Essaouira Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips

Essaouira Transportation

Essaouira (pronounced ess-ah-wee-ruh) is a Moroccan city in Marrakesh. Getting around this city is pleasant and convenient, with many old-fashioned and modern methods of transportation.

Wheelbarrows and Carriages in Essaouira

An interesting way of travelling between Bab Doukalla and the new Aswak Essalam supermarket at the top of Avenue al Aqaba is to experience a caleche ride, squashed in beside up to six other passengers in an ancient horse-drawn carriage, travelling “native style.” Essaouira’s ancient Medina streets are too narrow to accommodate motorised traffic, so travellers arriving at either of the two bus stations or the several taxi ranks, and in possession of a “mountain” of luggage, will need the assistance of the wheelbarrow men to transport luggage to their Hotel or Riad, located within the Medina. These methods may be uncomfortable, but they are convenient and authentic.

Buses To and From Essaouira

Most tourists arrive in Essaouira by bus. There are two stations, one used by CTM and another by Supratours. It’s an important difference; the CTM station is a long walk from the Medina, whereas the Supratours stop is right outside the city walls. If you’ve got to carry bags it can make a big difference. There are also smaller minibuses which connect to surrounding villages from Essaouira. They’re very cheap, but there is no posted information as to their destinations.

Essaouira by Air

Mogador Airport is tiny, with three scheduled routes – all to France. Ryanair flies to Marseilles, and the other two fly to Paris. Other than that, transit around the city is mainly done on the ground.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about Essaouira.