Taxis are the easiest way to get around most Moroccan cities and between nearby towns, but the system is unfamiliar to many visitors. There are two quite different kinds of taxi, each with its own rules, and the way fares work varies from city to city. This guide explains the difference between petit taxis and grand taxis, how fares and meters work, how shared rides operate, and how to avoid the most common disagreements. It is practical guidance gathered from official information and widely reported traveller experience, not a personal diary, and fares change, so always check current prices locally.
Petit taxis and grand taxis: the short version
| Petit taxi | Grand taxi | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Inside one city only | Between towns, to suburbs, villages and some airports |
| Passengers | Up to 3 | Usually up to 6 in older cars; fewer in newer vehicles |
| How you pay | Meter, or a price agreed before you set off | Fixed price per seat on set routes, or the whole car hired privately |
| Look | Small cars in a colour specific to each city | Larger cars or vans, often cream, white or a regional colour |
Petit taxis: getting around a city
Petit taxis are small cars licensed to work within the limits of one city. Each city has its own colour, which makes them easy to spot: for example, they are beige in Marrakech, red in Casablanca and Fes, and blue in Rabat. They can carry a maximum of three passengers, so a group of four will need two cars.
Meters and agreed prices
Petit taxis have meters (compteur in French). In theory every ride is metered; in practice, especially in tourist areas of Marrakech, some drivers prefer to name a fixed price to visitors. You have two reasonable options:
- Ask politely for the meter before you get in: “Le compteur, s’il vous plaît.” If the driver refuses, you can wait for the next taxi.
- Agree a price before you get in, and be clear about the currency and whether it is per person or for the car.
Either way, decide before the car moves. Disagreements almost always start when the price is discussed at the destination. In many cities a night surcharge, commonly around 50 per cent, applies to metered fares in the evening, so a late fare will be higher than the same trip by day.
Shared rides
Do not be surprised if a petit taxi stops to pick up another passenger heading in the same direction. This is normal practice in Morocco. Each passenger generally pays for their own journey. If you prefer not to share, you can say so, but in busy periods you may wait longer.
The medina problem
Cars cannot enter the narrow lanes of most old medinas. A taxi will drop you at the nearest gate (bab) or square, and you continue on foot. Before you leave your riad, ask the staff for the name of the gate closest to you and save it on your phone; this is the destination to give the driver on the way back. Our free Marrakech guide and Fes guide describe the main gates and how the medinas are laid out.
Grand taxis: between towns
Grand taxis run set routes between cities, from cities to surrounding towns and villages, and sometimes to airports. For many shorter journeys, such as between Fes and Meknes or from Tetouan to Chefchaouen, they are faster and more frequent than buses.
How a shared grand taxi works
- Go to the grand taxi rank (station de grands taxis) for your destination. Larger cities have several ranks, each serving different routes, so ask your accommodation which one you need.
- Tell the drivers or the rank organiser where you are going. They will point you to the right car.
- The car leaves when every seat is filled. In the older cars that means six passengers: two beside the driver and four in the back.
- You pay a fixed fare per seat, normally the same for every passenger on that route. Locals know the price, so watching what others pay is a fair guide.
Buying extra seats or the whole car
If you do not want to wait, or prefer more space, you can pay for empty seats. Paying for all the seats turns the trip into a private hire, which you can also arrange for journeys with no regular shared route. For private hires, agree the price, the destination and any stops before you set off, exactly as you would with a petit taxi.
Airports and train stations
Taxis wait outside airports and major train stations. Some airports display official fares for common destinations; look for a sign or ask at the information desk before you join the queue. Prices from airports are usually higher than city fares, and drivers may expect an agreed price rather than the meter. If you arrive late at night, it is worth asking your accommodation to arrange a transfer in advance so the price is settled before you land. For longer journeys between major cities, the train is often a better option; see our Morocco train travel guide.
Paying: cash, change and tipping
- Pay in Moroccan dirhams, in cash. Cards are rarely accepted in taxis.
- Carry small notes and coins. Drivers often have little change, especially early in the day, and a large note can lead to an awkward wait or a “no change” rounding.
- Tipping is not required for metered city rides, but rounding up to the nearest few dirhams is common and appreciated.
Our money in Morocco guide covers cash machines, exchanging money and how much small change to carry.
Avoiding common disagreements
- Agree before you go. Meter or fixed price, settled before the car moves.
- Know roughly what a trip should cost. Ask your riad or hotel for typical fares to the places you plan to visit.
- Have the destination written down. A name in French or Arabic, or a map pin, avoids misunderstandings.
- Stay calm and friendly. A smile and a few words of greeting go a long way; our guide to useful Darija phrases includes the basics.
- Note the taxi number. Petit taxis display a number on the door or roof. If there is a serious problem, this is what your accommodation or the authorities will ask for.
Negotiating a taxi fare is quite different from bargaining in a souk: you want a quick, fair agreement, not a long exchange. If you want to understand the souk side too, see our guide to bargaining in Moroccan souks.
What about ride-hailing apps?
Ride-hailing apps operate in some larger Moroccan cities, but their legal position for private drivers has been disputed and availability changes. Some travellers use them successfully; others find drivers ask them to sit in front or cancel near taxi ranks. Treat apps as an option to check locally rather than something to rely on, and keep the taxi system as your main plan.
Practical tips for women and solo travellers
Taxis are widely used by Moroccan women travelling alone, and in a shared petit taxi you may well ride with other passengers. Sitting in the back is normal. If you are travelling at night, ask your accommodation to call a taxi or arrange a driver, and share your journey details with someone you trust, as you would anywhere.
Knowing the numbers and a few polite phrases makes agreeing a fare much easier; our guide to Darija phrases for travellers covers both.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can ride in a petit taxi?
A maximum of three passengers. Groups of four or more need two taxis.
Can I take a petit taxi to another town?
No. Petit taxis are licensed for one city only. For trips to other towns, use a grand taxi, bus or train.
Do taxis use meters in Morocco?
Petit taxis have meters, and many drivers use them, particularly in Casablanca, Rabat and Fes. In tourist areas, agreeing a fixed price is also common. Grand taxis charge fixed per-seat fares on set routes.
Is it normal for the driver to pick up other passengers?
Yes. Sharing is a standard practice in petit taxis and is how grand taxis work. Each passenger usually pays their own fare.
