Bus Travel

For cities not served by trains (mainly those in the south), buses are a good alternative. They're relatively frequent, and seats are usually available.

Compagnie de Transports Marocains (CTM), a national bus company, runs trips to most areas in the country and guarantees your seat and luggage service. They also offer online booking. These buses stop at designated CTM stops (which are not necessarily in the regular bus station) and for bathroom breaks, but be sure to stay near the bus, as they have been known to leave quickly, stranding people without their luggage in unfamiliar places.

Another major bus company, Supratours, is connected to Morocco's national rail service. It offers comfortable service to major cities as an extension of the rail network and can offer through ticketing on buses whose departure times are coordinated with the arrival of trains.

There are a number of smaller bus companies, called "souk buses." They're a way to get to really rural areas not served by larger companies. They are not always comfortable or clean or fast, but they can be hailed in every village they pass through. A number of smaller companies are now operating new buses with modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi and a/c on competitive routes like those in and out of Rabat and Casablanca; overnight travel is also an option. If possible, shell out the few extra dirhams for the punctual and pleasant CTM or Supratours buses unless you're going to out-of-the-way places.

In each city the bus station—known as the gare routière—is generally near the edge of town. Some cities have separate CTM or Supratours stations. Make sure you're at the right one! Ignore the posted departure times on the walls—they're seldom up to date. Ask at the ticket booth when the next bus leaves to your chosen destination. There's nothing wrong with checking out a bus before you buy your ticket, as some are dilapidated and uncomfortable. The greeson will sell you a ticket, take you to the bus, and put your luggage underneath (you should tip a few dirhams for this).

Buy tickets at the bus station prior to departure (ideally a day ahead of time but tickets often only go on sale an hour before departure); payment is by cash only. Tickets are only sold for the seats available, so once you have a ticket you have a seat. Other than tickets, there are no reservations. Children up to age four travel free. Car seats and bassinets are not available for children.

Fares

Fares are very cheap; it's about 160 DH on CTM or Supratours for the three-hour journey from Marrakesh to Essaouira. Expect to pay no more than 10 DH per piece of luggage. Additionally, most CTM (and some Supratours) stations have inexpensive luggage storage facilities.

Bus Information

CTM. Km 13.5 Rte. de Casa-RabatSidi Bernoussi, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca. 0800/09–00–30; www.ctm.ma.

Supratours. 0537/73–10–61; 0537/73–10–64; www.supratours.ma/en.