How to Get to Merzouga Desert from Casablanca

Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are about 700 km (435 miles) south-east of Casablanca. Many travellers land at Casablanca airport, so this is a very common question. You can drive via Fez or via Marrakech, combine train and car, or fly straight to Errachidia. Here are your options.

1. By private car or private tour (recommended)

The drive takes 10–11 hours without stops, so it is best done over two or three days. There are two classic routes:

• Via Rabat, Meknes or Fez and the Middle Atlas – Rabat’s Hassan Tower, Volubilis, Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest with its macaques, Midelt and the Ziz Gorges.
• Via Marrakech and the High Atlas – the Tizi n’Tichka pass, Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge.

The best trips go one way and come back the other, as a loop through the imperial cities and the desert. See our tours from Casablanca, from 5 to 10 days.

2. By plane (the fastest way)

Royal Air Maroc flies from Casablanca to Errachidia, the closest airport to Merzouga, in about 1.5 hours (check the days, as flights are not daily). From Errachidia, a private transfer takes about 2 hours to the dunes.

3. By train + car or bus

Take the train from Casablanca to Fez (about 3.5–4 hours) or to Marrakech (about 2.5–3 hours). From there, continue to Merzouga with a private driver, or on an overnight CTM or Supratours bus.

4. By bus

CTM and Supratours have buses towards Merzouga, usually with a change in Fez, Meknes or Marrakech. Expect 13 hours or more. It is the cheapest option, but very long.

Which option is best?

• Short on time: fly to Errachidia, then transfer.
• Seeing Morocco: a private round trip Casablanca – Fez – Merzouga – Marrakech – Casablanca.
• Tight budget: train to Fez or Marrakech, then the overnight bus.

Practical tips

• Don’t try to drive Casablanca–Merzouga in one day: it is very long and you miss the best stops.
• From November to March, the mountain passes can have snow – allow extra time.
• Carry cash in dirhams for small towns and desert camps.

This is a private tour, so you travel only with your own group. Groups of friends, students and families get a discount – contact us on WhatsApp or by email for a quote.