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Since the launch of Operation Marhaba on June 10 by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, thousands of Moroccans living abroad have begun traveling to Morocco for the summer holidays by air and sea. Whether traveling from Brussels to Tangier by plane or ferry, transport often accounts for the largest share of the holiday budget for a family of two adults and two children. As every summer, fares have risen sharply with the start of the peak travel season.
For families who cannot travel at another time of year and must plan their holidays around their children's school breaks, the options are limited. Some manage to book their tickets several months in advance to secure lower fares, provided they can afford to do so. Others have little choice but to settle for the cheapest available offers despite the generally high prices during the summer rush.
For travelers departing from countries or cities located far from the main European ports serving Operation Marhaba, flying is often the most practical option. Others, however, continue to favor ferry crossings for logistical reasons, as they allow families to travel with their own vehicle, giving them greater flexibility once they arrive in Morocco.
The Brussels–Tangier route by air
Booking simulations carried out by Yabiladi on July 3, 2026, for travel between July 15 and August 15 reveal significant differences in fares offered by airlines during the peak summer season. Several carriers operate direct flights between Brussels and Tangier, including Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Brussels Airlines, Air Arabia, Ryanair and TUI fly.
For an outbound flight on July 15 and a return on August 15, Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, offers a direct round-trip itinerary for a family of two adults and two children at 15,862 dirhams in economy class. Over the same travel period, the airline also offers three connecting options, with the cheapest priced at 14,136 DH in economy and 16,346 DH in business class. The remaining business-class fares exceed 20,000 DH.
At the time of booking, Brussels Airlines was not offering an outbound flight on July 15, 2026. The closest available departure was on July 16, with round-trip fares for a family of four exceeding €3,186, or nearly 32,000 dirhams.
Low-cost carriers initially advertise cheaper fares, but the total cost rises considerably once checked baggage is added. Given that the comparison is based on a family of two adults and two children traveling for a month, Yabiladi's simulation included checked baggage, making the comparison more representative of the actual cost families are likely to pay.
On Air Arabia direct routes, the bill can easily reach 30,823 DH. With TUI Fly, a round-trip flight including one checked bag for adults (25 kg) and another for children (25 kg) starts at 1,447.92 euros, or 15,500 DH.
Traveling by ferry via Tangier and Nador
This summer, several ferry companies have also announced an increase in services to and from Morocco. With routes to Tangier and Nador, the many crossings are intended to accommodate the growing number of travelers moving between the two shores. Families, for their part, have more options.
From Spain, the route can be made between Algeciras and Tanger Med, Tarifa and Tangier Ville, Barcelona and Tanger Med, Motril, Tanger Med and Al Hoceima, or between Almería and Nador. From Italy and France, there are routes linking Sète, Tanger Med and Nador, Marseille and Tanger Med, as well as Genoa and Tanger Med.
For a family of two adults and two children traveling with a car, the ferry crossing between Algeciras and Tanger Med on the dates in question (July 15 – August 15) starts at 4,020 DH, depending on additional options, in jet class with the ferry company DFDS. On La Méridionale, a round trip between Marseille and Tanger Med costs nearly 18,000 DH.
Between Sète and Tangier, GNV offers a route with tickets starting at 1,060 euros, or nearly 11,000 DH, in the high season, for a family of two adults and two children traveling with a car and a cabin. Between Almería and Nador, Africa Morocco Link (AML) offers a ferry connection starting at 8,074.00 DH for the same number of passengers. The Moroccan company also offers several crossings between Algeciras and Tanger Med, starting at 4,672 DH for the same group size.
For families who prefer to make the journey by car and ferry, it is also important to factor in the cost of diesel, which ranges from 200 to 250 euros, as well as total motorway tolls, while taking into account up to 24 hours of driving time. Between Brussels and Tangier, nearly 2,300 kilometers are covered by road, passing through France and Spain. The Strait can then be crossed by ferry.
