Go Morocco Forums

kaysee

Hi all... my 1st post here (YAYY),

My Wife and I are in the process of planning a trip to Morocco around April/May next year.

We're coming from Australia so our route goes via Dubai in/out of Morocco. Doing so means we have to enter/leave via Casablanca even though we have no desire to stay there. We will be spending most of our time in Marrakesh and Essaouira.

Coming in is easy, arrive at Casablanca Int. Airport and catch the train out to Marrakesh and spend about 4 nights there. Then take a bus/taxi out to Essaouira and spend about 3 nights there.

My question is what would be the best way to get from Essaouira to Casablanca to catch our flights out? Is there a direct train service or does it go via Marrakesh?

Thanks

Abdel

Hey Kaysee and Welcome to Go Morocco
The best choice/option to get between Essaouira and Casablanca will be the train in my opinion. I highly recommend it for both ways. There's a train connection between Casablanca airport (CMN) and Marrakech via the main Casablanca train station (Casa Voyageur), Once in Marrakech you transfer to the bus to Essaouira.. All operated by the national railways office (ONCF). I believe you can buy your ticket from the airport to Essaouira. Now after you stay in Marrakech you can always take the same bus operated by ONCF and If you were already there you can still take the ONCF's bus to Essaouira.

Hope this help

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cuisine marocaine

Moor

Hi, Kaysee;

If you have not as yet made transport reservations from Esssaouira to Casablanca, I suggest you leave a day earlier. If my memory serves me right the Emirates flight out of Moroccco is about 2 pm, and starting from Essaouira on the day of the flight may not be a wise move. Spend the night in Casa, have a leisurely breakfast and head to the airport no later than 11:30. if I were y ou, I would not take any chances.

All the best, mate!

Moor

Arwen

Hi and welcome Kaysee, I've just returned from a trip to Morocco. We went from Marrakech to Essaouria by coach, about 2 1/2hours. very comfortable journey. Our Moroccan friend booked it for us but if you are interested I'm sure I could find out more info for you.

kaysee

Hi all... back again.

Finally, booked in our airfares which actually now include internal flights from Casablanca to Marrakesh and back again. We're still considering taking the train from C -> M on arrival anyway for the journey experience.

So now all we need to do is arrange travel between Marrakesh and Essaouira... sooooo...

Arwen, you wonderful pointy eared Elf you , tell me more tales about this coach service your ancestral logs speak of.

Is it better to travel by coach... or by grande taxi? (both in terms of reliability (on time and not breaking down) and cost.)

Thankyou muchly... look forward to your details.

Arwen

LOL @ pointy eared elf... I shalll use my magical elfish powers if I can, been in civvy street a while so may be a bit rusty...

::.. Supratour ..:: You could try this or this Présentation > Groupe CTM

Can't comment on CTM although I've heard it's good and reliable, We used the Supra tour coach, very comfy indeed and took about two and a half hours to essouria from Marrakech. Not sure about the price as our Moroccan friend insisted on paying. Not used the grand taxi's, just the dinky ones haha!! agree a price before you set off and have a very good idea where you are going and how far etc. Most of the taxi's I thought were in a poor state of repair which gave me cause to wonder if MOT certificates or other certificates of road worthyness are needed at all..

Abdel

Arwen: you were in Morocco and youj didnt visit me

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cuisine marocaine

Arwen

Waaaaaaa.....so sorry, totally slipped my mind...next time my friend...next time.

kaysee

Cheers for the links Arwen.

The CTM one is currently "down", so I will check out the Supratour one. Travelling by bus/coach sounds like the way to go, so we'll leave out the taxis.

With our flights and accommodation all booked all we have to do now is finalised our "planned" activities (leaving plenty of unplanned time for spur of the moment exploring and "getting lost" )... have a few questions about this, but will start another thread on a more relevant board.

Thanks again.

Arwen

Pleased to hear your plans are coming along. Hope you have a fab trip and I'm looking forward to hearing about it on your return.