How to Get to Merzouga: All the Ways to Reach the Sahara Dunes
By private tour, by bus, by car or by plane to Errachidia: every way to reach Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with real travel times.
Merzouga is a small village at the foot of Erg Chebbi, the most famous sea of dunes in Morocco. It sits in the south-east of the country, close to the Algerian border, and that is exactly why it feels so remote: there is no train and no airport in the village. But getting there is easier than it looks, and the road itself is one of the most beautiful in North Africa.
From Marrakech: 8 to 9 hours of spectacular road
The classic way is to cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, visit Ait Ben Haddou, follow the valley of the kasbahs and the Dades and Todra gorges, and arrive in Merzouga on the second day. Doing it in one go is possible, but it means nine hours in the car and you miss the best stops. That is why most travellers choose a 3-day tour from Marrakech or, with more calm, the 4-day version.
From Fez: about 7 hours through the Middle Atlas
Fez is the closest imperial city. The road crosses the cedar forests of Ifrane and Azrou, where you can see Barbary macaques, the high plateaus of Midelt and the palm canyon of the Ziz valley. You can arrive in Merzouga in time for a sunset camel ride the same day, as in our 2-day tour from Fez.
By plane to Errachidia
The nearest airport is Errachidia (Moulay Ali Cherif), with flights from Casablanca. From there Merzouga is only two hours by road. It is the fastest option if you have little time: see our 2-day tour from Errachidia.
By bus
Supratours and CTM run night buses from Marrakech and Fez to Merzouga. They are cheap but long (10 to 13 hours) and you see nothing of the landscapes. If you choose the bus, we can pick you up at the bus stop in Merzouga and take you directly to the camel ride.
By rental car
The roads are good and well signposted. The last kilometres to the camps are on sand or tracks, so leave the car at the hotel or at our base and we take you into the dunes by camel or 4×4. Avoid driving at night: there are animals and unlit vehicles on the roads.
Which option is best?
- Little time: fly to Errachidia or take a 2-day tour from Fez.
- First trip to Morocco: a private 3 or 4-day tour from Marrakech.
- Starting in Tangier or Casablanca: our 8-day tour from Tangier or the 7-day tour from Casablanca.
Whatever you choose, write to us on WhatsApp: we organise transfers from any city and you sleep the first night in our camp among the dunes.
Ready for the Sahara?
Camel trek, a night in our camp or a private tour from any city: tell us what you dream of and we organise it.
