Practical guide to getting to Essaouira
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How to get to Essaouira! Flights, buses and sea air.
Despite feeling wonderfully remote and windswept, Essaouira is actually one of the easiest coastal cities to reach in Morocco.
By Bus from Marrakech
For most travellers, the simplest and cheapest option is the bus from Marrakech. The journey takes roughly 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on traffic and stops.
The two most reliable companies are:
Supratours is generally preferred by tourists because the Marrakech station is beside the main train station, while the Essaouira stop is conveniently close to the medina and beach area. Buses are air-conditioned, comfortable and usually include a short refreshment stop halfway through the journey.
Expect to pay:
- 80–140 Moroccan dirhams (€8–€14 / £7–£12) each way depending on season and booking time.
There are usually multiple departures daily from early morning until evening. Booking online in advance during holidays and weekends is strongly recommended.
We can arrange private transfers from Marrakech which are ideal for groups or families. These generally cost:
- 700–900 dirhams (€65–€85) per vehicle
- Journey time: approximately 2.5 hours door-to-door.
Flying into Essaouira Airport
Essaouira Mogador Airport is also a small and remarkably stress-free airport located around 20 minutes from the medina by taxi.
Direct international flights operate seasonally from cities including Paris, London, Brussels, Madrid and Marseille, largely via:
Taxi transfers from the airport to the medina or beach hotels usually cost:
- 150–250 dirhams (€15–€25)
- Transfer time: around 20 minutes.
We can also help organise private airport collection in advance at fixed rates.
One of the great pleasures of arriving in Essaouira is how quickly Morocco’s chaos disappears. Within half an hour of landing or stepping off the bus you are usually already drinking mint tea by the Atlantic.
