How to Get to Ouarzarzate, Morocco
Last Updated on 25th January 2026 by Jessie
A comprehensive transport guide for first-time travellers trying to figure out how on earth to get to Ouarzarzate.
When tourists think of Morocco, I reckon 9 times out of 10, images of Ouarzarzate come to mind. As the ‘Door to the Desert’, the Kasbah-laden, terracotta landscape of Ouarzarzate evokes the collective vision of Morocco fed to us through films and novels of yore. It’s not surprising, then, that Ouarzarzate is the breeding ground for a bunch of big Hollywood films and TV productions, including Game of Thrones and Gladiator.
Ouarzarzate is a small city in the High Atlas region of Morocco. It’s a common pitstop for travellers visiting Aït Benhaddou, the nearby Fint oasis, and the desert village of Zagora.
This guide covers all transport options for reaching Ouarzarzate from Marrakech, Essaouira and Agadir. Plus, the less-straightforward routes from coastal villages like Tamraght and Taghazout.
I use affiliate links throughout my posts. This means that if you make a purchase through any of the links, I’ll get paid a small percentage – with no additional cost to you. I appreciate any and all support to keep me afloat so I can continue bringing honest, accurate travel tips to you.
Moroccan Travel Essentials
- First and foremost, get travel insurance with SafetyWing. They’re super affordable and one of the few companies that let you buy insurance mid-trip.
- Book the dreamiest Moroccan abode on Booking.com. They’re my go-to for accomodation because you can save loooaads with their loyalty discounts.
- Or if you’re after the one-stop-shop, BookSurfCamps is the best place to find surf camp packages in Morocco.
- Find the best local tours with GetYourGuide. It’s the easiest way to visit places like Paradise Valley or Timlalin Dunes.
- Make sure you’re connected as soon as you get off the plane with Airalo’s Moroccan eSIM.
- Set up a Wise travel card to save on international transaction fees.
- And if you’re working online (or want to watch Netflix in your downtime) I highly recommend getting set up with a SurfShark VPN.
And you’re sorted.
How to Get to Ouarzarzate from Marrakech
Ouarzarzate is 200km south-east of Marrakech. Most tourists opt for a guided tour to have all the logistics taken care of for them. Alternatively, you can rent a car, catch a bus, or take a taxi.
Guided Tour from Marrakech to Ouarzazate
If you’re beginning your trip with a few days in Marrakech, it’s worth asking your accommodation for Ouarzarzate tour recommendations. Often they partner with tour operators who run trips to the High Atlas mountains and the desert. You can usually get a reasonably fair price this way. Equity Point and Riad Dar Aida are both beauftiful, well-established riads that offer great advice on tours.
If you’re short on time and want to ensure your itinerary is locked in before you arrive, I suggest booking a tour with GetYourGuide. For a quick day trip, I recommend this Ouarzarzate & Aït Benhaddou guided tour from Marrakech.
But if you have the time, I think it’s preferable to spend a few days traversing the rural villages and hitting all the central Moroccan highlights in one go. Like this 3-day Merzouga and Sahara Desert tour that includes a night at a Berber desert camp, as well as visits to Ouarzarzate, Aït Benhaddou, Boumaln Dades and Todra Gorges. So jam-packed, and only AU$200 – ideal!
Driving From Marrakech to Ouarzazate
Once you escape the madness of the cities in Morocco, the highways and rural villages are fairly easy to traverse. Check out DiscoverCars to get a quote and book a car in advance.
The drive from Marrakech to Ouarzazate takes around 3 hours, and allows you a glimpse of the High Atlas mountains. Having your own set of wheels allows you the flexibility of stopping in at all the funky little rural towns along the way.
Whilst holding an International Drivers Permit isn’t always necessary when hiring a car in Morocco, it is advised. There are often traffic stops along the highways, and having an IDP gives the local cops one less reason to hassle you. Make sure you purchase vehicle insurance through the rental company, and ensure you have robust medical insurance from a provider like SafetyWing.
Taxi From Marrakech to Ouarzarzate
Collective Taxi
For my budget-savvy travellers, collective taxis are one of the cheapest ways to travel between villages in Morocco. From the Grand Taxi Station at Bab Doukkala, you can find shared taxis travelling to various cities and towns.
Ask around, and you will be directed towards taxis leaving for Ouarzazate. It costs 100-150dh (€10-15) per passenger, and you must wait until the rest of the seats are filled. The benefit of this over a bus is that you can more or less leave at a time best suited to you.
Private Taxi
If you’re travelling with a group, or you’d rather not wait around for strangers, you can pay for the entire taxi. A private taxi from Marrakech to Ouarzazate should cost around 900dh (€90), but drivers may try to overcharge you.
Taxi From Ouarzazate to Marrakech
For the return trip, make your way to Place des Grand Taxis in Ouarzazate. It is the same taxi station where you can find a ride to Aït Benhaddou. A collective taxi to Marrakech will cost between 100-150dh (€10-15).
Bus from Marrakech to Ouarzazate
CTM or Supratours:
CTM and Supratours are the two major bus lines in Morocco. Both are super comfortable, safe and reliable, and can be booked online or in person. The bus lines operate from different stations in Marrakech, so make sure you double-check.
Check out my guide to catching intercity buses in Morocco.
The CTM station is a 10-15 minute drive from the medina. You can catch a taxi from Jemaa El-Fnaa (the main square), Bab Doukkala or Pikala Bikes. The trip should cost between 25-50dh (€2.50-€5), but it’s common for drivers to try to charge you double that. It’s up to you how long you want to spend bartering.
The buses arrive at a designated CTM station in Ouarzarzate, separate from the main bus station.
CTM Bus Timetable to Ouarzarzate
| Departure | Duration | Price |
| 00:30 | 4 hr 15 min | 110dh (€11) |
| 02:45 | 4 hr 15 min | 110dh (€11) |
| 10:15 | 4 hr 45 min | 105dh (€10.50) |
| 11:30 | 4 hr 45 min | 105dh (€11) |
| 16:15 | 4 hr 30 min | 110dh (€11) |
The Supratours station is just next door to CTM. Same deal with getting a taxi from the medina. The buses arrive at the main bus station in Ouarzarzate.
| Departure | Duration | Price |
| 08:00 | 4 hr 15 min | 100dh (€10) |
| 13:00 | 4 hr 10 min | 100dh (€10) |
| 15:30 | 4 hr 20 min | 100dh (€10) |
Local Bus:
The local buses in Morocco are a little more haphazard than the private companies; however, tickets are often much cheaper. You cannot purchase tickets online, but there are designated booths at the Marrakech station for each direction.
The Gare Routiere (bus station) is located just beside Bab Doukkala. Inside, you will find desks designated to each bus line. Find the one indicating ‘Ouarzarzate’ and purchase your ticket.
Tickets from Marrakech to Ouarzazate cost 80dh (€8) and buses leave every hour.
How to Get to Ouarzarzate from Essaouira
Ouarzarzate is 405km east of Essaouira. There are no direct public transport options between the two destinations. Marrakech sits midway along the route, so it’s best to make your way from Essaouira to Marrakech, and then plan onward travel to Ouarzazate from there.
How to Get to Ouarzarzate from Agadir
Ouarzarzate is 345km east of Agadir, and it takes 5 hours to drive between the two cities. If you don’t have a car, catching a bus is your next best option. Or you can book a guided tour or a private taxi.
Guided Tour from Agadir to Ouarzarzate
Hotels in Agadir may be able to recommend guided tours to Ouarzarzate and the desert. Alternatively, you can book a trip through GetYourGuide. I would opt for this 3-day Desert Tour that includes an overnight stay at a Sahara Desert camp, as well as visits to Ouarzarzate, Aït Benhaddou, Draa Valley and Todra Gorge, before finishing in Marrakech.
Taxi from Agadir to Ouarzarzate
Private Taxi
From the Agadir airport, you can take a private taxi directly to Ouarzarzate. There is a set price of 1800dh (€180) for the entire car, and an extra fee of 20dh (€2) for each piece of luggage.
Note that long trips from the airport are up to the drivers’ discretion. They are far more likely to accept a 5-hour trip to Ouarzarzate if you are arriving in Agadir earlier in the day.
Collective Taxi
You can catch a collective taxi from Gare de Grande Taxis in Inezgane. The price for one passenger is 130dhs (€13). However, beware that this taxi rank is rather chaotic, and you may be waiting a while for the taxi to fill with enough passengers before departing.
Bus From Agadir to Ouarzarzate
A CTM bus would be my preferred choice for travelling between Agadir and Ouarzazate. Partly because I have a penchant for regional bus trips and foreign service stations.
CTM has one direct bus route to Ouarzazate, leaving Agadir at 09:00 and arriving at 15:45. Tickets cost 155dh (€15.50). There are several other departure times; however, these routes require you to change buses in Marrakech and take upwards of 9 hours.
The bus will make at least one stop along the way, giving you half an hour or so to get some lunch, stretch your legs and use les toilettes.
How to Get to Ouarzarzate from Taghazout or Tamraght
There is no direct bus line from Tamraght or Taghazout to Ouarzarzate. Your best bet is to make your way to Agadir and then catch a bus from there to Ouarzarzate.
See all the transport options:
How to Get to Ouarzarzate from Zagora
Ouarzarzate is often a pitstop for travellers heading to Zagora (one of the main entry points for the desert). Zagora is 158km southeast of Ouarzarzate and takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes by car.
Bus from Zagora to Ouarzarzate
CTM has one bus per day leaving from Zagora at 19:30 and arriving in Ouarzarzate at 22:30. Tickets cost 65dh (€6.50) and can be purchased online or in person at the CTM station.
Supratours offers two bus departure times from Zagora: 06:00 and 22:30, both cost 70dh (€7). These buses depart from the main bus station in Ouarzarzate – Gare Routiere.
Taxi from Zagora to Ouarzarzate
From the Grand Taxi Station in Zagora, you can take a collective taxi to Ouarzarzate. Tickets cost 60dh (€6) per passenger. Or you can pay for the whole taxi for around 360dh (€36).
How to Get To Aït Benhaddou from Ouarzarzate
For onward travel to Aït Benhaddou, check out all the transport options here.
Bon voyage. Browse my Moroccan Travel Info for more tips!
- Where to Eat in Marrakech
- Useful Moroccan Travel Tips
- Where to Eat in Essaouira
- Rug Shopping in Essaouira
- Where to Stay in Imsouane
For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.
