Taxi in Morocco: There are two types of taxis throughout morocco. The so-called petit and grand taxis. Petit taxis(small taxis) usually only accept 3 passengers (although you can sometimes negotiate to accommodate four). If you board alone, don’t be surprised if it takes more passengers along the way.
Petit taxis are not available outside the city, so if you want to travel further afield, you will need to take a grande/large taxi that seats 6 people. In cities, these taxis usually run on certain routes, have a fixed price for each passenger to travel a certain distance.
The peculiarities of using a taxi in Marrakech differ from other Moroccan cities. Perhaps because Marrakech is one of the busiest tourist destinations, taxi drivers are well versed in the art of different fares.
Just after moving to Marrakech, I will admit, I was afraid to sit in a taxi alone for a long time. I was scared because I was repeatedly disappointed to hear space prices. For example, for a 5-minute trip, it is offered to pay as much as 100 DH (about 10 euros), while locals pay just 10 DH. The next time I decided to be more vigilant, but I made a fundamental mistake – I didn’t negotiate a price before taking a taxi. At the end of the road, it all ended with curses, screams, and threats to call the police for both me and the taxi driver.
Four features and rules of taxi use in Morocco:
- Make sure the driver knows the address before taking a taxi. Not all taxi drivers are well versed in the labyrinths of Marrakech streets. Most of the city’s streets, especially in Medina, don’t even have official written names. If the driver does not find the right place, have your hotel phone number on hand to call and check the address of the taxi driver.
- Taxi or pre-arranged price. If the taxi does not work or the driver refuses to turn it on, negotiate the price in advance.
- Prices. Official prices should be hung on the window of every taxi. The minimum price is 7 DH, even if you have traveled one meter. In the center of Marrakech, 20 Dh is usually enough, and the road from Medina to the train station (about 4 km) costs about 15 DH (1.5 eurs). Don’t be surprised if the driver picks up a few more passengers along the way.
- Airport. Here, as in every country, the rules are quite different. No one connects taxis, and the price is negotiated by you. Although there is an official notice at the airport that a small taxi to the city costs 70 DH, a rare taxi driver will offer you such a price. My advice – don’t pay more than 100 Dh for a full taxi. I will tell you more about Marrakech Menara Airport here.
In other Moroccan cities, taxi drivers are less arrogant, often you will turn on the taxi without even asking. If you still see that the taxi driver cheated on you, did not turn on the taxi as promised, you have the right to call the police or not even pay. Because how will a taxi driver prove that you were transported if the taxi is not turned on? I once told a cunning taxi driver that way, he immediately agreed to get the normal amount, not the one he had ripped.
In Essaouira, petit taxis have a fixed price in the city – you pay 7 dirhams wherever you go in the city.
If you’ve been tricked, after all, don’t worry. This has happened to many tourists who have come to Morocco for the first time. Just be vigilant next time and don’t be afraid to get off the taxi if its driver wants to trick you. Such things happen not only in Morocco, but in some other countries taxi drivers also like to rob tourists, who do not catch up on local distances and prices.
Good luck!
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