Carry-On for Casablanca: RAM, Ryanair and Air Arabia Maroc Rules

Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) is the main gateway to Morocco and one of Africa's busiest connecting hubs. Royal Air Maroc is based here and runs a tight ship on carry-on enforcement. Ryanair and easyJet have expanded their CMN routes significantly, and Air Arabia Maroc offers budget options. Here is how the rules compare and what to pack for Morocco's business capital.

Airline Quick Reference

Airline	Max Weight	Max Dimensions	Notes
Royal Air Maroc	10 kg	55×35×25 cm	Weighed at CMN hub; dimensions enforced
Air Arabia Maroc	10 kg	55×40×20 cm	Strict enforcement; budget carrier
Ryanair (Priority)	10 kg	55×40×20 cm	Priority needed for overhead locker
easyJet	15 kg	56×45×25 cm	Most generous; increasing CMN routes

Royal Air Maroc is the flag carrier and CMN hub operator. Their 10 kg limit and 55×35×25 cm dimension check are enforced. The 35 cm depth dimension is notably narrower than most European standards (which are usually 40 cm). Measure your bag carefully — many carry-on rollers that work on Ryanair will exceed RAM's 35 cm depth.

Air Arabia Maroc is the budget subsidiary with similarly strict enforcement. Their 20 cm depth allowance is one of the narrowest on any carrier — a slim backpack or soft-sided bag is safer than a hard roller.

easyJet is the most generous and has been expanding CMN routes. Their 15 kg / 56×45×25 cm allowance makes the trip significantly easier if your routing allows it.

What Kind of City is Casablanca?

Unlike Marrakech or Fes, Casablanca is a business destination. The city centre is modern, European-influenced, and built for commerce rather than tourism. You will not find a vast, labyrinthine medina here — the old medina is small and easily walkable in an hour.

What Casablanca does have:

• Hassan II Mosque — one of the world's largest mosques, built on a platform over the Atlantic Ocean, with a retractable roof and stunning craftsmanship. Open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours.
• The Corniche — Casablanca's waterfront boulevard with restaurants, cafes, and beach clubs.
• A modern city infrastructure — streets are wide, taxis are metered (in theory), and the tramway is clean and efficient.

Most tourists use Casablanca as a base to reach the rest of Morocco. ONCF trains are excellent, and the high-speed Al Boraq line now reaches Tangier in about 2 hours. Marrakech is 3 hours south.

Modest Dress in Morocco

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country and dress standards are more conservative than Europe, particularly outside the main tourist areas.

Pack at minimum:

• One outfit with covered shoulders and knees for mosque visits and medina exploration
• A lightweight scarf (women) — useful for sun, wind, and respectful coverage; not mandatory at Hassan II for tourists but appreciated
• Closed shoes or sandals with back straps for rough medina streets

In Casablanca's business district and along the Corniche, Western dress is common and unremarkable. In the medina and souks, and especially at religious sites, covered dress is both respectful and will draw less attention.

Airport Tips: CMN (Mohammed V International)

CMN is about 30 km southeast of Casablanca city centre. The CTM express bus and the Al Bidaoui train (line 3 of the suburban rail) both connect the airport to Casa Voyageurs station — the train takes about 35 minutes and costs around 60 MAD (roughly €6). A taxi to the city centre officially costs around 300–350 MAD fixed, but negotiate before getting in.

The airside duty-free at CMN has good Moroccan goods — argan oil, Moroccan spice sets, and tea accessories. These are sealed for purchase and can travel in your carry-on.

Packing for Casablanca

Casablanca is warm but not extreme:

• Spring (March–May): 18–23°C, pleasant. Light clothes plus one layer.
• Summer (June–September): 25–30°C coastal, less humid than inland Morocco. Lightweight clothes.
• Winter (November–February): 12–18°C, rain possible. A jacket is needed.

A 4–5 night Casablanca business or short-stay trip packs easily into a 35–40 L bag within 10 kg if you plan outfits efficiently. If you are day-tripping to Marrakech or Fes, you need only one day's outfit beyond your base Casablanca clothes.

Tips

• RAM's 35 cm depth limit is unusual — many popular carry-on rollers are 40 cm deep and will technically exceed it. Check dimensions precisely before flying with RAM.
• The dirham is not freely convertible outside Morocco. Use your currency before departure or spend it in airport shops; leftover MAD is hard to exchange abroad.
• Moroccan argan oil and traditional leather goods make excellent small souvenirs that pack flat and stay under liquid limits.
• Book the Hassan II Mosque guided tour in advance during peak season — tours sell out.

Bottom Line

CMN's mix of Royal Air Maroc and budget carriers makes it essential to check your specific airline before packing. RAM's narrow 35 cm depth allowance catches many travellers off-guard. easyJet's growing presence at CMN offers the most carry-on-friendly option if your routing allows. Pack one modest outfit for mosque visits and the train network opens all of Morocco.