Tangier CTM bus stop location

gracias.

"Africa is full of questions" --- Pliny the Elder

Hey guys, one more question (although I will have many more I am sure)

My only language is english, a friend is teaching me some basics of Arabic and I might be able to speak to people in French but probably not understand what they response is...

What will be the best way of communicating to the attendents at the CTM station about my required times and destinations? Should I ask my friend to write my request in Arabic and just hand it to the CTM employees, or? Also what payments methods are there will I be bale to get some MAD cash from the port?

Thanks

I've found that lately in Morocco more and more people are dying to speak English, rather than French, esp. in tourist oriented places.

Hello Grayballs,

The booking clerks at the CTM offices always spoke good enough English ( I think the Tangier port office is still operational) they also spoke French ( the middle class Moroccans have to learn French (obligatoire) at Koranic school). I can speak French okay, four years study at Grammar school and I've always kept up to speed in this language, which is THE diplomatic language, worldwide, and extremely useful for travelling. But as you mentioned, it's more difficult to understand the response from arabs, with their heavy gutteral accent. But you'll find that in Tangier, English is more widely spoken than French, this being the remnant of twenty years of British rule as a duty- free port. Always speak slowly and clearly to Moroccans in English, avoiding any slang terms, and they will understand you. As Intrepidgens said many Moroccans are always enthusiastic to engage you in conversation, when they realise English is your "mother tongue", always looking to improve their vocabulary and pronunciation skills. I have had many interesting discussions, teaching Moroccans more English and in return discovering much more about latest events and news in their country. So, no worries about buying the bus ticket, can you post an update on the Tangier port CTM office, just to know if it's still operational, when you get back? ....thanks .......Miguel.

I forgot about the money question! If you take the ferry from Tarifa and it docks at the old Tangier port, there are ATM's in what look like Portacabins, immediately after the taxi rank as you walk from the terminal towards the main port exit gate. There is usually a "cash machine hustler" in attendance, loitering around the ATM's and change offices, so whatever the invitation he comes across with, just say " Laa,bageesh shareef " (No, not interested, mister), this usually confounds all but the most persistent, and gets rid of them!

It's probably better to get some Dirhams at the ticket agencies in Algeciras before departing, but I've heard the exchange rate is not good, it should be 11 dirhams to one euro, or 13 dirhams to the pound sterling. I always keep some Dirhams left over from my last trip to avoid this hassle. You're allowed to import/export up to one thousand Dirhams, but nobody ever checks this anyway. If all else fails, take a blue taxi to Boulevard Pasteur, the main street, where there are many big banks and ATM's, it's not far, but all steep uphill, keep the enquiries coming, happy to help if I can.....................Miguel.

On the subject of ATM's, I think I should mention an incident which happened to me on my last stay in Chefchaouen.

I inserted my Visa debit card into the ATM to withdraw some money at the Banque Populaire, Avenida Hassan, the card was retained and a message appeared on the screen "contact the bank". Fortunately the bank was open and I was able to reclaim my card after producing my photo driver's licence as evidence of identity. If the bank had been closed for weekend, holiday etc., I would have been stuck with no card or money. I've used my cards in Moroccan ATM's countless times over the years and this is the first time there was any problem, but now I just make sure the bank is open before using the ATM! I've also heard, but can't verify, that if you wait too long to withdraw the cash when it it's issued, the machine will swallow it up again, leaving you with nothing! Something to beware of , especially on new recently-fitted machines which sometimes seem to have start up problems, I've watched the bank managers, surveilling the operation of machines, while customers use them!.......................Miguel

Thanks Miguel. I won't be over there for a few months but I will definitely give an update of what I find.

Hi,
An update on this I was there on the 14 of June. I didn't see any ATM's at Tanger port although I din't really hang around to look. There is a place to change euro's at the bottom of the ramp and along a bit , there were a coupler of guys advising poeple of its location.

The important bit - The location of CTM bus station on Google maps AND in the lonely planet guide book is incorrect. The bus terminal on Ave Mohammed VI only has an office for Supratours. Perhaps the bus passes through here but the office of CTM is at the Gare Routere which is where you should go to get on this bus. Just take taxi. This is also where a lot of grand taxi are parked. In the end becauseI choose to walk I missed the CTM bus and I had no problem getting on another bus line (can't remeber the name but their office is directly opposite CTM) and it certainly wasn't a tourist bus!! But very interesting and great experience travelling with that company :)

Migual - had no problems with the ATM's in Chef~ except one on Saturday morning as it had no money in the machine and probably didn't get restocked due to Friday prayer day.

Ok, the last post on this thread was about a year ago. Since that time, most of the major [www.tangierhotels.net/tangierbusschedule.html] are actually available online, so you can check where they depart fom. At least [www.ctm.ma] and some of the regular buses are. CTM picks up at EITHER the regular bus station, OR at thier main office in an out-of-the-way neighborhood called "plasa Toro".

The regular (non-CTM) buses have a lot more departures, but are kind of crummy and don't have A/C, but you can buy tickets in advance for them as well if you go to the station. These are especially nice if you are traveling a long way where the train doesn't go, like Oujda, or Beni Mellal, since they often go direct.

Ok, Cheers all!
-Jluxster

very useful, thanks