Many international flights land in Casablanca, but most travelers dream of Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. The good news: the two cities are only about 240 km apart. Here are your options, from the quickest transfer to a complete tour of Morocco.
Distance and travel time
Casablanca and Marrakech are connected by a modern motorway. By car the journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Trains also run between the two cities several times a day and take a little under 3 hours.
Option 1: the train
The train is simple and affordable if you travel light and only want to reach Marrakech. You will still need a taxi to reach the station and then your riad, which can be inside the car-free medina.
Option 2: a private transfer
A private driver picks you up at the airport or your hotel and drops you at the nearest point to your accommodation in Marrakech. It is the easiest choice after a long flight, especially with children or luggage.
Option 3: turn the journey into a tour
Why go straight to Marrakech when the imperial cities and the desert are on the way? Our multi-day tours from Casablanca start with a visit of the city and the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, and end in Marrakech:
- 6 Days from Casablanca to Marrakech and Fez: Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and Fez.
- 7 Days from Casablanca: Marrakech, Ouarzazate & Fez with a full city tour of Marrakech.
- 9 Days from Casablanca to Marrakech via Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Midelt, the Merzouga dunes and Ouarzazate.
- 10 Days from Casablanca to Marrakech, the most complete version with time in every city.
Landing in Casablanca? Start your Morocco tour directly from the airport.
See the tour or contact us: +212 640-309863 / contact@discover-morocco-tour.com.
What to see in Casablanca before you leave
- Hassan II Mosque, built partly over the Atlantic, with guided visits.
- The Corniche in Ain Diab, for an ocean walk and seafood.
- The Habous quarter, a calm neo-Moorish district with bookshops and pastry shops.
- Art Deco architecture in the city center around Mohammed V Boulevard.
Which tour from Casablanca should you choose?
If your priority is the imperial cities and the Atlas, the 6 or 7-day tours are perfect. If you dream of the dunes, choose the 9 or 10-day tours, which include a night in the Merzouga desert. Families often prefer the longer versions, with shorter driving days and more time in each city.
A sample day from Casablanca to Marrakech
After breakfast, your driver picks you up for a short visit of the Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche, then takes the motorway south through the plains of the Chaouia. You arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, in time for a first walk to Jemaa el-Fna square at sunset, when food stalls, musicians and storytellers fill the square.
Tips
- Plan at least one full day in Marrakech to explore the medina and the gardens.
- If your riad is inside the medina, your driver will drop you at the closest accessible point, and a porter can help with luggage.
- Book your tour a few weeks ahead in spring and autumn, the busiest seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Marrakech from Casablanca?
About 240 km, which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours by road.
Is it better to start a Morocco tour in Casablanca or Marrakech?
If your flight lands in Casablanca, start there: a one-way tour ending in Marrakech avoids backtracking.
Can you pick us up at Casablanca airport?
Yes. Our tours from Casablanca can start at Mohammed V airport, your hotel or any address in the city.