Getting Around Oujda: An Overview
Oujda is a major city in northeast Morocco and the capital of the Oriental region, sitting close to the closed Algerian border. For a visitor, getting around is mostly a matter of walking in the historic core, hopping into a small taxi for cross-town trips, and using the train or long-distance taxis for excursions beyond the city. There is no metro or tram system in Oujda, so the practical choices are buses, taxis, walking, and — for longer journeys — trains and inter-city buses.
Rail Connections
Oujda is the eastern endpoint of Morocco's main rail line, which runs from Casablanca via Fes and Taourirt before the border with Algeria. The city's railway station is a useful landmark and a hub for onward travel. ONCF operates several trains per day in each direction, including overnight services, linking Oujda to the western part of the country. Journey times are long — roughly ten hours from Casablanca and about five and a half hours from Fes — so plan accordingly. There are no trains across the nearby Algerian border.
Buses and Public Transport
Oujda has a municipal bus network managed by a local urban transport company. Buses serve most neighbourhoods, including the Medina, the Ville Nouvelle (New Town), and the commercial districts, with hubs near the Medina at Bab Sidi Abdelwahab, by the train station, and around the shopping areas.
- Tickets are bought directly from the driver when you board; the fare is a small flat amount, so carry small change.
- Buses generally run from early morning until around 9–10 PM.
- They can be crowded at peak hours.
- Printed route maps are not always available in English, so ask hotel staff or locals for help with routes.
The central bus station (Gare Routière) handles inter-city travel and has local bus connections. It sits next to the grand taxi station in the south of the city. From there, many destinations are possible, including Taza and Fes.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are the most practical way for visitors to move around Oujda, and there are two distinct types.
- Petit taxis are light blue cars that operate only within the city limits. They are hailed on the street or at designated stands and are often shared, picking up multiple passengers heading in similar directions. Meter use is legally required, so insist on it ("le compteur, s'il vous plaît") or agree on a price upfront. Fares are modest for short hops and higher for cross-city trips, with night rates after 8 PM roughly half again as much. They run all day and into the late evening, and accept cash only.
- Grand taxis are typically large white Mercedes sedans or minivans used for inter-city travel, the airport, and longer distances. They operate from stands near the bus station, the train station, and the city exits. You can hire one privately (paying for all seats) or share it (paying per seat); negotiate the total or per-seat price before departure. They are cash only.
International ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem are hard to find or not officially recognised in Oujda, so licensed taxis are the reliable option.
Walking
Walking is the best way to experience central Oujda. The Medina is entirely pedestrian, with narrow, winding alleys leading to houses and markets such as the jewellery market and the leather market; allow several hours to explore it properly. The Ville Nouvelle offers wider sidewalks and broad avenues, and Parc Lalla Aicha and the commercial streets are pleasant for strolling. Formal organised walking tours are uncommon, but self-guided exploration is easy.
Accessibility is limited: the Medina has uneven surfaces, narrow passages, and stairs, and local buses and petit taxis are generally not adapted for wheelchair users. Newer hotels and modern public buildings may offer better access, and private accessible transport can be arranged in advance through your lodging or a local travel agent.
Car and Bicycle Rental
Car rental is available from international brands and local agencies at Oujda Angads Airport and in the city centre. Requirements typically include a valid national driving licence held for at least a year, a passport, and a credit card for the deposit; an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended if your licence is not in Arabic or French. Minimum age is usually 21, though some companies require 25 or apply a young-driver surcharge. Driving is on the right, seatbelts are mandatory, and there is zero tolerance for drink-driving. Main roads and highways are generally good, with tolls on highways, while rural roads can be narrower, winding, and unlit at night. Paid parking is common in the New City, where attendants charge a small fee for a few hours; access to the Medina is highly restricted, so park outside and walk.
Bicycle rental is uncommon, and there are few dedicated bike lanes, so cyclists share the road with traffic. Some hotels or guesthouses may lend or rent bicycles, and quieter suburban roads are better for recreational cycling.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Oujda is served by Angads Airport (OUD), which has connecting international flights to cities such as Lisbon, Brussels, Madrid, Marseille, and Paris, as well as domestic flights to Casablanca. Tourists heading to Saïdia on the Mediterranean often transit through this airport.
To reach the city from the airport, grand taxis are the standard option. They operate from the airport and can be hired privately or shared; a private airport-to-city fare is roughly MAD 100–150, while shared trips to nearby towns run around MAD 20–30 per person. As always, negotiate the price before departure and pay in cash.
Practical Tips
- Carry small change for bus fares and taxi rides.
- Insist on the meter in petit taxis, or agree a fare before you set off.
- Cash is the norm for buses and taxis; don't count on card payment.
- Ask your hotel or guesthouse for help with bus routes, since English-language maps are scarce.
- There are no hop-on-hop-off or large organised city tour buses, and Oujda is inland, so there is no water transport.
- There are no specific "no-go" areas, but exercise caution in crowded souks and avoid poorly lit or deserted areas at night.