Tours to Morocco from the USA

Royal Air Maroc is the only non-stop from the USA, flying New York (JFK) and Washington (IAD) into Casablanca; every other route connects through Europe. Because the journey costs close to two days round trip, we tell US travellers that 10 to 14 days is where a Morocco trip stops feeling rushed. US passport holders need no visa for stays under 90 days.

Arrival day and jet lag

Transatlantic flights from the East Coast usually travel overnight, and Morocco is several hours ahead, so most travellers land tired with a whole day in front of them. Day one is an airport pickup, a private transfer to your hotel or riad and, at most, a gentle walk. The Sahara is around nine hours by road from Marrakech, so we never start the desert leg before you have had a proper night's sleep. West Coast travellers, or anyone connecting through Europe, often benefit from a second slow day. Land in Casablanca and you can stay a night to see the Hassan II Mosque, or transfer straight on — send us your arrival time and we will suggest which suits it.

How long to come for

Flying from the US East Coast costs you the better part of two days in the air and in transit. That changes the maths on trip length: a 4-day trip is mostly travel. We tell US travellers plainly that 10 to 14 days is where a Morocco trip stops feeling rushed — enough for the Sahara, the High Atlas and two imperial cities without a punishing drive every morning. Seven days works if you pick one region and stay in it.

Route shapes: Casablanca or Marrakech first?

Starting in Casablanca

Casablanca suits the non-stop flights and a north-first loop. Our seven-day Sahara and imperial cities tour runs via Rabat, Chefchaouen and Fes to the Merzouga dunes, then back through the Dades Gorges to Marrakech. The 11-day grand tour from Casablanca adds a free day in Chefchaouen, and the 14-day grand Morocco tour ends with two nights in Essaouira before returning to Casablanca. See all our desert and grand tours from Casablanca.

Starting in Marrakech

Connecting through Europe into Marrakech, the loop runs the other way: over the High Atlas and through the gorges to Merzouga, north to Fes and Chefchaouen, and back via Rabat — the shape of our 11-day around-Morocco tour from Marrakech. On a shorter trip, pair a few nights in the city with the four-day Merzouga desert tour, or browse the places most worth your time in Morocco first.

Practical things worth knowing

US passport holders do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. The currency is the dirham, which you cannot buy before you arrive — withdraw at the airport. English is widely spoken in the tourism trade even though Darija and French run daily life. Our tours to Morocco from the USA are run by a licensed Marrakech operator, not a reseller, so the person who plans your trip is the person who answers when something changes.

Money, tipping, plugs and staying connected

Cash and cards

Use ATMs at the airport and in the cities. Larger hotels and many city restaurants take cards, but souks, village stops and desert camps run on cash.

Tipping

Tipping is customary for restaurant staff, porters, drivers and guides. Gratuities are not included in our tour prices, so what you give is up to you; keep small notes handy.

Plugs and power

Sockets are European two-round-pin (types C and E) at 220 volts, so US plugs need an adapter.

Phones and internet

Local SIM cards are sold at the airports, and most hotels and riads have Wi-Fi. Signal is patchy in the mountains and dunes, and desert camps have limited electricity — bring a power bank.

How booking works from the US

Every trip is private and built around your flights, so our tour pages show prices as “By Request”. Send the trip request form with your dates, arrival city and a rough budget in US dollars, and we reply within 24 hours with a day-by-day itinerary and a price. Prefer to talk? Message us on WhatsApp at +212 666 107 312 — our working day starts while the East Coast is still asleep. Once your flights are booked, we time the airport pickup to your landing, and during the trip you have direct WhatsApp contact with your guide and our office. Read more about our Marrakech team.

Common questions