Renting a Car in Marrakech: Everything You Need to Know
Renting a car in Marrakesh can be an excellent way to explore destinations beyond the Medina (old town) at your own pace.
You can organise a trip following the coastline, from the lovely and unique Essaouira to the chilled-out Oualidia, and finishing in El Jadida, so genuine and characteristic. Or you can head west to the amazing Atlas Mountains (more on this later). In a few words, having your own vehicle means flexibility and convenience.
However, there are a few important things to know before booking your holiday, such as potential scams and rental pitfalls.
In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about renting a car in Marrakesh, including costs, pick-up locations, common scams, and recommended road trips.
Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Marrakech
If you’re flying into Marrakech, you’ll find two main areas for car rentals at the airport:
- Parking Area 1: This is where you’ll find major international rental companies like Hertz, Avis, and other well-known brands. It is the first area, right in front of the main exit of the airport, you cannot miss it.
- Parking Area 2: Located just about 50 meters after Area 1. You will need to walk through Herts and Avis, pass the street and it’s there. This is where most local rental companies operate. If you’ve booked with a local provider, they’ll typically meet you here or provide instructions on where to pick up your car.
In my last trip, I booked through a local company, which meant heading to Parking Area 2. I was first surprised to find the car with the rental guy but no office box. We did all the paperwork in the parking area, very easy going I must say.
While with international rentals, you will find a more standardized service, local companies usually provide better deals, but you need to be aware of one potential issue. Spoken English may be poor or not existing, like it happened to me on my last trip.
It’s not a big issue honestly. I used Google Translators when we could not understand each other and no worries. I suggest downloading the translation App before the trip and familiarize with it. You will need it when travelling off the beaten path.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Marrakech?
The cost of renting a car in Marrakech varies based on the model, rental company, and season. Here’s a rough estimate:
- Economy Cars: Expect to pay between 15 and 30 EUR per day.
- Larger or Luxury Vehicles: Prices can go significantly higher.
Pro Tip: Do not book your car from the street. You never know what you are going to sign on the rental contract, even if translated into English. Besides, scams are much more common.
To avoid scams and find the best deals, I usually book through an aggregator website called DiscoverCars, which works like an Airbnb for car rentals.
This platform tracks user reviews on every provider, either local or international, rating every single company from 5 to 10 stars. I always aim for rentals rated 8 stars and above to avoid possible issues. I honestly never got disappointed.
To give you a better idea, on my last trip, I paid 9.90 Euro/day for a Peugeot 208 and a 10-day rental period. It was the end of September and I booked 3 months in advance. It was honestly a very good deal, especially considering the car was almost brand new.
As soon as you land in Marrakesh, I highly recommend getting a local SIM card. You’ll find three main mobile operators just outside the customs exit and before the door to the parking area.
I personally use an eSIM, which I activate as soon as I land in a destination. This eliminates the hassle of switching physical SIM cards and risking losing my main one.
Before you start looking for an eSIM, check first if your mobile can support it. Assuming it can, be also aware that the eSIM is typically more expensive than a physical SIM card for the same amount of data. In saying that, the eSIM card is so practical that saving 3-5 Euros is not worth the hassle.
Having mobile data is crucial for:
- Navigation (Google Maps, however, remember to download the offline maps to save on data)
- Contacting your rental company or accommodation (WhatsApp is the de facto standard in Morocco)
Be aware that there are areas where you won’t have any internet or GPS signal. This is another reason to download offline maps.
Common Car Rental Scams in Marrakech (and How to Avoid Them)
Renting a car in Marrakech is generally safe, but there are some common scams you should watch out for. Here below you will find three I personally experienced and how I learnt working around them.
1. The Fuel Policy Trick
Most rentals operate on a full-to-full fuel policy, meaning you pick up the car with a full tank and return it the same way. That is the best because you can stop at a petrol station just before dropping the car off.
Unfortunately, a few companies use a like-for-like policy, where you return the car with the same amount of fuel as when you got it. To make things worse, you may also receive the car with an empty tank
The Catch: It’s almost impossible to match the exact fuel level, especially in the case of an empty tank. So you’ll end up returning the car with more petrol than it had. While not a major scam, it’s an annoying extra cost.
My Tips: I usually try to rent only from companies with full-for-full policy. Otherwise, I spend more than the usual attention to not fill up the car when getting back to Marrakesh.
2. Charging for Pre-Existing Damage – This is BAD!
This is the biggest scam to watch out for. Some rental companies will give you a car with existing dents or scratches and then try to charge you for them when you return the vehicle. These charges can range from 200 to 1,000 EUR for a single dent or scratch!
My Tips:
- Take detailed photos and videos of the car (inside and out) before driving away.
- Make sure all existing damages are noted in the rental agreement.
- Opt for full insurance to avoid disputes (more on that below).
3. The Overpriced Insurance Upsell
The rentals always include the Third Party Liability insurance (TPL – mandatory coverage for injuries and damage you may cause to others while driving the car). Most provide also Roadside Assistance, Theft Protection and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), however, they leave a deductible ranging between €1000 and €2000.
This is the amount that you’ll have to pay at most if you return a damaged car. Keep in mind that charging €300 for a small scratch is pretty common.
While rental companies offer full insurance at the desk to cover this deductible, it can be extremely expensive – 20 to 30 EUR per day. It certainly offers the most extreme peace of mind but at a very high cost.
Instead, consider these options:
- Check your credit card insurance (some cards provide rental car coverage, but you may need to activate it in advance, typically at no extra cost. This is the cheapest option you may have but it may come with its own deductible).
- Book full insurance through the rental aggregator website DiscoverCars I mentioned before. It typically costs between 8 and 10 Euros which is a great bargain and peace of mind.
Just be aware that they will try to upsell their own full insurance at the desk, even if you have already one organised with the credit card or the website. I always suggest printing out the pre-organised insurance to cut short any long discussion.
Driving and Parking in Marrakech
Finding Petrol Stations
Petrol stations are easy to find in Marrakesh. Simply search for gas stations on Google Maps. Some are located near the airport, but they tend to charge higher prices than those in the city or on highways.
In Morocco, all petrol stations are serviced—someone will fill up your tank for you. Just tell them “full” or specify the amount you want to add.
Parking in Marrakech
Parking is relatively easy outside the Medina (old town) but it’s almost impossible inside (unless pre-organised with the accommodation). Besides, I wouldn’t suggest driving in those narrow one-way lanes.
If you’re staying in the Medina, I recommend parking at a designated parking lot and walking to your accommodation.
For example, Parking La Koutoubia, next to the Koutoubia Minaret is a great spot and not as expensive.
- Daily parking: Around 5 EUR
- 24-hour parking: 8 to 10 EUR
Pro Tip: If you’re spending a few days in Marrakech before exploring other regions, rent the car after you’re done with the city. You won’t need a car inside the Medina anyway.
On my last trip, for example, I started my coastal itinerary straight from the airport, driving directly to El Jadida. At the end of my itinerary, I arrived in Marrakesh just 2 days before my departure date to drop off the car and enjoy the last two nights in the city without the vehicle.
Pro Tip: Rent the car at the airport. It’s much cheaper. Once booked ask the rental company if they can give it to you in the city instead. They may do it at no extra cost, especially the local companies.
The Best Road Trips from Marrakech
With your rental car, you can easily explore some of Morocco’s most beautiful destinations. Here are my top picks:
1. Essaouira (3 Hours West)
- Stunning coastal town with a charming Medina
- Famous for its fortified walls and fish market
- Great for kitesurfing and seafood lovers
2. Oualidia (3 Hours West and 2 Hours North of Essaouira)
- Beautiful lagoon with clear, shallow waters
- Ideal for families and beginner surfers
- Great fresh seafood
3. El Jadida (3 Hours West and 1 Hour from Oualidia)
- Less touristy, offering a local Moroccan experience
- Historic Portuguese fortifications and Medina
- Stunning coastal views
On my last trip, I organised a full 10-day itinerary to cover the three destinations above.
4. Casablanca (3 Hours North)
- Visit the famous Hassan II Mosque
- Explore the vibrant Corniche waterfront
5. Atlas Mountains & Beyond
- Ouzoud Waterfalls (4 hours) – Stunning waterfalls and nature trails
- Aït Benhaddou (4 hours) – UNESCO-listed ancient village, gateway to the Sahara
- Merzouga Desert (8 hours) – For the full Sahara experience, including camel rides
My video
Final Thoughts
Renting a car in Marrakech offers the ultimate freedom to explore Morocco’s stunning landscapes and hidden gems. Just remember:
- Book in advance (prices are better, and cancellation is typically free of charge).
- Be aware of scams, be ready by documenting existing damages, and opt for full insurance.
- Plan your itinerary to make the most of your trip.
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