MoroccoMarrakech-SafiWinter sunChecked Oct 2026

London to Marrakech for Winter Sun

Marrakech has warm, sunny winter days and is under four hours from London, making it one of the most exotic short breaks you can do in a long weekend. This guide covers flights, getting from the airport to your riad, entry rules for UK passport holders and where to stay.

18–20°CTypical winter daytime highs
Marrakech (RAK)Direct from four London airports
~3h 35m–3h 45mTypical direct flight time

The short answer

Fly direct from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted or Luton to Marrakech Menara (RAK), usually about 3h 35m to 3h 45m. From the airport, a taxi to the medina takes 15–25 minutes and costs around 100 dirhams by day (more at night); agree the fare first. If you're staying in a riad, ask it to arrange a pickup and meet you at the nearest gate.

Winter sun essentials

Marrakech is warm and sunny by day in winter but properly cold at night, and there are a few entry rules to know.

Weather

Daytime highs are usually around 18–20°C from December to February, and about 22°C in November and March, with around 7 hours of sunshine a day. Nights drop to around 6–8°C, and many riads are chilly, so pack warm layers.

Entry rules for UK passports

British passport holders can visit Morocco for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you arrive. Make sure border officials stamp your passport on entry, as travellers without an entry stamp have had problems leaving. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.

Money

Morocco uses the dirham (MAD), a closed currency you can't easily get outside the country. Withdraw or exchange cash on arrival; you need to declare foreign currency worth 100,000 dirhams (around £8,000) or more.

Time and Ramadan

Morocco is usually an hour ahead of the UK in winter, but it switches back to GMT during Ramadan, which is expected to start around early February 2027. Some cafés and restaurants have shorter hours during Ramadan.

Good to know

Taxis are often unmetered, so always agree a price first. Dress modestly, especially in the medina, and expect polite but persistent offers of help finding your way; a riad pickup avoids most of this on arrival.

Every way to get there

From London to Marrakech, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly direct, then a taxi or riad pickup

Best for most
Door to door5h 30m–6h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, especially riad stays
  1. London to Marrakech (RAK)Usually about 3h 35m to 3h 45m direct. British Airways flies from Heathrow and Gatwick, easyJet from Gatwick and Luton, Ryanair and Jet2 from Stansted, and TUI from Gatwick from late October 2026. Fares are often lowest in January and highest at Christmas and half-term. Check current schedules.
  2. Taxi or riad pickup to the medinaTaxis wait outside arrivals and take about 15–25 minutes to the medina or Gueliz. The posted daytime fare is around 100 dirhams, with about 50% extra after 20:00. Agree the total before loading your bags. Pre-booked transfers start from around €15 per car. Cars can't drive into most of the medina, so expect a short walk from the nearest gate.
Find LGW–RAK flightsExpediaSkyscannerBook a private transferWelcome PickupsBus and train: Marrakech Menara Airport → Jemaa el-Fna

Riads usually send a gate name or map pin; screenshot it before you land in case you don't have signal.

2

Fly direct, then the airport bus

Cheapest
Door to door6–7h
£ Cost£
Best forLight packers on a budget
  1. London to Marrakech (RAK)Usually about 3h 35m to 3h 45m direct from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted or Luton.
  2. ALSA airport bus 19Leaves from outside arrivals and runs via Gueliz and the train station to Jemaa el-Fna, taking about 20–40 minutes. It runs roughly 06:00 to 23:30, about every 20–45 minutes. A single costs 30 dirhams and a return 50 dirhams, cash on board. Luggage space is limited.
Find STN–RAK flightsExpediaSkyscannerBook a private transferWelcome PickupsBus and train: Marrakech Menara Airport → Jemaa el-Fna

There are cash machines in the arrivals hall; get some small notes for the bus.

3

Trains through France and Spain, then the ferry

Flight-free
Door to door3–4 days
£ Cost£££
Best forAvoiding flying
  1. London to Algeciras by trainEurostar to Paris, TGV to Barcelona, then Spanish trains via Madrid or Antequera to Algeciras. Most people stop overnight in Barcelona and Algeciras. Parts of the Algeciras line are being upgraded in 2026, so you may get a replacement bus; check Renfe before booking.
  2. Ferry to TangierA free bus runs from Algeciras to Tarifa, where ferries take about an hour to Tangier's old town; fares start from about €40 each way. Ferries from Algeciras to Tanger Med port are also an option, but that port is about 50km from the city.
  3. Tangier to Marrakech by trainAbout 5h 15m: Al Boraq high-speed train to Casablanca, then a regular train to Marrakech. Second-class fares are about 186–338 dirhams. There's also an overnight train from Tangier to Marrakech.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London → AlgecirasFerries Tarifa–TangierTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Tangier → Marrakech

Spend a night in Tangier rather than rushing the connection; ferries often run late.

Where to stay in Marrakech Medina

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Marrakech Medina Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly direct, then a taxi or riad pickup5h 30m–6h 30m££Most trips, especially riad stays
Fly direct, then the airport bus6–7h£Light packers on a budget
Trains through France and Spain, then the ferry3–4 days£££Avoiding flying

Where to stay and day trips

Choose between the atmosphere of the medina and the space of the newer districts, then add a day out of the city.

Your base

The medina

Stay in a riad inside the old walls to be close to Jemaa el-Fna, the souks and the palaces. Lanes are narrow and car-free, so check how far your riad is from the nearest drop-off point.

Hotels in Marrakech Medina Expedia
New town

Gueliz and Hivernage

Modern districts with larger hotels, pools, cafés and restaurants, and easier taxi access. About 15–25 minutes' walk or a short taxi ride to the medina.

Hotels in Gueliz Expedia
Day trip

Atlas Mountains

Villages such as Imlil and the Ourika Valley are around 1–1.5 hours by road. Expect snow on the high peaks in winter and much colder air than in the city.

Hotels in Imlil Expedia
About 3h by road

Essaouira

A relaxed walled port on the Atlantic coast, cooler and windier than Marrakech. Good as a long day trip or a couple of nights.

Hotels in Essaouira Expedia

Local tip: Pack a warm jumper and socks: riad rooms and rooftop terraces get cold once the sun goes down.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Do UK citizens need a visa for Morocco?

No, not for tourism. British passport holders can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you arrive, and make sure it's stamped on entry.

How long is the flight from London to Marrakech?

Usually about 3h 35m to 3h 45m direct, depending on the airport and airline.

Which London airports fly to Marrakech?

Gatwick (British Airways, easyJet and, from late October 2026, TUI), Heathrow (British Airways), Stansted (Ryanair and Jet2) and Luton (easyJet). Check current schedules.

Is Marrakech warm in winter?

Yes by day: usually around 18–20°C and sunny from December to February. Nights are cold, around 6–8°C, so bring warm layers.

How much is a taxi from Marrakech Airport to the medina?

The posted daytime fare is around 100 dirhams, with about 50% extra after 20:00. Taxis are often unmetered, so agree the price before you get in.

Can I use pounds in Marrakech?

Not generally. The dirham is a closed currency, so get cash from a machine or exchange desk when you arrive. Cards are accepted in many hotels and larger restaurants, but the souks are mostly cash.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.