Travel · Guide
Operation Marhaba and the summer crossing
From mid-June to mid-September, reception areas, medical teams and extra ferries line the route home.
Key facts
- The 2026 edition ran from 10 June to 15 September and carried more than 4 million people, about half of them by sea.
- The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity runs 26 reception areas, 20 in Morocco and 6 abroad, with around 1,400 social workers, doctors and nurses.
- In 2026 tickets were interchangeable between ferry companies on the Strait, which helps when a sailing is full or late.
- Busiest days: late June to early July on the way in, mid-August onwards on the way back.
Steps
- Book a ticket with a fixed date and time. Consulates advise against open tickets in peak weeks.
- Choose your route: the Strait from Algeciras or Tarifa, or a long crossing from Sète, Marseille, Barcelona, Almería, Motril or Genoa to Tanger Med or Nador.
- On the motorway in Spain, stop only at the official rest areas.
- On the way back, stop at the rest area before Tanger Med: that is where you confirm your ticket and sailing time before driving to the port.
Watch out
- Ticket prices are the first complaint every year and were raised in Parliament in June 2026. Booking months ahead and travelling mid-week are the only reliable savings.
- Compare a nearby airport or a different port: the difference can pay for the detour.
- Buy tickets from the company or a known agency. Sellers on the roadside near the ports cannot be traced when a sailing is cancelled.
Official sources
Checked: October 2026. Independent guide, not a government site. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you act.