Car Hire Morocco

Driving

Morocco offers visitors everything from a shoreline ranging from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, the desolate Atlas mountain range and the Sahara Desert to famed historic cities and buzzing coastal resorts. A magical combination of ancient and modern, romance, culture and natural beauty, Morocco will seduce and enthrall you. The medieval glory of Fez, the souks of Marrakech, Casablanca’s vibrant nightclubs and the beaches at Agadir all make for an unforgettable visit.

Driving Tips for Morocco

Tangier, Marrakech and Casablanca are linked by fast toll freeways, and highways join the smaller cities. Road signage is in French and Arabic, and the roads in general are in good shape, but accidents are commonplace. Police patrols searching for traffic and vehicle law violations abound so drivers should beware of on-the-spot fines.

Driving licences: an International Driving Permit is required.

Which side does Morocco drive on: the right.

Speed limits:
Cities: 25mph (40kph)
Main roads: 50mph (80kph)
Freeways: 75mph (120kph)

Alcohol limits: Morocco has a zero-tolerance rule on drink-driving and police patrols can stop drivers on suspicion as well as to check documents.

Driving age: 18 years: for car hire, it’s 23 years.

Seatbelts: are mandatory at all times for driver and passengers.

Mobile phones and GPS: mobile phone usage while driving is forbidden. GPS usage is recommended in city centres.

Cost of fuel in Morocco: cheaper than in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: car hire companies prefer payment by credit card, but local firms may accept a cash deposit. Major petrol stations including Shell accept card payment, but small outlets insist on cash.

Insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory, but fully comprehensive cover is advised due to the risk of collisions and windscreen damage.

Traffic and parking: traffic conditions in the large cities such as Tangier and Casablanca are chaotic, with drivers constantly changing lanes without signalling. Parking in the cities is by meter and is charged by the hour.

Transport

Trains
Train travel in Morocco is fast, frequent and comfortable, although the network is limited. Tangier and Marrakech are linked by rail, with the line passing through Casablanca and Rabat, and a branch line to Fez and Meknes. The service is state-owned and run by the Office National des Chemins de Fer and offers air-conditioned, first and second-class inter-city travel at cheap rates. For example, a 510 mile (820km), 15-hour trip between Oudja and Marrakech in first class costs £30. Overnight sleeper trains are well-equipped, and punctuality is more common than delays.

Taxis
Morocco’s collective taxi services, known as grands taxis, operate in every region of the country 24 hours, linking cites, towns and villages. The vehicles, normally ancient Mercedes sedans, lurk at ranks near bus and rail stations, and on street corners, and mostly serve short journeys at fixed fares. The downside is the condition of the cabs themselves. Six passengers are carried at any one time, and the cab leaves when it’s full. A cheaper, and perhaps safer, option is the government-regulated petit taxi metered cab service, with its knowledgeable drivers and minimum fare of £0.50.

Buses
Buses are the cheapest way to get around and have the most comprehensive coverage of the country. A network of privately-owned operators compete on the most popular routes, with the four major players, Compagnie de Transports Marocain, SATAS, Supratours and Trans Ghazala fighting it out with privatised national carrier CTM, the most reliable choice for touring. The air-conditioned, well-maintained buses depart on fixed schedules and have numbered seats, thus avoiding overbooking. Overnight services run to distant destinations, with fares in general ranging from £3 for an hour’s journey to £20 for a 15-hour long-haul marathon.

Ferries
It’s possible to take a ferry from Algeciras and other Spanish ports to Morocco’s huge port of Tangiers, and it’s definitely the most romantic way to arrive. In the high season, boats run every hour, day and night, with the journey, dependent on the vessel, taking anything from 1 hour, 20 minutes to over 3 hours. Fares are reasonable at around £30. Nautas is one of a number of ferry companies providing the service.

Airports
Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport is Morocco’s main air arrivals hub, although direct scheduled flights from Europe, including the UK, also land at Agadir, Marrakech, Fez, Rabat and Tangier airports. Low-cost and charter flights serve the tourism hubs of Agadir, Marrakech and Fez. Royal Air Maroc flies from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick to Casablanca, and Air Arabia Maroc flies from London-Gatwick. Marrakech is served by EasyJet from Manchester, Ryanair from London’s Luton and Stansted, and Thomson from Birmingham, London-Gatwick and Manchester. Average prices from the UK start at around £200. Casablanca is connected to its airport by rail, bus, taxi, while car hire is available at the terminal.

Explore

Exploring Morocco

Exploring the sights, sounds, colours and tastes of the Islamic African country of Morocco by hire car is an unforgettable experience, beginning in movie-famous Casablanca with a visit to the massive Hassan II Mosque, the second-largest Islamic place of worship on earth. Casablanca’s colonial, Hispano-Moorish and Art Deco architecture is also worth seeing before you head inland from the Atlantic coast to the ‘Red City’ of Marrakech for its medieval splendour, palaces and vibrant souks.

The former imperial city of Fez is another medieval treasure, with its narrow streets crammed with heritage buildings and tiny shops. Leather goods here make the perfect souvenir. Meknes city is nicknamed the ‘Versailles of Morocco’ for its Spanish-Moorish beauty, soaring city walls, blend of Islamic and European cultures, and traditional hammams (Turkish baths). The picturesque, 18th century fortified beach town of Essaouira was the setting for Orson Welles’ Othello movie, entitled the Moor of Venice, and has changed little over the centuries.

The Atlas Mountains are steeped in history, with deep valleys and adobe villages leading to their highest point, Jebel Toubkal, a focus for hikers and climbers. The ultimate Moroccan journey takes visitors into the forbidding Sahara Desert to spend the night at a Bedu camp under the magnificently-starred sky. On the way, don’t miss the breathtaking Todra Gorge or the incredibly ancient walled village of Ait-Benhaddou, with its mud brick Kasbahs the setting for movies including Lawrence of Arabia.

Our Travel Editor’s Recommended Drives

Rabat to Meknes – this drive begins amid the hustle and bustle of Rabat city, where fascinating souks sell spices, leather goods and traditional crafts, and ends at beautiful Meknes, famous for its Spanish-Moorish architecture.

Meknes to Fez – driving along the N13 road takes you to the spectacular Roman remains of Volubilis, now a UNESCO World Heritage site for its basilica, mosaics, temples, capitol arch and ruined town. Nearby Moulay Idriss has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries, and medieval Fez itself is renowned for its walled Old City, the best-preserved in Arabia.

Dades Valley to Ait Benhaddou – heading into the desert wilderness, you’ll pass 17th century Kasbah Ben Moro, once a Bedouin stronghold and now a hotel set in the oasis of Skoura. This route takes travellers to unique, fortified Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed heritage site for its hillside mud-brick town and Kasbahs.

Holidays and Festivals

Ramadan (July/August, dependent on the Islamic calendar)
Eid ul-Fitr (at the end of Ramadan)

Weather

Morocco’s climate is mixed and dependent on geographical location, with the coastal areas enjoying Mediterranean weather patterns and temperatures of up to 27°C in summer. The southern interior is hotter and drier, with temperatures falling dramatically at night, particularly in December and January. The mountainous regions are cooler by far, and most rain here falls along the coast between November and March. Winter highs in Marrakech and Agadir sit around 20°C.

Practical Stuff

Morocco Travel Tips

Travellers are drawn to Morocco’s stunning landscapes, long history and fascinating culture, as well as to its beach and other activities, famous souks and hammams (baths). Shopping in the traditional markets is a joy, with bargaining de riguer and a huge choice of things to buy. Carpets, rugs, leather goods, Bedouin jewellery and textiles, pottery, antiques and more are all here.

Morocco contact numbers
Country code - (+21)
Police – 19/177
Medical - 15
Fire - 15
Information - 160
Highway emergency service - 177
International information – 120
American Embassy - +21 23 776 2265
Australian Representation – +21 23 768 7400
British Embassy – +21 23 763 3333
Canadian Embassy – +21 23 768 7400

Money matters
Morocco’s official currency is the Moroccan dirham (DH, MAD). It’s stable, restricted to the country and isn’t traded, with currency exchange on arrival at the airport necessary. A few venues in the large cities may also accept euro, but the country is mainly a cash society. Euro is the easiest currency to exchange, with pound sterling and US dollars only accepted at banks. Few outlets accept card payments, even in the cities, but Visa and MasterCard credit cards can be used to withdraw cash at banks, bureaux de change and ATMs in the cities. ATMs only accept four-digit PIN numbers.

Health and safety
No specific vaccinations are required for Morocco, but routine jabs should be updated if necessary, and checking online for health warnings is recommended. If you’re fond of street food, a hepatitis A jab is a good idea, and drinking only bottled water is advised. Make sure the bottle’s seal is intact as some places refill bottles with local tap water.

Fitting in…
Moroccans are generally friendly and helpful but, as in any Muslim country, cultural respect is appreciated. The right hand should be used to pass cash or shake hands, respectful dress is essential when visiting mosques and other holy sites, and foreigners should take care not to be seen eating between sun-up and sundown during Ramadan.

Visas for Morocco
UK visitors to Morocco are given visa-free entry for a stay of up to 90 days on production of a passport which has at least six months’ validity remaining and proof of a return journey.

Electricity
Electricity here comes at 220V/50Hz, and sockets are configured to the standard two-pin Europlug. Visitors from the UK will need a plug adapter and those from North America whose electrical items are not dual-voltage will need a step-down transformer as well as a plug adapter.

Business hours
Businesses: 09:00 to 17:30 or 19:00, Monday to Friday
Government offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 08:30 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
08:30 to 12:00 Saturday
Banks: 08:15 to 15:45, Monday to Friday

Helpful phrases
Ahlan - Hello
Shukran - Thank you
Bslama - Goodbye
Smah li - Excuse me
Menu afak – Menu, please
Fayen ja… ? - Where is… ?
Atay – Tea
Wakha - Yes
lla - No