Nador Al Aroui is the second gateway to Morocco's Mediterranean beach resorts, after Oujda. The road to Saidia hugs the coast for around 95 kilometres, about an hour and a half of driving, with the Mediterranean appearing and disappearing as the terrain rolls by. If your flight lands in Nador rather than Oujda, here's everything you need to know to reach your resort smoothly.
Nador Al Aroui Airport at a glance
Nador Al Aroui (airport code NDR) sits around twenty kilometres south of Nador city, in Morocco's eastern Oriental region. It's a manageable, human-scale airport, with seasonal and year-round flights to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Italy, plus domestic connections. Passport control and baggage claim are rarely slow, and finding your driver at the single arrivals exit is straightforward.
The drive: around 95 km along the coastline
The road east first skirts the Bou Areg lagoon (Marchica), the large saltwater lagoon that separates Nador from the open sea — a striking sight right out of the airport. It then passes small coastal villages and farmland before meeting the Mediterranean shoreline proper. As it approaches Saidia, the road runs alongside the wetlands at the mouth of the Moulouya river, just west of the resort, before arriving on the seafront. Allow about an hour and a half door to door under normal conditions.
Your options from the airport
A pre-booked private transfer — the simplest choice. Your driver waits in the terminal with a sign bearing your name, tracks your flight in case of delay, helps with luggage, and drives you straight to your resort's entrance. The price is agreed before you set off, so there's nothing to negotiate on arrival. On a route this length, it's the option most visitors choose, since it means there's nothing left to arrange or negotiate right after a long flight.
A taxi from the rank. Taxis serve the airport and can take you along the coast. Agree the fare before you leave, and bear in mind that availability thins out late at night, when many flights from Europe land.
Car hire. Worth considering if you plan to explore the region during your stay — the Bou Areg lagoon, Berkane and the Zegzel gorges, or Ras El Ma, all reward having your own wheels. If you're staying put on the beach, though, a transfer in and out is usually simpler than parking a car for a week.
For the bigger picture, see our guide to getting around Morocco.
Arriving late at night
Many flights from Europe land in Nador in the evening. This is exactly where a pre-booked transfer earns its keep: your driver is already there when you land, whatever the hour, and you head straight to the resort instead of waiting for a taxi. If your flight is delayed, the booking follows the flight — there's nothing you need to do.
What awaits you at Saidia
Saidia's hotels line the seafront and the marina, a few minutes apart along the coast road — among them Iberostar Waves Saïdia, Be Live Collection Saidia, Radisson Blu Resort Saidia Beach and Meliá Saidia Garden Golf Resort. Drivers know them all, so simply give the resort name when booking. Once you're settled, everything is close: the beach, the marina promenade and the golf course.
To plan the stay itself — the beach, the Moulouya estuary, Ras El Ma and the mountain drives — see our full Saidia guide, and for Morocco's other shores, our beaches guide.
Landing in Oujda instead?
Oujda Angads (OUD) is the region's other airport, and it's closer to Saidia — around 49 kilometres, roughly an hour's drive through the citrus orchards around Berkane. If your flight schedule or fare points you to Oujda instead, it's an excellent gateway too: see our dedicated Oujda airport to Saidia transfer guide or Oujda transfers. Our Morocco airports guide compares them all.
Practical tips
- Give your flight number when booking. It lets your driver track your arrival and adjust for any delay.
- Name your resort, not just "Saidia". The seafront stretches for kilometres, so the exact name makes for a precise drop-off.
- Count passengers and luggage honestly. A family with beach bags is more comfortable in a van than a sedan — mention it when booking and the right vehicle will be assigned.
- Best months. July and August are lively and festive; June and September offer warm water with more space. See our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
FAQ — Nador Airport to Saidia
How far is Saidia from Nador airport?
Around 95 kilometres — roughly an hour and a half's drive along the Mediterranean coast.
Is Nador the best airport for reaching Saidia?
Oujda Angads (OUD) is closer, at about 49 km. But Nador Al Aroui (NDR) is still a great option depending on schedules and the connections available from your home country.
How do I get to Saidia from Nador airport?
The simplest way is a pre-booked private transfer: your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name, tracks your flight, and drives you straight to your hotel. Taxis and car rental desks are also available at the airport.
Is there a transfer for a late-night arrival?
Yes — pre-booked transfers run around the clock and follow your flight, so a late or delayed landing is covered.
Can the driver drop us at a specific resort?
Yes. Just give the resort name when booking — Iberostar, Be Live, Radisson Blu, Meliá and the others are all on the same coast road, with drop-off at the entrance.
What's the drive like?
Easy and scenic: the Bou Areg lagoon right outside the airport, then the coast road all the way to the Moulouya wetlands at the edge of Saidia.
Landing in Nador? Book your transfer to Saidia on planmorocco.com — fixed prices, name-sign welcome, flight tracking, French- and English-speaking drivers, available 24/7.