Fly into one city, out of another: planning a one-way Morocco itinerary

A Morocco itinerary that flies into Marrakech and out of Fes avoids 530 km of backtracking, a drive of about 5 h 30 on the motorway. Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is 6 km from the medina and Fes Saïs Airport (FEZ) is 15 km from its medina, so both ends of the trip are short. The days in between are yours for the desert, the Atlas or the imperial cities.

Why a one-way route makes sense in Morocco

Morocco is long. The classic sights run along a line from Marrakech in the south to Fes and Tangier in the north, with the Sahara off to the east. A round trip from a single airport means covering one stretch twice. On a 7 to 10 day holiday, that is a full day you get back by booking two one-way flights.

Low-cost airlines price each direction separately, so an open-jaw ticket often costs about the same as a return. Check that your home airport serves both ends. Fes has fewer routes than Marrakech and some run only on certain days, so fix the Fes flight first and build the trip around it.

Morocco itinerary: fly into Marrakech, out of Fes

This is the most popular one-way plan, and it works in either direction. Starting in Marrakech puts the busiest city first and the quieter medina of Fes at the end. A typical outline:

1. Days 1-3, Marrakech. Arrival, the medina, a day in the Atlas valleys or Agafay.
2. Day 4, over the Atlas. The Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), Aït Ben Haddou, a night around Ouarzazate or the Dades valley.
3. Day 5, Merzouga. The Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp.
4. Day 6, north to Fes. The Ziz valley, Midelt, the cedar forests near Azrou and Ifrane.
5. Days 7-8, Fes. The medina, then the flight home.

If the desert is not for you, go direct instead. The motorway via Casablanca and Rabat is the fast line, with a stop in either city if you want one.

Distances and driving times for each leg

Other one-way combinations that work

Into Casablanca, out of Marrakech

This is the usual pattern for long-haul travellers, since most intercontinental flights land at Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN). You can skip the city and head south on arrival: a private transfer from Casablanca Airport to Marrakech takes 2 h 30 and costs €110 per sedan. The train is a fair alternative for one or two people. Both are set out in our comparison of the ways to travel from Casablanca airport to Marrakech.

Into Tangier, out of Marrakech or Fes

A north-to-south route starts with Tangier and the Rif, continues to Chefchaouen and Fes, then ends in Marrakech. Chefchaouen has no train and no airport. Our guide to getting from Tangier to Chefchaouen covers that first leg.

Into Marrakech, out of Agadir

A short version for a week: city first, Atlantic coast second. The two are 250 km and about 3 h apart by motorway.

Train, bus, rental car or driver between cities

Each option fits a different part of the map.

• Train. Comfortable and good value on the Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Tangier axis. The direct Marrakech to Fes service typically takes 6 h 30 to 7 h. There are no trains south or east of Marrakech, so none to Ouarzazate or Merzouga.
• Coach. CTM and Supratours reach the desert towns. Marrakech to Merzouga is a full day or a night on the bus, about 12 hours, with no stops of your choosing.
• Rental car. Full freedom. One-way rentals usually carry a drop-off fee, and the Tizi n'Tichka road needs a confident driver.
• Private driver. Door to door, with stops where you want them. It costs more than the bus for one person and compares well for three or more.

A mix is often the best answer: train on the motorway corridor, private car where the rails stop. Our prices are fixed per vehicle and paid to the driver on arrival, leg by leg, with nothing prepaid. Short stops on the way are free. You can book each leg of the itinerary separately.

The last day: getting to your departure airport

An open-jaw trip ends at an airport you have never seen, so plan the final morning with care. Airlines generally advise being at the terminal 2 to 3 hours before an international departure.

From the Fes medina, the airport is 15 km and 25 minutes away. Cars cannot enter the old town, so add 10 to 15 minutes to walk with your bags from the riad to the nearest gate. The transfer between Fes Airport and the Fes medina costs €18 per sedan in either direction, and the driver meets you at the gate your riad indicates. More detail is in our guide to the Fes airport to medina journey.

Do not schedule the long desert drive on the same day as your flight. Arrive in your departure city the evening before.