London to Essaouira (LGW–ESU) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the entry date. You fill in a white entry card on arrival (also available at check-in counters). Processing at Moroccan airports is typically quick.

Bring proof of accommodation and a return ticket. Immigration rarely asks for financial evidence from UK nationals. Overstaying the 90-day limit incurs a ban on future entry. Extending beyond 90 days requires leaving and re-entering, as tourist extensions are not processed domestically. The 90 days is a single continuous block, not a rolling period.

Direct flights from London Gatwick and Stansted to Marrakech (RAK) run about 3 hours 30 minutes. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and Royal Air Maroc all operate UK to Morocco routes. The Moroccan dirham (MAD) trades at roughly 10 MAD per $1. ATMs are widespread; carry some cash for souks and small vendors. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals. Tipping is expected: 10 to 15 MAD for cafe staff, 20 to 50 MAD for restaurant meals, and agree on taxi fares before getting in (meters exist but are often "broken").

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.