Tangier to Spain Ferry: Tarifa, Algeciras and the Border
There are two ferry routes from Spain to Tangier, and they land at different ports. This guide has the sailings and fares we found on the operators’ booking pages, plus the entry rules. For the onward trip see getting around Morocco, and for costs the Morocco travel cost guide.
Sources checked 2026-10-23: Balearia and DFDS booking pages (sailings and fares for Wednesday 4 November 2026, 1 adult), the Tanger Med port site and Morocco’s official visa checker at acces-maroc.ma. Fares and timetables change with the season, so check them before you book.
The routes at a glance
| Route | Company | Crossing | Foot passenger | With a car | Sailings seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarifa to Tangier Ville | Balearia (fast ferry) | about 1h | 38 EUR | 196.50 EUR | 09:00, 13:00, 17:00, 21:00 |
| Algeciras to Tanger Med | DFDS | 30 min | 36 EUR | 205 EUR | 8, from 03:00 to 23:59 |
| Algeciras to Tanger Med | Balearia | 30 min | 33 EUR | 178.50 EUR | 6, from 01:30 to 23:30 |
Prices are one way. The “with a car” figure is the total for one adult and one car (we tested a small car), so it is a same-week example, not a published car rate.
Older guides still say FRS runs Tarifa to Tangier Ville. FRS now sits inside DFDS, and DFDS only listed Algeciras to Tanger Med when we checked. The Tarifa crossing is Balearia’s.
Tarifa to Tangier Ville
This is the one for foot passengers. It lands in Tangier city itself. Balearia’s fast ferry is limited to vehicles up to 2.8 m high, which matters for vans and cars with a roof box. In the other direction, the sailings that day were 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 and 22:00. The 22:00 was listed at 1h59, longer than the others, and we could not tell why, so check the crossing time on your ticket.
For a day trip, the 09:00 out and the 22:00 back leave you most of a day in Tangier. Confirm the last sailing before you cross, not after.
Algeciras to Tanger Med
This route has more sailings and carries most of the cars. The crossing itself is about 30 minutes on both companies. The catch is the port. Tanger Med is a large port outside Tangier city (secondary sources say 40 to 50 km), so you need onward transport. We could not load the access details on the port’s own site, and we found no official fare or timetable for a shuttle, so check how to reach the city before you land. Tanger Med’s passenger infoline is +212 5 39 33 71 55 from abroad. A taxi price should be agreed before you set off.
Check which port your ticket names. The two are not interchangeable.
Tanger Med passenger terminal
Tanger Med’s passenger terminal is called the Tanger Med Port Center. The port’s passenger site lists these services: information desk, luggage trolleys, a bank, restaurants, a prayer room, restrooms, Wi-Fi, parking, phone and electric vehicle charging, assistance and an infirmary. The passenger infoline is +212 5 39 33 71 55 from abroad, or 08 01 00 50 60 from inside Morocco. The “access to the city” page on the port site did not load for us, so check it, or ask the operator, before you plan the last leg to Tangier.
Entry rules
The checks below are for a tourist trip with an ordinary passport. Morocco’s official visa checker at acces-maroc.ma said travelers from France, the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia need neither a visa nor the AEVM travel authorization (checked 2026-10-23). The usual stay for visa-free visitors is quoted as 90 days, but we found no official page stating it, so confirm for your passport.
Passport validity is the grey area. US guidance quotes six months, some UK sources say three. Six months is the safe choice. If your nationality does need a visa, the official e-visa costs 770 MAD (standard, 3 business days) or 1,100 MAD (express, 1 business day), applied for on acces-maroc.ma. The full rules are in the Morocco visa guide.
At the port you usually go through Spanish exit control, then Moroccan immigration. Leave time between the ferry and any onward train or flight.
After you land
From Tangier, the Al Boraq train runs to Casa Voyageurs in 2h17, with 2nd class fares of 190 to 225 DH on our search. Details and the other routes are in getting around Morocco. For a first trip on the northern side, see the Tangier travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Spain to Tangier?
About one hour from Tarifa to Tangier Ville, and about 30 minutes from Algeciras to Tanger Med.
How much is the Tarifa to Tangier ferry?
38 EUR one way for a foot passenger on the date we checked, and 196.50 EUR with a car.
Which ferry is best for foot passengers?
Tarifa to Tangier Ville, because it lands in the city.
Can I take my car?
Yes. Algeciras to Tanger Med costs 178.50 to 205 EUR with one adult and one car, depending on the company. The Tarifa fast ferry takes vehicles up to 2.8 m high.
Do I need a visa?
Not for tourism if you hold a French, UK, US, Canadian or Australian passport, according to Morocco’s official checker. Check yours before you travel.
Before and after the crossing
Sources
- Government of Canada travel advice for Morocco
- DFDS ferries
- Balearia ferries
- Morocco e-visa and visa checker
Last checked: 24 October 2026. Fares, prices and timetables change, so check the current price with the operator before you book.
