Intercity route — N9, then N10 and N13
Marrakech to Merzouga561 km, 8 h 40over the Tizi n’Tichka
Marrakech and Merzouga are 561 km apart on the N9, then the N10 and N13. The drive takes 8 h 40 by car and crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres.
No railway line serves Merzouga. ONCF’s southern terminus stays at Marrakech; CTM and Supratours run the connection by coach, with a change of vehicle at Ouarzazate.
Itinerary — N9, then N10 and N13
Marrakech → Merzouga
561 km · 8 h 40 driving · no toll
- Marrakech0 km · 466 m
- Ouarzazate196 km · 1,160 m
- Boumalne Dadès315 km · 1,600 m
- Tinghir366 km · 1,400 m
- Errachidia480 km · 1,050 m
- Erfoud540 km · 890 m
- Merzouga561 km · 850 m
- 561 kmroad distance
- 8 h 40driving time
- N9, N10, N13road numbers
- 0 MADtoll
- 5fuel stations on the route
- 2,260 mhighest point
Elevation profile, vertical scale exaggerated. Altitudes in metres above sea level.
What is the distance between Marrakech and Merzouga?
The road distance between Marrakech and Merzouga is 561 km, on the N9 to Ouarzazate, then the N10 and N13 south-east. The return trip retraces the same 561 km, over the Tizi n’Tichka a second time.
The N9 is the national road linking Marrakech to Ouarzazate over 196 km, crossing the High Atlas at the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
The Tizi n’Tichka, the route’s high point at 2,260 metres, remains the only road crossing of the High Atlas towards Morocco’s south-east.
Ouarzazate sits 196 km from Marrakech, on the pass’s southern side, before the road becomes the N10 and then the N13.
Merzouga sits at the foot of the erg Chebbi, a 28 km field of orange sand dunes that borders the village to the east.
How long does the Marrakech to Merzouga journey take?
The journey takes 8 h 40 by private minibus over the 561 km of the N9, N10 and N13. The coach takes 10 h 15 to 10 h 30 with a change at Ouarzazate. The grand taxi covers the same link in 9 h 30.
The Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres on the N9, slows progress between kilometre 90 and kilometre 165.
Leaving before 7 a.m. clears the pass by late morning and reaches Merzouga before 4 p.m.
Leaving after 9 a.m. means a night arrival on the unlit final track towards the erg Chebbi.
No toll is charged over the 561 km: the N9, N10 and N13 are free national roads.
How do the Marrakech to Merzouga transport options compare?
The private minibus alone reaches the desert camp in the erg Chebbi without a change of vehicle at Ouarzazate. The grand taxi charges the lowest fare at 165 MAD despite the Ouarzazate change, ahead of the CTM coach at 220 MAD.
| Mode | Duration | Price | Frequency | Comfort | Luggage | Door-to-door |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private minibus | 8 h 40 | €305 | On demand | High | Unlimited | Yes |
| CTM coach | 10 h 30 | 220 MAD | 2 departures/day, change at Ouarzazate | Medium | 1 in the hold, 20 kg | No |
| Supratours coach | 10 h 15 | 231 MAD | 2 departures/day, change at Ouarzazate | Medium | 1 in the hold, 25 kg | No |
| Grand taxi | 9 h 30 | 165 MAD | When full, change at Ouarzazate | Low | 1 small bag | No |
| Rental car | 8 h 40 | 600 MAD/day | On demand | High | Boot | Yes |
| Train | No line | — | — | — | — | No |
Coach fares sourced from CTM and Supratours, for the network’s longest link. The grand taxi departs from the same Bab Doukkala station in Marrakech.
How do you get from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Four modes run the link: private minibus, CTM or Supratours coach, grand taxi and rental car. Both the coach and the grand taxi require a change of vehicle at Ouarzazate, 196 km from Marrakech.
By private minibus
The driver collects passengers at their riad or hotel and drops them directly at their camp in the erg Chebbi, with no change of vehicle.
The price is firm at €305 for a 9-seater, whatever the number of passengers on board.
By CTM coach
CTM leaves Marrakech’s bus station for Ouarzazate, then changes vehicle for the leg on to Erfoud and Merzouga.
The full journey takes 10 h 30 for 220 MAD, the change included.
By Supratours coach
Supratours, the road subsidiary of ONCF, runs the same link with an identical change at Ouarzazate.
The journey takes 10 h 15 for 231 MAD, a little pricier than CTM but slightly faster.
By grand taxi
The grand taxi leaves from the Bab Doukkala station and changes vehicle at Ouarzazate before continuing to Merzouga.
The combined fare for both legs reaches 165 MAD a seat, against €305 for the whole private vehicle.
How much does the Marrakech to Merzouga trip cost?
The private transfer costs €305 for a 9-seater, or 3,355 MAD. The coach costs 220 to 231 MAD per person, the grand taxi 165 MAD a seat, the Ouarzazate change included.
| Mode | Price in MAD | Price in EUR | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private 7-seater minibus | 2,750 MAD | €250 | per vehicle |
| Private 9-seater minibus | 3,355 MAD | €305 | per vehicle |
| Private 12-seater minibus | 4,290 MAD | €390 | per vehicle |
| Private 15-seater minibus | 4,950 MAD | €450 | per vehicle |
| CTM coach | 220 MAD | €20 | per person |
| Supratours coach | 231 MAD | €21 | per person |
| Grand taxi, one seat | 165 MAD | €15 | per person |
| Grand taxi, whole vehicle | 990 MAD | €90 | per vehicle |
Converted at 11 MAD to €1. The private fare includes fuel, with no change of vehicle, all the way to the erg Chebbi camp.
What towns does the road between Marrakech and Merzouga pass through?
Five towns punctuate the journey: Ouarzazate at km 196, Boumalne Dadès at km 315, Tinghir at km 366, Errachidia at km 480 and Erfoud at km 540. The driver pulls in at each one at no extra charge.
The final 21 km track between Erfoud and Merzouga has been fully paved since 2011.
Blown sand can cut visibility on this stretch in the late afternoon, mostly between April and June.
| Stop | km from Marrakech | What it is | Typical stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ouarzazate | 196 km | Gateway city to southern Morocco, on the southern slope of the Tizi n’Tichka, with film studios and the Taourirt kasbah | 30 min, fuel and lunch |
| Boumalne Dadès | 315 km | Small town at the entrance to the Dadès valley, known for its roses and the nearby gorges | 15 min, fuel |
| Tinghir | 366 km | Berber town at the mouth of the Todra gorges, a narrow limestone canyon of the High Atlas | 15 min, photo stop |
| Errachidia | 480 km | Provincial capital of the Ziz valley, a former French military garrison | 15 min, fuel |
| Erfoud | 540 km | Fossil-mining town, gateway to the Tafilalet region before Merzouga | 20 min, black-marble crafts |
How do you reach Merzouga from Marrakech Menara airport?
The direct transfer to Merzouga covers 561 km in 8 h 50 from Marrakech Menara airport (RAK), 6 km outside the city centre, with flight-number tracking included. A 10 a.m. departure limit keeps the arrival before dark.
The airport exit joins the N9 via the southern ring road, ahead of the 365 km that separate Ouarzazate from the erg Chebbi dunes.
Waiting is free for 60 minutes after the actual landing time, then billed at €8 an hour beyond that.
The 9-seater minibus is the recommended vehicle for this long journey, detailed on our fleet page.
Our private Marrakech to Merzouga transfer
We run the Marrakech – Merzouga trip by private minibus from €305 for a 9-seater, driver, fuel and the Ouarzazate stage included. The price does not change with the number of passengers.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Bags | One-way price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes Vito | 7 | 7 | €250 |
| Hyundai Staria | 9 | 9 | €305 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | 12 | 14 | €390 |
| Mercedes Sprinter long | 15 | 18 | €450 |
A round trip is best planned with a night in Merzouga, or as part of the 3-day desert tour.
- Licensed driver speaking French and English
- Fuel and the change-of-vehicle stage costs
- Cold water on board for 8 h 40 of driving
- Child seats and boosters on request
- A lunch stop in Ouarzazate included
Which other pages continue from this route?
The Marrakech – Merzouga route connects to four other pages on this site. The shared road to Ouarzazate, the neighbouring link to Zagora, the 3-day desert tour and our hire rates all continue from here.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train between Marrakech and Merzouga?
No. No railway line serves Merzouga. The ONCF network stops at Marrakech, 561 km away. CTM and Supratours run the connection by coach, with a compulsory change at Ouarzazate, 196 km from Marrakech.
Can Marrakech to Merzouga be done as a day trip?
No, not as a round trip. The 8 h 40 drive each way makes a 2-day minimum necessary, with a night in Merzouga. The 3-day desert tour covers this link with lodging included.
Does the Tizi n’Tichka pass close in winter?
Yes, snow shuts the pass for 2 to 5 days most years, between December and February. The closure hits the 2,260 metre summit itself. Our dedicated Tizi n’Tichka guide details these closures.
How long is the bus journey to Merzouga?
10 h 15 with Supratours, 10 h 30 with CTM, the Ouarzazate change included. The private minibus covers the same distance in 8 h 40, with no change of vehicle and no waiting time.
Does the transfer price change with the number of passengers?
No. The price is fixed per vehicle, from €250 for 7 seats to €450 for 15 seats, never per passenger carried. Only the grand taxi and the coach are billed per seat.
What is the best time of year to head for Merzouga?
October to April, when erg Chebbi daytime temperatures stay under 30 °C. Summer heat tops 45 °C at ground level, making walking on the dunes hard in the middle of the day.
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- Phone
- +212 714 29 85 18
- Office
- Avenue Mohammed VI, Guéliz — 40000 Marrakech
- Hours
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