We have been fortunate in finding help on the motorhome internet forums to enable us to undertake this somewhat daunting adventure. In case anyone reading this blog wants to know what is involved, I've put it all down in writing in one place. There are of course plenty of sources of information: this is what we did but remember that details can change and as always we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Read the rest of the blog for our actual experiences.
BEFOREHAND
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended departure from Morocco. Some people carry laminated photocopies of the main page as alternative “identity cards”.
You will need a Green Card from your motor insurer. Some do not issue them, others at a small administration fee. Ensure it covers the dates you will be away as you can’t update it later. It is possible to buy vehicle insurance at the border but it is legally basic, third party only, and not recommended.
Get adequate personal travel/health insurance and check it specifically covers you for Morocco. The EHIC card does not cover you (although you should carry it for your travels in Europe to/from Morocco).
It is worthwhile having your vehicle serviced and checked over before you leave. There are effectively no breakdown services in Morocco, although we have been told that ADAC may provide cover. You will more likely be told to get your vehicle back to Europe and you will be re-imbursed by your breakdown company. You should consider carrying some basic spares.
Autogas LPG is not available anywhere in Morocco although bottled gas is everywhere. You will need to make your own specific arrangements – for help try the Motorhomefun internet forum.
Satnav can be difficult. Garmin do not publish data (although there are workarounds). TomTom will sell you a Morocco data file for around £45. The others we have no experience of. Get your own selection of maps and guidebooks. We used Michelin Sheet 742 and ‘All The Aires Morocco’ from Vicarious Books.
TICKETS
It is possible to buy ferry crossing tickets on-line beforehand, as well as at various agencies as you approach the port. There are several routes, and ferry companies, for you to choose, all with advantages and disadvantages. We recommend buying as below.
Algeciras is the main vehicle departure point to Ceuta (a Spanish territory), Tangier-Ville (town) or Tangier-Med. There are others but they involve longer sea crossings. We are told that the Ceuta route involves a chaotic crossing into Morocco, Tangier-Ville spills you out straight into the centre of town and is the longest crossing whilst Tangier-Med is a brand new highly organised port that links straight onto the modern motorway network. We chose the latter although it may not be the cheapest.
We used the services of Voyages Normandie, who have an office just outside the Lidl supermarket at Algeciras and another a short distance away. Many motor-homers appear to obtain their tickets here, then “stock up” at one of the several supermarkets in the area. You will require your vehicle V5, probably your passports and cash - no credit cards. The current cost is €200 per unit (trailers extra). In return they will complete the necessary vehicle import forms, which must be signed by the main driver, and immigration forms for you to complete, as well as a voucher for your ferry crossing. It is recommended that you choose an open return – there is apparently little/no difference in cost.
You may wish to park up here overnight - it is tolerated and many do (we counted over 300!) But please move away from Lidl, there is plenty more space a few hundred metres away near Mercadona. Note you should only park up overnight - no longer or we understand the authorities may crack down.
THE CROSSING
Check-in is apparently 2 hours before departure but be prepared to wait. The route to the port is well-signposted, just follow the correct destination signs, Tangier or Ceuta, and join the correct lane for your ferry company. In practice, follow the French! Note, as you approach the turn for check-in you will likely be waved down and offered help: these guys are unofficial, not wearing yellow hi-viz jackets and have no identity cards. You do not need them and a polite non gracias is sufficient. If you DO use their “services” they will expect to be paid! In practice they usually only target cars but motorhomes are not exempt.
At check-in present your voucher and you will receive boarding cards and either a return ticket or your voucher for the return leg. You will pass through a couple of police posts where your passports may be examined and then directed into the waiting lanes.
When loaded proceed to the passenger accommodation. Once there you must locate the police office – it may just be a desk but it will be obvious by the queue! – where you must present your passport and white immigration form. If this is your first visit to Morocco, the police officer will stamp a number into your passport, known as the CIN no. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT that it is legible; check before leaving the desk and if not have him/her write it in. The stamp is often worn and the numbers print badly. This is your identity number which will be required everywhere in Morocco, and especially on your exit!
Then sit back, have a coffee and enjoy the crossing. The next step only covers Tangier-Med although the formalities are the same, it’s just how your port of entry is organised (or not in the case of Ceuta!). After unloading you will be directed to the Customs point, where you complete the temporary import of your vehicle. In our case we were told to wait with the van until a Customs man came to collect the triplicate import document and V5. At some point you will be directed to a police post to have the passport of the main driver registered, if the Customs man doesn't take it himself. This is where you will almost certainly encounter delays; up to 2hrs have been experienced although we did it all in 45mins. You will be handed back the bottom 2 copies (and the V5) – don’t lose them!
Finally, once cleared, you should exchange some cash. The Morocco Dirham is a restricted currency and is not exchangeable outside the country. Credit/debit cards are not widely accepted so you will need cash for almost everything. You will get a good rate at the port bureaux but we are told that the rate for changing back is rubbish, so you should only change what you need. All major currencies are exchanged and there are bureaux in most towns (the Post Office is best, not many banks will offer exchange). We got £1/13Dh which was the rate we got everywhere. Note, we also successfully used cash machines, although stuck to either the Post Office or larger banks when they were open. Everything is cheap (e.g. fuel 67p/litre, bread 10-20p).
NOW GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE MOROCCO
What you do from hereon in is up to you – we crossed as part of an informal group, half of whom had done it before. It’s good to have someone there to “hold your hand”.
THE RETURN - Tangier-Med
Once entering the port, proceed to the parking area. Again there will be "helpers" around but you don't need them. All the ferry offices are located in a row of buildings on the left; go to yours and exchange your voucher/ticket for boarding cards. Note that although check-in is supposed to be 2 hours before sailing you will probably have to wait until 1 hour before.
While parked here, if you have dirhams you want to change back, the bureaux de change are all accessible. Remember you cannot exchange them outside of Morocco.
At the time of our visit (Feb 2014) they were still constructing a check-in building which looks as if it will be a drive-through affair but signage appears to be clear.
Once you have your boarding cards you may proceed to the Customs and Police offices to “export” your vehicle - just follow the signs, it is quite a long way. Note you won’t be allowed to leave Morocco without your vehicle - if some major calamity has befallen you, you will need advice we are not qualified to give. This part of the new construction is complete and you should not need to leave your vehicle. You will then be directed to a scanner to have your vehicle checked; all persons (and animals) must leave the vehicle for this check.
Then follow the signs to the quay - your berth number will be on the boarding cards - and again it's quite a long way. All you need now is a ferry........
All the officials we encountered were courteous and efficient, but expected to be respected.
Once the ferry has arrived in Algeciras after debarkation you will pass through several more checks - they are quite straightforward but take time. We were lucky being almost first off and were through in 20mins but others have taken anything up to 2 hours. Be patient, Customs are not known for their understanding/sympathy and can easily find ways to delay you further!
Then simply follow the well-posted signs out of the port to your desired destination
Our thanks to Steve “Tonka” and Andrew “MrMotorhome” of the MotorhomeFun forum for leading our group, as well as everybody else we met for their input.
BEFOREHAND
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended departure from Morocco. Some people carry laminated photocopies of the main page as alternative “identity cards”.
You will need a Green Card from your motor insurer. Some do not issue them, others at a small administration fee. Ensure it covers the dates you will be away as you can’t update it later. It is possible to buy vehicle insurance at the border but it is legally basic, third party only, and not recommended.
Get adequate personal travel/health insurance and check it specifically covers you for Morocco. The EHIC card does not cover you (although you should carry it for your travels in Europe to/from Morocco).
It is worthwhile having your vehicle serviced and checked over before you leave. There are effectively no breakdown services in Morocco, although we have been told that ADAC may provide cover. You will more likely be told to get your vehicle back to Europe and you will be re-imbursed by your breakdown company. You should consider carrying some basic spares.
Autogas LPG is not available anywhere in Morocco although bottled gas is everywhere. You will need to make your own specific arrangements – for help try the Motorhomefun internet forum.
Satnav can be difficult. Garmin do not publish data (although there are workarounds). TomTom will sell you a Morocco data file for around £45. The others we have no experience of. Get your own selection of maps and guidebooks. We used Michelin Sheet 742 and ‘All The Aires Morocco’ from Vicarious Books.
TICKETS
It is possible to buy ferry crossing tickets on-line beforehand, as well as at various agencies as you approach the port. There are several routes, and ferry companies, for you to choose, all with advantages and disadvantages. We recommend buying as below.
Algeciras is the main vehicle departure point to Ceuta (a Spanish territory), Tangier-Ville (town) or Tangier-Med. There are others but they involve longer sea crossings. We are told that the Ceuta route involves a chaotic crossing into Morocco, Tangier-Ville spills you out straight into the centre of town and is the longest crossing whilst Tangier-Med is a brand new highly organised port that links straight onto the modern motorway network. We chose the latter although it may not be the cheapest.
We used the services of Voyages Normandie, who have an office just outside the Lidl supermarket at Algeciras and another a short distance away. Many motor-homers appear to obtain their tickets here, then “stock up” at one of the several supermarkets in the area. You will require your vehicle V5, probably your passports and cash - no credit cards. The current cost is €200 per unit (trailers extra). In return they will complete the necessary vehicle import forms, which must be signed by the main driver, and immigration forms for you to complete, as well as a voucher for your ferry crossing. It is recommended that you choose an open return – there is apparently little/no difference in cost.
You may wish to park up here overnight - it is tolerated and many do (we counted over 300!) But please move away from Lidl, there is plenty more space a few hundred metres away near Mercadona. Note you should only park up overnight - no longer or we understand the authorities may crack down.
THE CROSSING
Check-in is apparently 2 hours before departure but be prepared to wait. The route to the port is well-signposted, just follow the correct destination signs, Tangier or Ceuta, and join the correct lane for your ferry company. In practice, follow the French! Note, as you approach the turn for check-in you will likely be waved down and offered help: these guys are unofficial, not wearing yellow hi-viz jackets and have no identity cards. You do not need them and a polite non gracias is sufficient. If you DO use their “services” they will expect to be paid! In practice they usually only target cars but motorhomes are not exempt.
At check-in present your voucher and you will receive boarding cards and either a return ticket or your voucher for the return leg. You will pass through a couple of police posts where your passports may be examined and then directed into the waiting lanes.
When loaded proceed to the passenger accommodation. Once there you must locate the police office – it may just be a desk but it will be obvious by the queue! – where you must present your passport and white immigration form. If this is your first visit to Morocco, the police officer will stamp a number into your passport, known as the CIN no. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT that it is legible; check before leaving the desk and if not have him/her write it in. The stamp is often worn and the numbers print badly. This is your identity number which will be required everywhere in Morocco, and especially on your exit!
Then sit back, have a coffee and enjoy the crossing. The next step only covers Tangier-Med although the formalities are the same, it’s just how your port of entry is organised (or not in the case of Ceuta!). After unloading you will be directed to the Customs point, where you complete the temporary import of your vehicle. In our case we were told to wait with the van until a Customs man came to collect the triplicate import document and V5. At some point you will be directed to a police post to have the passport of the main driver registered, if the Customs man doesn't take it himself. This is where you will almost certainly encounter delays; up to 2hrs have been experienced although we did it all in 45mins. You will be handed back the bottom 2 copies (and the V5) – don’t lose them!
Finally, once cleared, you should exchange some cash. The Morocco Dirham is a restricted currency and is not exchangeable outside the country. Credit/debit cards are not widely accepted so you will need cash for almost everything. You will get a good rate at the port bureaux but we are told that the rate for changing back is rubbish, so you should only change what you need. All major currencies are exchanged and there are bureaux in most towns (the Post Office is best, not many banks will offer exchange). We got £1/13Dh which was the rate we got everywhere. Note, we also successfully used cash machines, although stuck to either the Post Office or larger banks when they were open. Everything is cheap (e.g. fuel 67p/litre, bread 10-20p).
NOW GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE MOROCCO
What you do from hereon in is up to you – we crossed as part of an informal group, half of whom had done it before. It’s good to have someone there to “hold your hand”.
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THE RETURN - Tangier-Med
Once entering the port, proceed to the parking area. Again there will be "helpers" around but you don't need them. All the ferry offices are located in a row of buildings on the left; go to yours and exchange your voucher/ticket for boarding cards. Note that although check-in is supposed to be 2 hours before sailing you will probably have to wait until 1 hour before.
While parked here, if you have dirhams you want to change back, the bureaux de change are all accessible. Remember you cannot exchange them outside of Morocco.
At the time of our visit (Feb 2014) they were still constructing a check-in building which looks as if it will be a drive-through affair but signage appears to be clear.
Once you have your boarding cards you may proceed to the Customs and Police offices to “export” your vehicle - just follow the signs, it is quite a long way. Note you won’t be allowed to leave Morocco without your vehicle - if some major calamity has befallen you, you will need advice we are not qualified to give. This part of the new construction is complete and you should not need to leave your vehicle. You will then be directed to a scanner to have your vehicle checked; all persons (and animals) must leave the vehicle for this check.
Then follow the signs to the quay - your berth number will be on the boarding cards - and again it's quite a long way. All you need now is a ferry........
All the officials we encountered were courteous and efficient, but expected to be respected.
Once the ferry has arrived in Algeciras after debarkation you will pass through several more checks - they are quite straightforward but take time. We were lucky being almost first off and were through in 20mins but others have taken anything up to 2 hours. Be patient, Customs are not known for their understanding/sympathy and can easily find ways to delay you further!
Then simply follow the well-posted signs out of the port to your desired destination
GOOD LUCK
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