Morocco from the USA: Flights, Visa and the Best Tours
What US travelers need to know before visiting Morocco: entry rules, flights to Casablanca, jet lag, money and timing, plus private tours that start where you land.
What US travelers need to know before visiting Morocco: entry rules, flights to Casablanca, jet lag, money and timing, plus private tours that start where you land.
The United States sends more people searching for Morocco tours than any other country, and for good reason: Morocco packs the Sahara, mountain villages, imperial cities and the Atlantic coast into a country you can cross by road in a few days. This guide covers what US travelers need to know before going — entry, flights, jet lag, arriving in Casablanca, money and timing — and then suggests private tours that start where most transatlantic flights land.
US passport holders can currently enter Morocco without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, with a valid passport. Entry rules can change, so confirm with the Moroccan embassy or consulate or other official sources before you travel. Our Morocco visa guide lists the requirements country by country.
Royal Air Maroc has operated non-stop service between New York JFK and Casablanca, which is the simplest way to get there from the East Coast. From most other US cities, the usual approach is to connect through a European hub and fly on to Casablanca, Marrakech or another Moroccan city. Routes and frequencies change, so check current schedules before you fix your tour dates.
If you fly into Casablanca, you do not need to transfer to Marrakech before your trip starts. Several of our private tours begin in Casablanca and end there, which keeps your return flight simple.
Morocco is on UTC+1 for most of the year and moves to UTC+0 during the month of Ramadan. Compared with US Eastern time, that puts Morocco roughly 5 to 6 hours ahead, depending on the season and on daylight saving in both countries. From the West Coast, add three more hours.
Most flights from the US arrive in the morning after an overnight crossing. A few practical tips:
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and its main international gateway. It is a practical place to start: Rabat, Fes and Chefchaouen are within reach to the north and east, and Marrakech is to the south. If you want to know whether the city deserves a day of its own, read our take on Casablanca as a stop.
Our Morocco tours from Casablanca page collects the routes that begin there. Every tour is private, with your own vehicle and your own driver, so the itinerary works around your arrival and departure flights rather than a fixed group schedule.
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so you generally cannot buy it in the US before you leave. Bring dollars or euros to exchange in Morocco, or withdraw dirhams from ATMs there. Carry cash for the medinas, small shops, taxis and tips, since many smaller places do not accept cards. See our guide to money in Morocco for ATMs, cards and tipping.
Tour prices on our site are shown in euros, per person, by group size.
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for a full tour that includes the desert. Summer brings intense heat in Marrakech and the Sahara, while winter is sunny by day but cold at night in the mountains and the desert. US Thanksgiving week and spring break both fall in good touring weather. For month-by-month detail, see our best time to visit Morocco guide.
Given the length of the flight, most US travelers find that a week is the minimum worth crossing the Atlantic for, and 10 days or more lets you slow down. Prices below are per person in euros, as listed on each tour page.
The 7-Day Private Tour from Casablanca goes via Rabat to Chefchaouen, then Volubilis, Meknes and a guided day in Fes, before crossing the Middle Atlas to the Merzouga dunes. It returns through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Benhaddou to Marrakech, and finishes in Casablanca on day 7. It costs €1,375 per person for two and €1,005 per person for four.
The 10-Day Classic Private Morocco Tour follows a similar loop at an easier pace, with a full day in Fes, a desert day around the Erg Chebbi dunes, a guided Marrakech city tour and a day in the Ourika Valley with a hammam and spa. It costs €1,575 per person for two and €1,105 per person for four. Our 10-day Morocco itinerary explains how to pace a route like this.
The 13-Day Morocco Deluxe tour from Casablanca adds Chefchaouen, a day trip to Essaouira and more time in Marrakech. It costs €1,975 per person for two and €1,415 per person for four.
| Tour from Casablanca | Length | 2 people (pp) | 4 people (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Day Private Tour: Chefchaouen, Fes & Merzouga | 7 days | €1,375 | €1,005 |
| 10-Day Classic Private Morocco Tour | 10 days | €1,575 | €1,105 |
| 13-Day Morocco Deluxe Private Tour | 13 days | €1,975 | €1,415 |
To confirm a tour you pay a deposit of 15% of the total, capped at €600, by PayPal or bank transfer. The balance is paid on arrival in Morocco.
If your flights land somewhere other than Casablanca, or you want a different route or pace, send a free custom itinerary request and we will plan a private tour around your dates. You can also reach us on WhatsApp at +212 669 841 106.
US passport holders can currently enter Morocco without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days with a valid passport. Rules can change, so confirm with the Moroccan embassy or consulate or other official sources before you travel.
Royal Air Maroc has operated non-stop flights between New York JFK and Casablanca. From most other US cities you connect through Europe. Schedules change, so check current routes before booking.
Morocco is roughly 5 to 6 hours ahead of US Eastern time, depending on the season and daylight saving. Morocco is on UTC+1 most of the year and moves to UTC+0 during Ramadan.
Yes. Several private tours start and end in Casablanca, including a 7-day tour from 1,375 euros per person for two and a 10-day classic tour from 1,575 euros per person for two.
The dirham is a closed currency, so you cannot usually buy it in the US. Bring dollars or euros to exchange in Morocco or use local ATMs, and carry cash for the medinas.
