Discover Marrakech

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

Approximate Exchange Rate: $1 USD ≈ 10 MAD, £1 GBP ≈ 12 MAD, €1 EUR ≈ 10.5 MAD (rates vary)

Daily Budget Expectations:

Budget Traveler ($30-50 USD/day):

• •Basic riad or hostel: 150-250 MAD ($15-25)
• •Street food, market produce, budget cafes: 100-150 MAD ($10-15)
• •Local transport (taxis, walking): 50 MAD ($5)
• •Free/cheap attractions: 50-100 MAD ($5-10)

Mid-Range Traveler ($80-150 USD/day):

• •Comfortable riad with breakfast: 400-700 MAD ($40-70)
• •Restaurant meals, cafe dining: 250-400 MAD ($25-40)
• •Taxis, organized tours: 100-200 MAD ($10-20)
• •Attraction entries, activities: 200-300 MAD ($20-30)

Luxury Traveler ($200+ USD/day):

• •High-end riad or La Mamounia hotel: 1,500+ MAD ($150+)
• •Fine dining, hotel restaurants: 500+ MAD ($50+)
• •Private drivers, premium experiences: 300+ MAD ($30+)
• •Exclusive activities, shopping: 500+ MAD ($50+)

Money Tips:

• •Exchange currency at official bureaux de change or withdraw from ATMs (avoid airport exchange for poor rates)
• •ATMs widely available; inform bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
• •Credit cards accepted at upscale establishments but cash essential for souks, taxis, and small vendors
• •Keep small denomination bills (10, 20, 50 MAD) for tips, taxis, and street purchases
• •Bargaining expected in souks (start at 40-50% of asking price)
• •Tipping appreciated: 10-20 MAD for guides, 5-10 MAD for cafe service, 20-50 MAD for hammam attendants

Official Languages: Arabic (Darija dialect) and Berber (Tamazight)

Secondary Language: French widely spoken, especially in tourism

English Proficiency: Growing in tourist areas but limited elsewhere

Essential Arabic Phrases:

• •Hello/Peace be upon you: As-salamu alaykum (as-sa-LAH-mu ah-LAY-kum)
• •Response: Wa alaykumu s-salam (wah ah-LAY-ku-mus sa-LAM)
• •Thank you: Shukran (SHOOK-ran)
• •Please: Min fadlik (min FAD-lik)
• •Excuse me: Smahli (smah-LEE)
• •Yes/No: Na'am (na-AM) / La (lah)
• •How much?: Shhal? (sh-HAL)
• •Too expensive: Ghali bezzaf (gha-LEE bez-ZAFF)
• •Goodbye: Bslama (b-sla-MA)
• •I don't understand: Ma fhemtsh (ma FHEM-tish)

Essential French Phrases:

• •Hello: Bonjour (bon-ZHOOR)
• •Thank you: Merci (mehr-SEE)
• •Please: S'il vous plait (seel voo PLAY)
• •How much?: C'est combien? (say com-bee-AN)
• •Goodbye: Au revoir (oh reh-VWAHR)

Communication Tips:

• •Download Google Translate app with offline Arabic and French
• •Learn basic Arabic greetings to show respect and build rapport
• •Many riad staff speak English; they can write addresses in Arabic for taxi drivers
• •Pointing and hand gestures work well in souks
• •Moroccans appreciate attempts to speak their language, even basic phrases
• •"La shukran" (no thank you) is essential for politely declining aggressive vendors

Getting to Marrakech:

By Air:

• •Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK): 6km from medina
• •Taxis to city center: Fixed 100 MAD ($10) daytime, 150 MAD ($15) nighttime (6pm-6am)
• •Airport buses (#19, #11): 30 MAD ($3), 30-45 mins to Jemaa el-Fnaa
• •Private transfers: 150-300 MAD ($15-30) arranged through riads
• •Always use official taxi rank, agree on price before departing
• •Major airlines: Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, EasyJet, British Airways

By Train:

• •Direct trains from Casablanca (3 hours, 100-200 MAD), Rabat (4 hours, 120-220 MAD), Tangier (8+ hours)
• •Marrakech train station located in Gueliz (new town), 3km from medina
• •Taxi from station to medina: 30-50 MAD ($3-5)
• •ONCF national railway: www.oncf.ma

By Bus:

• •CTM and Supratours offer comfortable intercity buses
• •Bus terminal (Gare Routière) near Bab Doukkala gate
• •Popular routes: Essaouira (3 hours, 80 MAD), Agadir (3.5 hours, 100 MAD), Fes (7+ hours, 150-200 MAD)

Getting Around Marrakech:

Walking (Best for medina):

• •Medina is largely car-free; walking essential
• •Expect to get lost in labyrinthine alleyways (part of the experience!)
• •Wear comfortable shoes for uneven cobblestones
• •Use major landmarks (Jemaa el-Fnaa, Koutoubia Mosque) as reference points
• •Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps) for navigation
• •Ask shopkeepers for directions rather than "helpful" guides demanding payment

Petit Taxis (Small red taxis):

• •Essential for traveling between medina and Gueliz/Hivernage
• •Metered but drivers often refuse: negotiate fixed price (20-40 MAD for short trips)
• •Maximum 3 passengers; drivers may pick up additional passengers on route
• •Hail on street or ask riad to call
• •Insist on meter ("compteur s'il vous plait") or agree price beforehand
• •Taxis cannot enter most medina areas; dropped at nearest gate

Calèches (Horse-drawn carriages):

• •Touristy but romantic way to see city walls and Hivernage
• •Negotiate price before boarding: 150-300 MAD ($15-30) per hour
• •Check horse condition and welfare before supporting
• •Popular for evening rides around ramparts

Bicycles & Scooters:

• •Bike rentals available in Gueliz: 100-150 MAD/day
• •Not recommended in medina due to crowds and narrow alleys
• •Good for exploring Palmeraie area and new town

Faux Guides Warning:

• •Beware "helpful locals" offering to guide you through medina for a "tip"
• •These unofficial guides often lead to shops where they earn commission
• •Politely decline: "La shukran, I know where I'm going"
• •Official guides have ID badges; hire through your riad or tourist office

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