Is There Uber in Casablanca? How to Get Around

Visiting Casablanca, Morocco’s vibrant coastal metropolis, is an immersive journey into a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. As Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca entices travelers with its dynamic energy, picturesque coastline, and architectural wonders.

But before you go, you may be wondering, is there Uber in Casablanca? And if not, what other options are there for navigating Morocco’s largest city?

With this guide, we hope to answer all of your questions on Uber in Casablanca, taxis in Casablanca, and even how to navigate between cities in Morocco. So, let’s dive in!

Uber in Casablanca

Is There Uber in Casablanca?

No, there is no Uber in Casablanca. In fact, there is no Uber in Morocco at all! Uber did operate in Morocco for a short period (2015 – 2018), however, after much protest from the taxi unions, the government banned Uber. Uber has not returned to the country since then.

Are there other ridesharing apps in Casablanca?

Yes. You can currently use the ridesharing app Careem in Casablanca. While technically Careem is not legal in the eyes of the authorities, it is available in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier.

Careem is similar to Uber in that the app connects you to unregistered drivers (i.e., not taxi operators). Just like the Uber app, you can hail a driver, track your location, and pay for your fare through the app.

Download Careem on Apple.

Download Careem on Google Play.

In addition to Careem in Casablanca, there are also taxi-hailing apps like Roby and Heetch in Casablanca.

Heetch and Roby connect users with licensed taxis. Just like with Uber, the apps allow you to order a taxi online, track your journey, communicate with the driver, and even pay online using the app (although you can also pay in cash directly to the driver). They can provide an estimate of the fare using the meter method to calculate however, many drivers will insist on negotiating prices up front (usually far in excess of what a metered ride would cost).

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Taxis in Casablanca

Taxis in Casablanca are relatively easy to understand in theory, however, in practice, they can be a little daunting.

There are two types of taxis that you can get in Casablanca, the petit taxi and the grande taxi.

Petit Taxis in Casablanca

The petit taxis in Casablanca are small red taxis available to hold up to 3 people. You can take the petit taxi anywhere you want to go in Casablanca.

Petit taxis operate using a taximeter. The base fare starts at 8 dirhams and increases on a per kilometer basis of 7.5 dirhams. For taxi rides after 8:00 pm, expect to pay an additional 50% for all fares.

Make sure to tell your driver that you do not want to share your taxi before you set off as it is common in Morocco to pick up other passengers along the way if the taxi is not full.

Grand Taxis in Casablanca

The grand taxis, on the other hand, can hold up to 6 people. Grand taxis operate certain routes throughout the city and to neighboring cities such as Rabat and Fez. Grand taxis are generally white-colored and cost a flat fee for the journey.

Do Taxis in Casablanca Accept Credit Cards?

No, most taxis in Casablanca, and throughout Morocco, do not accept credit cards. It is recommended to carry small bills if you plan to take a taxi, as one of the most common taxi scams is the lack of change when it is time to settle the bill.

Are Taxis Safe in Casablanca?

Taxis are generally safe in Casablanca, as long as you use licensed and reputable taxis. Like anywhere, however, you should trust your instincts when using a taxi.

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How to Avoid Taxi Scams

Taxi scams are one of the main ways that unscrupulous people take advantage of tourists. Unfortunately, taxi scams are prevalent in Casablanca and throughout Morocco.

• The broken meter: The most common taxi scam throughout Morocco is the broken meter. Unscrupulous drivers will try to charge a higher fee by claiming their meter is broken. Don’t be fooled by this scam as licensed and registered taxis in Casablanca are required to have a working meter to operate. If you find a taxi driver peddling this scam, it is best to look for another taxi.
• Fixed fees: Similar to a broken meter, if a petit taxi driver quotes a fixed fee for the journey, it is likely a scam. Registered taxis are required to use the meter, so a fixed fee smells a bit fishy.
• Taking a longer route: Taking the longer route is a popular scam for tourists who do not know the shortest way to get to a location. To avoid this scam, you may want to check the route before and while you are driving to make sure the driver isn’t trying to milk you for all the dirhams you’ve got. Using a taxi-hailing or ridesharing app should help you avoid this scam.

How to Get to Casablanca from the Mohammed V International Airport (CMN)

• Taxis: Taking a taxi is an obvious choice to reach Casablanca city center from the airport. You can find both the petit and grand taxis at the airport. The ride to the city center takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic.
• Private Airport Transfer: You can pre-book a private airport transfer service, which will pick you up at the airport and take you where you need to go in Casablanca.
• Airport shuttle: Many hotels in Casablanca offer airport shuttle services for their guests. Check with your hotel in advance to see if this service is available.
• Train: Surprisingly, there is a train station at the airport located near Terminal 1. Trains operated by the ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer) connect the airport to the city stopping at the Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port train stations. The train departs hourly from the hours of 2:56 to 21:56 and costs 50 dirhams for an economy ticket.
• Car Rental: If you prefer to have your own transportation, several car rental companies operate at the airport. You can rent a car and drive to your destination in Casablanca. Be aware that driving in Morocco may not be as easy as driving in your home country.

How to Travel to Other Cities in Morocco

The best way to reach other cities from Casablanca is by train. Casablanca is connected to El Jadida, Marrakech, Rabat, Fez, Oujda, and Tangier by the ONCF train. The ONCF train is an affordable and comfortable way to travel throughout the country.

Often cheaper, faster, and more convenient than other modes of transportation, you can book your train tickets online or at the station. There are first-class and economy tickets available. First-class tickets offer extra legroom, wifi, power outlets, and air conditioning. Economy tickets offer Wi-Fi service and air conditioning.

Is There Food Delivery in Casablanca?

It shouldn’t be a surprise that there is no Uber Eats in Casablanca. There are however other options such as Glovo and Jumia Food in Casablanca that offer the same type of service as Uber Eats.

Hopefully, we helped you navigate the transport options in Casablanca. If you have a question or comment please leave it below.

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