What is the difference between petit taxi and grand taxi in Morocco?

Petit taxis are small city taxis (usually Fiat Uno or Dacia Logan) that operate within city limits only. They are metered, carry a maximum of 3 passengers, and are color-coded by city (red in Marrakech, blue in Rabat, beige in Casablanca). Grand taxis are larger shared taxis (usually Mercedes sedans) that travel between cities and carry 6 passengers. Grand taxis depart when full from designated stations and follow fixed routes at fixed per-seat prices.

Is there Uber or ride-sharing in Morocco?

Uber does not currently operate in Morocco. The main ride-hailing app is Careem (owned by Uber) which operates in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech. InDrive is also growing in popularity and often offers lower prices. Both apps provide estimated fares upfront and cashless payment options, which eliminates meter disputes. For a premium experience, our private chauffeur service provides Mercedes vehicles with professional English-speaking drivers.

What are CTM and Supratours buses?

CTM (Compagnie de Transports au Maroc) and Supratours (operated by ONCF railway) are Morocco's two premium coach services. Both offer air-conditioned buses with assigned seats, luggage storage, and scheduled departures. CTM covers more routes nationwide, while Supratours specializes in connecting train stations to destinations not on the rail network (like Essaouira, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara). Tickets can be booked online or at stations.

Is Morocco's public transport safe?

Morocco's premium transport options (trains, CTM/Supratours coaches, petit taxis) are generally safe. The Al Boraq high-speed train between Tangier and Casablanca meets European safety standards. Petit taxis are safe within cities though driving styles can feel aggressive. Grand taxis can be crowded and drivers sometimes drive fast. Local city buses are safe but can be very crowded during rush hours. For maximum comfort and safety, private transfers with a professional driver are the recommended option.

How do I get from the airport to the city center?

Options vary by airport: Casablanca CMN has a direct train to Casa Voyageurs station (45 MAD, 30 minutes). Marrakech RAK has buses (30 MAD) and taxis (150-200 MAD to medina). Fes FEZ has only taxis (150-200 MAD to medina). For all airports, pre-arranged private transfers provide the smoothest experience with a driver holding your name sign in the arrivals hall.

Can I rent a car in Morocco?

Yes, car rental is available from international companies (Hertz, Europcar, Avis) and local agencies at all major airports and cities. An international driving permit is recommended alongside your national license. Roads between cities are generally good, but driving in medina areas is not possible and city driving can be chaotic. Fuel costs about 14-16 MAD per liter. For a stress-free alternative, our chauffeur service provides a private driver with a luxury vehicle.

What is the cheapest way to travel between Moroccan cities?

Grand taxis are the cheapest intercity option (typically 25-100 MAD per seat depending on distance), followed by local bus companies (slightly cheaper but less comfortable than CTM/Supratours). CTM coaches cost 50-200 MAD depending on the route. Trains are moderately priced at 80-250 MAD for standard class. The Al Boraq high-speed train (Tangier-Casablanca) costs 149-329 MAD. Booking CTM and train tickets online in advance often gets the best prices.

Practical Travel Guide

Getting Around Morocco

From the high-speed Al Boraq train to colorful petit taxis and shared grand taxis, Morocco offers a surprisingly comprehensive transport network. Here is everything you need to navigate it with confidence.

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Transport Options at a Glance

Quick comparison of how to get around Morocco — from budget to premium.

Transport	Best For	Cost	Comfort	Speed
Al Boraq (High-Speed Train)	Tangier-Casablanca	149-329 MAD	Excellent	Fastest
ONCF Trains	Major city connections	80-250 MAD	Good	Fast
CTM Coaches	Cities without rail	50-200 MAD	Good	Moderate
Supratours	Rail station connections	50-180 MAD	Good	Moderate
Grand Taxi	Short intercity trips	25-100 MAD/seat	Basic	Fast
Petit Taxi	Within city limits	10-30 MAD	Good	Varies
City Bus	Budget city transport	4-6 MAD	Basic	Slow
Tram (Casa/Rabat)	City transit	6-8 MAD	Good	Moderate
Careem/InDrive	Major cities	15-50 MAD	Good	Varies
Private Chauffeur	Luxury & convenience	800-2,000 MAD/day	Excellent	Fast

1 USD is approximately 10 MAD. Prices are approximate and vary by route.

Trains (ONCF & Al Boraq)

Morocco's rail network, operated by ONCF, connects major cities along two main corridors: Tangier-Rabat-Casablanca-Marrakech (north-south) and Casablanca-Meknes-Fes-Oujda (east-west). The system is reliable, comfortable, and affordable. First-class cars have air conditioning, reserved seats, and power outlets.

The Al Boraq high-speed line, Africa's first, connects Tangier to Casablanca in 2 hours and 10 minutes at speeds up to 320 km/h. This transformed what was once a 5-hour journey and makes day trips between the two cities feasible.

Route	Duration	1st Class	2nd Class
Casablanca - Marrakech	2h 40min	149 MAD	99 MAD
Casablanca - Fes	3h 30min	195 MAD	125 MAD
Casablanca - Tangier	4h 30min	215 MAD	145 MAD
Tangier - Casablanca (Al Boraq)	2h 10min	329 MAD	149 MAD
Rabat - Fes	2h 30min	145 MAD	95 MAD
Marrakech - Rabat	4h	195 MAD	125 MAD
Fes - Meknes	40min	35 MAD	25 MAD

Book online at oncf.ma for the best prices. Tickets sell out on holiday weekends.

Taxis: Petit & Grand

Petit Taxis

Small city taxis that operate only within municipal limits. Color-coded by city: red in Marrakech, blue in Rabat, beige in Casablanca, red in Fes. Maximum 3 passengers. Equipped with meters (compteur) that drivers are legally required to use.

-- Minimum fare: 7 MAD (day), 10 MAD (night after 8 PM)
-- Typical city ride: 10-30 MAD
-- Always insist on the meter being switched on
-- 50% surcharge after 8 PM is legal
-- Drivers may pick up additional passengers en route
-- Tip: round up to the nearest 5 MAD

Grand Taxis

Shared intercity taxis, traditionally beige Mercedes sedans now increasingly being replaced by Dacia Lodgy vans. They carry 6 passengers (3 in back, 2 in middle, 1 beside driver) and depart from designated stations when full. Fixed per-seat prices on set routes.

-- Marrakech - Essaouira: 80-100 MAD/seat
-- Fes - Meknes: 25-30 MAD/seat
-- Fes - Chefchaouen: 70-80 MAD/seat
-- Pay for 2 seats to guarantee the front seat alone
-- Hire the entire taxi privately for 6x the seat price
-- No meters — agree on price before departing

Petit Taxi Colors by City

MarrakechBeige / Tan

CasablancaRed

RabatBlue

FesRed

TangierBlue & Green

MeknesBlue

EssaouiraBlue

AgadirOrange

Intercity Coaches

CTM

Morocco's national coach company operating comfortable air-conditioned buses across the country. Reserved seating, luggage storage, and scheduled departures. The most extensive route network reaching destinations that trains cannot.

-- Book at ctm.ma or at stations
-- Marrakech-Essaouira: 80 MAD, 3 hours
-- Marrakech-Ouarzazate: 100 MAD, 4 hours
-- Fes-Chefchaouen: 75 MAD, 4 hours

Supratours

Operated by ONCF railway, Supratours buses connect train stations to destinations not on the rail network. Designed to extend train journeys seamlessly — you can often buy a combined train+bus ticket.

-- Marrakech-Essaouira: 70 MAD, 2.5 hours
-- Marrakech-Ouarzazate: 90 MAD, 4 hours
-- Tangier-Chefchaouen: 60 MAD, 3 hours
-- Departs from train stations, not CTM terminals

City Transit: Buses & Trams

City Buses

Marrakech (ALSA), Casablanca, Rabat, and other cities operate local bus networks. Fares are 4-6 MAD. Buses can be very crowded during rush hours and routes are not always clearly marked for tourists. Useful for budget travelers willing to navigate the system, but taxis and trams are generally more practical for visitors.

Trams

Casablanca and Rabat-Salé both have modern tram networks. The Casablanca tramway has two lines covering the city center and connecting major neighborhoods. The Rabat-Salé tram crosses the river between the two cities. Fares are 6-8 MAD, tickets from machines at stops. Clean, punctual, and the easiest public transit option for visitors in these cities.

Ride-Hailing Apps

While Uber does not operate in Morocco, two ride-hailing apps offer alternatives to traditional taxis in major cities:

Careem

Owned by Uber, operates in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech. App-based fare estimates, cashless payment, driver ratings, and GPS tracking. Slightly more expensive than petit taxis but eliminates meter disputes and language barriers.

InDrive

Growing rapidly in Morocco. Uses a bid system where you set your price and drivers accept or counter-offer. Often cheaper than Careem. Available in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier. Cash and card payment options.

Essential Transport Tips

Always Insist on the Meter

Petit taxi drivers are legally required to use the meter (compteur). If a driver refuses, exit and find another taxi. Say "compteur, s'il vous plait" or simply point to the meter. This is the single most important transport tip.

Carry Small Change

Taxi drivers often claim not to have change for large bills. Carry 10, 20, and 50 MAD notes. Also useful for bus fares which require exact change. ATMs dispense 200 MAD notes — break them at shops or restaurants.

Book Train Tickets in Advance

ONCF trains sell out on holiday weekends and during Ramadan travel periods. Book online at oncf.ma for the best prices and guaranteed seats. First-class is worth the modest premium for comfort and reliability.

Grand Taxis Leave When Full

Grand taxis depart when all 6 seats are filled, not on a schedule. Wait times can be minutes or over an hour. If you are in a hurry, pay for extra seats to depart immediately. Early morning is the busiest and fastest departure time.

Agree Prices Before Grand Taxi Trips

Grand taxi prices are loosely fixed by route but not metered. Ask other passengers what they are paying or check with the station attendant. Agree on the price before getting in. Having a local guide or your hotel call ahead helps.

Download Offline Maps

Google Maps and Maps.me both work offline in Morocco. Download city maps before your trip. GPS is invaluable for verifying that petit taxi drivers are taking direct routes and for navigating bus and tram networks.

Women Can Sit in Front

In grand taxis, women are often offered the front passenger seat as a courtesy. In petit taxis, solo women can sit in the back for privacy. Morocco is generally safe for women using public transport, though less busy routes may feel less comfortable after dark.

Consider Private Transfers for Comfort

For airport transfers, long intercity journeys, or when traveling with luggage, private chauffeur services offer Mercedes vehicles with English-speaking drivers at competitive rates. Eliminates all transport stress and maximizes your time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between petit taxi and grand taxi?

Petit taxis are small metered city taxis (3 passengers max) that operate within city limits only. They are color-coded by city. Grand taxis are larger shared vehicles that travel between cities, carrying 6 passengers at fixed per-seat prices on set routes.

How much does a taxi cost in Morocco?

Petit taxi minimum fare is 7 MAD, with most city rides costing 10-30 MAD. Grand taxi prices vary: Marrakech-Essaouira is 80-100 MAD/seat, Fes-Meknes is 25-30 MAD/seat. You can hire an entire grand taxi for about 6x the seat price.

Is there Uber in Morocco?

Uber does not operate in Morocco. The main alternatives are Careem (in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech) and InDrive (growing across major cities). Both offer app-based booking with upfront fare estimates.

What are CTM and Supratours?

CTM and Supratours are Morocco's two premium coach services with air conditioning, reserved seating, and scheduled departures. CTM covers more routes, while Supratours connects train stations to destinations not on the rail network.

Is public transport safe in Morocco?

Premium options (trains, CTM/Supratours, petit taxis) are generally safe. The Al Boraq high-speed train meets European standards. For maximum comfort and safety, private transfers with a professional driver are recommended.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Casablanca CMN has a direct train (45 MAD). Marrakech RAK has buses (30 MAD) and taxis (150-200 MAD). Most airports offer taxis and pre-arranged private transfers.

Can I rent a car?

Yes, international and local rental agencies operate at all major airports. An international driving permit is recommended. Roads between cities are good, but city driving can be chaotic and parking in medinas is impossible.

What is the cheapest intercity transport?

Grand taxis (25-100 MAD/seat) are cheapest, followed by local buses. CTM coaches (50-200 MAD) offer the best value for comfort. Trains (80-250 MAD) are moderately priced. Book online for the best deals.

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