Everything to Know About Taking the Tarifa to Tangier Ferry in 2024

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Interested in taking the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier? Here are the top tips we learned from our own experience including how to buy tickets, requirements and what to expect upon arriving.

If you’re planning a trip to southern Spain and looking for something unique to add to your itinerary, a few days or even a day trip to Tangier is a wonderful choice. The Tarifa to Tangier ferry has made visiting the northernmost part of Africa incredibly easy for just about any traveller.

With a short ferry ride and one passport stamp later, you can land in northern Morocco.

Find yourself discovering the seductively chaotic maze of Tangier’s medina or drinking mint tea while overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The ferry from Tarifa to Tangier will get you there in no time.

From booking ferry tickets to knowing which documents to bring, you’ll find the practical information you need in this guide.

Tarifa to Tangier Ferry Essentials

🛏 Book accommodation in Tangier as proof to provide during the border control process

🎒 The easiest, non self-guided and hassle free way to visit Tangier from Tarifa is by booking a guided tour

⛴ Purchase ferry tickets ahead of time to ensure availability. Remember – ferry schedules change based on season!

🚗 If you’re driving a rental car, confirm if the car rental agency even allows you to take the vehicle into Tangier or not

📱 A European SIM card will not work in Tangier so make sure you’re set with an eSIM for Morocco beforehand

Is Tangier Worth a Visit?

For a taste of Africa within a stone’s throw from Europe, Tangier is truly an extraordinary place to visit. It’s iconically known as the meeting point between the two continents and a gateway to a different a world.

If you have even one day to spare, making the short journey from Tarifa to Tangier is worth it! Personally, after spending some time in Spain, landing in Tangier was like stepping into an entirely different universe.

Experiencing the wonder of this seaport city doesn’t take much effort. Within a few steps of disembarking the ferry, you’re immersed in a bustling city that never seems to stop.

The historic kasbah and its medina labyrinth, energetic outdoor markets, intimate cafes and multicultural fusion of cuisine are just some of the things that make Tangier one of a kind.

How to Get From Tarifa to Tangier

The quickest and most efficient way to get to Tangier from Tarifa is by ferry. There is only one route which departs from Tarifa’s port and arrives in Port de Tanger Ville.

SUPER IMPORTANT TO KNOW: There are two ferry terminals in Tangier.

One is named Port de Tanger Ville (Tangier City Port) and the other is located about 50 km east which is named Tanger Med.

There are two nearby alternative routes close to Tarifa from Spain. From Algeciras in Spain, it is possible to take the ferry to Tanger Med. A ferry crossing departing from Gibraltar will also land you at the Tanger Med terminal. These two other options will not get you to Tangier City Port.

Is there a flight to Tangier from Tarifa?

It is not possible to fly directly from Tarifa to Tangier. The nearest departing location for taking a plane to Tangier would be from Malaga (Spain), which is 2 hours northeast of Tarifa.

The flight time from Malaga to Tangier’s international airport of Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport is 50 minutes. This short haul flight can can cost as little as €15 for a one-way ticket.

Planning to drive to Tangier? Traveling to Tangier from Tarifa with a car is super simple! Nearly every Tangier ferry is car compatible and not just for foot passengers.

🗺 You May Like: Southern Spain Road Trip Itinerary

Getting to Tangier From Tarifa by Ferry

How Long Is the Ferry Ride From Tarifa to Tangier?

The ferry crossing from Tarifa to Tangier only takes one hour. For visitors looking to make a day trip to Tangier, the travel time of this route is conveniently short. The ferry’s journey crosses the famed Strait of Gibraltar which at its narrowest points, is only 13 km (8 miles) from the Iberian Peninsula in Spain to Africa’s Morocco.

A Tarifa to Tangier day trip is particularly common for travellers staying in Algeciras for a holiday in Spain. From Algeciras, it is an easy 25 minute (23 km) drive to the ferry port in Tarifa.

An alternative route for a day trip to Tangier from Spain is the ferry crossing from Algeciras port to Tanger Med. This ferry ride is nearly twice as long (1 hour and 45 minutes) and arrives in Tangier Med port. From Tanger Med to the ancient kasbah, it’s another hour long drive.

Tarifa to Tangier Ferry Timetable

Whether you’re planning a longer stay or day trip to Tangier, it’s helpful to understand how frequently the Tarifa to Tangier ferry operates. The ferry crossing between the two continents takes place multiple times per day among the various ferry operators.

On average, you’ll find direct ferries departing Tarifa every two hours in the mornings and early afternoons. As the day progresses, frequency decreases.

The most popular ferry operator between Tarifa and Tangier Ville is FRS. FRS provides an average of five journeys per day with even up to eight journeys during the summer. FRS ferry prices unfortunately tend to be quite high.

As always, it’s highly recommended to check the ferry operator’s website directly for the Tangier ferry schedule.

• FRS Tangier Ferry Schedule

You may see additional ferry companies pop up when searching for Tangier ferries such as AML, Balearia and Armas. As of 2024, only FRS and AML serve the routes to Tangier City Port. The other ferry companies like Balearia only serve ferry crossings to Tanger Med and not Tangier City Port.

This is an important detail to lookout for in order to avoid arriving at the wrong ferry port in Morocco.

How Much Is the Tarifa to Tangier Ferry?

The cost of a ferry ticket from Tarifa to Tangier will vary on a couple of factors such as your age, time of year and if you are a foot passenger or traveling with a vehicle. In general, a passenger walking onto the ferry should expect to pay €40 – €50 for a one-way ticket.

One adult passenger with a standard vehicle should expect to pay anywhere from €200 – €240 for a one-way ticket. Two adults with a vehicle will likely cost €250 – €280 for a one-way ticket.

Booking a roundtrip ticket in advance is highly recommended. If you do, you’ll usually save 10% or more on the total ticket price.

There are a handful of ways to book ferry tickets for the Tarifa to Tangier ferry and it’s worth your time to shop for the best prices. Ferry prices can fluctuate drastically, similar to flight prices if you don’t grasp them at the right time.

To see multiple options at once, start browsing for tickets with Bookaway. Or, go straight to the source and purchase online tickets from FRS and Inter Shipping directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Have to Book Your Ferry Ticket In Advance?

It’s not required to have a booked ferry ticket in advance but it definitely doesn’t hurt. Purchasing your ferry ticket ahead of time ensures availability on the particular ship and in most instances, the time that you prefer to depart.

Although buying a ferry ticket is possible at the port, it’s risky if you’re aiming to be in Tangier at a specific time.

If you are driving and bringing your car onto the ferry, you should definitely not wait to purchase your ticket until you arrive at the port. The ferries themselves are large and there’s plenty of room for passengers but there is limited space for vehicles.

Having a ferry reservation prior to boarding is the best way to go.

What Documents Are Required to Travel From Tarifa to Tangier?

Travelling to Morocco from Spain is quite uncomplicated in terms of requirements. For anyone taking the ferry from Tarifa to Morocco, it’s required to travel with a valid passport that doesn’t expire in the next six months. You will also need to make sure there is an empty passport page for the stamp you will receive from the border crossing officer.

If applicable, do not forget any additional documents which support your permanent or temporary residency situation.

The last major item you’ll need to be aware of is proof of accommodation in Morocco. This means you need to be able to show the law enforcement agents that you have already booked your hotel or stay in advance.

It is technically also required that you have a return ticket already booked upon entering Morocco. If you are travelling with a loose itinerary and do not have a designated “leave date” then some further questions may be raised by the authorities.

Are Pets Allowed on the Tangier Ferry?

The Tarifa ferry to Tangier is pet friendly. Taking your dog with you is possible as long as you follow the ferry operator’s rules. These regulations may include requiring your dog to wear a muzzle or be placed in a kennel area provided by the ferry.

Since it is a short ferry ride, leaving your dog in the car is also possible. It is strongly recommended you have your dog’s pet passport ready if anyone happens to ask for it.

A pet passport may include a vaccination card, official animal ID or certificate of good health. This set of documents can be easily obtained at a veterinarian office in Spain before departure, if you do not have one already prepared.

There is usually a limit of 4 or 5 pets per passenger but it does depend on the ferry company you book with.

Do You Need a Visa to Enter Morocco From Spain?

You do not need a visa for visiting Morocco for less than 3 months (or 90 days). This applies to citizens of the U.S., Canada, Australia, UK and EU. Although a temporary tourist visa is not required, you will still undergo a quick processing procedure aboard the ferry.

You’ll simply queue up for the officer to leave a stamp in your passport. You do not have to have anything ready upfront as long as you have all the documents in order per the previous section. The entire process is straightforward, convenient and handled during the ferry ride.

Can You Take a Rental Car on the Ferry?

If you are interested in taking your rented car to Tangier from Tarifa and you rented it in Spain, you’ll need to ask the rental car company if it’s allowed.

Morocco and the ferry operator will primarily be concerned with the fact that you have the rights to bring the rental car into Africa but they don’t set the rules. If the company you rented the car from permits the travel, they’ll issue you a set of documents as proof.

Unfortunately, most rental car companies will not allow you to bring a car from Spain to Africa. If you are interested in the possibility, definitely ask the company during your rental process.

More on this below, but the more common scenario is to leave your car rental in Tarifa and board the Tarifa to Tangier ferry as a foot passenger. An additional alternative is to browse for a separate car rental in Tangier so you have a ride ready once you arrive at the Tangier City Port.

Where Can You Leave a Rental Car During Your Tangier Trip?

If you are not taking your own car or rental car onto the Tangier ferry, you can leave it in Tarifa while you’re visiting Tangier. There is a designated parking lot near the ferry port in Tarifa for passengers to leave their cars long or short term.

However, the lot is small and fills up quickly. It should not be the only option to rely on if you’re planning on leaving your car in Spain. There is plenty of street parking in the vicinity which is a mix of both paid and free spots. If you have the time, drive around until you find a free spot, especially if you are staying in Tangier for more than a couple of days.

Be mindful of any possible “no parking” signs and don’t be shy to ask a local if parking is allowed in a specific spot. People will help you out! We personally left a rental car in a neighbouring street by the ferry port and returned to our car in the same shape we left it in with zero tickets.

Tips for Arriving in Tangier

Even though it’s a short one hour ferry ride, the journey from Tarifa to Tangier means you’ll land in a completely different country and continent.

There are a couple of things to know beforehand which will make your arrival and time in Tangier as smooth as possible. These are a few helpful pieces of information on what to expect when arriving in Tangier.

Transportation & Getting Around

Particularly when disembarking the ferry, the easiest way to get to your hotel or Airbnb is by walking. In fact, it’s highly recommended to choose a place to stay that’s near the port or within a 15 minute walk to save yourself the hassle of obtaining transportation.

This is assuming your hotel or host does not offer transportation. If they do offer a pickup from the port, it’s a great opportunity to take them up on the offer for a small fee if you do not feel like walking.

One of the most common ways to get around Tangier is by taxi. The main reason is, they’re very affordable if you compare them to taxi prices in Europe. Unlike Europe, they can be a bit more confusing to navigate due to different types of taxi rides. There is a solo taxi which is just for you or your party.

Then, there is a shared taxi which often takes place in a bigger SUV or van. This is essentially exactly what it sounds like – a shared taxi ride with other passengers. These taxis will of course be less expensive but involves more communication about who is paying what amount, which direction you’re headed and when. 

You may see many buses running through Tangier but they can be quite intimidating to use as a foreign traveler. The timetables are often out of date and also in Arabic, which makes taking the bus less straightforward than in some other countries.

Unless you receive assistance from your host, hotel or a guide, it’s not the easiest way to get around Tangier.

Language

Arabic and different variations of Arabic are the official languages of Morocco. Additionally, French is also spoken by more than half of the country’s population. If you’re like us, Arabic is a bit harder to learn but getting by with a few French phrases is manageable.

Take the time to study up and learn a handful of words or sentences in both languages. It’ll make your initial “landing” in Tangier a bit easier and the locals will appreciate your effort.

Many People Will “Greet” You

Immediately upon stepping foot in Morocco, you’ll notice people approaching you for all sorts of things. Since they’ll notice you are getting off the ferry as a tourist, the most common question you’ll get from the greeters is if you need a ride to your hotel.

If you choose to entertain one of these offers, it’s absolutely critical you agree to a price for the car or taxi ride beforehand. Taking a taxi ride without agreeing to the price upfront leaves you to the possibility of being scammed or overpaying by a great deal.

In addition to being offered a ride, you’ll also be offered tours and guides. There are so many benefits to exploring a city like Tangier with a guide, but you need to make sure they’re legitimate.

If anybody is asking for cash upfront, this is a dead giveaway that the offer is not valid. The most assuring way to book a tour, activity or guide is with a reputable service or with your hotel. Greeters targeting tourists can be very persuasive and persistent. You’ll need to continue on with your way and politely decline their offers, even if it takes a while!

A general rule of thumb is to not give anyone a reason to demand money from you. For example, if you allow a potential taxi driver to hold your bags while you’re negotiating a fee with them, they may already expect a tip.

Where to Stay In Tangier

Dar Sami, Riad Bab Kasbah – Best Budget Stay

Kasbah Rose – Best Mid-Range Stay

Riad Dar Saba – Best Luxury Stay

Apartment in the Center of Tangier – Best Apartment Stay

⛴ Other Ferry Journey You May Like:

• Taking the Rome to Barcelona Ferry
• How to Drive From Italy to Turkey
• Taking a Ferry to Albania From Italy

Tarifa to Tangier Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator

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