Questions about a 6-week trip around Morocco using local transport

Hello everyone, We’re planning our next trip for this winter and need some advice to put it together. We’d love to avoid renting a car for the whole time. We visited southern Morocco back in 2011—our first trip as retirees! We loved the country so much, and now we’re heading back. Still focusing on the south, mainly for the weather. The plan is to travel down the coast from Essaouira to the Tighmert oasis at a relaxed pace. First question: is this doable without too much hassle using local transport? The idea of driving for the entire 6-week trip doesn’t really appeal to us. After that, we’d head to Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Todgha Gorge, Tinejdad, Erfoud, and then Marrakesh. I’d also like to visit the Fès region, which we can reach by train from Marrakesh. It’s a bit all over the place, and I’m realizing that as I write! Thanks in advance for your valuable input! We haven’t booked flights yet or even decided on a starting point. The trip is planned from mid-January to the end of February. We know the end of the trip will fall during Ramadan.

Hi there, For me, a car means total freedom—no schedule constraints, and it’s so easy to reach all the little coves along the coast and all those tiny villages in the middle of nowhere. Getting to the Tighmert oasis by public transport is doable, obviously, but it’s definitely a hassle. I did a route a bit like the one you’re planning, but with a rental car. Here’s the summary: https://www.routard.com/forums/t/patrimoine-et-sites-naturels-au-maroc-carnet-de-voyage/458158

Thanks, I’ll check out your link. Have a good evening! Anne

Hi Anne,

Like Jean, I won’t be much help with public transport since we rented a car, but I just shared our trip from Essaouira to Sidi Ifni (though I just saw you were following along 😊). Just a heads-up about Fes—I was there in January 2024, and the wind was freezing in the mornings. I even caught pneumonia! Make sure to find accommodation with heating, but it’s pretty rare in the medina. Have a great evening! Christelle

Thanks Christelle, I’ve read about your journey. In the meantime, I’m also making progress on my route, and we’ll follow the great tips shared here—we’ll probably rent a car. I’m hesitating between starting from Agadir to visit Taroudant, Taliouine (Tisslit Gorge), Foum-Zguid, Tafraoute, the Tighmert Oasis, Mirleft, and then heading back up to Essaouira before returning the car to Agadir. We could also do a similar loop starting from Marrakesh. Is it easier to rent a car in Marrakesh? If any of you have thoughts on this 6-week itinerary, I’d love to hear them. We’re not exactly spring chickens, so we’re not looking for cold-weather treks or camel rides. And we don’t want long drives—we like to take our time 😊 Thanks so much!

When you want to rent a car, it seems like prices are more attractive in Marrakech because vehicles are rented year-round. Make sure to double-check, though. Ask for quotes from several rental companies and compare.

According to the Médoc website, the price is the same. 20 €/day seems possible to drop off the car at a different location than the pickup spot without extra fees.

Medloc is indeed well-positioned in the market. And reliable.

I’ve done these routes—and several times—using public transport. It’s really easy and very well connected. You’ve got a national bus network: CTM and Supratours. There are also regional bus networks and city buses. Plus, super practical, there are "grand taxis" for up to 6 passengers as a relay option. Shared taxis. Super cheap. And in town, the "petit taxis" you can just hail on the street.

From Guelmim to Tighmert, you take a grand taxi. To get to Guelmim, take CTM or Supratours.

Public transport was my first idea—it’s how we’ve been traveling for several years—but I have to admit some posts made me hesitate. The main advantage of a car is being able to stop easily. The prices of 20 € per day seem quite reasonable and might even compete with public transport for the two of us. On the other hand, the encounters you have on these transports often lead to enriching exchanges, and just sitting back without having to stay alert on the road is so much easier. Anyway, nothing’s set in stone—not even our route, which is still completely open. Thanks

Of course. I already gave this info in my reply, but renting a car has its advantages. And 20 € is definitely worth it. Safe travels.

Thanks so much, Béatrice, We’re pretty much the same age, and I’m still torn between public transport, a car, or a mix! I’d love to visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls and Bin El Ouidane. From my computer, it looks like a hassle to get there by bus and explore this remote area. Especially since the plan is to head to the Ziz Gorges afterward. Did you do this route? We’ve got 7 weeks to explore southern Morocco from January 18th to March 7th. Another question: is it better to start with the coast or head east? The second half of the trip will be during Ramadan… Have a great evening, Anne

Yes, I’ve done all of that using public transport. Sometimes you have to resort to "grand taxis"—shared taxis with 6 passengers—when there’s no bus service. But overall, you can get everywhere.

The direction of the trip doesn’t matter much. But if I had to choose… in January, I’d head south, east or west—it doesn’t really matter. If you go toward the Ziz Valley, you could push further east and head down to Figuig. It’s a stunning oasis with hardly any tourists.

And then return toward the coast as spring begins.

Ramadan… No particular issues. Everything tourist-related still works fine. Things might slow down a bit, but Morocco keeps going.

I’m revisiting this post—since then, I’ve done a lot of research online, through websites and guidebooks. This country is *too* rich! Way too many places to discover…

Given all these treasures, some more accessible than others, we’ve decided to rent a car. So my post no longer has the right title—I’ll create a new one because I still have a lot of choices to make, and as Gide said, “to choose is to renounce.”

I’m counting on my VF friends to help me with these decisions. Thanks in advance!