Getting the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira: everything you need to know

Bus travel is the cheapest way to get from Marrakech to Essaouira. Check out our guide to getting from Marrakech to Essaouira for a break down of all the options. There is no train between Marrakech and Essaouira.

Here we detail everything you need to know about the Marrakech to Essaouira bus, and if you want to get the most out of your visit, make sure you read our guide detailing all the things to do in Essaouira.

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How long is the bus journey from Marrakech to Essaouira?

Supratours is the main bus company that travels between Marrakech and Essaouira. The journey takes 3 hours by bus, with a 20 minute comfort break enroute.

At the time of writing, a Supratours bus ticket from Marrakech to Essaouria was 80MAD per person, with no reduction for children or students. There are six buses per day from Marrakech to Essaouria leaving at 07:45, 09:00, 10:45, 14:45, 16:45 and 19:00. Check the ONCF website for up-to-date bus times and pricing. This is a much better site than the Supratours website.

CTM also run a bus from Marrakech to Essaouira, except this only runs once per day at 8:30am, and the drop off at the CTM bus station in Essaouira isn’t as convenient as the Supratours bus station in Essaouira, which is next to the medina. The CTM bus is roughly the same price per person as the Supratours bus, but do check as they sometimes have a sale on.

How to buy a bus ticket from Marrakech to Essaouira

The easiest way to buy a Supratours bus ticket from Marrakech to Essaouira is online. The Supratours website isn’t very user friendly, instead use the ONCF website.

However, if you can get the Supratours website to work, you can pick your seat, which you cannot do on the ONCF website.

You can use a foreign credit card to book on the ONCF website. Your tickets are emailed to you in pdf format. You do not need to print these out. Just display the pdf tickets on check in.

Alternatively, you can purchase your bus ticket directly from the Supratours bus station in Marrakech.

Where is the Supratours bus station in Marrakech?

The Supratours bus from Marrakech to Essaouira leaves and starts from the Supratours bus station. This is the old train station building, which is adjacent to the new train station. Click here for the Google Map location.

How to get to Supratours bus station in Marrakech

Being adjacent to Marrakech train station, the bus is handy if you are arriving from Casablanca or Fes by train.

If you are staying in Marrakech Medina, it’s a 3km (1 hour) walk to Supratours bus station. Getting a petit taxi is easier, especially in the heat. If you’re staying in one of the hotels in the Palmeraie, expect to pay 100-150DH for a taxi.

What you will find at Marrakech Supratours bus station

There isn’t must at the bus station, bar an indoor waiting area, outdoor seating, and toilets. It’s rather overshadowed by the impressive entrance to Marrakech Train Station.

The main entrance to the train station is just a short two minute walk away. Here you will find a McDonalds and KFC.

Before boarding the bus

Head to the left of the main entrance, and you will notice a small office to check any luggage in that you would like to put in the luggage compartment of the bus. You need to pay a small extra fee to check you luggage in and then you will be handed a tag to put on your luggage. You are not permitted to leave luggage here to go off exploring.

What to expect onboard

Seats are 2 by 2 and the bus is clean and air conditioned. There isn’t much leg room, so if you are 6ft tall, you may be a little uncomfortable. The two seats right at the very front behind the driver have the most leg room. There are lap belts, which may be comforting to know if you are travelling to Essaouira with young children.

There is no toilet on board, but the bus will stop at Restaurant Atlas in Sid Mikhtar for a comfort break, half way through the journey. The staff here are extremely quick and efficient and know the drill. You will be seated with your order taken in a matter of minutes, and food will be delivered shortly after. On the menu is the standard Moroccan and Western food. There is also a bakery onsite and clean toilets. Both outdoor and indoor seating is available.

What is the bus journey like?

You don’t need to worry about winding mountain roads on the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira. Once you are out of the centre of Marrakech, it’s a long straight road which is paved, relatively quiet, and with some sections of dual carriageway.

The route between Marrakech and Essaouira is mainly desert, passing through a few towns along the way. As you enter the Province of Essaouira, you will notice the scenery becoming much greener with the maritime climate, and it may remind you of Spain.

On arrival to Essaouira

Once you pass a large Carrefour on your left, you are almost in the centre of Essaouira. The last stretch of the journey is along the full stretch of the promenade.

The Supratours bus will drop you right next to the medina (click here for exact location on Google Maps). The bus station here has seen better days, and it’s not the best first impression of the town.

With your back to the medina wall, take a right if you want to head to the main beach, or take a left if you want to head to the closest entrance to the medina.

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