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Flights, budget, visa rules and a 14-day itinerary that fits Marrakech, the Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen and the Atlantic coast — written for British travellers planning their first (or third) Moroccan trip.
Amelia Hart· Itineraries & Trip Planning Editor
British writer who has built and road-tested Morocco itineraries for everyone from honeymooners to families. She covers multi-day routes, costs, the best time to visit and how to plan a first trip. Casablanca · 9+ years covering Morocco
Published 21 June 2025 Last updated 5 May 2026
Two weeks is the sweet spot for a Morocco holiday from the UK. It is long enough to cross the High Atlas into the Sahara, spend proper time in Fes and Marrakech, and still squeeze in Chefchaouen or the Atlantic coast — yet short enough to feel like a structured trip rather than a punishing circuit. The flight from London is under four hours, no visa is required, and the dirham is straightforward to budget around.
What surprises most British first-timers is how varied Morocco actually is. The medinas are dense and disorienting in the best way; the desert road south of the Atlas feels like a different country; the blue streets of Chefchaouen look nothing like Marrakech. Fourteen days lets you feel the contrast rather than just tick a checklist.
Below you will find everything that matters before you book: which airlines fly direct, what a realistic budget looks like, what the FCDO says, and a day-by-day itinerary outline that works for independent travellers and for those who prefer a private guided road trip.
Morocco is one of the best-served non-European destinations from UK regional airports. Fares are indicative — book 6–10 weeks ahead for the best prices.
| Route | Airline(s) | Flight time | Approx one-way fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Stansted → Marrakech | Ryanair | ~3 h 30 min | £30–£120 one-way |
| London Gatwick → Marrakech | easyJet / TUI | ~3 h 30 min | £60–£180 one-way |
| London Heathrow → Casablanca | Royal Air Maroc / BA | ~3 h 45 min | £80–£220 one-way |
| Manchester → Marrakech | Ryanair / TUI | ~3 h 45 min | £50–£160 one-way |
| Birmingham → Marrakech | Ryanair / TUI | ~3 h 40 min | £60–£160 one-way |
| Edinburgh → Marrakech | Ryanair (seasonal) | ~3 h 55 min | £60–£150 one-way |
Tip: fly into Marrakech and out of Casablanca (or vice versa) to avoid backtracking on a loop itinerary.
This outline prioritises depth over distance. It is doable independently, but the Sahara loop (days 4–6) is dramatically easier and richer with a private guide and vehicle.
Days 1–3
Arrive, recover from the flight, and let Marrakech pull you in slowly. Jemaa el-Fna square, the souks behind it, and the Bahia Palace fill day two. Day three: a day trip — the Agafay desert, Ouzoud waterfalls, or an Atlas village.
Days 4–6
Head south over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Aït Benhaddou, then through the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge to Merzouga. Two nights gives you a sunset camel trek, a desert camp dinner under the stars, and a sunrise over the dunes before driving on.
Days 7–9
Drive north through the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas cedar forests to Fes — arguably the most intense medina experience in the world. Chouara tannery, the Bou Inania madrasa, and the Al-Attarine spice souk. Allow a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis.
Days 10–11
The two-hour drive west from Fes brings you to the blue-washed Rif mountain town. Less than 24 hours is enough to see the medina, but two nights lets you hike to the Spanish mosque at sunset and eat without rushing.
Days 12–13
The Atlantic coast hits differently after desert heat. Essaouira's windswept ramparts, fresh seafood on the port, and relaxed cafés make a deliberate change of pace. The 5-hour drive from Chefchaouen via Rabat is long but rewarding — or fly Fes → Marrakech and drive from there.
Day 14
Drive from Essaouira to Marrakech (2.5 hours), leave bags at the hotel, squeeze in one last wander in the souks, and catch an evening flight home. Ryanair's Marrakech → Stansted departure suits perfectly.
The Sahara is 3 days from Marrakech. Most British visitors say it is the part they remember most.
A 14-day trip per person runs roughly £700–£1,800 depending on your style. The table below shows where the money goes at two tiers. All figures are indicative.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (return, UK → Marrakech) | £60–£200 | £120–£350 |
| Accommodation (per night) | £15–£30 (hostel/basic riad) | £50–£120 (mid riad) |
| Private guided tour (Sahara loop) | £200–£300 pp | £300–£500 pp |
| Local transport (taxis, buses) | £30–£50 total | £60–£100 total |
| Food & drink (per day) | £15–£25 | £30–£60 |
| Activities & entrance fees | £30–£60 | £60–£120 |
| Rough total (14 days, per person) | £700–£950 | £1,200–£1,800 |
Exchange rate indicative at £1 ≈ 13–14 MAD. Morocco is significantly cheaper than Western Europe for food, local transport, and accommodation.
British passport holders enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. You just need a passport valid well beyond your return date — aim for 6+ months remaining.
The dirham is not easily exchangeable outside Morocco. Withdraw cash at Marrakech or Fes airport ATMs on arrival — they give good rates and you will need cash for small purchases and taxis from day one.
October–November and March–April are the sweet spots: warm in the south, manageable in the medinas, and flights are slightly cheaper than school-holiday peaks in July–August.
UK roaming charges in Morocco are steep. A Maroc Telecom or Inwi SIM from the airport costs around 80–120 MAD (£6–£10) for 20–30 GB of data — far better than paying your UK network's daily rate.
No visa is required for British passport holders visiting Morocco for up to 90 days. You need a valid passport (most entry officers want at least six months remaining beyond your travel dates, even though Morocco has no official rule — carry one with ample validity to be safe). On arrival you fill in a landing card, which takes about two minutes. There is no fee. The process is straightforward at Marrakech Menara and Fes Saïss airports.
Ryanair has the widest network, operating direct routes from London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Edinburgh to Marrakech, plus Stansted to Fes and Agadir. easyJet flies from Gatwick and Bristol to Marrakech. TUI operates charter routes from various UK regional airports, particularly in summer. Royal Air Maroc connects London Heathrow and Gatwick to Casablanca. British Airways also flies Heathrow–Casablanca. On average you will find a return from London to Marrakech for £100–£300 if you book 6–10 weeks ahead.
Direct flights from London airports to Marrakech take roughly 3 hours 30 minutes — shorter than flying to many European capitals. From Manchester, Birmingham, or Edinburgh add around 15–25 minutes. The time difference is just one hour ahead of GMT in winter and zero in summer (Morocco observes a version of GMT+1 year-round, but when the UK is on BST, clocks align). The short flying time makes Morocco one of the most accessible non-European destinations for British travellers.
On a tight budget, including flights, you can do two weeks for around £700–£950 per person: Ryanair flights from £100–£200 return, hostel or simple riad beds at £15–£30 a night, street food at 30–60 MAD (£2.50–£5) a meal. Mid-range is more typical: a comfortable riad, private Sahara tour, and restaurant dinners bring the total to £1,200–£1,800 per person. Upmarket riads, a luxury desert camp, and private guides across every city push toward £2,500–£4,000. All figures are indicative and vary by season — October and April are peak prices.
As of 2026, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises British nationals to exercise normal precautions across most of Morocco. Specific border regions with Algeria and areas near the Western Sahara conflict zone carry heightened warnings — but these are far from the main tourist circuit of Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, and Merzouga. Always check the current FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco before you travel, as advice updates after significant events. The advice page also links to local emergency contact numbers.
Morocco requires no mandatory vaccinations for UK travellers. The NHS and Travel Health Pro recommend staying up to date with routine UK vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-polio, etc.). For most visitors, Hepatitis A is the one additional vaccine worth considering, given the risk from water and food. Typhoid is occasionally recommended for longer stays or adventurous eating. Rabies vaccination is low priority for a standard two-week tourist itinerary. Consult a travel nurse or the NHS Fit for Travel website 4–6 weeks before departure — not all vaccines are available same-day.
Yes, but roaming costs vary. Since the UK left the EU, most British mobile networks no longer offer free EU roaming, and Morocco was never covered anyway. Expect charges of £3–£10 per day from UK networks unless you buy a local SIM. The easiest solution is to pick up a Maroc Telecom or Inwi prepaid SIM card at the airport arrivals hall (bring your passport — registration is required by law). A 30-day data bundle with 20–30 GB costs around 80–120 MAD (£6–£10). eSIM options also work well if your phone supports them.
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