Africa > 🇪🇭Western Sahara
Should You Hire a Car in Western Sahara? This can be broken down into two similar questions - do you need a car in Western Sahara (in other words, will your holiday be ruined without one), and is it worth hiring a car in Western Sahara - i.e. is a car better value than using public transport? We'll weigh up both questions and give you a response generated by Chat GPT, together with our own curated opinion before finally giving a yes or no verdict at the end.
When you ask should you rent a car in Western Sahara, the answer becomes complicated very quickly. The region is disputed, sparsely populated, and dominated by long, empty highways through serious desert terrain. Although the Moroccan-administered areas (such as Laayoune and Dakhla) feel stable and functionally organised, independent travel still requires caution. Consequently, renting a car can be helpful for reaching remote beaches or desert viewpoints — but only if you understand the context and feel confident with long-distance desert driving. 🚘⚠️
Travel Reality on the Ground 🌴
Most visitors who come here stick to Laayoune or Dakhla, both of which function like small Moroccan coastal cities. Roads are paved, fuel is available, and basic services work well. However, once you leave these urban centres, you enter vast empty regions, sometimes with military checkpoints. Distances between settlements can exceed 100 km without facilities. Mobile signal is patchy, and breakdown help is not guaranteed.
Renting a Car in Laayoune or Dakhla 🚗
Car hire is available at both airports. Vehicles are usually standard saloons or compact SUVs. Prices are similar to Morocco, sometimes slightly higher due to isolation. Driving standards are manageable, and roads are generally good — but windblown sand can reduce visibility or cover the tarmac.
You must stay on the paved roads. Driving off-road is dangerous due to landmine risks in several inland areas. 🚫💥
Public Transport Options 🚐
While there’s no structured local bus network within towns, intercity shared taxis and long-distance buses operate along the main north–south corridor. These are cheap and surprisingly efficient. For many travellers, they are the safest and simplest way to move between Laayoune, Dakhla, Tan-Tan, or Agadir without needing a car.
Is Western Sahara Safe to Travel? ⚠️
Moroccan-controlled areas are generally calm and heavily monitored. However:
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Avoid political discussions with locals
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Do not travel off recognised roads
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Respect checkpoints and carry your passport
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Inland desert travel should never be done alone
The Polisario-controlled interior is entirely off-limits to tourism.
Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Western Sahara? 🌞
Yes — but only if you are confident with remote desert driving, plan to stay strictly on main roads, and want freedom to explore beaches or viewpoints around Laayoune or Dakhla.
No — if you prefer simplicity, safety, and predictability. Buses and shared taxis provide easy links between the main towns without the risks that come with long, empty desert roads.
Most travellers choose not to rent a car — but those who do appreciate the flexibility, the coastline, and the extraordinary sense of space. 🌊✨
