Transport
Is there a direct bus from Fes to Merzouga?
Yes, Supratours and CTM run long-distance buses from Fes towards the desert that reach Merzouga (or nearby Rissani/Erfoud) directly, taking roughly 9–11 hours, usually overnight or as a full-day journey. It’s a long haul across the Middle Atlas and down the Ziz Valley, but it’s a cheap and workable way to reach the dunes independently.
Book ahead in busy periods, as these desert services are popular and seats are limited. Check whether your bus terminates in Merzouga itself or in Rissani/Erfoud, from where a short local transfer or your camp’s pickup covers the last stretch.
The downside of the bus is that you miss the scenery and stops that a tour builds in — cedar forests, Ifrane, the Ziz gorges. If the desert is your goal, a guided tour from Fes turns the journey itself into part of the trip.
Planning a trip and want this sorted for you? We’re a local Berber team in Merzouga — tell us your dates and we’ll build a route, handle the logistics, and answer every question like this one before you arrive.