Marrakech, Morocco’s Red City, is easily reached from Europe and other Moroccan cities. Whether you’re arriving by plane, train, bus or excursion from another destination, we present here all the practical options for organizing your arrival.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Marrakech
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- In the heart of Morocco, at the foot of the High Atlas mountains
- 15min drive from Marrakech-Ménara Airport (direct flights from Europe all year round)
- 3 hours by train or road from Casablanca
- 2h30 drive from Essaouira
- 3h30 drive from Agadir
- Day trips available from Agadir or Essaouira
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Where is Marrakech and Map
Marrakech is located in central Morocco, at the foot of the High Atlas foothills. The country’s fourth-largest city, it lies on the Haouz plain, at an altitude of around 460m. Its geographical position gives it a dual appeal: easy access from the major coastal cities on the one hand, and the proximity of mountains and desert on the other.
Here are some distance benchmarks to help you plan your trip:
- Agadir – Marrakech: 3h
- Marrakech – Essaouira: 3h
- Casablanca – Marrakech: 3h
Good to know: the N9 national road links Marrakech to Ouarzazate via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260m altitude). In winter, this pass may be temporarily closed in the event of heavy snowfall.
WHERE TO STAY IN Marrakech
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the Medina
Riad Kbour & Chou – See prices, photos and availability
In the Kasbah, an ancient fortified quarter
Riad Jonan & Spa – See prices, photos and availability
Luxury Hotel
Royal Mansour Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
By plane: Marrakech-Ménara Airport (RAK)
Marrakech airport
Marrakech-Ménara International Airport is named after the famous Saadian pavilion located nearby. Located just 6km from the city center, it can be reached in a 15-minute drive. It’s one of Morocco’s busiest airports, thanks to a dense network of direct flights from Europe, available all year round.
Unlike many Mediterranean destinations, Marrakech benefits from regular flights even in the low season. Low-cost airlines have a strong presence here, making fares affordable for most of the year.
Main air routes to RAK
- From France: direct flights from Paris (CDG and Orly), Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse (Air Arabia Morocco, Transavia, easyJet, Ryanair, Royal Air Morocco)
- From Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (easyJet, Royal Air Morocco)
- From Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair), Brussels-Zaventem (Brussels Airlines, TUI fly)
- From Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf (Ryanair, Eurowings, Condor)
- From the UK: London (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted), Manchester, Bristol (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2)
- From the Netherlands: Amsterdam (Transavia, Royal Air Morocco)
- From Morocco: Casablanca (Royal Air Morocco) – several flights a day, all year round, approx. 1h flight time
Tip: prices are generally more competitive when booked in advance, especially during holiday periods and European school vacations.
Compare available flights to Marrakech.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Maroc
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Adapt your choice of vehicle to your itinerary!
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
Options for getting to the city center from Marrakech Airport (RAK)
The airport is 6km from the center. There are several ways to reach your accommodation, depending on your budget and preferences.
By private transfer or shuttle
For added convenience, a private airport transfer awaits you directly at the arrivals exit and takes you to your accommodation. This option is particularly suitable if you’re traveling with a family or group, as the price is per vehicle. We liked this option because we didn’t have to worry about anything.
See transfers from Marrakech Airport
By cab
Go to the cab counter outside the arrivals hall. The fare to the city is fixed, so there are no nasty surprises. Don’t be taken in by people who stand in front of the hall and offer you a cab without going through the counter.
Duration: ~15min
Cost: 150 MAD depending on destination in Marrakech
By bus
Line 19 of the Alsa network links the airport to Jemaa el-Fna Square. This is the most economical option. Buses run from early morning to early evening, with a frequency of around 20-30 minutes during the day. We recommend checking the timetable in advance, as the last buses leave in the early evening.
Duration: ~30min
Cost: about 4 MAD
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay at Maroc a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
Coming soon!
Excursions from other cities in Morocco
If you’re already staying elsewhere in Morocco and want to discover Marrakech for a day, here are the options depending on your point of departure.
From Essaouira
Essaouira, on the Atlantic coast, is about 175km west of Marrakech, a 2.5-hour drive on the N8. The road is of good quality, passing through olive groves and argan plains. We enjoyed the scenery! You can also take the CTM or Supratours buses, which regularly link the two cities. Finally, private transfers are available between the two towns.
View private transfer options from Essaouira to Marrakech
From Agadir
Agadir is about 250km southwest of Marrakech, a 3h to 3h30 drive depending on the route taken. We found the road to be of very good quality. You can get there easily by rental car, by bus (CTM or Supratours) or with a guided tour if you want a day trip.
See excursions from Agadir to Marrakech
By train from other cities
Morocco’s ONCF rail network links Marrakech to Casablanca several times a day. It’s one of the most comfortable and reliable modes of transport to reach the city from the north of the country.
Marrakech train station is located right in the city center, a few minutes’ walk from the Guéliz district and 15 minutes by cab from Jemaa el-Fna Square. We like this option for its practicality: no check-in queues, baggage accepted at no extra charge, departure from the center of Casablanca.
- From Casablanca: approx. 3 hours, several departures per day
- From Rabat: approx. 4 hours with connection to Casablanca
- From Tangiers: approx. 7 hours with connecting flight
- 2nd class fare Casablanca-Marrakech: from 95 MAD
Good to know: online booking is possible on the ONCF website. Trains are often fully booked during the Moroccan school vacations and holiday periods. We advise you to book in advance, especially for Friday and Sunday departures.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
By long-distance bus
CTM and Supratours provide comfortable connections between Marrakech and most major Moroccan cities. The air-conditioned buses have luggage compartments and reserved seats. Marrakech Bus Station (Bab Doukkala) handles most departures.
- From Casablanca: 3h to 3h30, frequent departures
- From Agadir: approx. 3.5 hours, several departures per day
- From Essaouira: about 2h45
- From Ouarzazate: about 4 hours via the Tizi n’Tichka pass
Supratours also offers a bus-train connection from Essaouira, coordinated with the ONCF train timetable: a practical option if you have booked a train ticket from another city.
DISCOVER Marrakech
- Attractions in Marrakech
- Best hotels in Marrakech
- Luxury hotels
- Best riads
- Best restaurants (coming soon)
- Itineraries: 2 days – 3 days – 1 week
- Majorelle Garden
- How to get there
By car from major cities
The most flexible way to reach Marrakech is by car, especially if you plan to stop off along the way. National roads and freeways linking major cities are in good condition. However, we advise you to plan ahead for the busier routes at weekend exits and during Moroccan school vacations.
Our trusted car rental partner.
- Casablanca → Marrakech: approx. 240km via A7 (freeway), 2h30 to 3h
- Essaouira → Marrakech: about 175km on the N8, 2h30
- Agadir → Marrakech: about 250km on the N8 or N10, 3h to 3h30
- Ouarzazate → Marrakech: approx. 200km via N9, 3h (mountain road)
- Fez → Marrakech: approx. 470km, 5h to 5h30
Good to know: it’s easy to rent a car from the airport. Bear in mind that driving in Morocco requires vigilance, especially in large conurbations and on mountain roads. For driving in Marrakech itself, we advise you to park your vehicle in a guarded parking lot and explore the Medina on foot: the narrow streets are not accessible to cars.
See our article on driving in Morocco: practical tips.
Getting around Marrakech once you’re here
The Medina is not easily accessible by car. Many alleyways are too narrow for vehicles. The best way to get around is on foot. You can, however, get around by tuk-tuk. Outside the Medina, cabs are the most practical way of getting around. We advise you to insist on using the meter or to negotiate the price before getting in.
Please note that Uber is not available in Marrakech or any other similar application is prohibited.
Traditional horse-drawn carriages offer an alternative for tourist trips. City buses serve the outlying districts, but remain impractical for visitors. For excursions, large cabs or organized tours simplify travel.
And once in Marrakech…
Once you arrive, there’s a lot to discover!
- The Medina and Jemaa el-Fna Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Majorelle Garden, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the Pierre Bergé Museum
- The Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace
- The souks
- Excursions to the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains
See our article on the best things to do and see in Marrakech.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
The most beautiful landscapes in Morocco
What to do in Morocco (coming soon)
The most beautiful riads
The most beautiful cities
The most beautiful medinas
The most beautiful gardens (coming soon)
The best museums (coming soon)
The most beautiful beaches in Morocco (coming soon)
- Practical advice
When to go? (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Morocco (coming soon)
Driving tips (coming soon)
Itineraries (coming soon)
Where to stay in Morocco (coming soon)
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fès
Meknès
Chefchaouen
Sahara Desert (coming soon)
