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For a long time, most travellers reached the Moroccan Sahara from Marrakech or Fes, after one or two long days on the road. Errachidia, a city in southeastern Morocco, offers a much faster alternative: it has the closest airport to the dunes of Merzouga, and from there the desert is only about two hours away.
The Closest Airport to Merzouga
Errachidia's Moulay Ali Cherif Airport (ERH) is about 130 km from Merzouga, around two hours by private vehicle. The airport has flights from Casablanca, which connect Errachidia with the rest of Morocco and with international flights.
New Connections from Spain
Royal Air Maroc lists flights from Barcelona to Errachidia on its booking platform. Depending on the itinerary, the journey may include a stopover, but it brings travellers from Spain much closer to the desert. Read more in our article about the flights from Barcelona to Errachidia.
More Time in the Desert, Fewer Hours on the Road
Compare the journey to the dunes from the three main gateways:
- From Errachidia: about 130 km, around 2 hours.
- From Fes: about 470 km, 7 to 8 hours.
- From Marrakech: about 560 km, 9 to 10 hours, best split over two days.
For travellers with only a few days, this makes a big difference: from Errachidia, a two-day trip is enough to ride a camel and sleep in a camp among the dunes.
A Region Worth Discovering
Errachidia is also the starting point to discover some of the most authentic places in southeastern Morocco:
- Ziz Valley: a long palm grove with traditional villages, right on the road to the desert.
- Erfoud: about 75 km away, a town known for its fossils and its dates.
- Rissani: a traditional market town with an important historical connection to the Alaouite dynasty.
- Merzouga: the dunes of Erg Chebbi, camel rides, desert camps and unforgettable sunsets.
- Todra Gorge: about 140 km away, a spectacular canyon with high rock walls.
A Perfect Starting Point for Private Tours
From Errachidia you can choose the trip that suits you best:
- 2 days: to Merzouga, with a camel ride and a night in the dunes.
- 3 and 4 days: with more time in the Sahara.
- 3 to 5 days: through the desert, the Todra and Dades gorges and Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech, where you can fly home.
We pick you up at Errachidia airport, at the bus station or at your hotel, any day of the week. See all our private tours from Errachidia and our airport transfers.
Contact our local team and start your Sahara adventure in Errachidia.
Cover photo: Falco Negenman / Unsplash
Travel agency based in Morocco with 10 years of experience organising private tours across the country. About us
