Car Rental in Ouarzazate

Why rent a car in Ouarzazate?

Located in the southeastern part of the country, Ouarzazate might seem like a sleepy little place, but there’s more about it than at first meets the eye. The city is home to interesting historic sites, a mixture of Arab and Berber cultures, and nearby nature. More importantly, Ouarzazate is one of the gateways to the fascinating Moroccan Sahara. If you choose to travel the other direction, you’ll reach the Atlas Mountains and Marrakesh or the Atlantic Coast.

Top ways to enter Ouarzazate

• Ouarzazate Airport: One of the smallest in Morocco, this international airport is only served by four different airlines. In addition to domestic connections, the airport also hosts flights to and from Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux in France. Located just 4 km (2 miles) east of the city center, the airport can be reached in about ten minutes by car.
• Marrakesh Menara Airport: Serving the most famous city of Morocco, Marrakesh Airport handled 5.2 million travelers in 2018. The airport is served by around 20 different airlines that together provide flights to and from destinations all over North Africa and Europe. Located exactly 200 km (125 miles) northwest of Ouarzazate, Marrakesh Airport can be reached in four hours.
• Agadir Airport: Located on the Atlantic Coast, Agadir Al Massira Airport handled 1.5 million travelers in 2018. The airport has flights by around 20 different airlines, including low-cost carriers Transavia and easyJet. Located 335 km (208 miles) west of Ouarzazate, Agadir Airport can be reached in about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
  Essaouira Airport: Also located on the coast, but further north, Essaouira Airport is served by five different airlines and hosts a number of local connections as well as flights to and from France, the United Kingdom, and Belgium. Located 395 km (245 miles) west of Ouarzazate, Essaouira can be reached in about six hours.
• Casablanca Airport: The busiest in Morocco, Casablanca Airport served more than eight million travelers in 2018. The airport is the main hub for Royal Air Maroc and is also served by around 20 other airlines. The airport hosts flights to and from tens of African, European, and Middle East countries as well as some destinations in North America and East Asia. Located 415 km (257 miles) northwest of Ouarzazate, Casablanca Airport can be reached in about five hours.

City facts

Located on the northwestern edge of the Sahara Desert, Ouarzazate has a hot desert climate. The average high temperature is 38°C  (100°F) in July, the warmest month, rising close to 45°C (113 °F) many days. Remaining in the shade during mid-day and remaining properly hydrated at all times is extremely important during the summer months. The average high temperature is 17°C (62°F) in December and January, the coolest months. Ouarzazate is a very dry place and sees practically no precipitation during the summer months; there is a very slight increase from September to February.

The name “Ouarzazate” means “without noise” in the local Amazigh or Berber language. A local variety of Berber is the main spoken language of Ouarzazate, but Moroccan Arabic also has an important role in daily life in the city. As elsewhere in the country, French is the most widely spoken foreign language; knowledge of English is generally quite low, although people working in the service and tourism industries will often at least know the basics. 

Top sights and activities

• Aït-Benhaddou. Although not only part of the city - it is about 30 km (18 miles) northwest - Aït-Benhaddou is one of the main attractions for visitors coming to Ouarzazate. A tiny village, it is home to an impressive earthen clay kasbah (fortification). A UNESCO World Heritage site, it has been a filming location for many world-famous movies and TV shows including Gladiator and, more recently, Game of Thrones. Aït-Benhaddou is about a 30-minute drive from Ouarzazate.
• Oasis de Fint. Made up of dry hills and located near the Sahara, the area of Ouarzazate is distinctively arid. One unique exception can be found in the Fint Oasis, a beautiful nature area just 20 km (13 miles) south of Ouarzazate. Home to unique species of plant, deep river valleys, and beautiful landscapes, it also has a couple of small local restaurants where you can try Southern Moroccan food.
• Solar Power Station. Although not initially intended as a tourist attraction, the Ouarzazate solar power station has become a very popular place among the visitors of the area thanks to its impressive design and unique location away from the city and right in the desert. Made up of thousands of mirrors that reflect the sunlight to generate power, it is also known as Noor Station, the word “noor” meaning “light” in Arabic.
• Atlas Studios. Located just a short drive northwest of downtown, Atlas Studios is one of the most popular destinations in Ouarzazate. Although out of use for some time now, the studio was once the film set of such legendary flicks as Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, Gladiator, and Alexander. Many of the older decorations are in a rather bad condition and the whole studio is in a state of disrepair, but some travelers claim that this only adds to the experience.

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120 km/h on highways (autoroutes), 100 km/h on roads outside urban areas that are not highways, and 60 km/h within populated areas.
• Even inside some big cities, and in most smaller towns and villages, there are no special lanes for cyclists or sometimes even sidewalks for pedestrians. In those cases, you’ll be sharing a road with them, so be extra careful.
• Road signs are written in both Arabic and French. If you don’t know either of these languages, it’s good to learn at least the main terms in one of them before renting a car.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.00% for both experienced and novice drivers. Drunk driving can lead to large fines and even jail time or deportation.
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The nation-wide emergency police number is 19 and the nation-wide ambulance and fire safety department number is 15.

Toll roads

A toll needs to be paid for using most of Morocco’s motorways or autoroutes. All of the toll roads in Morocco are administered by the state-owned company Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM).

Morocco uses a closed system for its toll roads, meaning that there is a toll booth both at the entrance and the exit of the road. You pay either by cash or by credit card (although some toll booths might only accept cash, so it’s good to have some available at all times). Make sure to keep any proof that you have paid for the toll road as police checks are frequent and fines can be hefty. The prices for using the toll roads are generally quite low.

Most of the toll roads connect the largest cities of the country. Oftentimes, you can opt to use regional roads instead - while traveling along those will be much slower, the views are usually much more scenic.

Ideas for day trips

• Dadès Gorges. Located on the banks of the river of the same name, Dadès Gorges are among the most famous natural attractions in this part of Morocco. Home to steep canyons, cliffside forts, and epic viewpoints, Dadès can be reached with a rental car, but traveling with a 4x4 vehicle is strongly advised (you can also hire a local driver). Located 130 km (80 miles) northeast of Ouarzazate, Dadès takes about two hours to reach and at least a couple more to fully explore.
• Zagora. Located in the Draa River valley, the ancient city of Zagora was the northernmost point of one of the most famous Saharan caravan routes. The route, taken exclusively on camels and used to transport different goods (as well as knowledge) between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab world, connected Zagora with the fabled city of Timbuktu (located in present-day Mali). This heritage is kept alive in sites like the Draa Valley Art Museum and the old library of Tamegroute, and visitors can also visit the nearby ruins of an Almoravid fortress. Located 160 km (99 miles) southeast of Ouarzazate near the Algerian border, Zagora can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• M’Hamid. A small village farther south of Zagora, M’Hamid is often seen as the real entry point to the Sahara. Inhabited by a semi-nomadic population, this is the right place to go on a 4x4 sand dune journey, ride a camel, or spend a night in the desert. Located 260 km (161 miles) southwest of Ouarzazate, M’Hamid can be reached in about four hours. Important: Although it’s possible to drive between Ouarzazate and M’Hamid by yourself, it is strongly advised to hire a local guide/driver to go farther into the desert. There are no road signs and the area is not well mapped by any GPS system, so getting lost is a real possibility. You can only travel in the desert with a 4x4 vehicle.
• Tinerhir. Located between the High Atlas and the Little Atlas, the town of Tinerhir (also known as Tinghir) is somewhat yet to be discovered by international visitors. That’s more down to its geographic location than the qualities of the city, though - those who do go to Tinerhir are rewarded with a truly stunning gorge, the equally beautiful Todra Oasis, and mouth-watering food. Situated about 165km (102 miles) northeast of Ouarzazate, Tinerhir takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach.
• Nkob. Ouarzazate itself is already quite a bit off the beaten track of touristy Morocco, but to get a true feeling of wilderness, you could do worse than go to Nkob. Located over a two hour drive west, this small town is known for its many historical fortifications or kasbahs, as well as the stunning landscape of the Saghrou Mountains that surrounds it. Coming here requires some planning, but the more adventurous travelers will be rewarded with a truly authentic experience.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Ouarzazate is the Fiat 500, closely followed by the Hyundai i10 and the Peugeot 208. The most popular rental car types are mini, economy, and standard.

Further destinations

• Marrakesh. Perhaps the most legendary city of North Africa, Marrakesh retains much of its timeless vibe. The Jemaa el-Fnaa marketplace is home to musicians, craftsmen, and snake-charmers while the city’s tanneries and madrassas (religious schools) have changed little over the past centuries. Located 195 km (121 miles) northwest of Ouarzazate, Marrakesh can be reached in just under four hours.
• Ourika Valley. A large valley near the High Atlas mountain range, the Ourika Valley is an important place for the area’s native inhabitants, the Imazighen and the Berbers. Made up of different local markets (some distinctly touristy, others much less so), as well as traditional villages, the area is the perfect place to learn about the local culture and then continue your way towards the snowy peaks of the High Atlas. Located just east of Marrakesh, the Ourika Valley is 190 km (118 miles) northwest of Ouarzazate and takes four hours to reach.
• Agadir. Located in southern Morocco on the Atlantic coast, the large city of Agadir has plenty for a visitor to enjoy like the Municipal Berber Museum and the Agadir fortress. The city’s number one attraction, however, is its proximity to the Valley of Roses, a large oasis of otherworldly beauty, and Taghazout, a cozy village which is one of Morocco’s surfing capitals. Located 358 km (221 miles) west of Ouarzazate, Agadir can be reached in about five hours.
• High Atlas. Located near Marrakesh, but deserving special mention, the majestic mountain range would be a highlight of any trip to Morocco. Made up of stunning peaks, ancient Berber villages, the mud-brick caravan city of Aït Benhaddou, and opportunities to enjoy winter sports, the High Atlas is only about a three to four-hour drive north of Ouarzazate. 

Car rental prices in Ouarzazate

• Small cars - from $31 per day
• Medium cars - from $33 per day
• SUVs - from $56 per day
• Vans - from $56 per day
• Large cars - from $45 per day
• Premium cars - from $69 per day
• Station wagons - from $59 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Try these simple tips to increase your chances of landing a great car in Ouarzazate:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Ouarzazate is the cheapest in June, when renting a car is about 47% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 61% cheaper than renting a vehicle in August.