The route at a glance
Most visitors come from Marrakech. There is no train line to Essaouira. The link from Marrakech station is a road connection, and the options are a coach, a shared taxi, a private transfer or your own car.
The local tourism portal lists the coach companies CTM and Supratours for Essaouira, and the national rail operator ONCF Voyages sells coach tickets on its booking portal. Times depend on traffic and your starting point in Marrakech, so treat the numbers below as a planning guide.
Compare the options
Fares are those listed on a route comparison website on 25 August 2026. Prices change, so confirm yours when you book.
| Option | Travel time | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supratours coach | About 3 hours | 100 MAD, comfort seat 125 MAD | Arrives near the medina |
| CTM coach | Check the timetable | 105 MAD in the same listing | Arrives in the new town |
| Shared grand taxi | Depends on traffic | Agree before you go | Up to 6 passengers per car |
| Car | About 2.5 hours | – | The medina is pedestrian |
CTM's own route page shows different figures for the same journey, with 205 MAD and 225 MAD on one page, so check the price and the duration on the current booking screen before you rely on any number here.
Essaouira tours and day trips from Marrakech
Guided day trips, walking tours and cooking classes in Essaouira, with live prices and availability.
By coach
Coaches are the simplest option if you do not want to drive. Supratours runs from Marrakech station and arrives near the medina. CTM arrives in the new town, so you may need a short taxi ride to your riad. CTM sells tickets online and at its agencies.
CTM rules that matter
- Children under 4 travel free on a lap, with 1 child per adult. From 4 years a child needs a seat and pays the full fare.
- Checked luggage starts at 5 MAD for up to 20 kg. Heavier bags are charged on site. The limit is 2 pieces of 20 kg each, with the three dimensions adding up to no more than 170 cm.
- Hand luggage may be up to 40 × 50 × 16 cm.
- You can change a ticket up to 12 hours before departure. Tickets are not refundable, and you do not need to print an e-ticket.
Supratours rules for children and luggage may differ, so read them when you book.
Shared taxi and private transfer
Two ways to travel on the road without a timetable.
The local tourism portal describes shared grand taxis with up to 6 passengers. In Marrakech they leave from Bab Doukkala, near the bus station. That is a place in Marrakech, not the gate of the same name in Essaouira. There is no fixed price list, so agree the seat price before you get in. A private transfer or a driver arranged through your hotel is the third option. Get the price in writing.
If you land at Marrakech airport, allow about 3 hours for the road trip to Essaouira, according to the local tourism portal.
By car
A hotel in Essaouira gives about 2 hours 30 minutes for the drive. Traffic, stops and roadworks add to that. A tender for maintenance on parts of the RN8 in Essaouira province was published in September 2026, so leave a buffer.
Drive with care. The German Federal Foreign Office points to special caution on Moroccan roads, including pedestrians, animals and vehicles without lights. Arrive in daylight if you can.
The medina is a pedestrian area. Parking at the beach is paid, and spaces near the medina can be tight in high season. Some hotels have their own parking near the Bab Marrakech gate and ask arriving drivers to call ahead, so ask yours before you arrive. See where to stay for the areas.
Stops on the road: argan and goats
Argan cooperatives along the road offer visits, according to the local tourism portal. Women's cooperatives show how culinary oil, cosmetic oil, amlou and soap are made. Ask what a visit costs and whether you are expected to buy something.
You may see goats standing in argan trees. A 2022 National Geographic report described goats placed on platforms in trees along this road for tourist photos, and animal welfare advocates criticized the practice. That report does not describe every tree today, and you cannot count on a goat sighting. If you stop, ask whether you are paying for a photo, and think about whether you want to.
A day trip from Marrakech
The road trip takes about 3 hours each way, so a same-day return means about 6 hours of transfer before you see anything. That leaves a few hours in the medina and at the port. Check the current timetable for the last coach back and book your return ticket before you leave. A guided day trip with transport is another option, and the tours above list those.
Flying instead
Essaouira-Mogador airport (ESU) is about 16 to 18 km from the town, since the local portal gives both figures. Ryanair lists routes to London Stansted and Madrid, Transavia lists Paris-Orly, and easyJet lists Bordeaux, Lyon and Nantes. easyJet has announced a Nantes route starting on 27 October 2026, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The local portal gives about 150 MAD by day and 200 MAD by night for an airport taxi, about 20 minutes, and 6 MAD for the airport bus. Those figures are undated, so confirm them locally.
Marrakech to Essaouira: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Marrakech to Essaouira?
A Supratours coach is listed at about 3 hours and a car at about 2 hours 30 minutes. Traffic and stops add time.
Is there a train to Essaouira?
No. Essaouira has no train station. The link from Marrakech station is by road.
How much is the bus?
A listing dated 25 August 2026 shows 100 MAD for Supratours, 125 MAD for a comfort seat and 105 MAD for CTM. CTM's own page shows other figures, so confirm the fare when you book.
Can I do Essaouira as a day trip from Marrakech?
Yes, but expect about 6 hours on the road in total. Check the last departure back to Marrakech and book it in advance.
Can I bring luggage on the CTM coach?
Yes. Checked bags start at 5 MAD for up to 20 kg, with a maximum of 2 pieces of 20 kg each. Hand luggage may be up to 40 × 50 × 16 cm.
Where do the coaches arrive?
Supratours arrives near the medina, and CTM arrives in the new town. Ask your riad how to walk or ride from your arrival point.