How do you get to Marrakech?
Getting There9.9/10Among the 1% easiest cities to reach
- Main airport
- Menara International Airport (RAK)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: flightconnections.com, visitmarrakech.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Set a taxi fare with the driver before getting in if the meter is not working—fares from airport are fixed but can vary by negotiation elsewhere in the city.
- ALSA Bus Line 19 is the cheapest airport option and surprisingly reliable, with stops at major tourist areas; arrive early for peak times.
- Train tickets via ONCF are typically cheaper than buses for longer distances; book 1-2 days ahead for first class or high-speed services, especially during August and peak holidays.
- Marrakech is the southern end of Morocco's rail network; Agadir and southern coastal destinations require bus connections (Supratours terminal is adjacent to train station).
- Driving in Marrakech's medina is chaotic; most nomads and short-term visitors prefer taxis or guides rather than renting cars.
- Day trips to Essaouira (2.5h) and Ouzoud Waterfalls (2.5h) are feasible by bus or guided tour; further destinations (Ait Ben Haddou, Merzouga Sahara) benefit from organized tours due to complex routes.
- Ride-hailing apps (Indrive, Heetch, Careem) operate in a legal grey area in Morocco; low passenger risk but services not fully legalized.
Operators
Supratours
- Affiliation
- ONCF subsidiary
- Destinations
- Agadir, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, and cities not on rail network
- Terminal Location
- Adjacent to Marrakech Train Station
CTM
- Destinations
- Essaouira and regional destinations
ALSA
- Destinations
- Regional transport
Sample Routes
Essaouira
- Booking
- Main bus station or advance online
- Distance Km
- 191
- Travel time
- 2.5 hours
- Transport Type
- Bus
Agadir
- Booking
- Supratours terminal adjacent to train station
- Distance Km
- Approx. 250+
- Transport Type
- Supratours bus (combined ticket with train available)
Access Methods
Guided Tours
- Advantages
- Transportation included, local knowledge, photo stops, reduced hassle, sustainable
- Availability
- Widely available through agencies in medina and Gueliz
- Notes
- Book in advance during peak season
Public Transport (Buses, Collective Taxis)
- Limitations
- Limited schedules; collective taxis wait until full; less predictable timing
- Cost Effectiveness
- Most economical
Private Transfer/Rental Car
- Advantages
- Flexibility, independence, suitable for groups
- Limitations
- Medina driving not recommended; parking challenges; requires navigation skills
Nearby Destinations
Essaouira (Coastal Town)
- Transport
- Bus (Supratours/CTM), private transfer, or car rental
- Highlights
- Medina, beaches, windsurfing, fish market, Game of Thrones filming location
- Distance Km
- 191
- Travel time
- 2.5 hours
Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Transport
- Guided tour, private transfer, or car rental
- Highlights
- 110m cascading waterfalls across 3 tiers, swimming pools, olive groves, Barbary monkeys
- Distance Km
- ~150+
- Travel time
- 2.5 hours
- Duration Display
- ~2.5 hours northeast
High Atlas Mountains & Ourika Valley
- Transport
- Guided tour or private transfer
- Highlights
- Berber villages, hiking, traditional weaving, mountain scenery
- Distance Km
- ~60
- Travel time
- 1 hour
Agafay Desert
- Transport
- Guided tour recommended (tours required for camel/quad activities)
- Highlights
- Desert camping, camel rides, quad biking, hot-air balloon rides (dawn), sunset dinners
- Distance Km
- 40
- Travel time
- 1 hour
Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Transport
- Guided tour or private transfer
- Highlights
- Historic ksar, traditional Moroccan architecture, Game of Thrones filming location, High Atlas passes
- Distance Km
- 184
- Travel time
- 3 hours
- Duration Display
- ~3 hours southeast
Lake Takerkoust
- Transport
- Car rental or guided tour
- Highlights
- Reservoir views, lakeside cafes, nearby Asni and Kik Plateau, relaxed setting
- Distance Km
- 40
- Travel time
- 1 hour
Oukaïmeden Ski Resort
- Transport
- Car rental or guided tour
- Highlights
- Africa's highest ski resort (3,200m elevation), winter sports, mountain views, equipment rentals
- Distance Km
- ~80-100
- Travel time
- 1.5 hours
Merzouga Sahara Desert
- Transport
- Guided multi-day tour (no direct public transport)
- Highlights
- Golden sand dunes, camel rides, sunset/sunrise, Berber camp dinners
- Distance Km
- 500+
- Duration Days
- 3
Key Routes
Al Atlas (Standard Intercity)
- Frequency
- Multiple daily, approx. 1-2 hours
- Destination
- Casablanca
- Travel time
- 2.64 hours
- Duration Display
- ~2h 38min
Al Atlas (Daytime); Overnight Train Available
- Frequency
- 2 direct connections daily
- Destination
- Tangier
- Travel time
- 5.25 hours
- Duration Display
- ~5h
Al Atlas Via Casablanca
- Frequency
- Multiple daily
- Destination
- Fes
- Travel time
- 7.17 hours
- Duration Display
- ~7h 10min
Train Services
Al Atlas
- Name
- Al Atlas
- Amenities
- Air conditioning, large windows, legroom
- Speed Kmh
- 160
- Description
- Standard intercity trains across Morocco's broad network
Classes
- Second class (padded seats in open coaches)
- First class (6-seat compartments with reserved seats)
Al Boraq
- Name
- Al Boraq
- Coverage
- Runs Tangier-Rabat-Casablanca corridor; does not serve Marrakech directly. Can connect via Casablanca Voyageurs.
- Speed Kmh
- 320
- Description
- Africa's first high-speed train (launched Nov 2018)
Overnight Service
- Arrival
- 09:01 to Marrakech
- Departure
- 23:25 from Tangier
- Accommodation
- First class 4-berth air-conditioned couchettes with pillow, sheet, light blanket
- Description
- Tangier to Marrakech overnight couchette service
Airport Ground Transport
- Airport To City Distance Km
- 3
- Airport To City Duration Minutes
- 25-35
Options
ALSA Bus (Line 19)
- Cost
- MAD 30
- Frequency
- Every 20-30 minutes
- Operating Hours
- 6:00 AM - 11:30 PM
- Round Trip Cost
- MAD 50
- Duration Minutes
- 30-40
- Notes
- Stops at major locations including Jemaa el-Fnaa, Hivernage, Gueliz. Affordable and reliable option.
Petit Taxis (Official Taxi)
- Cost Day
- MAD 70
- Cost Night
- MAD 100
- Availability
- 24/7
- Duration Minutes
- 25-35
- Notes
- Yellow official taxis; regulated fares displayed at airport. Fixed rate from airport to city. Do not use meter for airport rides.
Private Transfer
- Cost Estimate
- MAD 200
- Duration Minutes
- 25-35
- Cost Estimate High
- MAD 300
- Notes
- Pre-arranged private vehicles with drivers; available 24/7. Air-conditioned, no haggling required.
Car Rental
- Cost Per Day
- MAD 350
- Cost Per Day High
- MAD 700
- Notes
- Multiple international and local companies at airport (Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Drivo, addCar, MOVIS, Routes, Alma, Ace, U-Save, Aircar). Full-to-full fuel policy standard. Driving in medina not recommended for inexperienced drivers.
Airport
- Code
- RAK
- Name
- Menara International Airport (RAK)
- Distance From City Center Km
- 3
- Description
- Morocco's second-largest airport, serving as a major hub for international and regional travel.
International Routes
- Summary
- 38 airlines operate from the airport to 110 destinations globally, with strong connections across Europe, Middle East, and North America.
Major Airlines
- Ryanair
- easyJet
- Royal Air Maroc
- Transavia
- Vueling
- Air France
- Turkish Airlines
Key Destinations
- Europe: Extensive coverage including UK (14 airports), Spain (14 airports), Germany (10 airports), France, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands
- North Africa: Casablanca, Fes, Tangier, Oujda
- Middle East: Istanbul, Dubai
- North America: Select routes from major US hubs
Notes
Combined train+bus tickets available; bus waiting at train station upon arrival.
Future
High-speed rail extension to Marrakech planned for completion by 2029 ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Location
Guéliz district, 100 metres from city centre
Operator
ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer)
Facilities
Ticket counters, automated kiosks, waiting area, ATMs, shops, cafe bar, KFC, taxi rank, Ibis Hotel nearby
Main Station
Marrakech Train Station (Gare de Marrakech)
Ticket Booking
Online at oncf-voyages.ma up to 6 months in advance; also available at station counters
Daily Departures
16
Ticket Pricing Sample
- Al Boraq Start
- MAD 280
- First Class Start
- MAD 249
- Second Class Start
- MAD 186
Car Rental Options
- Summary
- Available at airport and city locations
- Driving Notes
- Central Marrakech (medina) driving not recommended. Park outside medina and use taxi. Roads are safe and well-marked but traffic in cities can be chaotic.
Companies
- Hertz
- Sixt
- Avis
- Drivo
- addCar
- MOVIS
- Routes Car Rental
- Alma
- Ace Rent a Car
- U-Save
- Aircar
- United Rent a Car
Daily Rates
- Compact Low
- MAD 350
- Compact High
- MAD 700
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.flightconnections.com
- 2.flightconnections.com
- 3.visitmarrakech.com
- 4.easyjet.com
- 5.moroccotrains.com
- 6.moroccotrains.com
- 7.seat61.com
- 8.en.wikipedia.org
- 9.aeroport-marrakech.com
- 10.toubkal-trekking.com
- 11.citylockma.com
- 12.budgettravelwithgabby.com
- 13.alongdustyroads.com
- 14.theendofeverywhere.com
- 15.currency.wiki
- 16.xe.com
More About Marrakech
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.