Merzouga, Where the Sahara Begins

Merzouga sits in southeastern Morocco, close to the Algerian border and around 35 km from Rissani. It does not have its own commercial airport or railway station, so reaching the desert means travelling overland for the final part of your journey.

The most practical options are private transport, rental car or long-distance coach.

From Marrakech, the journey is long enough to make a direct transfer an exhausting day. A multi-day route through the High Atlas, Ouarzazate, the Dades or Todra region and then Merzouga makes far more sense for travellers who want to experience the landscape rather than watch it through a vehicle window.

From Fez, Merzouga also works well as part of a longer route through the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley.

Supratours, an ONCF subsidiary, operates coach services to Merzouga and other destinations not served by the railway network. Its current destination listings include Merzouga, with connections from cities including Marrakech, Fez, Ouarzazate and Errachidia.

There is no commercial airport in Merzouga.

The nearest airport is Moulay Ali Cherif Airport in Errachidia, IATA code ERH. Merzouga sits roughly 120 km from the airport by road, making Errachidia the most practical air gateway for travellers who want to reach the desert without first travelling through Marrakech or Fez. Current route information places the road distance at around 121 km.

From Errachidia Airport, you can continue by private transfer, taxi or arranged transport.

A private transfer is particularly useful here. Public transport options from the airport itself are limited, while the road journey takes you through the Tafilalet region towards Erfoud, Rissani and finally Merzouga.

For travellers arriving by air, arranging the onward transfer before arrival makes the journey considerably simpler.

Train connections

Merzouga has no railway station.

Morocco's ONCF rail network does not reach Merzouga, Erfoud or Rissani. The final part of the journey takes place by road.

This is where Supratours becomes useful. The company operates as an ONCF subsidiary and provides coach connections to destinations without railway stations, including Merzouga.

For independent travellers, another option is to take the train as far south and east as the railway network allows, then continue by coach or private transport. In practice, most travellers visiting Merzouga as part of a Morocco itinerary choose road transport from Marrakech, Fez or Ouarzazate.

If your priority is the journey itself, a private route gives you far more flexibility for stops along the way.

Merzouga is small enough to explore on foot around the village.

The desert is different.

Once you move beyond the paved roads, transport depends on where you are going and what you want to experience. 4x4 vehicles are the practical choice for reaching remote desert areas, visiting nomadic communities, exploring the dunes and accessing desert camps. Camel trekking remains one of the traditional ways travellers experience Erg Chebbi. For a shorter experience, sunset and sunrise camel rides are popular. For a deeper desert experience, combine camel trekking with a night in a desert camp.

Quad bikes and other motorised activities are also available in the Merzouga area, although travellers should consider where and how these activities operate, particularly around fragile desert environments.

For excursions beyond Merzouga, private transport is usually the most flexible option.