Major city · Morocco
Erfoudأرفود
Use Erfoud as a 1-night supply stop before Erg Chebbi, not a base: it is 55 km (34 mi) from the dunes and has no dunes of its own.Use Erfoud as a 1-night supply stop before Erg Chebbi, not a base: it is 34 mi (55 km) from the dunes and has no dunes of its own.
Erfoud is the Tafilalet market town that most desert convoys pass through on the way to Erg Chebbi, 55 km south. It has banks, mechanics, a Saturday souq, fossil workshops and a date festival, but the sand is elsewhere. Stay one night if you arrive late, need supplies or want the fossil and ksar stops; otherwise push on to Merzouga.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MAD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme inland heat), and the July–August date-palm harvest rush if you want quiet
- Airports
- ERH · RAK
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Morocco ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Moroccan consulate or official government sources before booking; visa exemptions depend on nationality.
- Morocco ↗The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency: you normally obtain it on arrival (ATMs, exchange desks) and change leftovers back before departure, keeping exchange receipts.
- Morocco ↗Do not bring a drone without prior authorisation: drones are routinely confiscated at customs.
- Morocco ↗During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in the street in daylight; tourist restaurants and hotels still serve.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Erfoud19 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Erfoud, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD).Morocco-wide
- SIM or eSIMMaroc Telecom, Orange and inwi sell tourist SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; 20–50 GB costs about MAD 100–200.Morocco-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; carry water in the south.Morocco-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10%.Morocco-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Morocco-wide
- SafetyErfoud is relaxed and low-hassle by Moroccan tourist-town standards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets in older cafés and on the road.Morocco-wide
- Emergency numbers19 police · 177 Gendarmerie · 15 ambulance and fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckFriday midday prayers slow business; many shops shut on Eid holidays; museums often close one day a week (usually Tuesday — check).Morocco-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportERH Errachidia Airport (About 70 km (43 mi) north; grand taxi or pre-booked transfer.ERH Errachidia Airport (About 43 mi (70 km) north; grand taxi or pre-booked transfer.
- Getting aroundThe centre is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMint tea in a street caféMAD 4–10
- Budget bedHostel or basic guesthouse bed, a night, per personMAD 120
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomMAD 650
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomMAD 1,200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MAD 300 · Mid MAD 600 · High MAD 1,200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ERH Errachidia Airport (About 70 km (43 mi) north; grand taxi or pre-booked transfer. Weekend flights to Casablanca — check the Royal Air Maroc schedule.) · RAK Marrakech Menara (About 510 km (317 mi) by road; the usual arrival for a desert loop via Ouarzazate.)ERH Errachidia Airport (About 43 mi (70 km) north; grand taxi or pre-booked transfer. Weekend flights to Casablanca — check the Royal Air Maroc schedule.) · RAK Marrakech Menara (About 317 mi (510 km) by road; the usual arrival for a desert loop via Ouarzazate.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Aug
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Sep
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Erfoud: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jul
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Aug
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small enough to walk. Grand taxis run to Rissani and Merzouga from the station near Place des FAR, and shared taxis to Errachidia leave when full. For the fossil workshops, Maadid ksar or the dunes you need a car, a 4x4 or a hired driver.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Grand taxi or car south via Rissani, 55 km (34 mi)Grand taxi or car south via Rissani, 34 mi (55 km)
The reason most people are here. Sleep in Merzouga, not Erfoud, if the dunes are the point.
Rissani
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Grand taxi or car, 19 km (12 mi)Grand taxi or car, 12 mi (19 km)
Ksar and market town; go on a market morning.
Maadid ksar
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Car or taxi on the Errachidia road
Earthen lanes and oasis; a short stop, not a half day.
Fossil workshops
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car or taxi on the Merzouga road past the river
See the cutting and polishing, then decide whether to buy.
Ouarzazate
overnightDoor to door: 5–6 h
Supratours bus or car via Tinghir, 315 km (196 mi)Supratours bus or car via Tinghir, 196 mi (315 km)
Too far for a return day; it is a route, not a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Avenue Moulay Ismail / Mohamed 5)
Walkable to the souq, cafés and bus offices; best for one night without a car.
Errachidia road (north edge)
Kasbah-style hotels with pools; you need a car or taxi to reach the centre.
Rissani road (south edge)
Convenient if you leave early for Merzouga or Rissani; 19 km (12 mi) to Rissani.Convenient if you leave early for Merzouga or Rissani; 12 mi (19 km) to Rissani.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MAD 250–450 excl. bed
- Mid
- MAD 450–900 excl. bed
- High
- MAD 900+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × MAD 650 | MAD 650 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MAD 600 | MAD 1,200 |
| Grand taxi Erfoud → Merzouga, one way2 × MAD 25 | MAD 50 |
| Grand taxi Erfoud → Rissani, one way2 × MAD 10 | MAD 20 |
| Supratours bus Erfoud → Marrakech, one way2 × MAD 175 | MAD 350 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MAD 150 | MAD 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MAD 257 |
| Trip total≈ MAD 1,414 per person per day, bed included | MAD 2,827 |
2026 estimate in dirham; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Mint tea in a street café | MAD 4–10 |
| Harira or bisara soup from a street vendor | MAD 3–10 |
| Fresh orange juice | MAD 8–15 |
| Panaché or avocado milkshake | MAD 10–15 |
| Olives at the market | MAD 12/kg |
| Small car rental, one day | MAD 400+ |
| 4x4 rental, one day | MAD 1,200–1,400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Erfoud is not the dunes: Erg Chebbi is 55 km (34 mi) away, so do not book a 'desert camp' here expecting sand at the door.Erfoud is not the dunes: Erg Chebbi is 34 mi (55 km) away, so do not book a 'desert camp' here expecting sand at the door.
- Fossil shops sell both genuine and assembled pieces; if you are not sure, buy the cheapest decorative item and treat it as such.
- Summer inland heat is severe; plan driving and walking for early morning.
- Carry cash: ATMs are few and can be empty, and not every shop takes cards.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 19
- Gendarmerie
- 177
- Ambulance and fire
- 15
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Erfoudأرفود
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
لهذا العنوان عافاكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police19
- Gendarmerie177
- Ambulance and fire15
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No embassies in Erfoud; most are in Rabat with consulates in Casablanca and Marrakech. Your embassy's duty phone is the number to save before the desert.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Grand taxi Erfoud → Merzouga: about MAD 25 per place, about 1 h
- Grand taxi Erfoud → Rissani: about MAD 10 per place, about 25 min
- Shared taxi Erfoud → Errachidia: about MAD 20 per place, leaves when full, roughly 06:00–22:00about MAD 20 per place, leaves when full, roughly 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Supratours bus Erfoud → Marrakech: about MAD 175, most of a day
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello / Peace be upon you (as-salaam alaykum)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بشحال؟ — How much is it? (bechhal?)
- غالي بزاف — Too expensive (ghali bezzaf)
- فين محطة الطاكسي؟ — Where is the taxi stand? (fin mahatat taksi?)
- الحساب عافاك — The bill, please (l-hisab afak)
Save your hotel's name and phone in Arabic script; drivers know landmarks better than street names.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Erfoud. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme inland heat), and the July–August date-palm harvest rush if you want quiet · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ERH: flight days, grand taxi fallback and a late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Place des FAR and the souq, Avenue Moulay Ismail banks and cafés, the fossil road, the Errachidia-road hotels.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (souq day, fossil workshops, Maadid, Borj-Est sunset) and eat pages with last orders.
- Date-festival fixture for October–November so the calendar can go green.