Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN): The Complete Guide

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (code: CMN) is Morocco’s main gateway — the busiest airport in the country and the hub of Royal Air Maroc. If you are landing here for the first time, this guide walks you through exactly what to expect: the terminals, the arrivals process, where to get a SIM card and cash, and every way to leave the airport — train, taxi or private transfer.

Where is Mohammed V Airport?

CMN sits about 30 km south of Casablanca, near the town of Nouasseur — not in the city itself. That surprises many first-time visitors: you land, and there is still a real journey to your hotel. Count 35–45 minutes by road to the city centre in normal traffic, and plan more during the morning and evening rush.

It is also the natural arrival point for much more than Casablanca. Many travellers land at CMN and continue directly to Marrakech (about 2 h 30 – 3 h), Rabat (1 h – 1 h 30) or the coast at El Jadida and Mazagan — often without ever entering Casablanca.

Terminals at CMN

The airport has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, connected on foot. Terminal 2 handles the bulk of international traffic including most Royal Air Maroc flights; Terminal 1 serves the remainder, and the ONCF railway station sits beneath the terminal complex, clearly signposted from arrivals.

Practical points inside the terminals:

• Free Wi-Fi is available, though sessions are typically time-limited.
• Cafés and duty free exist in both terminals — prices are airport prices; a coffee in the city costs a third as much.
• Prayer rooms are available and signposted.
• Premium lounges operate in the departure areas (day access can usually be purchased).

Arrivals at CMN, step by step

1. Passport control. Fill in nothing in advance — Morocco stamps most visitors in for 90 days. Queues can be slow when several wide-body flights land together; summer evenings are the worst.
2. Baggage claim. Trolleys are free. Porters exist and expect a small tip (10–20 MAD is normal).
3. Customs. Green channel for nothing to declare — you may be asked to scan luggage.
4. The arrivals hall. This is where the choices start: SIM counters, exchange desks and ATMs to your sides, the taxi rank outside, the train downstairs — and if you booked a private transfer, your driver waiting with a name sign.

Night arrivals: CMN operates around the clock and plenty of flights land after midnight. The train does not run all night and the taxi rank applies a night premium, so if you land late, a pre-booked night transfer is the option that never leaves you stranded.

Money: ATMs and currency exchange

The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed-ish currency — you will do your changing in Morocco, and the arrivals hall covers it:

• ATMs in arrivals generally give a fair market rate. Tell your bank you are travelling, and prefer being charged in MAD if the machine offers a currency choice (dynamic conversion is always the worse rate).
• Exchange desks are convenient but rarely the best rate. Change what you need for the first day — around 500–1 000 MAD covers transport, food and tips — and do the rest at a bank in town.

Cash still matters in Morocco: small restaurants, taxis and souks are cash-first. Cards are fine in hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets.

SIM cards and staying connected

All three Moroccan operators — Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi — have counters in the arrivals area. A tourist SIM with a generous data package costs very little by European standards. Bring your passport (registration is required), and have the staff activate the data plan before you walk away. eSIM travellers: Moroccan eSIM packages exist online, but the airport counter remains the simplest option if your phone is unlocked.

Leaving the airport: your four options

Option	Price	Time to centre	Best for
ONCF train	≈ 42 MAD (2nd class)	≈ 45 min to Casa Voyageurs + taxi to hotel	Solo travellers, light luggage, daytime
Official taxi rank	≈ 250–350 MAD by day, ≈ +50 % after 20:00, negotiated	35–45 min door-to-door	Spontaneous arrivals who don’t mind negotiating
Private transfer (pre-booked)	400 MAD fixed, per vehicle, 24/7	35–45 min door-to-door	Families, night arrivals, anyone who wants certainty
Onward intercity transfer	Fixed quote by route	Direct to Marrakech, Rabat, Fes…	Skipping Casablanca entirely

A few honest notes on each:

• The train is excellent value — but it is station-to-station. From Casa Voyageurs you still need a petit taxi to your hotel, and stairs with heavy luggage are part of the deal. Full comparison here: train, taxi or private transfer?
• The taxi rank works, but the fare is negotiated, not metered, and rises steeply at night. Agree the total price before getting in. Our full price breakdown: Casablanca airport taxi prices.
• Ride-hailing apps do not pick up at CMN — Uber left Morocco in 2018. Details: Is there Uber at Casablanca airport?
• A pre-booked private transfer costs a fixed 400 MAD to the city centre — per vehicle, any hour, driver waiting inside arrivals with your name, flight tracked. That is what we do at CasaShuttle, and all prices are published here.

Departing from CMN: tips

• Arrive 3 hours before an international departure. Security and check-in queues at T2 get long in summer and around religious holidays.
• Keep some dirhams for the road — the autoroute to the airport has a toll, and you may want a last coffee.
• If your flight leaves before 07:00, remember the train will not get you there in time — plan a pre-dawn pickup the evening before.
• Spending dirhams: you can convert leftover MAD back at the exchange desks with a receipt from your original exchange.

Landing at CMN and going straight to another city?

You do not need to “do” Casablanca to use its airport. The most popular direct routes from the arrivals hall:

• Casablanca Airport → Marrakech — ≈ 240 km, 2 h 30 – 3 h
• Casablanca Airport → Rabat — ≈ 90 km, 1 h – 1 h 30
• Casablanca Airport → El Jadida / Mazagan — ≈ 90 km, ≈ 1 h
• Casablanca Airport → Fes — ≈ 3 h – 3 h 30
• Casablanca Airport → Essaouira — ≈ 4 h 30 – 5 h

Every route is a private car with a fixed, written price — send your flight number on WhatsApp and the rest is handled.