How to Take the Bus from Marrakech to Essaouira

Want to travel between Marrakech and Essaouira? If so then you’re in luck because taking the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira is super affordable and easy to do.

I live In Morocco and use a Supratours bus to travel between Marrakech and Essaouira every time I fly into Marrakech.

Sure, Essaouira has its own airport. But, flights into Marrakech tend to be much cheaper which is why I like to fly into Marrakech before traveling home to Essaouira.

Once at Marrakech Menara Airport, I usually take a taxi to the Supratours bus station and then enjoy a quick, 3-hour bus ride to Essaouira.

I love that the bus is safe, affordable (tickets are usually 100 Dirhams or $10.00), comfortable, and convenient (there are at least five departures daily).

You can even reserve tickets online and pay for your tickets online before you travel. Just remember that you need to pay an additional 5 Dirhams ($0.50) for each bag you want to store beneath the bus.

When you get to the bus station, just head to the luggage counter and have cash handy. You can then pay for your bag and they will give you a sticker to put on your luggage so that you can store it beneath the bus.

Then, just find your seat number on the bus and enjoy a chill bus ride from Marrakech to Essaouira. FYI, you can also use this guide to take the bus from Essaouira to Marrakech.

Just do the same thing in reverse and you should have zero problems. But, have a look at this mega comprehensive guide since it has everything you need to know about taking the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira.

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Taking the Bus From Marrakech to Essaouira: Essentials

Here is everything you need to know about taking the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira.

• Tickets usually cost around 100 Dirhams ($10.00) per person. No discount tickets are available and they can be purchased online at the Supratours website. Prices do vary and can go up if you travel to Essaouira at the best time of year.

• Tickets do NOT need to be purchased too far in advance and booking a couple of days in advance is fine. Just make sure there are no major holidays during your trip because then tickets will sell out FAST (like during Eid al Adha).

• You will need an additional ticket for your luggage if you plan to store it beneath the bus. Tickets cost around 5 Dirhams per bag ($0.50) and you can get them at the luggage counter. Just be sure to have cash and some change with you.

• CTM Buses Also Operate Between Essaouira and Marrakech But Supratours is Better – TBH the prices and buses are the same. I prefer Supratours sine they offer more departures daily and the Supratours station is located right next to the Medina in Essaouira. So, it will be a much quicker walk to your Essaouira hotel if you get dropped off at the Supratours station.

• Supratours Buses Depart for Marrakech Between Five and Six Times Daily – Daily departures change based on the time of year. However, expect departures from Marrakech to Essaouira at around 07:45, 09:00, 10:45, 14:45, 16:45, and 19:00. Always check the Supratours website before you book your tickets.

• If you want to take a CTM bus to Essaouira then there is usually one departure daily from Marrakech at 8:30 am. Just make sure you head to the right CTM station since there are a couple in Marrakech.

• You can also do a day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech. Just be sure to take the first bus out and the last bus back and you should have plenty of time to explore Essaouira in a day.

• Arrive 15 or 20 Minutes Before Your Bus Departs – This will give you enough time to grab a ticket for your luggage and find your bus without feeling rushed. Buses generally depart on time so you won’t really have to worry about any major delays.

• Sit in Your Seat Number – People in Morocco are pretty strict about seat numbers and I suggest you sit in your assigned seat to avoid any issues. The seat numbers are small but should be displayed above the seats, just near the reading lights on the ceiling.

How Long is the Bus Ride from Marrakech to Essaouira?

Generally, the bus ride from Marrakech to Essaouira takes around 3 hours, which can feel long after coworking in Marrakech all day.

However, your arrival time can depend on the driver and how much traffic you encounter during the trip (there’s usually not a ton).

Typically, you will arrive in Essaouira either three or three and a half hours after you depart from Marrakech since you will stop halfway through the trip at a local rest stop.

You can grab a drink, get something to eat, go to the bathroom, or just relax for about 20 minutes before getting back on the bus. I’ve done this trip many times as a Moroccan digital nomad and it is super easy.

When you arrive in Essaouira, you will be dropped off at the Supratours station in Essaouira. It sits right next to the Medina and is only about a 10 or 15-minute walk away from some of the best riads in Essaouira.

How to Buy a Bus Ticket from Marrakech to Essaouira?

I use the Supratours website to buy my bus tickets in advance online. I would say if you buy your tickets a couple of days in advance then you should have plenty of seats to choose from.

Just double-check and make sure your travel dates don’t coincide with any major holidays because then you will need to book your tickets well in advance.

When booking your tickets, you can use international credit cards and select the seat you would like to sit in. Once you pay, you will get a copy of your receipt, and ticket, instantly delivered to your inbox.

You do not need to print your ticket and can just download a copy of your ticket to your phone and use that to board the bus.

If you want to go old school then you can absolutely buy your bus ticket at the bus station. Just be sure to bring cash and give yourself time to wait in line.

Where is the Supratours Bus Station in Marrakech?

The Supratours bus station in Marrakech is located right next to the train station. It’s very close to Gueliz so if you are in that part of town then you might even be able to walk there.

If you’re in the Medina (around Jemaa el Fna Square), you can take a bus (#19) or a taxi to the station. The trip is around 3.8 kilometers and a taxi ride will take around ten minutes depending on traffic.

The taxi drivers will try and scam you (you can use the In Drive rideshare app instead) so I wouldn’t pay more than 20 or 30 Dirhams for the trip. Y

ou could also walk but that will probably take around an hour and is not advisable since Marrakech can get very hot, especially when you’re carrying all your stuff.

If you’re looking to kill time before your trip then stop by Zedd. It is a restaurant that sits right across the street from the Marrakech train station and they serve one of the best brunches in Marrakech.

There is also a KFC and a McDonald’s inside the Marrakech train station if you want to eat there. Just know that there isn’t much in the way of food at the Suratours station in Marrakech. So, if you’re starving eat before you get to the bus station.

Yeah, there is really only a small, indoor coffee shop where you can get drinks and a light. snack. There is also a small waiting room near the main entrance of the Supratours Station.

What is the Bus Like?

The buses are really clean and comfortable, with a bit of storage space above the seats for small bags. You will also find a/c on the bus as well as rows of two seats on either side of the central aisle through the bus.

TBH, there isn’t a ton of leg room, expecially if the person in front of you reclines their seat. Therefore, if you are super tall person then you will probably be a little uncomfortable.

Seats also come with seat belts and the seats right behind the driver probably have the most leg room.

I woudl also go to the bathroom before you board the bus since there is no bathroom on board, However, about an hour and a half into the journey you will stop for 20 minutes at Restaurant Atlas in Sidi Mokhtar.

You can get some food, grab some drinks, and go to the bathroom (bring coins to tip staff) while you are here before getting back on the bus.

I wouldn’t order hot food since service can be slow. But, it is enough time to grab a warm drink and a snack from their on-site store and bakery.

What is the Bus Ride Like?

Honestly, the bus ride from Marrakech to Essaouira is pretty low-key. There are no narrow, windy roads and not a lot of traffic. It’s just a straight forward, uninteresting drive between Marrakech and Essaouira once you leave Marrakech.

Yes, some of the desert landscapes are nice and there are a few towns along the way. The land also does get a bit greener as you start to enter Essaouira.

Overall, though, there really aren’t any major stops in between two of the prettiest places in Morocco which is why I don’t suggest driving in Morocco here.

Therefore, you definitely don’t need to rent a car in Morocco here and plan a Morocco road trip since there is nothing exciting to see along the way.

The only thing you might want to see are the goats hanging out in the Argan trees. You can sometimes see them from the bus around 30 minutes outside of Essaouira. If you want, you can rent a car in Essaouira and go see them after you arrive.

I wouldn’t try renting a car in Marrakech and then driving to Essaouira since I think the bus will end up being easier and cheaper.

Arriving in Essaouira

You’ll know you are in Essaouira when you see the giant Carrefour grocery store on your left. From here, it’s really only a short 5-minute drive to the Suratours station in Essaouira.

It’s small, and a bit worn, but the bus will back in and drop you off right near the Medina. Don’t forget to grab your bags (no one will check your ticket) and you can walk right into the Medina or head straight and walk to Main Beach.

It’s one of the best beaches in Essaouira and is a great place to visit during your time here and before you start coworking in Essaouira.

Conclusion

I hope you found this guide on how to take the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira helpful and now have everything you need to know for an amazing trip.

Remember, you can also use this guide if you want to take the bus from Essaouira to Marrakech since it’s pretty much the same process in reverse.

Overall, I like taking the bus between two of the safest cities in Morocco. it’s cheap, safe, reliable, and convenient. So, you no longer have to choose between Marrakech and Essaouira. Instead, you can add both cities to your Morocco itinerary.

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