Morocco Top Trips · Updated 5 November 2026
Morocco feels a long way from Hong Kong or Taipei, and it is: there are no direct flights, and you’ll spend most of a day getting there. What you get in return is a country that looks nothing like home, with walled medinas, Sahara dunes and mountain villages, all within a 10-day trip.
This guide covers what travelers from Hong Kong and Taiwan ask us most: how to fly, which visa rules apply, money, phones, language and when to go.
Last checked: November 2026. Visa rules for Taiwanese travelers in particular have changed this year, so please confirm the current position before you book flights.
In this guide
Flights from Hong Kong and Taipei
You’ll connect once, through the Gulf, Istanbul or Europe:
- Emirates via Dubai to Casablanca, from both Hong Kong and Taipei.
- Qatar Airways via Doha to Casablanca or Marrakech, from Hong Kong.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul to Casablanca, Marrakech and several other Moroccan cities, from both Hong Kong and Taipei.
- Via Europe: Cathay Pacific, China Airlines and EVA Air fly to several European cities, and from there Royal Air Maroc and low-cost airlines cover Morocco. A good choice if you want a stopover in Europe.
Expect roughly 18 to 24 hours door to door. Gulf airlines have run reduced schedules at times in 2026 because of regional airspace restrictions, so check your flight status before you go, consider a flexible fare, and keep Istanbul or a European hub in mind as a fallback. Flying into Casablanca and home from Marrakech (or the reverse) saves a long drive.
Visas: Hong Kong and Taiwan are different
Hong Kong SAR passport
No visa needed, but the stay is shorter than for many passports: up to 30 days. That’s plenty for a 7 to 14-day tour. If you hold a different travel document, check with the Moroccan embassy first.
Taiwan passport
Taiwanese travelers need permission before they fly and can’t use Morocco’s e-visa. In practice this is arranged through the Moroccan Embassy in Tokyo, usually with help from a travel agency. Processing was paused in mid-2026 and reported as reopened for tourism in late September, so start early and confirm the current situation before you buy tickets.
Full details for every passport are in our guide: Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?
Time difference
Morocco switched to GMT all year round on 20 September 2026. Hong Kong and Taiwan are 8 hours ahead: 6 pm in Hong Kong is 10 am in Fes. There’s no daylight saving or Ramadan clock change in Morocco anymore, which makes planning calls home simple.
Money and payments
Morocco uses the dirham (MAD), which you can’t easily buy before you leave. Use an ATM at the airport or in town. Bureaux change euros and US dollars without fuss, but Hong Kong and Taiwan dollars are hard to change, so bring euros or dollars as a backup. Cards work in hotels and larger shops; souks, cafés, taxis and tips are cash.
SIM cards and eSIM
The three networks are Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi. Prepaid SIMs are sold at the airport and in town (bring your passport for registration). An international eSIM bought before you fly is the easiest choice if your phone supports it. Signal is good in cities and on main roads, weaker in the mountains and the desert.
Language and guides
Moroccans speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and Amazigh languages, and French is widely used. In the cities and in tourism, English is common, and our guides and drivers speak English.
Need a Mandarin or Cantonese-speaking guide? We can arrange one on request. Just mention it when you enquire, ideally a few weeks ahead, so your parents or grandparents can enjoy the visits too.
Best time to go, and the holidays
The best weather is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer is very hot inland, near 40°C in Marrakech and Fes and hotter in the Sahara. Winter is sunny in the cities but cold at night in the desert and snowy in the High Atlas. More in the best time to visit Morocco.
- Christmas and New Year: a good time for the cities, and dry, clear skies in the desert. Pack warm layers for the camp at night.
- Lunar New Year (6 February 2027): also cool. Note that Ramadan 2027 is expected to start around 8 February, so some cafés will close during the day.
- Easter (28 March 2027): one of the best weeks of the year, with spring flowers and comfortable temperatures.
- July and August summer holidays: hot. Start early, keep the Sahara short and spend time on the Atlantic coast or in the mountains.
Food
Moroccan food is easy to like: slow-cooked tagines, couscous on Friday, grilled fish on the coast and fresh bread with every meal. Mint tea is poured at every stop. Meat is halal throughout the country, and pork is very rarely seen. Vegetarians do well with vegetable tagines, salads and lentil dishes. Our guide to Moroccan dishes has more to try.
Suggested 7 to 12-day routes
After a long flight, plan on at least 7 days. All our tours are private and can be changed.
7 days: Marrakech and the Sahara
The 7-day private tour from Marrakech includes a guided day in the city, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and two days at the Merzouga dunes.
10 days: Casablanca to Marrakech the long way
The 10-day private tour from Casablanca covers Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes and Volubilis, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech.
12 days: everything, at an easier pace
The 12-day private tour from Marrakech adds the High Atlas and two nights in Chefchaouen before ending in Casablanca.
FAQ
Do Hong Kong residents need a visa for Morocco?
Hong Kong SAR passport holders don’t need a visa for stays of up to 30 days. Other travel documents may have different rules, so check with the Moroccan embassy.
Can Taiwanese travelers visit Morocco?
Yes, but you need permission before you fly, arranged through the Moroccan Embassy in Tokyo. The e-visa isn’t available for Taiwan passports. Start early and confirm the current processing situation.
Is there a direct flight from Hong Kong or Taipei to Morocco?
No. You connect once, usually in Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or a European city. Allow roughly 18 to 24 hours.
Can we have a Chinese-speaking guide?
Yes. Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking guides are available on request. Mention it when you enquire, ideally a few weeks before your trip.
What is the time difference with Hong Kong and Taiwan?
Hong Kong and Taiwan are 8 hours ahead of Morocco all year.
Related reading
- Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?
- The best time to visit Morocco
- Traveling to Morocco: the complete guide
- Morocco from Singapore and Malaysia: flights, best time and trip ideas
- Muslim-friendly Morocco tours
Plan your private Morocco trip
Our local team plans private tours around your dates, pace and interests, with support 24/7. Explore our Morocco tour ideas or ask us to plan your trip.
