How do I get from Marrakech to the train station / airport?

Getting from your riad out to either the train station or the airport in Marrakech is genuinely quick, because both are close to the centre — the trick is just picking the right ride and sorting the fare. For the train, you're heading to Gare de Marrakech, the handsome main railway station in the Gueliz district, about a ten-to-fifteen-minute taxi from the medina depending on traffic. For flights, Menara airport is even closer, roughly fifteen minutes from the old town. Neither is the cross-city slog people sometimes fear.

The everyday workhorse for both runs is the petit taxi — the small, beige city cabs. They're cheap and plentiful, and you'll flag one easily near any medina gate or square. The one rule that matters: agree the price before you set off, because although petit taxis legally have meters, drivers frequently don't use them for tourists. Knowing the rough local fare and stating it confidently saves you the inflated quote. Have small notes ready, and remember a petit taxi can only carry three passengers, so a family of four needs two cabs or a bigger car.

If you'd rather not negotiate — especially on a departure day when you're watching the clock — a pre-booked private transfer is the calm choice. You arrange it in advance, the price is fixed, the driver collects you at the agreed medina gate (cars can't reach most riad doors), and takes you straight to the station or airport with room for everyone's luggage. I lean toward this for early flights or when travellers have a lot of bags, because it removes the morning scramble entirely.

For the airport specifically, there's also the budget number 19 shuttle bus, which loops between Jemaa el-Fnaa and Menara for a fraction of a taxi fare — fine if you're travelling light and have time, though it runs to set stops rather than your door. My overall steer: for the train station or a relaxed airport run, a petit taxi with the fare agreed upfront is quick and cheap; for an early or luggage-heavy departure, pre-book a private transfer and start the journey without stress. Either way, build in a little buffer for medina traffic.