10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TAXIS IN MARRAKECH
- citylockma
- Aug 18, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: May 3

Visiting Marrakech is a unique experience. However, to make the most of your stay, it’s essential to understand how to get around the city. Taxis are one of the most common and convenient ways to travel in Marrakech.
But how can you recognize official taxis? What are the typical taxi fares? What common scams should you watch out for—and how can you avoid them?
All your questions answered right here!
DIFFERENT TAXIS IN MOROCCO & MARRAKECH : RECOGNIZE OFFICIAL TAXIS
ARE TAXIS SAFE IN MARRAKECH ?
HOW TO BOOK A TAXI IN MARRAKECH ?
WHAT ARE THE TAXI PRICES IN MARRAKECH ? 🔎Taxis's airport price in Marrakech
DO TAXIS ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS IN MARRAKECH ?
CAN WE NEGOCIATE THE PRICE OF TE RACE ?
ARE TAXIS AVAILABLE AT ALL HOURS ?
TAXIS ALTERNATIVE IN MARRAKECH ?
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF PROBLEM WITH A TAXI DRIVER ?
COMMON TAXI SCAMS IN MARRAKECH ?
1. DIFFERENT TAXIS IN MOROCCO & MARRAKECH : RECOGNIZE OFFICIAL TAXIS
In Marrakech, as in other cities in Morocco, taxis are divided into two main categories: petit taxis and grand taxis, each with distinct characteristics and uses.
🚕 PETIT TAXIS:
Petit taxis are easy to recognize. In Marrakech, they are yellow; in Casablanca, they’re red; and in Agadir, they’re orange. Often compact cars like Dacia Logans, they are only allowed to operate within city limits.
They can carry up to three passengers and are equipped with a meter, ensuring regulated fares.
Petit taxis are ideal for short trips around the city, such as going from one neighborhood to another or reaching a tourist attraction.
👉🏻 Make sure the taxi you take has a working meter to avoid surprises when it’s time to pay.
🚖 GRAND TAXIS:
Grand taxis are larger vehicles, typically Dacia Lodgys, used for longer journeys—such as intercity transfers or trips to rural areas. As with petit taxis, their color may vary depending on the city.
Grand taxis can carry up to six passengers. Unlike petit taxis, you won’t usually find a meter—fares are based on the destination, not distance.
👉🏻 Always agree on the fare before departure, especially for intercity trips. Rates are often displayed on the vehicle’s windshield.
2. ARE TAXIS SAFE IN MARRAKECH ?
Marrakech is a popular tourist destination, and taxis are generally safe. Quick check if it has :
License number displayed on the car
Equipped with meters
📌 In Morocco, it is common to share a taxi with other passengers, a practice that may surprise foreign visitors. Although this practice may seem unusual, it is widely accepted and part of everyday life in Morocco. If you prefer to travel alone, it is possible to ask the driver not to pick up other passengers, but this may involve refusal, especially if the request is made during the journey.
3. HOW TO CALL A TAXI IN MARRAKECH ?
It is easy to hail a petit taxi on the street, especially in tourist areas like the Medina or Guéliz. Petit taxis are everywhere in the city, and you just have to raise your hand to call one. You can ask your hotel or a restaurant to call a taxi for you. There are also mobile apps like "Roby" that allow you to book a taxi.
In tourist cities like Marrakech, it is common for taxis to slow down on their own and honk their horns to get your attention and indicate their availability. In short, taxis are very responsive to the presence of tourists , and you will generally have no trouble finding one for your trips.
👉🏻 Many taxi drivers in Marrakech speak some English, especially those who regularly work with tourists. However, the main language is Moroccan Arabic (Darija), and French is also widely spoken.
If you have difficulty communicating:
Show your destination directly on a navigation application.
It is also common for the taxi driver to ask you to load the route onto your phone yourself if he does not know the address. 📌 If you need an fast and unlimited connection for your trip - discover our Pocket wifi to Marrakech (connection unlimited, super easy and for 10 devices 😉)
Alternatively, you can ask your taxi driver to call your hotel directly. The reception service will take care of explaining the route to your driver and this will facilitate your exchanges.
4. WHAT ARE THE TAXI PRICE IN MARRKAECH ?
Taxis in Marrakech are relatively affordable , especially by European standards.
🚕 Petit Taxi Fares (within city limits) – with meter!
Base fare: 7 MAD (approx. €0.60)
Price per kilometer: between 2.5 and 5.5 MAD (approx. €0.22 to €0.51)
Minimum fare: 20 MAD (approx. €1.80)
Night fare (from 00:00 to 05:00): average 50% surcharge on daytime rates
🚖 Grand Taxi Fares (outskirts and intercity) – no meter
Grand taxis are used for trips outside the city or to specific destinations.
Base fare: varies depending on the destination
Pricing: fare must be agreed upon before starting the ride
Example: a grand taxi ride from the city center to the Palmeraie usually costs between 100 and 150 MAD
📌 Tipping taxi drivers in Marrakech is not mandatory, but you’re welcome to leave a few dirhams as a gesture of appreciation. A tip of 5 to 10 MAD is generally sufficient.
HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI COST FROM MARRAKECH AIRPORT?

At Marrakech Airport, the taxi stand is located directly on the right as you exit the terminal. It is identifiable by its yellow and black colours and bears the sign " TAXI BOOKING kech.cab ". At the stand, you can enter your destination and pay in cash or by card, according to the fixed rate established for your destination.
👉🏻 Taxi fares at Marrakech airport are calculated by zone. These zones are divided according to distance:
Zone 1 (less than 3kms) at 100 dirhams (€10) - M'Hamid, Prestigia...
Zone 2 (3 to 5 kilometres) at 110 dirhams (€11) - Entrance Gueliz & Hivernage
Zone 3 (5 to 7 kilometres) 120 dirhams (€12) - Gueliz, Hivernage, Jemaa el Fna
Zone 4 (7 to 9 kilometres): 130 dirhams (€13) - Medina
Zone 5 (9 to 11 kilometres) at 140 dirhams (€14) - Palmeraie entrance
Zone 6 (11 to 13 kilometres) 150 dirhams (€15) - Palmeraie
Zone 7 (13 to 15 kilometres) 160 dirhams (€16).
For your return to the airport from districts such as Guéliz or the souk, there is no ticket pre-sale counter. Rates remain the same as those applied at the airport for small taxis.
👉🏻 Editor's Tip: If you want to take a taxi from Marrakech airport to the city center, you can easily walk to the main road and stop a taxi. The metered fare will be applied, saving you up to 80% of the cost of your trip.
5. DO TAXIS ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS IN MARRAKECH ?
Most taxis in Marrakech are cash only . If you need to withdraw money, there are many ATMs around the city, so be sure to tell the driver that you don't have cash. They may stop at a counter.
In Marrakech, it is sometimes possible to pay for your taxi ride in euros, as some drivers accept them. In general, it is always recommended to have dirhams on you to facilitate payments.
6. CAN THE PRICE OF THE RIDE BE NEGOCIATED ?
With small taxis, there is no need to negotiate if the meter is used .
For large taxis or for specific trips (such as in the city center), it is common to negotiate the price before getting in.
📌 Make sure to agree on a price with the driver to avoid any misunderstandings upon arrival.
7. ARE TAXIS AVAILABLE AT ALL HOURS ?
Taxis are available 24 hours a day in Marrakech, but they can be harder to find late at night, especially in less crowded areas. If you need to travel late, it's best to book a taxi in advance or ask your hotel to do it for you.
8. ALTERNATIVES TO TAXIS IN MARRAKECH ?
1. ALSA BUSES
In addition to taxis, Marrakech offers several alternatives for getting around. There’s no tram or metro here, but you can opt for ALSA buses, which serve the entire city.

MARRAKECH AIRPORT BUS
From the airport to the city center, the ALSA Bus 19 is the most budget-friendly option.
👛 Fare: 30 MAD
⏱️ Duration: Around 30 minutes, depending on traffic
2. RIDE-HAILING APPS
“These apps, true pillars of modern mobility, offer a wide range of advantages for users. They allow instant booking and full fare transparency, eliminating any unpleasant surprises.”
– National Tourism Confederation



📌 Ride-Hailing Apps are Arriving in Morocco!… But they are not officially legalized, which could lead to penalties for drivers. As a passenger, it is unlikely that you will be directly sanctioned for using a service like inDrive. However, there are risks involved, especially during road checks or in the event of an incident.
The Moroccan government has acknowledged the need to regulate ride-sharing services and is currently working on solutions to integrate these apps into the legal framework.
⸻
👉🏻 Our Recommendations:
• Prefer official taxis equipped with meters to avoid unpleasant surprises.
• If you opt for an app like inDrive, choose taxis partnered with the platform.
• Stay cautious of risks: avoid rides in sensitive areas or late hours.
• Ensure you have a reliable and, most importantly, unlimited internet connection to track your trips in real-time and be able to call for help if needed.
9. WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF PROBLEM WITH A TAXI DRIVER ?
If you experience a problem or dispute with a taxi driver, it is recommended to:
• Note the taxi’s license number
• Report the incident to the Tourist Police, a special unit of the Moroccan police dedicated to protecting and assisting tourists in Marrakech.
👉🏻 Tourist Police phone number in Marrakech: +212 (0) 524 38 46 01
Consider saving this number before your trip, just in case you need it.
10. COMMON TAXI SCAMS IN MARRAKECH HOW TO AVOID THEM
In Marrakech, as in many major tourist cities, taxi scams can sometimes occur.
UNNECESSARILY LONG ROUTES
One of the most common scams is taking longer routes to increase the fare.
✅ To avoid this issue and ensure you only pay for the actual distance traveled, it’s recommended to follow the route in real time using a navigation app on your smartphone. Don’t forget your Pocket WiFi!
TOURIST AREA SURCHARGES
NO METER RUNNING