How to Get From Essaouira to Casablanca in 2024

Now sure how to get from Essaouira to Casablanca? If so then this epic local guide is for you. After all, I live in Essaouira and my partner and I have traveled to Casablanca many times.

Generally, our favorite way to travel from Essaouira to Casablanca is by bus. It’s long (6 hours) but affordable and easy to do with CTM.

Sadly, there is no train between Essaouira and Casablanca since there is no train service in Essaouira. Therefore, it is impossible to take the train to Casablanca.

However, you could hop on a Supratours bus from Essaouira (3-hour trip) to Marrakech and then take a train from Marrakech to Casablanca (3-hour trip).

But, this trip would be more expensive than taking the bus and won’t save you any time.

So, there’s no benefit to doing this unless you want to stop in Marrakech on your way from Essaouira to Casablanca.

Now, if you don’t want to take the bus, there are other ways to get from Essaouira to Casablanca. I’ll examine them now so that you can make the best decision possible based on your own, personal needs.

However, for most people, taking the bus from Essaouira to Casablanca will be the best option. It’s cheap and easy and you can store your luggage beneath the bus.

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How to Get From Essaouira to Casablanca

1. The Bus

Taking the bus from Essaouira to Casablanca is probably my favorite way to travel between these two cities. It’s easy, comfortable, and inexpensive (I do the same thing with Essaouira and Agadir).

Generally, the trip from Essaouira to Casablanca will take between 6 and 6.5 hours, with a stop in Safi along the way (you could also do a fun day trip from Essaouira to Safi if you have time).

You can grab a snack here and use the toilet which is not so awesome (the bathrooms in Safi are not great).

You’ll also stop in Oualidia and El Jadida. However, these are quicker stops and you won’t really have time to get off the bus.

You’ll also have to use CTM since Supratours buses do not operate between Essaouira and Casablanca. Tickets are around 170 Dirhams ($17.00) each and can be reserved in advance online.

Typically, buses depart at 10:00 am, 11:45 am, 2:15 pm, and 5:15 pm daily. However, times and prices do change. So, always check the CTM website for the most up-to-date information.

Finally, remember that luggage storage is not included in the price of your ticket. So, when you arrive at the station, be sure to go to the counter and pay 5 Dirhams ($0.50) for each bag that you want to store beneath the bus.

The person behind the desk will give you a luggage tag that you can put on your bag so that it can go underneath the bus.

And that’s pretty much it. Just enjoy the ride. You’ll have A/C (but no toilet) and should bring snacks since you probably won’t have time to stop to eat along the way.

I would also get off at the second stop in Casablanca. This is the more central of the two and is the main station where you will want to get off if you want to explore the city.

You also may want to exchange some money in Morocco before you leave so you can get a snack at the rest area in Safi.

Local Tip: Try to reserve seats 31 and 32. They are right by the stairs and have the most legroom since there is no one in front of you. We always reserve these seats and love the extra legroom.

Additionally, you only have to reserve tickets a few days in advance, unless it is a major holiday.

SPECIAL NOTE: A Grand Taxi is another option. I am not 100% sure how much it costs since we have never done that since that is a LONG trip. However, it is another way to get to Essaouira.

If you’re interested in taking a grand taxi then ask your hotel or head to the grand taxi station and ask around.

If you’re not sure what a Grand Taxi is, it is a shared taxi between 5-6 people. Each person pays a portion of the taxi, which departs/drops people off at one set location. Generally, you’ll have to wait until the taxi is full before you can leave.

2. Private Transfer

Another option if you don’t really want to take the bus is a private transfer. It’s pretty expensive, which is why we don’t do it. But, it can be a good option for anyone traveling as part of a large group, with small children, or with a ton of luggage.

Obviously, you can get picked up/dropped off wherever you like and you can also leave at whatever time you like. So, yeah, it really doesn’t get much easier than that.

However, all that convenience comes at a cost. I would expect to spend anywhere between $150.00 and $350.00 for a transfer.

Remember, this is just a ROUGH estimate. Prices vary greatly by company and by the type of vehicle you request. So, don’t be surprised if you see transfers cost more than this, especially if it’s with a well-known company.

If you are interested in a private transfer, check out this company. They have a good reputation in terms of safety, promptness, the quality of their drivers, and the maintenance of their vehicles.

You can also book an excursion with a Morocco tour operator and they will definitely transport you between these two cities.

3. Renting a Car

Another option is to rent a car in Morocco and drive yourself from Essaouira to Casablanca. The journey will take around 4.5 hours (depending on traffic) and covers 371 kilometers.

If you want, you could even do a little road trip in Morocco and stop at Safi and El Jadida along the way.

After all, Safi has a great ceramics museum and is home to the largest tajine in the world.

In contrast, El Jadida is known for its amazing architecture. So, you can explore the city’s amazing Portuguese Medina )with ramparts) which is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We rented a car and did a similar trip from Essaouira to Agadir and it was awesome.

Sure, it’s not the cheapest way to get from Essaouira to Casablanca (rentals cost between $11.00 and $40.00 a day + gas). But you have a lot more freedom to take things slowly and make fun stops along the way.

My one suggestion is to drop the car off BEFORE you enter Casablanca. Honestly, driving in Casablanca is an absolute nightmare and I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.

So, please drop your rental car off BEFORE you enter the city. Do this and your life will be A LOT easier.

4. Flying

TECHNICALLY, you could fly from Essaouira to Casablanca since both cities have major airports that receive daily international and domestic flights.

However, the last time I checked the flight length/price was completely ridiculous because you have to fly from Essaouira to Madrid and then back to Casablanca.

When all is said and done the flight takes like 5.5 hours and costs $300.00+. So, I would 100% not recommend flying between Essaouira and Marrakech.

Yeah, always double-check whenever you’re flying domestically in Morocco since some flights are cheap and some are not. Generally, if it’s a Ryan Air flight then it should be pretty cheap.

Just know what to pack for Morocco and don’t pack too much since they charge a steep fee for excess luggage.

Conclusion

That wraps up this guide on how to get from Essaouira to Casablanca. I hope you’ve figured out which method of transportation will work for you as you travel between these two beautiful cities in Morocco.

For most people who are short on time, and money, the bus will be the way to go. However, renting a car is another good option since you can do a fun road trip and see a lot of really cool places along the way.

I personally wouldn’t do a private transfer since it is A LOT of money. However, it can be a solid choice if you have small kids, lots of luggage, or are traveling with a large group.

Also, FWIW, if you have to choose between Marrakech and Casablanca, Marrakech is WAY better. Sorry, but that’s my opinion.

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