Flights from Italy to Morocco: airports, airlines and tips
Getting from Italy to Morocco usually takes just one direct flight of around three hours, often with a low-cost airline. The most important choice, though, is not the airline but the arrival airport: Marrakech is the ideal gateway to the south and the desert, Fes to the north-east and the Merzouga dunes, Casablanca to imperial-city circuits and Tangier to the north. In this guide we explain how to match your flight to your itinerary, which airlines usually connect the two countries and a few tricks to spend less.
Which Moroccan airport to choose for your tour
Morocco is a large country and road distances add up: between Marrakech and Fes, via the Sahara, you need two or three days of travel. That is why it makes sense to plan the itinerary first and then look for flights, not the other way round.
| Moroccan airport | Best for | Example tours |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech Menara (RAK) | The south, the High Atlas, Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and the desert | 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga (from €150) |
| Fes Saïss (FEZ) | The Fes medina, Meknes, the Middle Atlas and Merzouga | 3-day tour from Fes to Merzouga (from €170) |
| Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN) | Imperial-city circuits and grand tours of the country | 8-day imperial cities tour from Casablanca (from €400) |
| Tangier Ibn Battuta (TNG) | The north: Chefchaouen, Asilah, the Rif, then south to Fes and Marrakech | 7-day tour from Tangier to Marrakech (from €350) |
| Agadir Al Massira (AGA) | The Atlantic coast, beach stays, the Anti-Atlas | Tailor-made coastal itineraries, up to Essaouira |
| Ouarzazate (OZZ) | Gateway to the south, kasbahs and desert | Usually reached with a connection: only worth it if the fare is good |
Marrakech for the south and the desert
Marrakech is the airport with the most flights from Italy and the most natural starting point if you are dreaming of the kasbahs of Ouarzazate, the Todra Gorge and a night in a camp among the dunes. Short tours to Zagora and Merzouga leave from here, perfect even for a long weekend.
Fes for the north-east and Merzouga
Fes is closer to the Erg Chebbi than many people think: the desert is a day's drive away, through the Middle Atlas and its cedar forests. It is the right choice if you want to combine the country's oldest medina with the Sahara without going via Marrakech.
Which Italian airports have direct flights
There are plenty of connections between Italy and Morocco, but they change often: some routes are seasonal only, others open or are suspended from one season to the next. What follows is a general overview based on recent schedules; before planning your trip, always check on the airline's website.
- Marrakech: the destination with the most direct flights. They usually leave from the Milan area (Malpensa and Bergamo), Rome (Ciampino and, in some seasons, Fiumicino), Naples, Pisa, Turin, Venice Treviso, Bologna and Palermo, with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air.
- Fes: fewer direct flights, mostly operated by Ryanair, usually from Milan Bergamo, Bologna and Rome Ciampino, with only a few flights a week.
- Casablanca: Royal Air Maroc links several Italian airports (including Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Bologna, Turin, Venice, Verona, Naples and Catania) with its hub; ITA Airways has a codeshare agreement with the Moroccan airline. From Casablanca it is easy to connect to other cities.
- Tangier: there is usually a Ryanair service from Milan Bergamo.
- Agadir: here too the most frequent link is usually from Milan Bergamo with Ryanair.
If your city has no direct flight, consider a nearby airport (for travellers in Tuscany or Emilia, Pisa and Bologna often offer good alternatives) or a flight connecting in Casablanca.
Flight time and time difference
From northern and central Italy, a direct flight to Marrakech takes on average between three and three and a half hours; to Fes, Tangier and Casablanca the times are similar or slightly shorter, while Agadir is usually around three and a half hours or a little more.
Mind the time difference: from 20 September 2026 Morocco permanently uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), with no more clock changes during Ramadan. In practice, Morocco is one hour behind Italy in winter and two hours behind when Italy is on summer time. Keep this in mind when reading arrival and departure times.
Tips for finding cheap flights
- Book early for the busiest periods: spring bank holidays, Easter, late October and New Year.
- Be flexible with dates: many low-cost routes only fly two or three times a week, and moving your departure by a day can make a big difference to the fare.
- Compare several airports, both in Italy and in Morocco: sometimes landing in Fes instead of Marrakech (or vice versa) saves money without changing the essence of the trip.
- Work out the final price, including luggage and seat selection, before comparing a low-cost carrier with a traditional airline.
- Check your documents: Italian citizens generally only need a valid passport, as we explain in our guide on travelling to Morocco with a passport.
Open-jaw flights: fly into Marrakech, out of Fes
One of the most useful tricks is to book two one-way flights: arriving in one city and flying home from another. With low-cost airlines this costs little or nothing more than a return ticket, and you avoid driving the same road twice.
This works perfectly with our one-way tours. You can land in Marrakech, cross the Atlas and the Sahara and fly home from Fes with the 4-day tour from Marrakech to Fes with 2 nights in Merzouga, or do the route the other way round with the 4-day tour from Fes to Marrakech. Before buying your flights, though, ask us to confirm the itinerary so that your arrival and departure dates match the stages of the tour.
Luggage: what to know before you go
With low-cost airlines the basic fare usually includes only a small bag that fits under the seat; a cabin trolley and hold luggage cost extra. Sizes and weight limits vary from airline to airline, so read the conditions before you pack.
- For a tour with a night in the desert, a backpack or soft-sided case is enough: at the camp you will leave most of your luggage in the vehicle and take only the essentials.
- From October to April pack a fleece or a light down jacket: nights in the Sahara and the Atlas are cold.
- Keep medicines, chargers and a change of clothes in your hand luggage in case your suitcase is delayed.
From the airport to your hotel: the transfer
Once you land, there is no need to look for a taxi: pick-up is included in our tours, and your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name. Give us your flight number when you book so we can keep an eye on any delays. On departure day we also take you back to the airport in good time.
Plan your flights and tour together
The best way to get it right is to decide on your route first and then book flights to the right airports. Tour al Marocco organises private tours with a driver from Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Tangier and Merzouga, with an Italian-speaking driver or guide on request and no full payment in advance. Tell us where you are flying from and how many days you have, and we will help you work out which airport suits you best. Get in touch to plan your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Italy to Morocco?
A direct flight generally takes about three hours from northern and central Italy, up to three and a half hours or a little more for Marrakech and Agadir.
Which airport is best for the desert?
Marrakech if you want to cross the Atlas and see the kasbahs of the south, Fes if you prefer the most direct route to Merzouga. Many travellers arrive in one and leave from the other.
Are there direct flights to Ouarzazate from Italy?
Usually not: Ouarzazate is reached with a connection, or by road from Marrakech in around half a day over the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
Is the airport transfer included in the tours?
Yes, airport or hotel pick-up is included in our tours: just send us your flight details.