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Transit & logisticsBy Clever Tourists · Published
The best way from Marrakech to Essaouira is the Supratours or CTM bus: about 2.5 to 3 hours and roughly 80 to 130 MAD (about $8 to $13) one way. A seat in a shared grand taxi is about the same time and a similar or slightly higher price but leaves only when full; a whole private car runs roughly 600 to 900 MAD (≈ $61–91) after negotiation. There is no train to Essaouira. A day trip works if you leave on the first morning bus, but Essaouira rewards at least one night.
Last checked 27 October 2026. Fares are approximate; dollar figures convert at our committed exchange-rate snapshot.
| Option | Time | One-way price |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Supratours Supratours | 2h 45m–3h | 80–140 MAD (≈ $8.1–14.2) |
| Bus CTM CTM | 2h 45m–3h | 75–105 MAD (≈ $7.6–10.7) |
| Car / taxi Shared grand taxi (per seat) | — | 60–150 MAD (≈ $6.1–15.2) |
| Car / taxi Private car | 2h 30m–3h | 600–900 MAD (≈ $61–91) |
Planning more legs? Use the route finder.
Supratours is the bus company of ONCF, the national railway, and its coaches are the most popular way to Essaouira. Its Marrakech departures leave from the Supratours office next to Marrakech train station in Gueliz, about 15 minutes by petit taxi from Jemaa el-Fnaa. Guides updated in 2026 describe around five or six departures a day in each direction, a journey of about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours, and fares of roughly 80 to 140 MAD (≈ $8.1–14.2) depending on date and class.
There is usually one short café stop around the halfway point near Chichaoua, often at a roadside stop where argan oil cooperatives try to sell to passengers. Buying is optional. Schedules shift by season; check the current times on Supratours' own site or at the counter, and book at least a day ahead in summer and on weekends, when the morning buses fill.
CTM, Morocco's main national coach company, runs the same route in roughly the same time for a similar fare, with 2026 listings quoting from about 75 to 105 MAD (≈ $7.6–10.7). CTM uses its own station in Marrakech, which is not the Supratours office, so tell your taxi driver "CTM" (say-tay-em) and check the departure point on your ticket.
Both companies charge a small checked-luggage fee of a few dirhams per bag, paid in cash. Keep the stub; you need it to reclaim the bag.
Both companies stop at their own small stations just outside the medina near Bab Doukkala, at the north end of the walled town. From there it is roughly a 5- to 15-minute walk to most riads, along flat lanes. Porters with handcarts wait at the gates and will wheel your luggage to the door for a small tip; agree the price first. Petit taxis (blue in Essaouira) cannot enter the medina.
Our Essaouira guide and how many days in Essaouira cover the port, ramparts and beach once you are there.
Shared grand taxis to Essaouira leave from the gare routière area at Bab Doukkala in Marrakech. You pay per seat, recent quotes range widely from about 60 to 150 MAD (≈ $6.1–15.2), and the car leaves when all six seats are sold, so the wait can be minutes or an hour. You can buy the empty seats to leave sooner or have more space.
A private car for the whole vehicle typically costs roughly 600 to 900 MAD (≈ $61–91) one way after negotiation, more as a return day trip with waiting time. For three or four people that is close to the bus fare each and lets you stop at viewpoints and argan cooperatives on your own timing. Your riad can usually arrange it; agree price, pickup point and stops before you leave. See our driver tipping guide.
Yes, but it is a long day: about 5.5 to 6 hours of travel round trip for perhaps 6 hours in town. Take the earliest morning bus and the last afternoon one back, or join one of the organised day tours from Marrakech that include a cooperative stop. In that time you can walk the Skala de la Ville ramparts, the fishing port and the medina souks, and eat grilled fish at the port stalls.
If you have the time, stay instead. Evenings and early mornings in Essaouira are when it is quietest. Our day trips from Marrakech compares it with the Ourika Valley, Imlil and Ouzoud.
We spent 2 days in Essaouira in early September 2022, arriving from Casablanca, then went on to Marrakech before heading over the Atlas to Ouarzazate and Erg Chigaga. Essaouira works equally well as the first coastal stop after Casablanca or as a rest after the desert.
Essaouira is windy and noticeably cooler than Marrakech, often by 10 °C (18 °F) in summer, so pack a layer. Carry dirhams in cash for the luggage fee, porters and taxis; our Morocco money guide explains ATMs, and the Marrakech scams guide covers touts around bus stations.
Driving yourself is straightforward: the road west via Chichaoua is about 190 km and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. Parking is outside the medina walls, since cars cannot enter. Our driving in Morocco guide covers police checkpoints and speed limits.
No. The railway does not reach Essaouira; Supratours, ONCF's bus company, runs the connecting coaches from next to Marrakech station.
About 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours with Supratours or CTM, including a short stop.
Roughly 80 to 140 MAD (≈ $8.1–14.2) one way in 2026, plus a small cash luggage fee.
It works on the first morning bus and last afternoon bus, but that is about 6 hours of travel for 6 in town; one night is better.
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