From the USA, Morocco is closer than most people think: nonstop flights from the East Coast reach Casablanca in about seven hours. US citizens have generally not needed a visa for tourist stays under 90 days. Plan 7 to 10 days, bring a plug adapter, and expect to use cash more than at home.
Flights from the US to Morocco
Nonstop service links the US East Coast with Casablanca's Mohammed V airport (CMN). The eastbound flight from New York takes roughly seven hours, usually overnight, and the return is about eight. Other US gateways and seasonal nonstops to Marrakech have operated at different times, so check current schedules.
From the Midwest, the South and the West Coast, the usual choice is one stop, either through an East Coast airport or through Europe. Madrid, Lisbon, Paris and London all have frequent flights to Marrakech (RAK), Casablanca, Fes and Tangier, taking between one and a half and three and a half hours.
Which airport should you choose? Casablanca has the most transatlantic options. Marrakech puts you directly in the city most visitors want to see first. Flying into one and out of the other avoids doubling back.
If you land in Casablanca and are heading south, our guide to the Casablanca airport to Marrakech transfer compares the train and a private car for the 2.5 to 3 hour journey.
Passport, visa and entry rules
US passport holders have generally been allowed to enter Morocco without a visa for tourism for up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival and have a blank page for the entry stamp.
Rules can change with little notice. Before you book, confirm the current requirements with the US Department of State and the Moroccan embassy or consulate. The State Department also offers a free enrolment programme that sends safety updates to travellers abroad.
Time difference and jet lag
Morocco is on GMT+1 for most of the year, moving back an hour during Ramadan. Depending on the season, that is 5 or 6 hours ahead of Eastern time and 8 or 9 hours ahead of Pacific time.
Overnight flights land in the morning. Rooms are often not ready until early afternoon, so ask your riad about early check-in or luggage storage. Stay outside in daylight, take a short walk, eat dinner at a normal local hour and you will adjust within a couple of days.
What is different from home
A few practical points catch American visitors out more than anything else.
| Topic | In Morocco |
|---|---|
| Electricity | 220 V with European two-pin sockets. Bring a plug adapter and check that chargers say 100 to 240 V. Hair dryers and curling irons made for 110 V need a converter or should stay at home. |
| Units | Kilometres, kilograms and Celsius. 30°C is 86°F, and 100 km is about 62 miles. |
| Money | Moroccan dirham (MAD), obtained after you arrive. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants. Cash is needed for markets, taxis and tips. |
| Tipping | Expected but modest. Around 10 percent in restaurants and small amounts for porters, guides and drivers. |
| Language | Moroccan Arabic, Amazigh and French. English is common in hotels and with guides, less so elsewhere. |
| Alcohol | Served in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars, and sold in some supermarkets. Not available in most medina cafes. |
| Weekly rhythm | Friday is the main prayer day. Some shops and souk stalls close around midday. |
US dollars are easy to exchange at airports, banks and exchange offices. Tell your bank you are travelling and bring a second card. For phone service, check your carrier's international plan, or buy a local SIM or eSIM, which is usually much cheaper.
How big is Morocco, and how long do you need?
Morocco is roughly the size of California, with a mountain range across the middle. Marrakech to the Sahara dunes at Merzouga is about 560 km, around 350 miles, and takes 9 to 10 hours by road over a 2,260 m pass. Distances need to be respected when you plan.
With the short flight from the East Coast, a one-week trip works well:
- 5 to 6 days: Marrakech, a day in the Atlas Mountains, and a three-day trip to the desert.
- 7 to 8 days: Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech in one line.
- 10 days or more: the same route with extra nights and the Atlantic coast at Essaouira.
Our 7-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech and Fes is designed around arriving on a transatlantic flight. If you prefer to base yourself in one city, the Sahara desert tours from Marrakech combine well with a few days in the medina.
Best time to go
March to May and late September to November are the most comfortable months, with highs in Marrakech typically between 20 and 28°C (68 to 82°F). These line up with spring break and Thanksgiving week, both popular with American travellers.
Summer vacation is the hot season. Marrakech and the desert regularly exceed 40°C (104°F) in July and August, while the Atlantic coast stays mild. Over the December holidays, the cities are sunny and cool, and the desert is cold at night.
During Ramadan many cafes close in daytime and opening hours shift, though tourist services continue. Our guide to the best time to visit Morocco breaks the year down by region.
Health, safety and what to wear
Morocco is a well-established destination that receives millions of visitors. The most common problems are minor: pushy sellers, unofficial guides and taxi drivers who avoid the meter. Read the State Department's current travel advisory before you leave.
Check that your health insurance covers you abroad. Many US plans do not, so a travel policy with medical cover is worth having. Most visitors drink bottled water. For vaccines and medication, ask your doctor ahead of the trip.
Pack clothes that cover shoulders and knees, comfortable walking shoes for cobbled lanes, a sun hat and a warm layer for evenings. Our Morocco packing list goes through it season by season.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from the US to Morocco?
About seven hours nonstop from New York to Casablanca. From the West Coast with one connection, expect 15 to 18 hours in total.
Do US citizens need a visa for Morocco?
Generally no, for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Confirm with the State Department and the Moroccan embassy, because entry rules can change.
Can I use US dollars in Morocco?
You can exchange them easily, and a few tourist businesses accept them, but everyday purchases are made in dirhams.
Is one week enough for Morocco?
Yes. Seven days is enough for two imperial cities and a night in the Sahara if the route is planned efficiently with a driver.
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