire
Car hire is available at roughly 250–600 MAD per day, varying by vehicle and provider. Hiring a car makes most sense if you want to explore the wider region on your own schedule; for point-to-point travel within the province, petit and grand taxis are frequent and usually the quickest option.
Getting There from the Airport
There is no international airport in Berkane. The nearest major airport is Oujda Angads Airport, about 45 km east of Berkane near Oujda, which serves northeastern Morocco with domestic and international flights. From the airport, taxis and buses are available to Berkane. A grand taxi runs roughly 120–180 MAD per person and takes about 50–70 minutes, while a private taxi or transfer costs around 400–600 MAD for about 50–60 minutes. Alternatively, take a shuttle or taxi into Oujda city (roughly 10–30 MAD, 10–20 minutes) and then a CTM or other intercity bus onward to Berkane.
Nador Al Aroui is the other nearby option. From there, take a taxi or travel first to Nador city (a short taxi ride), then continue by intercity CTM or Alsa bus or by grand taxi. The total journey is roughly 1–1.5 hours, with fares of about 60–140 MAD depending on the service and routing.
Practical Notes
- Petit taxis and grand taxis are frequent and usually the quickest option for point-to-point travel within the province.
- Confirm petit taxi fares before departure, since meters may be absent.
- Keep small change handy for taxis and louages.
- Book intercity buses ahead during holiday periods.
- For day trips, Saïdia is under an hour away by road, and Oujda is the regional capital with onward transport connections.