Is There Uber in Marrakech? The Ultimate Guide to Transport

Is There Uber in Marrakech? No, Uber is not available in Marrakesh. The service was once operational but is no longer present in the city. Travelers to Marrakesh will need to rely on alternative transportation options such as taxis, private car services, or other local ride-sharing apps to navigate the city.

Marrakech (also known as Marrakesh) is a beautiful country in Northern Africa, attracting millions of people from all over the world each year.

If you are planning a trip to Marrakech, you may be wondering, is there Uber in Marrakech, and what other options are there for navigating this vibrant city?

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

Is There Uber in Marrakech

No, as mentioned, Uber doesn’t operate in Marrakech nor anywhere else in Morocco. While Uber was in Marrakech from 2015 – 2018, the government banned Uber after protests from taxi unions. Uber has not returned to the country since then.

Are there other ridesharing apps in Marrakech?

No. There are currently no ridesharing apps like Uber in Marrakech. Ridesharing app Careem was a popular alternative to Uber in Morocco; however, in recent years, they too have pulled out of the region due to the strong pushback from the taxi industry.

There are taxi-hailing apps like Roby and Heetch, which can be used instead of rideshare in Marrakech.

Heetch and Roby connect users with licensed taxis. They 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 Marrakech

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

First off, taxis in Marrakech come in two sizes, the petit and the grand.

Petit Taxis in Marrakech

The petit taxis in Marrakech can hold up to 3 persons and will take you anywhere you want to go within Marrakech. If the taxi is not full, do not be surprised if the petit taxi picks up other passengers along the way as this is common in Marrakech. If you do not want to share your taxi ride, be sure to tell the driver in advance.

Petit taxis operate using a taximeter. From the airport, petit taxis start at 70 dirhams to the city which increases to 105 dirhams starting at 9 pm in summer and 8 pm in winter until 6 am. For those traveling to Palmeraie, the fare starts at 100 dirhams and increases to 150 in the evenings. There is also a surcharge for luggage on a per-piece basis.

For petit taxis within the city, the base fare starts at 7 dirhams and increases by 0.24 dirham per 100 meters and 0.20 per minute. The base fare increases to 10 dirhams at night. If your starting location is a hotel, however, the base fare also starts at 10 dirhams.

Grand Taxis in Marrakech

The grand taxis, on the other hand, can hold up to 6 people. Unlike the petit taxis, grand taxis, will not take you anywhere you want to go. Grand taxis have pre-defined routes that they run. You can jump on and off anywhere along the pre-defined route.

Grand taxis have a fixed rate of 5 dirhams per passenger within the city. Grand taxis that travel between cities will vary depending on the distance traveled.

Where Are the Taxi Stands in Marrakech?

The easiest way to hail a taxi in Marrakech is to find a petit beige taxi with the yellow “TAXI” sign on top and stick your arm out! You should be able to hail a taxi down in no time.

Alternatively, you can head to one of the designated taxi ranks that are located throughout the city. The most popular taxi ranks for tourists are at Plaza Djemaa el Fna, Bab-Doukala, and the Bab-Ghmat Urban Center. Usually, the ranks carry both types of taxis, so if you’re unsure of which to take, be sure to ask.

Do Taxis Accept Credit Cards?

No, most taxis in Marrakech do not accept credit cards. It is also advised to carry small coins and small bills as it is best to pay with the correct change when using a taxi in Marrakech. One of the common taxi scams is the lack of change available for large bills.

Are Taxis Safe?

Taxis are generally safe in Marrakech, as long as you use licensed and reputable taxis. You can recognize official taxis by their sign on the roof that says “Taxi” and the meter inside that shows the fare. You should also check the driver’s badge and license number that should be displayed inside the car.

Keep in mind, however, that the rules of the road are less stringently enforced in Morocco than in some other countries, and most taxis do not have seatbelts!

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 Marrakech.

• The broken meter: The most common taxi scam in Marrakech is the broken meter. This, however, could not be the case as the taxi driver would not be allowed to work legally if the taxi meter was broken. If you come across this scam, be firm with your request for the meter and if they do not budge, then head for a different taxi.
• Quoting a set fee: Another common scam is quoting a set fee. These set fees are often more expensive than they would be when using the meter.
• 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 app should help you avoid this scam.
• Fake taxis: It is not uncommon to find fake taxis in Marrakech. These are individuals who pretend to be a taxi when they are, in fact, not. These drivers may charge you inflated prices or take you to unwanted destinations. To avoid them, only use registered taxis from designated stands or taxis arranged by your hotel or accommodation. Alternatively, use one of the taxi apps available in Marrakech.

Car Rental in Marrakech

There are several car rental companies operating in the city, including both international and local rental agencies. You can rent a car at Marrakech Menara Airport, in the city center, or at other convenient locations.

Keep in mind that the availability of rentals may vary, so it’s always best to book in advance.

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Airport Transfers in Marrakech

1. 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 Marrakech.
2. Taxi: Taxis are readily available at the airport. You can either take a grand taxi, which is a shared taxi that can carry multiple passengers, or a petit taxi, which is a smaller taxi for individual or small group rides. The journey to the city center takes approximately 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic. Note, that the taxis at the airport have a particularly poor reputation for trying to scam unsuspecting tourists. To avoid the hassle of aggressive or underhanded drivers consider a private transfer.
3. Airport Shuttle: Some hotels and riads in Marrakech offer shuttle services to and from the airport. Check with your accommodation provider to see if this service is available.
4. Public Bus: There are public buses that connect the airport to various parts of Marrakech. The bus service is provided by Alsa, and you can find information on routes and schedules at the airport.
5. 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 Marrakech.
6. Marrakech Airport Train: There is no train station at the Marrakech Airport. However, it is possible to catch the Line 19 bus or a taxi between the airport and the Marrakech railway station about 20 minutes away.

How to Travel Between Cities in Morrocco

Morrocco has an efficient train network called ONCF that connects the major cities in Morrocco making it easy and affordable to travel throughout the country.

It is fast, comfortable, and often cheaper than driving or flying to the different cities in Morrocco. The ONCF train connects Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Tangier, and more. 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.

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

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