Marrakesh's main intercity bus station (gare routière) is just outside the city wall at Bab Doukkala. Buses from here are the cheapest way to reach places like Essaouira, Casablanca and Fez, but not the fastest.

If no buses are imminent, for destinations within three or four hours' drive, you can try the intercity shared taxi station, which is directly behind the bus station. More comfortable and reliable CTM and Supratours buses have their own depots (see below).

The gare routière bus station is handy for both the Medina and the Ville Nouvelle. A petit taxi to or from either shouldn't cost more than 20dh.

The most direct way on foot from the bus station to the Jemaa el Fna (20min) is through the Medina via Dar el Bacha and the Mouassine Mosque, but it's easy to get lost if you don't know the way. Otherwise, it's safest to follow the wall to Bab Nkob and take a left down Avenue Mohammed V to the Koutoubia‎.