This is THE question every family asks before the summer: should you board at Sète or drive down to Spain to take the ferry to Morocco? Both options have their advantages. We help you choose.
Comparison of the 3 main departure ports
Here is a comparison of the three ports most used by travellers to reach Morocco by ferry. Prices and durations are indicative for 2 adults + car in a cabin.
| Criterion | Sète → Tanger Med | Algeciras → Tanger Med | Barcelona → Tanger Med |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossing duration | 34-36h | 1h-1h30 | 30-32h |
| Ferry price | €400-900 | €80-200 | €350-800 |
| Operators | GNV, Baleària | Trasmed (Grimaldi group), FRS, Baleària | GNV, Baleària |
| Summer frequency | 3-4/week | 10+/day | 2-3/week |
| Drive | 0 km (direct) | ~1,200 km from Paris | ~1,000 km from Paris |
| Tolls + fuel | €0 | €250-400 | €200-350 |
| Driver fatigue | None | 10-12h driving | 9-10h driving |
When to choose Sète?
Sète is the best choice for families departing from northern or central France. You load your car directly at the port, sleep on board for 36 hours and arrive rested at Tanger Med. Zero driving stress, zero Spanish tolls.
Sète is ideal if:
- You are departing from Paris, Lyon, Toulouse or Montpellier
- You are travelling with children (36h of rest vs 12h of driving)
- You do not want to drive through Spain
- You prefer a "mini-cruise" experience
Operators from Sète:
- GNV: the largest vessels, myGNV loyalty programme
- Baleària: modern LNG vessels, slightly shorter crossing
The all-inclusive price from Sète (ferry only) is often comparable to the total Spain route (ferry + tolls + fuel + road meals).
Compare Sète → Tanger Med prices →
When to choose Algeciras?
Algeciras is the cheapest and fastest port for reaching Tanger Med. The crossing takes just 1h30 and departures are very frequent (every hour in summer). The drawback: you first have to drive down to southern Spain.
Algeciras is ideal if:
- You are already in the south of France or in Spain
- You want the shortest crossing
- You are flexible on dates (no need to book far in advance)
- You enjoy road trips
Watch out for hidden costs:
- French tolls: ~€80 (Paris → Spanish border)
- Spanish tolls: ~€60-80
- Fuel: ~€150-200 (1,200 km)
- Road meals: ~€40-60
- Total road costs: €250-400 to add to the ferry price
Tarifa is an alternative to Algeciras: the crossing to Tangier City (not Tanger Med) takes just 35 minutes with FRS. But Tangier City is in the centre of Tangier, which can be convenient if that is your final destination.
When to choose Barcelona?
Barcelona is a compromise between Sète and Algeciras. The crossing is long (30-32h) but the port is more accessible from eastern France (Marseille, Nice, Lyon via the A7).
Barcelona is ideal if:
- You live in south-east France
- You want to combine with a stop in Barcelona
- Sète is full (Barcelona often still has availability)
The operators are the same as at Sète (GNV and Baleària) with similar prices.
The full calculation: Sète vs Spain (2026 season)
Let's be honest: there is no absolute winner. The total depends above all on where you start from in France. Here are the ranges by scenario (family of 4, 2 adults + 2 children + car, cabin, July — indicative prices for the 2026 season).
Scenario 1: starting from the north or centre (Paris, Lille, Lyon)
Sète saves you around 1,500 km of driving each way compared with Algeciras.
| Cost item | Via Sète | Via Algeciras |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry (cabin) | €700-900 | €120-200 |
| Tolls | €0-60 | €140-180 |
| Fuel | €30-80 | €180-250 |
| Road meals | €0 | €40-60 |
| Hotel en route | €0 | €80-160 (1-2 nights) |
| Estimated total | €750-1,000 | €560-850 |
| Total time | 36h (rest) | 14h driving + 1h30 ferry |
| Fatigue | None | High |
On the median example (€800 via Sète vs €640 via Algeciras), Spain saves ~€160. Depending on your dates and promotions, the real gap ranges from almost nothing to ~€250 — in exchange for 1,500 km of driving. Everyone must choose their own comfort level.
Scenario 2: starting from the south-west (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Basque Country)
Algeciras is almost always cheaper: the drive down the A63 is direct and shorter, while Sète means a detour east. Expect €500-700 in total via Algeciras versus €750-1,000 via Sète.
Scenario 3: starting from the south-east (Marseille, Montpellier, Nice)
Sète is 1-3 hours away by road: with near-zero road costs, the direct ferry wins on comfort for a total often comparable to the Spain option. Algeciras only makes sense on a very tight budget or if you need date flexibility.
Heading to Nador? Consider Almería and Motril
If your final destination is Nador or the Rif, the ports of Almería and Motril (6-7h crossing, several departures a day, Baleària, Trasmed (Grimaldi group), FRS, Armas) often offer the best value: you arrive directly in north-eastern Morocco without crossing the country. Bonus of the Spanish route: fuel there is 20-25% cheaper than in France.
The temporary plate (WW) trap
If your vehicle is on temporary plates (French WW plates), avoid transiting through Spain. Spanish customs may consider the vehicle as exported and charge you customs duties on the return — up to 31% of the vehicle's value. In that case, board directly at Sète: formalities are handled on board, with no Spanish customs involved.
Our verdict
| Situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| From northern France | Sète |
| From the south-west | Algeciras (via the A63) |
| From the south-east | Barcelona or Sète |
| Tight budget | Algeciras |
| Family with children | Sète (comfort) |
| In a hurry | Algeciras (1h30 crossing) |
| First time | Sète (simpler) |
| Destination Nador / Rif | Almería or Motril |
| Vehicle on WW plates | Sète (mandatory) |
Whatever your choice, compare prices on Bladia.com to find the best deal. Payment in 4 instalments and holiday vouchers accepted on all routes.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest port for Morocco?
Algeciras is the port with the cheapest ferry tickets (from €39 foot passenger, €80 with car). But add €250-400 in road costs from Paris. Overall, Sète can work out the same price.
Can you pay the ferry in 4 instalments regardless of the port?
Yes, on Bladia.com payment in 4 interest-free instalments is available for Sète, Barcelona and Algeciras. Holiday vouchers are also accepted. Find out more →
Do you need to book well in advance?
For Sète and Barcelona: yes, at least 2-3 months in advance in summer. For Algeciras: less critical thanks to frequent departures, but still book 2-3 weeks ahead in July-August.