Mohammed V International Airport Guide (CMN) – Casablanca

Airport Overview

Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) is the largest and busiest airport in Morocco and in the Maghreb region, located approximately 30 km southeast of Casablanca city centre. The airport handled over 9 million passengers annually in recent years and serves as the primary hub for Royal Air Maroc, Morocco's national carrier and a member of the Oneworld alliance. CMN is a key transit hub between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, and serves as an important gateway for Moroccan diaspora travelling between France, Spain, Belgium, and Morocco's major cities.

Terminals

• Terminal 1 (T1): The primary terminal handling Royal Air Maroc international departures and arrivals, along with major European carriers including Air France, British Airways, Iberia, and Lufthansa. Features the main check-in hall, premium lounges, and extensive airside retail.
• Terminal 2 (T2): Handles domestic Morocco flights, regional routes, and some low-cost carriers including easyJet and Transavia. Connected to T1 by a covered walkway.

WiFi Availability

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Mohammed V Airport under the network "ONDA_FreeWiFi" (ONDA = Office National Des Aéroports, Morocco's airport authority). Connect and complete a simple registration. Sessions are complimentary with no stated time limit. Connection speeds are generally reliable for everyday browsing and video calls. No internet restrictions apply in Morocco and all international services work normally.

Transport to City Centre

ONCF Train (Al Bidaoui)

The ONCF national railway runs a dedicated airport train service to Casablanca-Port, Casablanca-Voyageurs, and Casa-Oasis stations in central Casablanca. The journey to Casa-Voyageurs (the main central station) takes approximately 35 minutes. Fares are MAD 43–55 (approx. USD 4–5). Trains run approximately every 30–60 minutes from approximately 06:00 to 23:30. This is the most reliable and comfortable transport link to the city.

Bus Services

CTM and other bus companies operate services from the airport to Casablanca's Gare Routière. Journey time is 40–60 minutes. Fares are approximately MAD 30–50. Bus stops are outside the terminal arrivals exit.

Taxi and Rideshare

Petit taxis (small metered taxis) and grand taxis (shared taxis) are available outside arrivals. The journey to central Casablanca takes 30–50 minutes. Grand taxis cost approximately MAD 200–300 (USD 20–30) for the full car. Negotiate fares before departure for metered taxis. Careem operates in Casablanca for app-based transparent pricing.

Airport Lounges

CMN offers solid lounge options particularly in T1 for premium passengers and card members.

• Royal Air Maroc Business Class Lounge (T1): RAM's flagship lounge with a buffet featuring Moroccan dishes including pastilla, tagines, and mint tea. Showers, prayer room, and business services available. Accessible to Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members.
• Royal Air Maroc First Class Lounge (T1): Exclusive premium lounge with a la carte Moroccan dining, premium bar, and personalised service.
• Atlas Lounge / Priority Pass Lounge (T1): Priority Pass and DragonPass accepted; full dining and refreshments including Moroccan pastries and mint tea.
• Salon d'Honneur (T1): Pay-per-use lounge open to all passengers with light Moroccan refreshments and comfortable seating.

Hotels Near the Airport

Several hotels are located in the airport vicinity and the broader Casablanca area.

• Sheraton Casablanca Hotel (near airport): Approximately 10 km from CMN with a rooftop pool, full-service spa, and multiple dining options.
• Hyatt Place Casablanca Aeroport: Approximately 5 km from the airport near the airport commercial zone, offering modern rooms and free shuttle service.
• Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca: Luxury beachfront hotel approximately 35 km from the airport in the exclusive Anfa district.
• Novotel Casablanca City Centre: Approximately 30 km from CMN near the Mohammed V Square, convenient for exploring Casablanca's famous Art Deco architecture.
• Golden Tulip Farah Casablanca: Mid-range central hotel approximately 28 km from the airport in the Casablanca CBD.

Food and Restaurants

CMN's terminals feature a satisfying mix of Moroccan specialties and international chains.

• Maison de l'Argan (T1, airside): Moroccan café specialising in argan oil-based products, mint tea, msemen (Moroccan pancakes), and traditional pastries.
• McDonald's (T1 and T2): Full menu; notably one of the few places in Morocco open late with consistent Wi-Fi.
• Paul Bakery (T1): French-style bakery popular at CMN given Casablanca's French colonial heritage; croissants, baguettes, and café au lait.
• Starbucks (T1, landside): Full menu with some Moroccan-inspired drink options available.
• Comptoir Marrakech (T1): Moroccan restaurant serving tagines, couscous, and fresh-squeezed orange juice — a taste of Morocco before departure.
• Brioche Dorée (T2): French bakery chain popular for quick croissants and pastry snacks.

Travel Tips

• Most nationalities receive a 90-day visa-free entry to Morocco; EU, US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens do not need a visa in advance.
• The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the local currency; it is officially non-exportable, so exchange remaining currency before departure. ATMs and exchange desks are widely available.
• Morocco is a Muslim-majority country with a relatively liberal social culture; dress modestly when visiting mosques and traditional areas but casual wear is fine in Casablanca.
• The ONCF airport train is excellent and connects seamlessly to Morocco's intercity rail network; you can reach Marrakech (3 hours), Rabat (1 hour), and Tangier (5 hours) directly by train from Casablanca.
• Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque, one of the world's largest mosques, is a must-visit — it is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours.
• French is widely spoken throughout Morocco and at the airport; basic French phrases are more useful than English in many situations.
• Morocco uses UTC+1 year-round (Western European Time without daylight saving); keep this in mind when transiting from European time zones.