(updated 2023-11-10)
Built in 2008, the Marrakech Menara Airport is one of the largest and busiest in Morocco. The Abdellah El Ghari Architects, in collaboration with French Architect, Claude Costantini, combined the contemporary architecture of the airport with traditional Moroccan styles.
Marrakech airport is located only 7 km from the main Jemaa el-Fnaa square. By car, it takes around 20 minutes to get to the centre.
HOW TO GET FROM MARRAKECH AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER?
To get from the Marrakech airport to the Marrakech centre (I call centre the Medina/old town), you can use a public shuttle bus, private airport transfer or a taxi.
PUBLIC BUS
The airport bus line 19 operates from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. The bus leaves from the stop located after the parking lot. The price is 30 MAD one way and 50 MAD to return (around 3&5 euros).
How to get from Marrakech Airport by Bus 19 to City Center? Line 19 takes you directly to Jemaa el-Fnaa square and stops at the local Bab Doukkala bus station.
Then continues toward Gueliz, stops at the train station, and returns to the airport. If your hotel is in Gueliz, I recommend taking a taxi, as the bus makes a big circle around the town.
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TAXI
In 2023, Marrakech Menara airport adopted a new taxi system—no more hustle of bargaining with taxi drivers. If you want to take a taxi, you need to head to the taxi ordering counter (next to the exit of arrival) and prepay the fare by card or in cash; the price is fixed depending on your destination. Then, you will receive a receipt stating the taxi number. That’s it – Head to the taxis upstairs, show the ticket and drive to your hotel. p.s. I heard that the system is not working perfectly; some drivers still try to charge more or bargain. But at least the first step towards a more transparent taxi system in the touristy Marrakech.
Small taxis circulate within city boundaries only and can take only 3 people. Big, Grand Taxis can seat up to 6 people.
Taking taxi in Morocco: a survival guide
More about taxis in Morocco and how to not get scammed you can read in my article “Taking taxi in Morocco: a survival guide”.
Private transfers
If you booked an airport transfer, your driver would be waiting outside the airport right after you leave the main door. Only some drivers can remain inside the airport at the arrival gate.
ALTERNATIVE
To save money, walk outside the airport to the roundabout and catch a taxi. If the meter is on, reaching Medina will cost you around 15-20 MAD. Or, stop a shared grand taxi which is already travelling to Medina. The cost will be 5 MAD per seat. Close to the same roundabout, you can also catch the No 11 city bus, which stops at Jemaa El Fna. The bus cost 4 MAD.
These local options are unsuitable if you have bigger luggage as you share the taxi with others or the local bus is often crowded.
Morocco:SIM & INTERNET
Want to stay online while travelling in Morocco? Get local SIM card in Marrakech airport.
TO CONCLUDE
I hope that this step-by-step guide on how to get from Marrakech airport to the city centre will help you to start your Moroccan adventure smoothly. Taxi drivers love ripping off tourists in many world airports, and the Marrakech ones are no exception.
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