Rows of blue wooden fishing boats moored in Essaouira harbour, with larger trawlers and gulls behind them under a clear sky

TransportCity Tours Morocco

Morocco transport guide

Marrakech to Essaouira

Photograph: DimiTalen, CC0

About 175 km, no train: through the argan country to the Atlantic by bus, taxi, transfer or car.

Distance
About 175 km
Train
None
By bus
About 2h 45min-3h
By car or taxi
About 2h 30min

Quick answer

How Do You Get from Marrakech to Essaouira?

There is no train, so most travellers take the Supratours bus from beside Marrakech train station: about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours for the 175 km. CTM buses run the same route, shared grand taxis take about 2 hours 30 minutes, and a private transfer can stop at argan cooperatives on the way. Check current fares with the operators.

The route

Getting from Marrakech to Essaouira

Marrakech to Essaouira is one of the most popular trips in Morocco: under 3 hours from the Red City to a calm Atlantic town. It works as a day trip, and better as an overnight stay. The road crosses the argan country, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, where you may see goats standing in the branches of argan trees.

There is no train to Essaouira, but the Supratours bus, run by the railway company, leaves several times a day and is the most used option. CTM buses, grand taxis, private transfers and hire cars are easy to find. This guide compares them and helps you choose between a day trip and a night in town.

Essaouira feels very different from Marrakech: ocean wind instead of inland heat, a quiet medina instead of busy souks, grilled fish instead of tagine.

No train to Essaouira

Essaouira has no railway station. The Supratours bus, run by the train company, is the closest thing and leaves from beside Marrakech train station. It is a coach, not a train.

At a glance

Quick Comparison

Fares change; check them with the operator or agree them before you travel.

Transport options from Marrakech to Essaouira compared
OptionTimeDeparturesComfort (our score)Reliability (our score)
Supratours busAbout 2h 45min-3hTimetabled, several a day
CTM busAbout 2h 45min-3hTimetabled, fewer than Supratours
Grand taxiAbout 2h 30minWhen all six seats are sold
Private transferAbout 2h 30minWhen you choose
Rental carAbout 2h 30minWhen you choose

In detail

All Transport Options in Detail

1

Most popular

Supratours Bus

The usual choice, and the most reliable timetable for a day trip.

Supratours belongs to the national railway company (ONCF) and runs air-conditioned coaches from its terminal beside Marrakech railway station, with several departures a day from early morning to early evening. The ride takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours through the argan country, and arrives at the Supratours stop in Essaouira, about a 10-minute walk from the medina.

Time
About 2h 45min-3h
From
Supratours terminal, beside Marrakech railway station
Best for
Most travellers, day trippers

Booking tipBook at the Supratours counter at Marrakech station or online, at least a day ahead in the busy season (April to October) and at weekends, when morning buses sell out. Arrive 20 minutes early. On a day trip, buy the return at the same time.

2

The national coach company

CTM Bus

CTM (Compagnie de Transports au Maroc) runs modern, air-conditioned coaches on the route, from its Marrakech station near the train station to its Essaouira station. The journey takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours. CTM has a good reputation for punctuality and well-kept vehicles.

Time
About 2h 45min-3h
From
CTM station, Marrakech
Best for
Budget travellers

Booking tipBook online at ctm.ma or at the CTM counter. There are fewer departures than with Supratours, so book early for weekends. Seats are assigned and luggage is tagged.

3

Shared, leaves when full

Grand Taxi

Shared grand taxis leave from the stand near Bab Doukkala in Marrakech. Each takes six passengers and goes when full, driving straight through in about 2 hours 30 minutes. They drop you at the edge of the Essaouira medina, a little closer than the bus. Good if you want to save a few minutes and do not mind tight seating.

Time
About 2h 30min
From
Grand taxi stand near Bab Doukkala, Marrakech
Best for
A slightly faster trip, the local way

Booking tipAsk for "taxi Essaouira" at the stand. Morning taxis fill fastest. Agree the fare before you get in, and pay cash. Buy two seats to avoid a cramped back seat, or hire the whole taxi as a group and choose your own departure time.

4

Door to door

Private Transfer

A driver collects you from your riad or hotel in Marrakech and takes you to your accommodation in Essaouira. You can stop at argan cooperatives and viewpoints and travel on your own schedule, in anything from a sedan for two to a minivan for a family. On a day trip, the driver waits in Essaouira and drives you back in the evening. For three or four people it can cost little more per head than the bus.

Time
About 2h 30min, plus stops
From
Your riad or hotel
Best for
Families, groups, argan stops, day trips

Booking tipBook through your riad or hotel or an established transfer company. For a day trip, agree the waiting time and return time in advance. Ask the driver for a genuine cooperative rather than a roadside shop.

5

Your own pace

Rental Car / Self-Drive

The drive is straightforward. The road runs west across the plain to Chichaoua, then through the argan country, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, to the coast. A car lets you stop at cooperatives and continue down the Atlantic coast to Sidi Kaouki, Imsouane and other villages. The landscape shifts from red earth to argan woodland to windswept coast.

Time
About 2h 30min
From
Agencies in Gueliz or at the airport
Best for
Independent travellers, the coast, photography

Booking tipAny car will do. Fill up in Marrakech. In Essaouira, there is a large car park near Bab Doukkala and some riads arrange parking. Expect wind on the coast, especially in the afternoon.

On the way

Argan Oil Cooperative Stops Along the Way

The road crosses Morocco's argan country, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The argan tree grows wild almost only in south-west Morocco, and women's cooperatives along the road show how the oil is made.

Cooperatives near TidziBefore Essaouira
Several women-run cooperatives around the village of Tidzi show the whole process: cracking the nuts, grinding the kernels and pressing the oil. They sell culinary argan oil (nutty, for cooking), cosmetic oil for skin and hair, and soaps and creams. Look for a "Cooperative" sign rather than a roadside shop with "Argan" in its name; the real ones are usually a short turn off the main road. Ask your driver to recommend one.
Goats in the treesAlong the road
Goats do climb argan trees to eat the fruit, but many roadside "goat tree" displays are staged for photos, and the herders expect a tip if you stop. Genuine sightings are more likely on quieter roads and early in the morning.
Baskets heaped with dried argan fruit and cracked kernels at a women's argan cooperative
Argan fruit and kernels at a women's cooperative. Photograph: Werner100359, CC BY-SA 4.0

How long

Day Trip vs. Overnight: Which Should You Choose?

A day trip from Marrakech

Advantages

  • No extra accommodation to book
  • Fits a tight itinerary
  • Can include an argan cooperative stop (private transfer)
  • The first bus gives you about 5-6 hours in town

Drawbacks

  • Limited time: 5-6 hours at most by bus
  • Tiring, with 5 or more hours of travel in one day
  • You miss the sunset and the evening
  • Rushed, in a town that suits slow exploring

A day trip works if Essaouira is not a priority and you want a change of scene. Take the first Supratours bus or book a private transfer for the most time in town.

An overnight stay (our pick)

Advantages

  • Sunset from the ramparts
  • Grilled fish at the port in the evening
  • The medina without time pressure
  • Morning light for photography

Drawbacks

  • Extra accommodation to book
  • Takes two days of your itinerary
  • Luggage to carry both ways

Essaouira is at its best slow, and at sunset. One night lets you see the town in the evening; two nights suit surfing, the galleries or simply unwinding.

Choosing

Which Option Is Best for You?

Budget travellersGrand taxi or CTM bus
The grand taxi is the fastest public option. The CTM bus adds air conditioning and a fixed timetable, and Supratours is just as good. All three suit a budget on this short route.
Day trippersSupratours or a private transfer
Supratours has the most dependable timetable: take the first bus out and a late-afternoon bus back. For the most flexibility and an argan stop, take a private transfer. Book the return in advance.
Families with childrenPrivate transfer
A private transfer with a stop at an argan cooperative suits families: children enjoy the goats in the trees and the oil-making, and door-to-door service spares you bus stations with children and luggage.
Surfers and beach loversRental car
For surfing, or beaches such as Sidi Kaouki and Imsouane, a car gets you there and lets you explore the coast south of Essaouira at your own pace.
CouplesPrivate transfer and a night in town
Stop at an argan cooperative on the way, spend the afternoon in the medina, watch the sunset from the ramparts, eat seafood at the port and stay in a riad.

Practical

Pro Tips for This Journey

  1. The Essaouira wind

    Essaouira is nicknamed the "Windy City of Africa". The trade winds (alizés) blow hardest from April to September, especially in the afternoon: good for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but bring a windbreaker and hold on to your hat. Mornings are usually calmer.

  2. Leave early

    Take the first Supratours bus of the morning for the most time in Essaouira, and a late-afternoon bus back for about 5-6 hours in town. Buy both tickets before you leave.

  3. Shopping in Essaouira

    Essaouira is known for thuya wood, argan products, silver jewellery and art galleries, and the shopping is more relaxed than in Marrakech. The main streets are Avenue de l'Istiqlal and the souks around Place Moulay Hassan.

  4. Eating in Essaouira

    Do not miss the grilled fish at the port stalls. For a sit-down meal, Place Moulay Hassan has cafés and restaurants with terraces on the square.

  5. Light for photographs

    The best light is the hour before sunset, when the ramparts, port and medina walls turn warm against the Atlantic. Morning light suits the blue boats in the harbour. Midday is harsh, and the wind makes tripods awkward.

  6. Arriving in Essaouira

    The bus stations are outside the medina walls, a 10-15 minute walk. Grand taxis drop you closer to Bab Doukkala, the main medina gate. From any drop-off, follow signs or ask for Place Moulay Hassan, the central square; most riads are a short walk from there.

The square stone tower of the Skala du Port in Essaouira, with domed corner turrets, cannons along the rampart and gulls overhead
The Skala du Port, the sea fort beside Essaouira harbour. Photograph: Adam Harangozó, CC BY-SA 4.0

By car

Driving Route Details

Leaving Marrakech to the west, you cross the Haouz plain, with olive groves and farming villages. After Chichaoua the land becomes hillier as you enter the argan country.

Road conditions: expect slower vehicles, overtaking on two-lane stretches and roundabouts through towns. Traffic is usually light once you are clear of Marrakech.

Fuel: there are filling stations in Chichaoua and along the way, but it is simplest to fill up in Marrakech.

On the way: watch for goats in the argan trees (more likely in the morning), the change from red earth to coastal scrub, and the first sight of the Atlantic. The final descent, with the walled medina and the port ahead, is a good arrival.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a train from Marrakech to Essaouira?

No. Essaouira has no railway station. The Supratours bus, run by a subsidiary of the national railway company, is the closest equivalent and leaves from beside Marrakech train station. The other options are the CTM bus, a grand taxi, a private transfer or driving.

How long does it take to get from Marrakech to Essaouira?

The Supratours and CTM buses take about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours. By grand taxi, private transfer or your own car, allow about 2 hours 30 minutes, plus any stops along the way.

Can I do Marrakech to Essaouira as a day trip?

Yes. Take the first Supratours bus of the morning, spend the day in town, and come back on a late-afternoon bus; check the current timetable and book both legs together. A private transfer gives you more flexibility and can include an argan cooperative stop. An overnight stay is better if you can: you see the sunset over the Atlantic and the town in the evening.

What is the best way to get from Marrakech to Essaouira?

The Supratours bus is the most popular option: comfortable and reliable, leaving from beside Marrakech train station. For families and groups, a private transfer gives door-to-door service and can stop at argan cooperatives. Shared grand taxis are a little faster but less comfortable. Driving suits travellers who want to explore more of the coast.

Can I stop at an argan oil cooperative between Marrakech and Essaouira?

Yes, if you drive or take a private transfer. Several argan oil cooperatives lie along the road between Marrakech and Essaouira, particularly around the village of Tidzi. These women-run cooperatives show the traditional production process and sell their own products. Buses and grand taxis do not stop at cooperatives.

How much does a grand taxi from Marrakech to Essaouira cost?

Shared grand taxis charge a fixed fare per seat; confirm it with the driver before you get in. Taxis leave from the Bab Doukkala area of Marrakech when all six seats are sold. You can buy an extra seat for more room, or hire the whole taxi, which is good value for a group of three or four.

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