Combining Marrakech and the Atlantic coast is one of Europeans’ favourite itineraries: a few days of medina, souks and Atlas day trips, then the beach, surf and sunshine of Agadir or Taghazout. You still need to get from one to the other. Good news: a motorway crosses the Atlas foothills and the journey is easier than you might think. Here are all the options compared, with realistic travel times.
The journey at a glance
- Marrakech to Agadir: about 250 km, or 3 hours on the motorway.
- Marrakech to Taghazout: about 270 km, or 3 hours 15 to 3 hours 30 minutes.
- Marrakech to Tamraght: about 3 hours 15 minutes.
- Road: the A7 toll motorway, in good condition, crossing the hills of the western Atlas.
Option 1: the coach
The major coach companies link Marrakech and Agadir several times a day. The journey usually takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Advantages: cheap, comfortable air-conditioned coaches, advance booking possible.
- Limitations: departure and arrival at coach stations you have to reach by taxi; fixed timetables; for Taghazout or Tamraght, you still need a taxi or local bus from Agadir.
- For whom: solo travellers or couples with little luggage.
Option 2: the train? Not yet
It is a frequent question: at the time of writing there is no railway line to Agadir. The train stops in Marrakech; the “train + coach” tickets sold by the railway company actually use a coach for the last part of the journey.
Option 3: car hire
- Advantages: the motorway is easy to drive, and the car can be used during your stay on the coast.
- Limitations: leaving Marrakech and driving in Agadir require concentration; in Taghazout the streets are narrow and parking is limited. Also factor in tolls and fatigue after a week of travelling.
- For whom: travellers planning a lot of trips around Agadir.
Option 4: private transfer
Your driver picks you up at your hotel or near your riad in Marrakech and drops you right outside your accommodation in Agadir, Taghazout, Tamraght or Aourir.
- Advantages: door to door, fixed price per vehicle, no connections, room for luggage, pushchairs and surfboards.
- Limitations: more expensive than the coach for one person.
- For whom: families, groups, surfers with equipment, travellers who want to arrive rested.
The comparison
| Criterion | Coach | Car hire | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door time to Taghazout | 4 h 30 to 5 h 30 | 3 h 30 | 3 h 15 to 3 h 30 |
| Connection | Yes, from Agadir | No | No |
| Bulky luggage | Limited | Depends on the car | Yes (boards, golf, pushchairs) |
| Pick-up at riad or hotel | No | — | Yes |
| Driving effort | None | You drive | None |
Travelling with surfboards
Taghazout and Tamraght attract surfers from all over the world, and many arrive with their own gear. On coaches, board bags are often a problem. With a private transfer, just state the number of boards when booking: we plan a vehicle long enough, usually a Mercedes Vito, and the bags travel inside, protected.
What about going via Essaouira?
If you have time, a beautiful alternative is to go via Essaouira: Marrakech to Essaouira (about 3 hours), one or two nights there, then Essaouira to Taghazout along the coastal road (about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours). This route follows cliffs, wild beaches and fishing villages such as Imsouane. We detail the options in our guides Marrakech to Essaouira and Essaouira airport transfer.
When to leave to avoid traffic?
The motorway flows freely most of the time, but some periods call for a little planning. In July and August, many Moroccan families head to the Agadir coast for their holidays: Friday departures and Sunday returns are busier, as are the days before religious festivals. Leaving mid-morning on a weekday remains ideal: you have lunch on the coast and enjoy the sunset in Taghazout on your very first evening. Your driver plans a break at a service area halfway, with coffee, food and restrooms.
Arriving in Taghazout or Tamraght
In Taghazout, part of the village can only be reached on foot through narrow alleys. Your driver drops you as close as possible; many surf camps and guesthouses send someone to help with luggage. In Tamraght and the Aourir residences, drop-off is usually right at the door.
The other way: from the coast to Marrakech or the airport
The return journey works in exactly the same way. If your flight leaves from Marrakech, allow a comfortable margin: leave Taghazout about 6 hours before take-off for an international flight, to cover the drive, a break and airport formalities. If you fly home from Agadir airport, it is only about 45 minutes to an hour from Taghazout: all the details are in our guide Agadir airport to Taghazout and Tamraght.
Book your journey
Our private Marrakech to Agadir and Taghazout transfer is available by SUV, Mercedes Vito or Sprinter depending on your group, with a fixed price per vehicle. To discover what to do once there, read our guide day trips around Agadir and Taghazout, and for an overview of private transport, our complete guide to private tourist transport in Morocco.
