Getting to Marrakech and other Marrakesh, Morocco Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: We flew to Marrakech with British Airways from London Gatwick (British Airways also fly to Marrakech from Heathrow). The flight took around 3 hours. On our return flight, the plane went via Casablanca, where it stopped for about 45 minutes for re-fuelling and to take on more passengers (while we remained on the plane). This made our return journey about 5 hours all up.

Other airlines that fly from the UK to Marrakech include Ryanair from London Luton, Easyjet and Atlas Blue from London Gatwick and Royal Air Maroc from London Heathrow.

Marrakech Menara airport is pretty basic and the service is very slow....we almost missed our flight! After queuing for ages to check in, then had to wait forever to get through the passport check....by the time we got to the queue for hand luggage scanning we had 10 minutes till our flight left - luckily we managed to jump to the head of the queue, then had to run to the gate, and were last on the plane!

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'Mode': TO
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Menara airport is located just 6km from central Marrakech. The easiest way to get into town is by taxi or private transfer. There were plenty of Grand Taxi's about waiting to ferry people to the New Town and the edges of the Medina.

Our hotel arranged an airport pick up for us - there was a smiling man holding a sign with our Riad's name on it when we emerged through the doors after picking up our luggage. It certainly made finding our way to the Riad a lot easier - not sure we would have been able to do it on our own.

If you prefer you can catch a bus from the airport - number 11 bus has a stop just a short walk outside the airport. The bus will take you to Djemma El Fnaa, the central square in Marrakech. Buses run about every 20 minutes during the week, less frequently on the weekends. A ticket costs just a few dirham, and you can buy your ticket from the driver.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: There are two types of taxis in Marrakech - Petit & Grand. They can be hailed from the main roads, caught from a taxi stand or arranged by your hotel.

The Petit taxis are small (usually beige or blue) hatchbacks which can seat 3 passengers. These taxis do have a meter (which may or may not be in use), though it is best to agree a price to your destination before you depart, or insist that the meter be turned on. Any trip within the Medina or close by shouldn't be more than 5-10 dirham, though the price is more in the evenings.

We caught a Petit taxi from the Medina to the Jardin Marjorelle (in the New Town) and the driver wanted 15 dirham, but we told him that we thought 10 dirham was a better price which he agreed on.

Grand Taxis are big old Mercedes, and can carry up to 6 passengers. They usually only cover specific routes, for a fixed fare, and may only leave when full. We were collected from the airport by a Grand taxi and enjoyed our drive to the Medina.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: One fun way to get a feel for Marrakech, and to see some sights along the way, is to take a ride on a caleche (horse-drawn carriage). You will see these parked around the edges of the Medina - some to the side of Djemaa el-Fna, towards the Koutoubia Minaret, others near the ramparts and gates.

They are classed as registered taxis, and are not just used by tourists (unlike other cities I have visited with a similar transportation option), but locals also use them to get around the city.

They cost around 60-80 Dirham per hour to hire. One popular trip for tourists is to take an hour or two tour around the ramparts

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: One thing that really surprised me in Marrakech was the sight of one of those red, open-topped tourists buses that you see all over Europe! It looked so out of place in Marrakech - it was the most modern thing we saw.

But, if that is your thing, then you can catch the bus around some of the sights at the outskirts of the city, though you will still need to explore most of the Medina by foot as the bus won't fit down those streets!

A ticket costs around 130 dirham and lasts for 24 hours. Y can hop on and off as many times as you like, and there is commentary provided via headphones.

I have read that they stop running quite early in the day, so best to make the most of your ticket in the mornings. The easiest place to catch the bus is from Square de Foucauld, near the bottom of Djemma El Fna.

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