Last updated: 26 October 2026 · By Steve Joury, cargo trip advisor at CargoHolidays
To travel from the UK to Morocco by boat, cross to Spain (by ferry or train via France), then take a short ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier. The final crossing can take around an hour. Here are the routes, timings and tips.
Key facts at a glance
The first leg of getting from the UK to Morocco by boat is reaching Spain. Either sail direct from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao (see UK to Spain by boat), or take Eurostar to Paris and high-speed trains south via Barcelona or Madrid to Andalusia.
| Route | Typische Dauer | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Tarifa – Tanger Ville | About 1 hour | Foot passengers; arrives in Tangier city |
| Algeciras – Tanger Med | About 1–2 hours | Cars and trucks; port is outside Tangier |
| Algeciras – Ceuta | About 1 hour | Spanish enclave, then cross the land border |
Sailings are frequent but can be cancelled in strong winds. Check schedules on the day.
If you’d like more time at sea, ro-pax ferries run from Barcelona and from Italian ports such as Genoa to Tangier. They carry cars, trucks and passengers, with cabins for overnight sailings. See freighter travel from Genoa und travel by cargo ship with your car.
Check the latest entry rules on the UK Foreign Office Morocco page.
Yes. Travel to southern Spain by train or ferry, then take a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier.
About one hour from Tarifa to Tangier, and one to two hours from Algeciras to Tanger Med.
Yes, via ferries to Spain and across the Strait. Make sure your insurance covers Morocco.
Yes. Ro-pax ferries run from Barcelona and Italian ports to Tangier.
Around two to three days.
Continue further by sea
From Morocco, freighters and ro-ro ships sail on to West Africa. Ask us about voyages.
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