Marrakech to Merzouga Night Bus: Evening Departures and Overnight Travel 2026
Which operator to pick for the Marrakech–Merzouga night bus, what seat class actually buys you, and how to plan the first few hours after you land in the desert.
Marrakech to Merzouga Night Bus: Evening Departures and Overnight Travel
Both of Morocco's main long-distance operators, CTM and Supratours, run evening departures on the Marrakech–Merzouga corridor, generally leaving somewhere in the 18:00-21:00 window and arriving the following morning after a journey in the 10-13 hour range. The appeal is straightforward — you cover the roughly 560 km distance while you'd otherwise be sleeping anyway, and land with a full day ahead of you instead of losing one to travel. This piece focuses on the practical side: picking a service, what seat class actually changes, and getting the arrival morning right.
Choosing between CTM and Supratours for the night service
Supratours generally runs the newer fleet and a somewhat more comfortable standard seat, for a fare a bit above CTM's; CTM is cheaper and has the wider network, with buses that vary more in age and polish depending on which specific coach you're assigned. As a rough guide, a standard night seat on either operator tends to fall somewhere around 150-200 MAD, with comfort or premium tiers (more recline, more legroom, sometimes a blanket or bottled water) running closer to 250-350 MAD — genuinely worth the modest price difference if a decent night's sleep matters to you, though exact tiers, pricing, and what's included shift with season, so treat these as ballpark figures and confirm the current fare directly with the operator when booking. Neither operator's own stop is actually in Merzouga village — both terminate in Erfoud or Rissani, with a short grand taxi needed to finish the trip, so confirm that detail for your specific service.
What actually helps you sleep
A few things make a real, disproportionate difference to how bearable the night is: a neck pillow, an eye mask, and earplugs, plus a layer against air conditioning that tends to run cold overnight. The first couple of hours climbing and descending the Tizi n'Tichka pass involve enough curves that sleeping through them is genuinely difficult regardless of seat comfort — most people find the easier sleep window opens up once the road flattens out past Ouarzazate. Realistically expect a handful of hours of interrupted rather than deep sleep across the whole night; it's usually enough to function reasonably the next day, but it's not a substitute for a hotel bed.
Stops along the way
Night services still stop for meals and toilet breaks, typically somewhere around Ouarzazate for dinner and again further along toward Erfoud before the final stretch — exact timing and stop length vary by specific service, so don't plan around a fixed schedule you've seen quoted online. These stops matter more on a night bus than they would in daylight: they're your real chance to move, use a proper bathroom, and eat something substantial before trying to sleep again. Eating reasonably (not skipping, not overdoing it) and drinking water steadily through the night pays off noticeably at the other end — arriving dehydrated into desert heat is a genuinely rough way to start a trip.
Booking
Book directly through ctm.co.ma or supratours.ma, in French, Arabic, or English, or in person at the operator's Marrakech terminal if you'd rather confirm details with staff first. Bring your passport, since it's checked at booking and again at boarding. In peak season — spring and autumn especially — book a few days ahead, since popular night departures do sell out.
The first few hours after you arrive
Plan on landing somewhere around dawn, a little stiff, with a taxi transfer still ahead if your bus terminates outside Merzouga proper. Resist the urge to jump straight into a camel trek or dune excursion the moment you arrive — give yourself an hour to shower, eat properly, and rehydrate first. Most camps and hotels can accommodate an early arrival with a shower or light breakfast even before formal check-in; ask when you book. Camel treks and similar activities are usually flexible enough to shift later in the morning once you've actually recovered, and starting rested makes a real difference to how much you enjoy the rest of the day.
Contact Us
Trying to decide between CTM, Supratours, or skipping the bus for a private tour instead? Tell us your dates and we'll help you weigh it honestly.
WhatsApp: +212 675 203 319 / +212 668 534 981 Email: hello@merzougaway.com
Last updated: August 2026.
MerzougaWay Team
We are a passionate team of local guides dedicated to sharing the beauty and culture of our home, Morocco. Our journey began with a simple desire to offer authentic, memorable experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trails.
