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Travel leg · Morocco Imperial Cities

Fes to Merzouga

Fes and Merzouga sit about 340 km (211 mi) apart in a straight line, with Merzouga to the south. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Morocco Imperial Cities itinerary, an 8-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.

Directions in Google Maps See the full Morocco Imperial Cities route
Fes, where this leg starts
From · Fes
Merzouga, where this leg ends
To · Merzouga
Straight-line distance
340 km · 211 mi
Est. road distance
408–476 km
Est. drive time
4 h 15 min – 7 h 15 min
Direction
Heading south
Curated routes
1 itinerary

Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.

Ways to get there

We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.

By train

Our Morocco Imperial Cities itinerary is easy to do on public transport, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.

By car

Driving is an estimated 408–476 km (253–296 mi) and 4 h 15 min – 7 h 15 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.

Many travelers hire a driver or join a small tour for the long road legs, with trains and buses as alternatives between the larger cities. Inside the medinas you walk. The trip to Merzouga takes real time, so plan for it.

Open Fes → Merzouga directions in Google Maps ↗

Worth stopping for

Picks from our curated guides at both ends.

When you arrive in Merzouga

Stay one night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi; add a second day for Khamlia, Rissani's market and the seasonal lake.

Before you leave Fes

Give Fes two days with a licensed guide for the first medina morning; the old city is the largest car-free urban area in the world.

On this curated route

Where Fes → Merzouga sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.

Going the other way? Merzouga to Fes is the same 340 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗

Weather at each end

The biggest gap comes in May, when Merzouga averages highs 6°C warmer than Fes. Over a year, Fes gets about 630 mm more rain.

Average monthly high temperature and rainfall in Fes and Merzouga
MeasureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Fes high16°18°21°24°28°33°38°38°33°28°21°18°
Merzouga high17°20°25°29°34°39°43°41°36°30°22°18°
Fes rain9586947238939247411694
Merzouga rain7611643131114136

Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Merzouga month guides.

Fes to Merzouga: questions travelers ask

How far is Fes from Merzouga?

Fes is about 340 km (211 mi) from Merzouga in a straight line, with Merzouga to the south. By road, we estimate 408–476 km (253–296 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.

How long does it take to drive from Fes to Merzouga?

An estimated 4 h 15 min – 7 h 15 min, assuming 408–476 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.

Which itineraries include the trip from Fes to Merzouga?

Our Morocco Imperial Cities itinerary includes this leg. Morocco Imperial Cities runs about 8 days across 3 stops, best in Mar – May.

Getting to Fes

Guides for both ends

Merzouga by month

More to explore

Plan Fes → Merzouga with your crew

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