Private transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira

A private transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira covers about 185 km in about 2 h 45, in your own car with an English- or French-speaking driver. You pay one fixed price for the car, from €90, agreed before you travel. The drive from Essaouira back to Marrakech costs the same.

There is no train to Essaouira. The choice is a coach, which costs less for one or two people, or a car, which picks you up at your door and leaves when you want. Two of our drivers live in Marrakech and two in Essaouira, so your trip starts with a driver who knows the city.

Prices per car

The price is for the car, not for each person. Three friends in the Superb share €90, so about €30 each, and a family of six with suitcases fits in the Tourneo. The price includes the driver, the fuel and any tolls, and it is the same by day or by night. For eight to 17 people we arrange a Mercedes Sprinter minibus, and a coach for larger groups, price on request.

Car, coach, grand taxi or a rental?

Coach times and fares are the operators' own, read on the ONCF and CTM booking sites in November 2026 for travel on Thursday 12 November. CTM's were the same on 17 December. They can change.

The Supratours coach. Six a day, each taking 3 hours:

The CTM coach. One a day, at 08:30, arriving at 11:30.

The coach stations in Marrakech are outside the medina, so count a taxi to get there. The coach station in Essaouira is also outside the medina.

The train. There is no railway to Essaouira. Marrakech is the end of the line.

A flight. A travel guide to this route says there are no direct flights between the two cities, and we found none.

A grand taxi. A travel guide gives 120 to 150 MAD a seat for a shared grand taxi from the station next to the Bab Doukkala coach station. It says they carry up to six passengers, have no timetable and leave when they are full. We did not check the fares ourselves.

A rental car. The drive is easy and you can do it yourself. Cars cannot enter the medina of Essaouira, so you will need to park outside the walls. A one-way rental usually costs extra, so ask the company before you book.

For one or two people on a budget, take the coach. The car is worth its price when:

• you are three or more: the price is shared, and three coach tickets already come to 300 MAD (about €27) before taxis at both ends;
• you land at Marrakech airport and want to go straight to the coast;
• you have luggage or children, since the car comes to your door;
• you want to leave at your own time, or come back late after a day by the sea.

Leaving from the medina of Marrakech

Cars cannot enter the lanes of the medina. Your driver meets you at the nearest point a car can reach and helps with the bags. Give us the name of your riad when you book, and we tell you where to meet. Many riads send someone to walk with you and your luggage.

If you are staying in Guéliz or the Palmeraie, your driver comes to the door of your hotel.

From Marrakech airport to Essaouira

Marrakech Menara airport is on the west side of the city, so you do not need to cross town: it is about 184 km to Essaouira, about 2 h 40. Add your flight number when you book. We follow the flight, and your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. We confirm the price from the airport on WhatsApp.

Landing at Mohammed V in Casablanca instead? See our Casablanca to Essaouira transfer.

Essaouira in a day from Marrakech?

It is a popular day out, and it can be done: about 2 h 45 each way, so about 5 h 30 in the car and a good part of the day by the sea. Leave early, and tell us the time you want to be back. We confirm the plan and the price on WhatsApp.

If you can, stay a night or two. The medina is at its best once the day visitors have gone.

Stops on the way

Short stops for a coffee or a photo are part of the drive: ask for them when you book. A visit makes the day longer, so plan it with us, and a visit is added to the price, depending on the visit.

Chichaoua is on the road, 85 km from Marrakech and about 1 h 20 into the drive. It costs no detour and makes a natural coffee stop.

Arriving in Essaouira

The medina of Essaouira has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. It was founded in the second half of the 18th century by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, with French architects working to the principles of Vauban. It is for pedestrians only, and cars stop at the walls. Your driver takes you as near your riad as a car can go and helps with the bags to the nearest point. Give us the name of your riad and we tell you where to meet.

Essaouira is on the Atlantic, and it is often cooler and windier than Marrakech, so pack a layer.

Marrakech or Essaouira?

They are different places, and most trips have room for both. Marrakech is inland, big and busy. Essaouira is a small walled town on the Atlantic. A night or two by the sea makes a good end to a trip after the Sahara or the medinas.

Essaouira to Marrakech

The drive back costs the same and takes the same time. Choose "Essaouira → Marrakech" at the top of the form, and give the address in Marrakech or your flight.

By coach, Supratours left Essaouira at 07:00, 09:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:30 and 16:00 on the date we checked, in 3 hours, for 100 to 125 MAD. CTM left at 17:00, in 2 h 30, for 105 MAD.

Flying out of Marrakech? Count about 2 h 40 from Essaouira to the departures hall, then add the time your airline asks you to be at the airport. We agree the pickup time with you when we confirm the booking.

Going on from Essaouira

• Casablanca: about 360 km, about 4 h 45, from €200 per car. See our Casablanca to Essaouira transfer.
• Agadir: about 175 km, about 3 h. Ask us for the price on WhatsApp.

Coming from Casablanca first? Our Casablanca to Marrakech transfer covers that leg. Want the same driver for the whole trip? See a private driver by the day, or our 10 days from Casablanca, which includes Essaouira.

How to book this transfer

1. Send the details on WhatsApp: from, to, date and time, number of passengers and large bags, and your flight if you have one. Or use the booking form on this page.
2. We confirm the car and the fixed price, usually within the hour. Nothing is booked until we confirm.
3. On the day, your driver is there at the time you agreed.