Haggle the price before boarding!
It’s very important that before getting into the taxi that you bargain with the taxi driver, because in Marrakech there are no official charges, each taxi driver will charge what they think is right, or what they think they can get….. And if you see a tourist, you may want to charge much more than it the trip is worth.

For example, if you’re in the Jemaa el Fna square (which is right in the heart of the medina) and want to go to your riad (suppose the riad is a half-hour walk from the plaza) the trip should not cost more 20-dh (2 euros).   It’s really up to you if you think an extra 10 or so is worth haggling over and remember, petrol costs are rising and prices do rise every year. 

At night it is more expensive
The night taxi journeys are more expensive than days, although there are no formal charges to indicate this. When you want to take a taxi at night taxi drivers will tell you a price, and you’ll see that for the same route they will want to charge you double. Try just a little haggling, you should not pay twice because it has got a little darker!

Find yourself a taxi
In Marrakech, the task of finding a taxi is like going on shopping in the sales.  We must look for many items before getting one, it’s worth it because careful buyers will get the best price.

Above all, remember who it is you who is going looking for a taxi, and not the other way around: often unemployed taxi drivers hang around corners and you will see by the way you walk or look that you’re looking for a taxi. Avoid climbing into these taxis, because it will be more expensive than if it is you who are looking for the taxi.

Taxi :
Menara Airport is about 15 minutes from the centre. The fare is about MAD50-MAD60.

Bus :
The hourly bus L19 goes to the Jemaa el Fna square and takes 20-30 minutes. Tickets: MAD20 single; MAD30 return.

*Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm fare details in advance.

If it’s daytime, and you are travelling within the medina or the New Town, insist the meter (le compteur) is on. It starts at about 1 dirham 60. If they say it’s broken, tell them to stop and get out. There are lots of other taxis.

The only ones you negotiate with are the Grand taxis. Petit taxis only take three people. Taxis can be difficult to get during rush hours, 8 – 9.30, 12 – 2 (that’s when they change over drivers too) and 5 – 6.30.

At night, they charge 50% more. Rides in the medina are generally about six dirhams, from the New Town to the medina generally about ten dirhams.

Make sure you have small change.

Getting a taxi from the medina to the airport on the meter is about 25 dirhams, but getting one from the airport to the medina is negotiable. Published tarif is about 60 dirhams, but you may have to pay 100, depending on number of people and amount of luggage and time of day.

After that, how much you tip is up to you.

We rented our bikes from a motorbike parking spot near the Hotel Ali, which is near the Place Djemaa Al Fna.