Have you travelled to Marrakech?

Coach Travel in Morocco.... Marrakech to Agadir?

• I have booked 4 days in Marrakech, and 4 days in Agadir holiday. I fly into Marrakech, and fly out of Agadir. My accommodation ends in Marrakech 04.09.2010 and starts on the same day in Agadir. I need to travel from Marrakech to Agadir, if possible without hiring a car. So I expect a coach? Where do I get the coach from? How far in advance should I buy the ticket? Can I get it online or only by visiting a ticket office? How long does the journey take? Where can I see the timetables? How much does it cost? Any tips or info on what to do, what not to do, what to look out for etc appreciated.

• Answer:

  From Marrakesh you can get a coach (we call it el car or autocar) to Agadir. 1- Supratour, that's run by the train company time table here: http://www.oncf.ma/Fr/horraires.aspx?ep=2&elt=26&CodeRD=0093&CodeGD=00110&CodeRA=0011&CodeGA=00745&heure=0000&date=14/05/2010 price is 90dh+supplement for luggage more or less 10dh You buy your ticket at the train station, here is only one so you won't get lost. Book in advance as the priority is to the rail-bus link costumers. It gets you right to down-town Agadir, near the hotel area. 2- CTM, they have their own (spotless) station several hundred meters from the train station. You can check the time table in advance. You ban buy ticket and check luggage if you show up before embarking, but it's best to buy your ticket in advance as sometimes it's full. Last time It cost me about 90dh + 15 dh for luggage for me and my friend. It gets you to downtown Agadir, a location somewhat convenient for locals but rather removed from the Hotel Area, but it's on a busy fare at all times of day and night and lots of eager taxis. 3- The Bus station, Bab dukkala. Filthy and chaotic, prices vary from 70dh to 150dh in local holidays + 5 to 10 dh for luggage, no fixed time departure, you just show up and wait. Be sure that your terminus is Agadir NOT Inzegane, and don't take the windy Tizintast route, you'll get sick plus he delay. Terminus is the Bus station In Agadir. plenty of Taxis, but removed from hotels. The Journey takes 3 hours by car, not stop. The coaches stop at locations to let people walk a bit make prayers or take a meal depending or the time and quick stops to collect travellers along the way. Count on 4 hours to get to your destination. Try not to stray away at stops, drivers keep count of the travellers not to "forget" anyone, but it happened before ^^. Hand bag, camera etc, are not to be left when you get down at stops. There is beautiful scenery along the way, but these are not for tourists, so you don't get to stop for photos etc but it's worth travelling by day but night travel is faster as less vehicles use the road. No internet booking, not even phone bookings, you purchase your ticket cash... third world way There is another option. Travel agencies hire coach for groups of tourists, by law these vehicles don't exceed 5 years, you get to stop for photos etc and maybe a guide to animate the voyage. These are rarely full. Your hotel reception employee can get you on one of these if you tell him or her a day or two before. No rule for price and tip. I can't think of anything else...