Compare Sète Tanger and Southern Spain for your next trip to Morocco
Why compare Sète-Tanger with southern Spain?
Taking a boat to Morocco is a great way to travel while discovering beautiful towns and breathtaking scenery. If you want to plan your trip, you need to decide whether you want to depart from Sète or from the southern coast of Spain. In this article, we'll help you find out more about traveling from Sète to Tangier, and provide information on the various options available.
If you're looking for more information about travelling from Sète to Tangier and the different options available, visit our website www.bladia.com and find out all we have to offer on the subject.
Sete tanger with the grandi navi veloci company
Today we're here to help you choose the crossing that's right for you. There are several crossings to Morocco, from a departure in the south of France, more precisely in the town of Sète with the GRANDI NAVI VELOCI company. But we also have departures from the south of Spain, with a number of ports.
Departures from France are from the port of Sète, located in the south of France between Montpellier and Béziers. In a beautiful Mediterranean town, it's a pleasure to visit.
To reach the port of Tangier-Med or Nador in Morocco with a major Italian company, GRANDI NAVI VELOCI, crossings take between 30 and 40 hours, depending on the ports of call and the planned itinerary. On the other hand, during this time you don't have to drive, so you can get on with your vacation and relax.
Port comparison
Sete
In Barcelona, on Spain's east coast, two companies offer ferries to Morocco: GNV and Grimaldi. Crossings last between 26 and 32 hours.
Crossings from Sète to Tangier or Sete to Nador take around 36 hours. There are 2 crossings a week to Tangier and the same to Nador. Prices vary quite a bit with the seasons. In April, a berth in a 4-person cabin with porthole cost 300€ with vehicle. To book, go to BLADIA.COM https://www.bladia.com/ where tickets for this ferry are sold. I strongly advise you to buy your outward and return tickets at the same time. This may seem logical, but you should know that by buying your tickets on the same day, you can save up to 40% in low season. There's Wifi, a cafeteria, a snack bar and restaurants on board, all of which are halal, so don't hesitate to reserve your meal ticket directly when you buy your ticket - it'll cost you less than if you had to pay for it directly on the boat.
Tangier
Customs formalities (passport and vehicle if you have one) are carried out on board the boat by Moroccan customs officials.
In addition to Sète-Tanger, there's also a Barcelona-Tanger line, but prices are fairly comparable, so unless you want to visit Barcelona at the same time.boats don't go to the port of Tangier, but to the new port of Tangier Med, 50 km east of Tangier. There is a disembarkation terminal on site, where you can undoubtedly spend the night if you arrive at an ungodly hour.
Currency exchange and ATMs are available at the Tanger Med terminal.
Buses run regularly between Tanger Med and the Tanger bus station during the day and until 10 pm for Dh25.
For this, don't hesitate to book with BLADIA.COM https://www.bladia.com/, you'll travel while you rest, arriving in Morocco you'll be in good shape to start a good holiday.
Southern Spain
Evaluation of different locations
For departures from Spain, you can also take the ferry halfway to Spain, with several ports providing links to Tangier-Med and Nador.
Algeciras, at the southernmost tip of Spain. A number of ferry companies (FRS, Balearia...) provide connections to Tangier-Med in 1h30.
Motril, in southern Spain, with the FRS and ARMAS ferry companies, provides connections to Morocco in 6 to 7 hours.
Almeria, located above Motril, with TRASMEDITERRANEA, BALEARIA and ARMAS, offers connections to Nador, with crossings between 5 and 8 hours.
It is possible to cross the whole of Spain to Almeria, Motril or Algeciras, then take a ferry to Tangiers or Nador.
Passengers looking to cross by ferry between Sète or southern Spain have several options available.
Departure can be from the Sète ferry terminal or from other Moroccan seaports such as Tangier Ville or Tarifa.
Shipping companies offering crossings include Grimaldi Lines, which offers cruises to destinations such as Nador, Livorno, Sardinia, Gibraltar and Melilla. Passengers can book their tickets online for one-way journeys or with a stopover in the Strait of Gibraltar. Prices vary according to destination, and it is advisable to book in advance to obtain the best fares.
Passengers can also opt for cabins for added comfort during their Mediterranean sea journey.
Advantages and disadvantages
That's another solution, but it's a long, tiring and costly journey, with the cost of countless freeways, petrol, snacks, restaurants and hotel nights. Nights in the plural, because unless you take turns driving all night, you'll need to spend at least two nights in hotels in Spain.
The road in Spain
Spaniards are moderately friendly to tourists (if at all on the freeways) and can be friendly and festive, but only if you speak their language. In fact, they have the unfortunate defect of speaking only their mother tongue (at top speed), English being the occasional exception. If you still have to make this choice, pass Algeciras, a fairly large town but where the small hotels are so well hidden that I've never found one, to push on to Tarifa. It's an extra 30 minutes' drive to beautiful Cadiz, but well worth it. This small town exudes a certain charm and boasts a good number of hotels and restaurants. What's more, the crossing there is much shorter (around 40 mns instead of 1h to 2h30). The Algeciras or Tarifa crossings are in wheelchairs, as they are short crossings. Count on a little over €200 return for 2 people and a car. Once there, those with tickets can go straight to the port to take their boat in peace and quiet.
There are also crossings to Nador from Ameria, Motril and Malaga, 3 cities that follow each other on the itinerary, with plenty of choice for eating and hotel accommodation. To buy a ferry ticket, it's best to book in advance on a website such as bladia.com, which offers attractive prices.
So you can go to Morocco with 2 possible choices: a departure from Sete or a departure to the south of Spain.with a departure from Sete you'll travel while resting throughout the crossing. If you like driving, you'll be better off on the road, but it's more tiring. The price difference for both is not much, but you'll gain in rest.
See our departure times to compare
The journey from France to the port of Almeria by car can take between 18 and 24 hours, depending on the route you choose. You can take the Autoroute des Pyrenees orientales (A9) to Valencia, then continue towards Murcia and Almeria. Alternative routes are also available, such as crossing inland Spain and taking secondary roads.
If you choose to drive from France, you'll need to pass through the following cities: Montpellier, Valencia, Alicante, Murcia and finally Almeria. You can also choose to pass through the port of Sète, which will take you around 15 hours.
When traveling by car, be sure to stop regularly to rest and ensure your safety and that of others. Don't forget
What are the most practical ways of getting from Sète or Tangier to southern Spain?
The most practical means of getting from Southern Spain to Sète or Tangier are by plane or car. By plane, there are direct connections from Sète and Tangiers airports, and most airlines offer flights to Southern Spain. By car, you can drive or take a bus or train across the distance.
Conclusions
In summary, there are two options for ferry travel to Morocco: one from Sète in France and the other from southern Spain. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but the final choice is up to each traveler. Whichever option you choose, don't forget to book your ticket in advance and find out about departure times and fares to maximize your trip.
Sète Tangier and Barcelona Tangier are interesting options for getting to Morocco. Fares vary according to the season, and are usually more attractive when booked with a return trip at the same time. You should also bear in mind the longer journey time with Sète Tangier. And don't forget that you'll have to deal with Moroccan formalities on board the ship.