Essaouira to Rabat tickets

About the ride from Essaouira to Rabat

If you're planning a trip from Essaouira to Rabat, you're in the right place!

After exploring the city walls and strolling along the ramparts of Essaouira, make the trip up to the capital to continue your adventures. 

We've got all the information you need to travel 280 miles (450 km) north to the country's vibrant capital. 

You can either book a seat on a bus or a minivan for the four- to eleven-hour trip. 

Six very cool things to do in Rabat

Rabat is a fascinating city packed with history, culture, and food. Here are some of the best things to do while spending time here.

1. Lose yourself in the enchanting medina of Rabat. While it may be smaller than the medinas of Fez or Marrakech, it offers a delightful atmosphere perfect for wandering through the vibrant streets, immersing yourself in the local culture and discovering unique treasures.
   
   

2. Visit the Kasbah of the Udayas. This mini blue city dates back to the 12th century and was originally built to ward off pirates and invaders. Today, the fort is a unique symbol of the neighborhood.
   
   

3. Explore the Complexe des Oulja. This is the perfect spot for art lovers or anyone looking for some pottery as a souvenir. The complex is home to many different artisans making unique art.
   
   

4. Relax at the beach. Rabat is situated on the Atlantic Coast, so you can spend a day soaking up the sun. Plage des Nations is an excellent spot for surfing. Skhirat and Temara are two other popular beach destinations in the city.
   
   

5. Wander through the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The museum is home to stunning examples of modern Moroccan art.
   
   

6. Check out the Chellah. This medieval fortified Muslim necropolis dates back to the 3rd century B.C.E. but has changed hands many times since then. It is the perfect place to snap some photos and enjoy architecture dating back to Phoenician times. 

How to get from Essaouira to Rabat

Traveling from Essaouira to Rabat is a breeze, thanks to the availability of buses and minivans. Both options are great, so you'll need to pick the best fit for your budget, comfort level, and convenience. 

Bus

The bus to Rabat is the cheapest option; the tickets start at $13. 

The public bus system in Morocco is a safe and reliable way to travel around the country. 

All buses have air conditioning, but only some have WiFi and TVs. There are multiple daily departures throughout the day and night, so finding a suitable time for your itinerary won't be a challenge. You could even go for an overnight ride and save money on accommodations. 

Depending on the operator and if they make stops along the way, the journey will take from seven to eleven hours. 

Minivan

The other option to travel from Essaouira to Rabat is to go by minivan. While this is the more expensive option, it is also more convenient because the trip will only take between four and five hours. 

You can book a shared or private minivan; all of them are air-conditioned.

A benefit of hiring a minivan (even a shared one) is that it will pick you up and drop you off at your chosen hotels. 

Additionally, many minivans offer WiFi, charging ports, and English-speaking drivers. 

In a shared minivan, you book a seat and share the ride (and the cost) with other people traveling to Rabat. It's a great option if you don't want to spend the money to hire an entire van but prefer the comfort and flexibility of this over the bus.

The driver will make rest stops along the way. Additionally, there are dozens of departure times per day. 

Prices start around $55 per person, but some companies require you to book at least three people, so ask around your hostel if you're a solo traveler. 

The private minivan option is ideal if you are traveling with a group of up to six people. You get the whole van to yourselves, and the cost is split among your group. A private minivan starts at $393, so with six people, it's $65.50. Not much more than a shared minivan.

While this is the most expensive option, it allows you to plan your trip around your schedule. You can set the pickup time and ask the driver to stop for bathroom and snack breaks whenever you want. 

More details about the journey from Essaouira to Rabat 

The ride to Rabat from Essaouira is along the Atlantic coast and is absolutely beautiful. Be sure to grab a window seat to catch glimpses of the ocean and Morocco's charming port cities along the way. 

While the trip to Rabat is simple, there are a few things you should note. The highways in Morocco are well-developed, so you can expect a smooth ride. However, traffic can definitely slow you down. 

If you're taking the bus, you should plan to get to the bus station at least 30 minutes before your bus departs. This is so you can easily find your departure bay, present your tickets, and board the bus on time. 

When is the best time to visit Rabat?

Rabat is a year-round destination to visit. 

However, the best time to plan your trip is in the shoulder seasons of September and October and March to May. These are the perfect months to visit because temperatures average between 68-77℉ (20-25℃), ideal for walking around the city and sipping delicious Moroccan tea. Plus, there are fewer travelers at that time.

Summer is much warmer, with temperatures ranging between 72-86℉ (22-30℃). However, this is also peak tourist season, as many Europeans and Americans travel during school breaks.

You can also plan your trip to the capital in winter. Temperatures remain mild, and fewer people make it a great time to visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Kasbah of the Udayas, and the necropolis. 

Where to go after Rabat

After spending time soaking up the history and culture of Rabat, plan your next adventure to experience more of the magic Morocco is known for. 

You are only a short day trip away from Casablanca, made famous by the namesake movie released in 1942. There is a bus or train that will take you from Rabat to Casablanca in about one hour.

Tangier is another excellent option, especially for the history buffs. You can plan a tour of the Strait of Gibraltar or the Hercules Caves. It is two to three hours away by train.

Be sure to add Marrakech to your bucket list as well. You can easily get there from Rabat and spend a few days exploring this charming city. 

Morocco is packed with plenty of amazing places to see, so you really can't go wrong with your next choice.