Tarifa - Tangier ferry

At the port of Tarifa

The ferry to Tangier leaves from the Estación Marítima in Tarifa, the passenger terminal in the port on the Strait of Gibraltar. The building has two floors. On the ground floor are the ferry companies' ticket desks and check-in, along with a cafeteria and the authorities.

The route through the port is the same for drivers and foot passengers: from the port entrance to the Estación Marítima car park, from there into the terminal for your ticket, and with your ticket on into the boarding area. The car park, Continental Parking, has direct access to the terminal and is a good option if you leave the car in Tarifa for a day in Tangier.

AML, which operates the route until 30 November 2026, generally advises arriving at the port two hours before departure, or three hours at peak times such as public holidays and school holidays. If you arrive late, AML does not guarantee boarding; your ticket then remains valid for a year for another sailing, subject to availability. How to get to Tarifa by bus or car and where to park in town is covered under Getting there. For an early departure, a night in Tarifa is more relaxed than a long drive on the same morning.

Documents

British nationals need a passport to enter Morocco. It must still be valid for at least three months when you arrive. To board, AML requires a valid passport, a confirmed ticket and, depending on your nationality, a visa.

If you take your own car to Morocco, the vehicle must leave the country again, and your Green Card must be valid for Morocco. You drive on your British driving licence together with an International Driving Permit under the 1968 Convention. Visas, rules for children and what you cannot take into Morocco are covered under Tangier.

On board

The route is served by fast ferries that cross the Strait of Gibraltar in about 60 minutes. There are six to ten departures a day. Because the ferry docks at Tangier's city port, the connection is especially convenient for foot passengers, and a day trip without a car is easy to do.

Arriving at Tanger Ville

The ferry from Tarifa docks at the port of Tanger Ville, at the entrance to the Strait on the western edge of the Bay of Tangier. The city port is closed to cargo ships and now only receives cruise ships and the fast ferries on the historic route from Tarifa.

How to plan your day in the city is covered under Tangier. Before or after the crossing, take a look at Isla de las Palomas in Tarifa with Punta Marroquí, the southernmost point of mainland Europe. Buses, roads and parking are explained under Getting there, and places to stay in Tarifa under Where to stay.