Intercity route — road N1, Atlantic coast
Agadir to Essaouira173 km, 2 h 30on road N1
Agadir and Essaouira are 173 km apart on national road N1. The drive takes 2 h 30 by car or private minibus, 3 h by coach.
This route does not pass through Marrakech: it is the only route on this site linking two cities other than Marrakech.
Itinerary — road N1
Agadir → Essaouira
173 km · 2 h 30 driving · no toll
- Agadir0 km · 25 m
- Tamri45 km · 20 m
- Tamanar100 km · 230 m
- Essaouira173 km · 10 m
- 173 kmroad distance
- 2 h 30driving time
- N1road number
- 0 MADtoll
- 2fuel stations on the route
- 230 mhighest point
Elevation profile, vertical scale exaggerated. Altitudes in metres above sea level.
What is the distance between Agadir and Essaouira?
The road distance between Agadir and Essaouira is 173 km on national road N1. This route does not pass through any major intermediate city: the return leg covers exactly the same distance along the coast.
The N1 links Agadir to Essaouira along the Atlantic coast, with no detour inland.
As the crow flies the two cities are 152 km apart. The extra 21 km comes from the road’s bends around Cap Rhir and the Tamri bay.
No motorway serves this coastline. The A7 motorway ends at Agadir and does not continue north.
How long does the Agadir to Essaouira journey take?
The journey takes 2 h 30 by car or private minibus on road N1. The CTM coach takes 3 h, Supratours 2 h 50, the grand taxi 2 h 30. None of those times includes a stop.
The real average speed reaches 69 km/h. The N1 is limited to 100 km/h in open country and drops to 40 km/h through Tamri and Tamanar.
A photo stop at the Cap Rhir lighthouse adds 10 minutes. A stop at an argan oil cooperative in Tamanar adds 30.
Morning coastal fog, common between Tamri and Essaouira from June to September, slows driving before 9 a.m. without ever closing the road.
How do the Agadir to Essaouira transport options compare?
Four modes link Agadir to Essaouira; no train serves either city. The private minibus alone runs door-to-door, with no detour through Marrakech. The grand taxi is both cheapest and fastest among shared modes, at 60 MAD a seat in 2 h 30.
| Mode | Duration | Price | Frequency | Comfort | Luggage | Door-to-door |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private minibus | 2 h 30 | €110 – 190 | On demand | High | Unlimited | Yes |
| CTM coach | 3 h 00 | 70 MAD | 3 departures/day | Medium | 1 in the hold, 20 kg | No |
| Supratours coach | 2 h 50 | 75 MAD | 4 departures/day | Medium | 1 in the hold, 25 kg | No |
| Grand taxi | 2 h 30 | 60 MAD / seat | When full | Low | 1 small bag | No |
| Rental car, pickup in Agadir | 2 h 30 | 350 MAD / day | On demand | High | Boot | Yes |
| Train | No line | — | — | — | — | No |
Coach fares sourced from CTM and Supratours. The grand taxi price is the one charged from the Agadir bus station.
How do you get from Agadir to Essaouira?
Four modes serve the 173 km between Agadir and Essaouira: CTM coach, Supratours coach, grand taxi and private minibus. Both coach companies leave from Agadir’s bus station and arrive near Bab Doukkala in Essaouira.
By Supratours coach
Supratours, the road subsidiary of ONCF, runs Agadir – Essaouira with no rail connection: neither city has a station.
Four departures a day, 75 MAD one way, 2 h 50 journey time.
By CTM coach
CTM leaves from its Agadir terminal, three departures a day, 70 MAD one way, 3 h journey time.
The same 20 kg hold-luggage limit and 5 MAD extra-kilo charge apply here, as on every CTM line nationwide.
By grand taxi
The grand taxi Mercedes 240 leaves Agadir’s bus station once all six seats are sold, at 60 MAD a seat.
You can buy all six seats for 360 MAD and leave immediately rather than wait for it to fill.
By private minibus with a driver
The driver collects you at your hotel in Agadir and drops you at the exact address in Essaouira, including inside the pedestrian medina.
Stops at Cap Rhir and in Tamanar are included, with no extra time billed.
How much does the Agadir to Essaouira trip cost?
The coach costs 70 to 75 MAD per person, the grand taxi 60 MAD a seat, the private transfer €130, or 1,430 MAD per vehicle in a 9-seater minibus. The private price stays fixed, whatever the number of passengers on board.
| Mode | Price in MAD | Price in EUR | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private 7-seater minibus | 1,210 MAD | €110 | per vehicle |
| Private 9-seater minibus | 1,430 MAD | €130 | per vehicle |
| Private 15-seater minibus | 2,090 MAD | €190 | per vehicle |
| Supratours coach | 75 MAD | €6.80 | per person |
| CTM coach | 70 MAD | €6.40 | per person |
| Grand taxi, one seat | 60 MAD | €5.50 | per person |
| Grand taxi, whole vehicle, Agadir station | 360 MAD | €32.70 | per vehicle |
Converted at 11 MAD to €1. Private prices include fuel and parking.
What is there to see on the road between Agadir and Essaouira?
Four landmarks punctuate the N1: the Cap Rhir lighthouse at km 20, Tamri at km 45, the Imsouane surf point at km 85 and Tamanar at km 100. We include them in the private transfer at no extra charge.
The goats perched in argan trees between km 90 and km 130 are staged by herders who charge a photo fee. Our drivers do not stop there.
| Stop | km from Agadir | What it is | Typical stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cap Rhir lighthouse | 20 km | Working lighthouse built on a rocky headland of the Atlantic coast | 10 min, photo stop |
| Tamri | 45 km | Farming village known for its banana plantations, at the mouth of the Tamri river | 15 min, coffee |
| Imsouane | 85 km | Surf point known for its long wave, reached by a short turn-off from the N1 | 20 min, short detour |
| Tamanar | 100 km | Argan-forest town, the road’s highest point at 230 m, argan oil cooperatives | 30 min, demonstration and shop |
Which airport serves the Agadir to Essaouira route?
Agadir Al Massira airport (code AGA) sits 28 km south-east of central Agadir. The direct transfer to Essaouira covers 201 km in 2 h 50 from the terminal. No public shuttle links the terminal directly to Essaouira.
The road from the airport to Agadir follows the RN10 then joins the N1 without crossing the city centre, which adds 25 minutes to the total journey.
Waiting is free for 60 minutes after the actual landing time, then billed at €8 an hour beyond that.
No public shuttle links Agadir airport to Essaouira: CTM and Supratours board passengers in town, 28 km away.
Our private Agadir to Essaouira transfer
We run the Agadir – Essaouira transfer by private minibus from €110, driver, fuel and parking included. The price is firm and does not change with the number of passengers.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Bags | One way | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes Vito | 7 | 7 | €110 | €200 |
| Hyundai Staria | 9 | 9 | €130 | €235 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | 12 | 14 | €165 | €300 |
| Mercedes Sprinter long | 15 | 18 | €190 | €345 |
A same-day round trip from Agadir leaves up to 6 hours free in Essaouira before the drive back.
- Licensed driver speaking English and French
- Fuel and parking
- Cold water on board
- Child seats and boosters on request
- A stop at Cap Rhir and in Tamanar
- Flight number tracking for departures from Agadir Al Massira
Which pages continue from this route?
The Agadir – Essaouira route connects to three other pages: the Marrakech – Essaouira link to the north, and the Marrakech – Agadir axis towards the starting point. The fleet we run on this coastal route completes the picture.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train between Agadir and Essaouira?
No. No railway line serves either Agadir or Essaouira. The ONCF network stops at Marrakech, further north. Supratours runs the connection to the Atlantic coast by coach, with no rail link at all on this axis.
How much is a taxi from Agadir to Essaouira?
60 MAD a seat in a shared grand taxi, 360 MAD for all six seats. The city petit taxi does not run intercity routes, reserved for the grand taxi. The total price depends on the number of seats bought, not the number of passengers.
Can Agadir to Essaouira be done as a day trip?
Yes. 2 h 30 each way leaves 7 hours on site for an 08:00 departure and a 20:00 return. The same-day return costs €200 in a 7-seater van. Booking both legs together secures the same fixed price.
Is the Agadir to Essaouira road in good condition?
Yes, the N1 is surfaced and maintained across all 173 km. It is a two-lane road with no central divider and crosses a highest point of 230 m. No seasonal closure affects this coastal road.
Is there a toll between Agadir and Essaouira?
No, there is no toll. The N1 is a free national road along its entire length. The only tolls in southern Morocco are on the A7 motorway, between Marrakech and Agadir. The private transfer fare therefore stays the same all year.
How long is the Agadir to Essaouira bus journey?
3 h with CTM and 2 h 50 with Supratours, against 2 h 30 in a private vehicle. The gap comes from the stops in Tamri and Tamanar, compulsory on the regular services.
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