Marrakesh to Merzouga Trip Overview

Merzouga to Marrakesh
Distance
382 km (238.8 miles)
Price range
US$40-US$316
Ride Duration Range
7h-12h
Earliest Departure
23:00
Latest Departure
23:00
Most Popular Operator

Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.

Travel Schedule Options from Marrakesh to Merzouga

by minivan,car

Cheapest

Standard Minivan

by VisiTrip

08:00

12h

20:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

from

US$87

Fastest

Standard Minivan

by Bacha Way Travel

05:00

7h

12:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

from

US$183

Standard Minivan

by Bacha Way Travel

06:00

7h

13:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

from

US$183

Standard Minivan

by Bacha Way Travel

07:00

7h

14:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

from

US$183

Tourist Car

by VisiTrip

07:30

7h

14:30

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

Private transfer

US$316

Cheapest

Standard Minivan

by VisiTrip

from

US$87

08:00

12h

20:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

Fastest

Standard Minivan

by Bacha Way Travel

from

US$183

05:00

7h

12:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

Standard Minivan

by Bacha Way Travel

from

US$183

06:00

7h

13:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

Standard Minivan

by Bacha Way Travel

from

US$183

07:00

7h

14:00

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

Tourist Car

by VisiTrip

Private transfer

US$316

07:30

7h

14:30

Marrakesh, Morocco

Merzouga, Morocco

Taking a bus from Marrakesh to Merzouga

Fastest bus: 12h

Cheapest bus: US$40

The fastest: 12h

The cheapest: US$40

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

TV

The fastest: 7h

The cheapest: US$87

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

English Speaking Staff

Food

Wifi

Charger

TV

Reclining Seats

The fastest: 7h

The cheapest: US$269

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

English Speaking Staff

TV

Charger

Wifi

Food

routes_hero-image-alt Merzouga

About the ride from Marrakesh to Merzouga 


What do you imagine when you think of Morocco? Lively markets, steaming, tasty tagines and, of course, the Sahara Desert. 


Visiting the desert should be at the top of your Moroccan bucket list. After all, the Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, and like nothing you’ve probably experienced before. The emptiness and vastness are almost overwhelming!


If you don’t want to visit with a tour, use Merzouga, a small village, as the base for your adventures. See what life in the desert is like by immersing yourself amongst the Berber and Arab communities brave enough to overcome the challenges the desert throws at them. 


For those starting their desert escapades in Marrakesh, there are three ways for you to get to Merzouga: 

  1. Bus 

  2. Minivan 

  3. Car


This journey isn’t for the faint-hearted, as the drive takes at least seven hours but can last up to 12. Your butt may not like you very much afterward, but we promise it’s worth it.


If you opt for a minivan or car, expect door-to-door service. For those taking the bus, you’ll leave from Surpatours Bus Station in Marrakesh and arrive at Supratours Merzouga. 


Use the journey as a chance to catch some Z’s so you’re ready to take on the extraordinary desert when you arrive.


Keep reading to find out which transport option is best for you to travel from Marrakesh to Merzouga. 


Incredible things to do in Merzouga


How much fun can a bit of sand be? The answer is a lot! 


Visiting the desert is a unique experience where you can immerse yourself in one of the harshest environments on our planet and have a lot of fun exploring it. 


Here are some of the extraordinary things that Merzouga and the Sahara Desert have to offer:


  1. Go camel trekking. For centuries, camels have been used to cross the desert. While nowadays we have more efficient (and air-conditioned) ways to cover these distances, visitors can still experience what it’s like to traverse towering orange dunes in between two humps.

  2. Take a 4x4 desert safari. Thrill-seekers shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to crash, bounce and fly through the desert. Hop in a 4x4 and explore the dunes, remote villages, hidden oases and desert lakes that shouldn’t be in the middle of a desert!

  3. Try sandboarding. This is guaranteed to have the whole group laughing and squealing with fun. Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, except on sand. Those brave enough can try to ride the board standing up. If you’re no pro, sliding down on your bum is just as fun.

  4. Sleep in a desert camp. As well as getting to sleep in a traditional tent under the stars, you’ll be treated to tasty Moroccan cuisine and local music, guaranteed to get everyone up dancing!

  5. Stay at a luxury retreat. Merzouga can feel like a luxurious holiday spot with its idyllic accommodations. Some of the hotels and camps even have swimming pools, which feel slightly bizarre in the middle of the desert. They’re the perfect place to disconnect from the world.


How to get from Marrakesh to Merzouga


There are three ways to cover the 550 km (341 miles) between Marrakesh and Merzouga: by bus, minivan and car. 


By bus


The bus is the cheapest way to get from Marrakesh to Merzouga, but it’s also the slowest. Expect the journey to take at least 12 hours. Tickets start at $40.


There’s only one departure every day, operated by Supratours


You’ll leave Supratours Bus Station in Marrakesh at 8 a.m. and arrive at Supratours Merzouga at 8 p.m., which unfortunately means you’ll spend an entire day on the bus. 


The bus provides a comfortable enough journey with ample leg space, air conditioning and TVs. 


By minivan


If you want to get from Marrakesh to Merzouga faster, you’ll have to pay more. 


A minivan is over double the bus price but takes 7-10 hours, and also offers hotel pick-up and drop-off. It’s up to you to decide if the extra cost is worth it. Prices start around $94 per person with a minimum of two people.


Minivans offer an enjoyable ride with air conditioning, charging points and sometimes complimentary water. An added bonus is that most drivers speak English, so you can have a chat to pass the time. 


If you are traveling in a small group of up to five people, you can hire a private minivan for about $300 and split the cost.


By car


A private car can be a great option if you’re traveling as a family or a small group who can split the costs. 


Since it’s a private car and driver, you can leave Marrakesh for Merzouga whenever you like. 


Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included, making a private car the most convenient option. 


The car can fit a maximum of four people and takes around 8.5 hours. The price of the vehicle is around $285.


What to expect on the journey from Marrakesh to Merzouga


Make sure to stock up on plenty of snacks and have enough podcasts or TV shows downloaded because this is one long journey!


Don’t rely on the views to keep you entertained either, as it’s pretty similar for most of the journey. 


The drivers will stop for you to grab something to eat, stock up on snacks and go to the bathroom. 


When is the best time to visit Merzouga?


It’s probably easier to talk about the worst time to visit Merzouga. 


The desert is known for being a scorcher and becomes unbearably hot in the summer months between July and August. Temperatures can reach 47°C (117°F), so you essentially start cooking as soon as you step out of the shade. 


Visit Merzouga and the Sahara Desert outside these months, and you’ll have a much more enjoyable time. Average temperatures during the day hover around 20-25⁰C (28-77°F). 


But believe it or not, the desert gets very cold at night, dropping to freezing during the winter months of November and February. Bring some warm clothes, especially if you’re staying in a desert camp. 


How many days should you spend in Merzouga? 


The journey from Marrakesh to Merzouga is no quick jaunt. 


It’s wise to give yourself some recuperation time before setting off to your next destination in Morocco. Your back and butt will definitely appreciate it!


For those with jam-packed Moroccan schedules unwilling to linger too long, two days provide ample opportunity to witness both sunrise and sunset with the vibrant orange dunes as your backdrop. Plus, it’ll leave you some time to go on a few unforgettable adventures. 


If you can stay a few days longer, even better!


Where should you visit after Merzouga?


Most places you pick to visit after Merzouga will involve another long journey. One place that’s definitely worth the trip is Fes, another popular city in Morocco. 


If you thought Marrakesh was a maze, wait until you visit Fes. Its medieval medina is like a labyrinth, but one steeped in history and full of souks to explore. 


To get from Merzouga to Fes, hop in a minivan or bus for 7-10 hours. 

Companies Operating from Marrakesh to Merzouga

Average time

12h

Average price

US$40

(388)

Average time

7h - 12h

Average price

US$87

(108)

Average time

7h

Average price

US$185 - US$279

(52)

Average time

7h - 8h 30m

Average price

US$95 - US$276

(23)

Our travelers reviews about the ride from Marrakesh to Merzouga

4.78

Based on 590 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Marrakesh to Merzouga

Chioma E.

Popular stations and stops in Marrakesh and Merzouga

Departure stations in Marrakesh

Arrival stations in Merzouga

Questions & Answers for Traveling from Marrakesh to Merzouga

What is the most popular transportation service from Marrakesh to Merzouga?

Car stands out as the most popular transportation service between Marrakesh and Merzouga by Ait Moumen Transport

What is the distance between Marrakesh to Merzouga?

The distance between Marrakesh and Merzouga is approximately 382 km (Air).

What is the fastest transportation service from Marrakesh to Merzouga?

The fastest way to get from Marrakesh to Merzouga is with Minivan by Bacha Way Travel, which takes approximately 7h.

What is the cheapest transport option from Marrakesh and Merzouga?

The cheapest way to travel from Marrakesh to Merzouga is by Bus by Supratours, with prices starting at US$40.

Who are the service providers on this route?

The main service providers operating between Marrakesh and Merzouga include

MINIVAN:  VisiTrip | Alliance Rana Voyageurs | Bacha Way Travel | Ride Transfer

CAR:  VisiTrip | Alliance Rana Voyageurs | Ait Moumen Transport

BUS:  Supratours

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