Intercity route — N9
Marrakech to Zagora360 km, 6 h 45over the Tizi n’Tichka
Marrakech and Zagora are 360 km apart on the N9, via Ouarzazate and Agdz. The drive takes 6 h 45 by car and crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres.
No railway line serves Zagora. ONCF’s southern terminus stays at Marrakech; CTM and Supratours run the connection by coach, with a change of vehicle at Ouarzazate.
Itinerary — N9 via Ouarzazate and Agdz
Marrakech → Zagora
360 km · 6 h 45 driving · no toll
- Marrakech0 km · 466 m
- Ouarzazate196 km · 1,160 m
- Agdz265 km · 980 m
- Zagora360 km · 720 m
- 360 kmroad distance
- 6 h 45driving time
- N9road numbers
- 0 MADtoll
- 3fuel 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 Zagora?
The road distance between Marrakech and Zagora is 360 km, on the N9 via Ouarzazate and then Agdz. The return leg covers the same distance and crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass twice.
The N9 is the single national road linking Marrakech to Zagora, crossing the High Atlas at the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
The Tizi n’Tichka is a mountain pass that peaks at 2,260 metres, the only direct road link between Marrakech and the Drâa valley.
Ouarzazate sits 196 km from Marrakech, on the pass’s southern side, before Agdz marks the entrance to the Drâa valley 69 km further on.
Zagora sits at 720 metres altitude, at the far end of the Drâa palm grove, Morocco’s longest continuous oasis.
How long does the Marrakech to Zagora journey take?
The journey takes 6 h 45 by private minibus over the 360 km of the N9. The coach takes 7 h 45 to 8 h 00 with a change at Ouarzazate. The grand taxi covers the same link in 7 h 15.
The Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres altitude, closes for 2 to 5 days a year under snow, between December and February.
Leaving before 8:30 a.m. clears the pass by noon and reaches Zagora before 3:15 p.m., in full light for the palm grove.
The N9 narrows to two lanes with no central divider between Agdz and Zagora, with speed cut to 40 km/h through each village.
No toll is charged over the 360 km: the N9 is a free national road along its whole length.
How do the Marrakech to Zagora transport options compare?
The private minibus alone crosses the Drâa palm grove to Zagora without a change of vehicle at Ouarzazate. The grand taxi charges the lowest fare at 99 MAD despite the Ouarzazate change, ahead of the CTM coach at 132 MAD.
| Mode | Duration | Price | Frequency | Comfort | Luggage | Door-to-door |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private minibus | 6 h 45 | €250 | On demand | High | Unlimited | Yes |
| CTM coach | 8 h 00 | 132 MAD | 3 departures/day, change at Ouarzazate | Medium | 1 in the hold, 20 kg | No |
| Supratours coach | 7 h 45 | 143 MAD | 3 departures/day, change at Ouarzazate | Medium | 1 in the hold, 25 kg | No |
| Grand taxi | 7 h 15 | 99 MAD | When full, change at Ouarzazate | Low | 1 small bag | No |
| Rental car | 6 h 45 | 450 MAD/day | On demand | High | Boot | Yes |
| Train | No line | — | — | — | — | No |
CTM and Supratours supplied these coach fares in March 2026. The grand taxi departs from the same Bab Doukkala point as the coach.
How do you get from Marrakech to Zagora?
Private minibus, CTM or Supratours coach, grand taxi and rental car cover the 360 km. Only the coach and the grand taxi break the trip with a change of vehicle at Ouarzazate.
By private minibus
The driver picks passengers up at their Marrakech riad and delivers them straight to their Zagora hotel, no change of vehicle needed.
The price is firm at €250 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 final 164 km on to Agdz and Zagora.
The full journey takes 8 h 00 for 132 MAD, the change included.
By Supratours coach
Supratours offers the same Ouarzazate connection, for the 164 km stretch on to Zagora.
The journey takes 7 h 45 for 143 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 the last 164 km to Zagora.
The combined fare for both legs reaches 99 MAD a seat, against €250 for the whole private vehicle.
How much does the Marrakech to Zagora trip cost?
The private transfer costs €250 for a 9-seater, or 2,750 MAD. The coach costs 132 to 143 MAD per person, the grand taxi 99 MAD a seat, the Ouarzazate change included.
| Mode | Price in MAD | Price in EUR | Billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private 7-seater minibus | 2,310 MAD | €210 | per vehicle |
| Private 9-seater minibus | 2,750 MAD | €250 | per vehicle |
| Private 12-seater minibus | 3,520 MAD | €320 | per vehicle |
| Private 15-seater minibus | 4,070 MAD | €370 | per vehicle |
| CTM coach | 132 MAD | €12 | per person |
| Supratours coach | 143 MAD | €13 | per person |
| Grand taxi, one seat | 99 MAD | €9 | per person |
| Grand taxi, whole vehicle | 594 MAD | €54 | per vehicle |
Converted at 11 MAD to €1. The private fare includes fuel, with no relay stage, all the way to the Drâa palm grove.
What towns does the road between Marrakech and Zagora pass through?
Two towns and an oasis punctuate the journey: Ouarzazate at km 196, Agdz at km 265, then the Drâa palm grove all the way to Zagora. We stop in each one at no extra charge.
The Drâa palm grove holds dozens of fortified ksour villages built from rammed earth along the Drâa river.
On Thursdays, Agdz’s souk slows the crossing of the village by an extra 10 to 15 minutes.
| Stop | km from Marrakech | What it is | Typical stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ouarzazate | 196 km | Last refuelling stop before the Drâa valley, 164 km short of Agdz and the palm grove | 30 min, fuel and lunch |
| Agdz | 265 km | Small town at the entrance to the Drâa valley, home to a Thursday market and the first mud-brick ksour | 15 min, fuel |
| Drâa palm grove | 310 km | A continuous 95 km oasis between Agdz and Zagora, Morocco’s longest palm grove, planted with date palms | 10 min, photo stop |
| Zagora | 358 km | The "Tombouctou, 52 days" sign, a landmark set at the town’s entrance on the old caravan route | 10 min, photo stop |
How do you reach Zagora from Marrakech Menara airport?
The direct transfer to Zagora covers 360 km in 6 h 55 from Marrakech Menara airport (RAK), 6 km outside the city centre, with flight-number tracking included. A 9 a.m. departure limit keeps the palm grove in full daylight.
The airport exit joins the N9 via the southern ring road, ahead of the 164 km that separate Ouarzazate from the Drâa palm grove.
Waiting is free for 60 minutes after the actual landing time, then billed at €8 an hour beyond that.
Our fleet page details the 9-seater minibus, the vehicle best suited to this route.
Our private Marrakech to Zagora transfer
We run the Marrakech – Zagora trip by private minibus from €250 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 | €210 |
| Hyundai Staria | 9 | 9 | €250 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | 12 | 14 | €320 |
| Mercedes Sprinter long | 15 | 18 | €370 |
A round trip is best planned with a night in Zagora, or as part of the 2-day desert tour.
- Licensed driver speaking French and English
- Fuel and the change-of-vehicle stage costs
- Cold water on board for 6 h 45 of driving
- Child seats and boosters on request
- A photo stop in the Drâa palm grove included
Which other pages continue from this route?
Four other pages continue from Marrakech – Zagora. The shared road to Ouarzazate, the neighbouring link to Merzouga, the 2-day desert tour and our hire rates all build on this route.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train between Marrakech and Zagora?
No. No railway line serves Zagora. The ONCF network stops at Marrakech, 360 km away. CTM and Supratours run the connection by coach, with a change at Ouarzazate, 196 km from Marrakech.
Can the Marrakech to Zagora round trip be done in one day?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The 6 h 45 out and the same back total 13 h 30 of driving in a single day. The 2-day desert tour offers a night in Zagora with lodging included.
What does the "Tombouctou, 52 days" sign in Zagora mean?
It marks the historical length of a camel-caravan crossing between Zagora and Timbuktu, in Mali, a 52-day journey by camel. Set at the town’s entrance, the sign recalls Zagora’s place on the old trans-Saharan caravan routes.
Which is Morocco’s longest palm grove?
The Drâa palm grove, stretching 95 km between Agdz and Zagora. It follows the N9 and gathers dozens of fortified villages, or ksour, built from rammed earth along the banks of the Drâa river.
Does the transfer price change with the number of passengers?
No. The price is fixed per vehicle, from €210 for 7 seats to €370 for 15 seats, never per passenger carried. Per-seat billing applies only to the grand taxi and the coach.
What is the best time of year to head for Zagora?
October to April, when Drâa valley daytime temperatures stay under 32 °C. Summer heat tops 45 °C in the palm grove, where humidity from the irrigation canals adds to the daytime heat and the evening closeness.
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- Phone
- +212 714 29 85 18
- Office
- Avenue Mohammed VI, Guéliz — 40000 Marrakech
- Hours
- Every day, 7:00 – 23:00 (GMT+1)