Thursday, 25 June 2026
Marrakech to Ouarzazate — Bus, Taxi, or Car? The Honest Guide
Marrakech to Ouarzazate —
Bus, Taxi, or Car?
I have driven the road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate more times than I can count. From Ouarzazate side going north to the city, from Marrakech side heading south to home. Over the High Atlas, through the Tizi n'Tichka pass, down the other side into the ochre landscape of the pre-Saharan south. It is one of the most beautiful drives in Africa. And most people do it wrong.
They take the night bus and see nothing. Or they pay too much for a tourist taxi booked through a riad. Or they rent a car without knowing what the pass roads demand in winter. This guide is what I would tell a friend before they made the journey — the real options, real prices, and what each choice actually feels like.
"The Tizi n'Tichka pass sits at 2,260 meters. The road is sealed, modern, and spectacular. The question is not whether you can make it — it is how much of it you want to actually see."
Option 1 — Bus (CTM or Supratours)
CTM has a separate modern station near Bab Doukkala in Marrakech. Supratours departs from next to the train station. Both run daily direct services to Ouarzazate. More than 32 buses leave Marrakech for Ouarzazate every day — operators include CTM, Supratours, and Hammouda Prestige.
The Supratours journey from Ouarzazate to Marrakech takes 4 hours. The price is 100–120 MAD (~$10–12). A Supratours bus departs Marrakech Central Bus Station at 3:30 PM, arriving Ouarzazate at 8:00 PM — 4.5 hours, $14 per person. Morning departures are the most frequent.
Both operators offer air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats, luggage compartments, and onboard sockets. Most Supratours rides have WiFi on board. CTM is slightly more expensive due to higher comfort. Supratours is the sister company of ONCF — the national rail operator — making it ideal for combined train and bus journeys.
- Cheapest option
- Many daily departures
- Book online in advance
- Air-conditioned comfort
- No negotiation needed
- No photo stops possible
- Takes the direct N9 only
- Busy in July–August
- Bus station is away from medina
- No flexibility for detours
Local tip: Thursday is the busiest day on this route, with over 34 daily buses. Morning is the cheapest time of day to travel. Book at least 3 days ahead in summer and during Eid. You can book CTM at ctm.ma and Supratours at supratoursbus.com, or use the Moroccan platform markoub.ma for both.
Option 2 — Grand Taxi (Shared or Private)
The grand taxi is Morocco's intercity shared taxi — large Mercedes or Peugeot estate cars that take 6 passengers. You pay per seat, or you can buy all 6 seats to have the car to yourself and leave when you want. Departures are from Bab Doukkala bus station in Marrakech.
The shared grand taxi from Marrakech to Ouarzazate costs approximately 100 MAD per person — 600 MAD for all 6 seats together. That makes a private grand taxi one of the best-value options for a group of 3 or 4 people split between them — cheaper than a private transfer, faster than waiting for the bus.
For a fully private transfer booked through a service, prices start at €129 / 1,300 MAD per vehicle — this covers up to 3–7 passengers depending on vehicle type, and gives you the flexibility to stop anywhere along the route.
- Cheapest for solo (shared)
- Best value for 3–4 people
- Flexible departure times
- No online booking needed
- Can stop at Aït Benhaddou
- Wait until car fills (shared)
- Less comfortable than bus
- Price negotiation required
- Quality of driver varies
- Tourist taxis charge much more
Local tip: Go to Bab Doukkala bus station and take a local grand taxi — not one marketed to tourists. Hotel and riad taxis add heavy commissions on top. Always agree on the price before you get in. If you are alone and flexible on time, the shared taxi is the cheapest way to travel.
Option 3 — Rental Car (Self-Drive)
Renting a car is the best option for travelers who prefer flexibility and want to explore at their own pace. The route through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass is one of the most scenic drives in Morocco, and you'll have the freedom to stop at viewpoints, kasbahs, and villages along the way.
The journey covers 200 km along National Route 9, taking approximately 4 to 5 hours. The road is fully sealed and well-maintained, with three-lane sections near the pass. The Tizi n'Tichka Pass is a steep, winding road with many switchbacks and can be hazardous, especially in winter when snow is possible. Only confident drivers should attempt it. Insurance is a must.
In winter (December–February), check pass conditions before you travel — the road can close due to snow. The rest of the year it is an entirely manageable drive. Rental cars are available at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) from all major agencies.
- Stop anywhere, anytime
- Take the Telouet scenic detour
- Best for onward south travel
- Visit Aït Benhaddou freely
- Total flexibility
- Mountain road requires confidence
- Pass can close in winter
- Insurance and paperwork needed
- Parking in Marrakech is stressful
- More expensive for solo travelers
Local tip: If you rent a car, take the Telouet detour on the way — turn off the N9 toward Kasbah Telouet and rejoin the main road further south. The geography becomes semi-desert, with canyons and plateaus. The colors are more reddish, interrupted by green in the valleys and the occasional white snow on far away mountains. The Kasbah Glaoui in Telouet was built in the 1800s by the Glaoui family. The bus never takes this road. It is one of the most beautiful stretches in Morocco.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Price | Duration | Photo Stops | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTM / Supratours bus | $10–14 | 4–4.5 hrs | No | Solo budget travelers |
| Shared grand taxi | ~$10/person | 3.5–4 hrs | No | Solo, flexible on time |
| Private grand taxi | $60–80 total | 4 hrs | Yes | Groups of 3–4 |
| Private transfer | from $130/car | 4 hrs | Yes | Families, comfort seekers |
| Rental car | $30+/day + fuel | 4–5 hrs | Yes | Independent explorers |
Stops Worth Making Along the Way
The N9 from Marrakech to Ouarzazate is not just a road — it is a journey through three completely different landscapes. If you have any flexibility in your transport, these are the stops that change the trip.
Aït Ourir — last town before the Atlas
Fuel up here if you are driving. Last proper town before the mountain section begins. A good place to buy water and food for the pass. The landscape starts changing immediately after.
Tizi n'Tichka — 2,260 meters
The pass includes 20 km of winding roads, offering panoramic views and an elevation of 2,260 meters. There are small stalls selling fossils, minerals, and argan products at the summit. The views north and south from the top are genuinely extraordinary. If you are on a bus, you will pass through without stopping.
Kasbah Telouet — the hidden gem
Telouet Kasbah is a less touristy but equally fascinating stop. Once home to the powerful Glaoui family, this kasbah features beautiful interiors and offers insight into the history of the region. Takes you off the main road but rewards with scenery and history that most visitors never see.
Aït Benhaddou — UNESCO World Heritage
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic kasbahs in Morocco. This ancient fortified village, built of earthen clay, has been the backdrop for numerous films and TV shows including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. If you are on the bus, ask the driver to drop you at the crossroads — grand taxis run the last 9 km into the village.