Two gateways to the same dunes
Both Marrakech and Fes serve as launch points for the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, and the right choice usually comes down to which city you are already in and where you are headed next. Neither is wrong, but they shape the route, the driving and the scenery in different ways. Understanding the trade offs makes the decision easy.
Starting from Marrakech
Marrakech is the most popular Sahara gateway and has the widest choice of tours, from budget shared trips to private luxury. The classic route over the Tizi n Tichka pass takes in the Ait Ben Haddou kasbah, Ouarzazate and the Todra gorge, which is some of the best scenery of the whole drive. The trade off is distance, since Merzouga is about nine hours away, which is why a 3 day Merzouga tour from $107 is the comfortable minimum from this side.
Starting from Fes
Fes sits closer to Merzouga, around seven hours, so a Fes start means a little less time in the vehicle to reach the dunes. The scenery differs, passing through the cedar forests near Ifrane and the Ziz valley rather than the high Atlas kasbah route. If Fes is your base, starting there is the natural choice and shortens the longest drive of the trip.
The clever one way option
For travelers visiting both cities, the smartest route is often a one way tour that starts in one city and ends in the other, with the desert in the middle. A Marrakech to Fes 3 day desert tour lets you see the dunes without backtracking, effectively turning the long desert drive into useful progress toward your next destination. It is popular with anyone whose Morocco itinerary runs between the two imperial cities. Our full Marrakech to Fes guide walks through it day by day.
How to choose
Base your decision on logistics. If Marrakech is your home base and you return there, start and end in Marrakech. If you are moving between the two cities, take the one way desert route in whichever direction your trip flows. And if Fes is your base, start there for the shorter drive. Whichever you pick, the dunes themselves are the same, so the choice is really about minimising driving and matching your wider plans.
Linking both cities?
The one way Marrakech to Fes tour sees the dunes with no backtracking.
Frequently asked questions
Start from whichever city is your base. Marrakech has the widest choice of tours and the scenic Atlas route. Fes is closer to Merzouga, so the drive to the dunes is shorter. A one way Marrakech to Fes tour avoids backtracking and suits travelers visiting both.
Merzouga is about nine hours from Marrakech and roughly seven from Fes, so a Fes start means a bit less driving to the dunes. Both still need at least a two or three day trip for the real Erg Chebbi dunes.
Yes, and it is a popular choice. A one way tour from Marrakech to Fes through the desert lets you see the dunes without driving back the way you came, ideal if your onward plans point north.
