Taxi Ouarzazate Guide: Petit Taxis, Grand Taxis and Buses
White petit taxis for town, shared grand taxis for nearby towns, and CTM or Supratours coaches for longer trips. Where each one leaves from and how to use them without stress.
Getting around Ouarzazate is simple once you know the three systems: white petit taxis for rides inside town, grand taxis that run shared between towns and leave when full, and CTM or Supratours coaches for longer trips such as Marrakech or Zagora. This guide explains how a taxi in Ouarzazate works, where the CTM office and the main Ouarzazate bus station are, and where to check times and fares, which change too often for us to print here.
Taxis and buses in Ouarzazate at a glance
| Option | Use it for | Where to find it | How you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petit taxi | Rides inside town, up to 3 passengers | Hail on the street or at taxi ranks | Cash, small flat fare per person in town |
| Grand taxi (shared) | Nearby towns: Skoura, Agdz, Zagora, Tinghir and more | Grand taxi station by the gare routière | Cash, per seat; leaves when full |
| Grand taxi (private hire) | Day trips, airport, luggage | Station, or arranged through your accommodation | Cash, total price agreed in advance |
| CTM coach | Marrakech and other long routes | CTM office on Avenue Mohammed V | Ticket online or at the counter |
| Supratours coach | Marrakech (train connections) and other routes | Supratours agency in town | Ticket online via ONCF or at the counter |
How petit taxis work in Ouarzazate
Petit taxis are the small city cabs, and in Ouarzazate they are white. They are allowed to carry up to three passengers and may only operate within the town limits, so they will not take you to Aït Ben Haddou or Fint.
Fares
Unlike in Marrakech or Casablanca, rides inside Ouarzazate are usually charged as a small flat fare per passenger, whatever the distance in town, rather than by meter. A higher rate applies at night, as everywhere in Morocco. Fares are revised from time to time, so ask your accommodation for the current amount and keep small coins and notes in dirhams. Rides from the airport are the exception: they are charged at a fixed, higher price that you agree before getting in, as explained in our airport to town guide.
Shared rides
Do not be surprised if the driver stops to pick up someone else heading in the same direction. Sharing is normal in Moroccan petit taxis, each passenger pays for their own ride, and you should not pay more because others got in. If you prefer the car to yourself, for example with luggage, say so at the start and agree the price.
Practical tips
- Have your destination written down or on a map, including a landmark. Many drivers speak French and Arabic; English is less common.
- Taxis are plentiful on Avenue Mohammed V and near the gare routière during the day, rarer late at night.
- At night, or from places where taxis seldom pass, ask your restaurant or your accommodation to call one.
Grand taxis: shared rides between towns
Grand taxis are larger cars or minivans that link Ouarzazate with other towns and villages. They work on a shared basis: the car waits at the station until all six passenger seats are sold, then leaves. You pay per seat. If you are in a hurry, or want more room, you can buy the empty seats, or hire the whole car privately.
Where they leave from
The main grand taxi station is next to the gare routière on Avenue Moulay Abdellah, on the western side of the centre. Shared taxis run from there to destinations including Marrakech, Agadir, Zagora, Agdz, Skoura, Kelaat M'Gouna, Boumalne Dades and Tinghir. Some taxis for the Draa valley and Zagora also leave from Tabount, the district on the south side of the river. Destinations are not always signposted: ask any driver and you will be pointed to the right car.
Fares and tips
Each route has a set price per seat that locals know. As a visitor, ask your accommodation for the current fare before you go, check with the driver before you get in, and pay in cash. The two seats next to the driver are the most comfortable; the back row of an old car or a minivan can be cramped on a long ride.
Private hire for day trips
A grand taxi hired for a half or full day is the usual way to visit Aït Ben Haddou, Fint or Skoura without a car. Agree the total price, the stops, how long the driver waits at each one and the return time before setting off. For the oasis south of town, our guide to Fint oasis explains why a driver who knows the track is worth it.
CTM in Ouarzazate: office and routes
CTM, Morocco's largest coach company, has its office and departure point on Avenue Mohammed V, the town's main street, at the corner of Rue de la Poste, a short walk from the central squares. CTM serves routes such as Marrakech, Agadir, Zagora, Tinghir and Errachidia, with some services continuing further. Coaches are generally comfortable and air-conditioned, with reserved seats.
Buy your ticket on the official CTM website or at the counter. Times, fares and routes change with the seasons, so check them there rather than relying on old timetables posted online. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Large bags go in the hold, and you may be asked for a small luggage fee at the counter; keep the receipt until you collect your bag.
Supratours in Ouarzazate
Supratours is the coach company of ONCF, the Moroccan national railway. Its Ouarzazate agency is separate from CTM and is listed on Avenue Moulay Abdellah, close to the gare routière; check the exact departure point on your ticket. Its main use for visitors is the Marrakech route, where tickets can include a connection to trains towards Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Fes. Supratours has also run services east towards the desert, depending on the season.
Tickets are sold on the ONCF Voyages website and app and at the agency. As with CTM, check current times and fares there before you plan your day.
The gare routière (Ouarzazate bus station)
Besides the CTM and Supratours offices, Ouarzazate has a main bus station, the gare routière, on Avenue Moulay Abdellah. Smaller private bus companies leave from here, and the grand taxi station is right next to it. These buses are usually cheaper than CTM or Supratours but older, slower and with more stops. If you search online for the "Ouarzazate bus station", double-check which one your ticket refers to, because a CTM or Supratours ticket will not leave from the gare routière.
Which option for which trip
- Arriving by plane: a taxi or a rental car; see our Ouarzazate airport guide.
- Getting around town: petit taxis, or walking in the centre.
- Marrakech: CTM or Supratours for comfort and fixed times, a shared grand taxi for flexibility, or a private driver if you want to stop on the way. Our Marrakech to Ouarzazate road guide covers the drive over the Tizi n'Tichka.
- Zagora and the Draa valley: coach or shared grand taxi; for stops along the valley, see Ouarzazate to Zagora through the Draa valley.
- Aït Ben Haddou, Fint, Skoura: a private grand taxi or driver, or a rental car. Our guide to car rental in Ouarzazate helps you decide.
Staying in Ouarzazate without a car
You can perfectly well spend a few days in Ouarzazate without a car: the centre is walkable, petit taxis are cheap and easy, and drivers can be hired for day trips. Residence Chay is in Hay El Massira, a calm residential district about 3 minutes by car from the centre and about 2 minutes from the airport, and the reception can help arrange a driver or call a taxi. If you do arrive by car, parking is free and guarded. You can see exactly where we are on our location page.
Questions travellers ask
Do petit taxis in Ouarzazate use a meter?
In practice, rides within town are usually charged as a small flat fare per passenger rather than by meter, with a slightly higher rate at night. Ask your accommodation for the current fare so you know what to expect.
Is there a bus from Ouarzazate to Merzouga?
Coach services towards Merzouga have been offered by Supratours and CTM, but routes and times change by season. Check the current timetable on the official websites or at the agency a day or two ahead.
Can I take a petit taxi to Aït Ben Haddou?
No. Petit taxis are limited to the town. For Aït Ben Haddou, Fint or Skoura you need a grand taxi, a private driver or your own car.
Should I book CTM or Supratours tickets in advance?
Yes in busy periods such as spring, school holidays and around religious holidays, when popular departures to Marrakech fill up. Booking a day or two ahead online or at the agency is usually enough.
