Advice and information on Marrakech-Menara Airport

Arrival at the airport

Passport control

Arriving at the airport is quite simple: just follow the signs to passport control, where the police will examine your documents. It is advisable to move quickly, as the queues can get quite long and you risk waiting up to an hour.

For tourists from most European countries, no visa is required for tourist stays of less than 90 days. If you plan to stay longer or for reasons other than tourism, you must apply for a visa online, which must be presented during passport control. More information at this link.

Baggage collection

After getting your passport stamped, you usually go through a quick additional check right after. Once passed, you exit the passport control area and find yourself in front of the baggage claim rollers.

Withdrawal of money (with few commissions 😃)

In the arrivals area, before leaving the airport, you will find several automatic teller machines (ATMs). I advise you to continue reading to discover useful advice from traveler to traveller.

Purchasing a SIM

Just before leaving the arrivals area, you will find stands where you can purchase SIM cards. In July 2024, a free SIM was offered on request, which you could then top up with a customized data plan.

I preferred to skip this step by purchasing an eSIM at a price practically identical to that of a local physical SIM.

Moving from the airport to the center (and vice versa)

Getting to the Marrakech city center is very simple and there are several options available:

• Taxi: Outside the airport you will find numerous taxis. Pay attention to the price! I advise you to agree on the cost in advance, as using the taximeter can lead to unpleasant surprises. A correct price ranges from 80 to 120 MAD.
• InDriver: This is an app similar to Uber (which doesn't exist in Morocco) that allows you to book a ride from one destination to another. Unlike traditional taxis, the price is agreed upon at the beginning and the driver can accept or refuse based on the proposed amount.
• Bus: It is the cheapest option. Leaving the airport, head towards the car park approximately 150 meters from the exit. Just above the flight of stairs leading to the car park, you will find a bus stop. Take Line 19, which will take you directly to the center of Marrakech, in front of the Koutoubia mosque. The cost is MAD 30 one way, but you can save by purchasing a return ticket for MAD 50. Go to the driver and ask for an "aller et retour" ticket. They will give you a receipt which you must keep and present upon your return to use the service again within 2 weeks. I chose this option as it is much cheaper than the others but still efficient. More information at this link.
• Private transportation: Contact your hotel or check sites like GetYourGuide.

Return to the airport

To return to the airport, you can use the same means of transport available on the outward journey.

Collecting your boarding pass

A peculiarity of Marrakech airport is that electronic boarding passes are not accepted. It is essential to pay attention to your airline's instructions, as each operates differently, and a small mistake could result in a surcharge. For example:

• With Ryanair, you must check in online and print your boarding pass. If you don't have a printed boarding pass, you'll have to pay a significant fee, so be sure to bring it with you.
• WizzAir on the other hand does not allow online check-in. You must go to the company counters and collect your boarding pass for free by presenting your passport.

In any case, it is always advisable to carefully check the booking details. If you don't have access to a printer, you can print your boarding pass in central Marrakech, where there are numerous places that offer this service for just a few cents, or ask your hotel to do it for you.

Security checks and boarding

For the rest, the airport works like any other, without any particular differences. After obtaining your boarding pass, head to the security checkpoint and follow all the necessary steps. Keep your passport and boarding pass handy, as they may ask you for them several times during the process.

Services at the airport

Inside the airport there are several Duty Free and bars, where you can pay both in Moroccan currency and in euros or dollars.

Change MAD to Euros/Dollars

Leaving Morocco with local currency seems to be illegal, although personally I still had a few dirhams with me and was not checked for this. In any case, it is possible to convert the remaining MAD into euros (or other currencies) by presenting the receipts issued at the time of withdrawal. Therefore, it is important to keep your ATM receipts to facilitate exchange upon return.

Conclusions

Marrakech Menara Airport is quite efficient, but with some peculiarities to keep in mind. Preparing in advance, both for check-in and currency exchange, can save you time and money. Despite some small challenges, such as long queues at security and the need to print your boarding pass, the overall experience is excellent. By following these tips, your trip should go smoothly, allowing you to make the most of your visit to Marrakech ✈️.

If you have any feedback or questions, you can use the comments section below.

Thanks for reading,

Explorer's Tale.