During a road trip through Morocco, you’ll pass vast deserts, rugged mountain landscapes, and authentic villages. While it’s also possible to travel by bus in Morocco, if you ask us, renting a car is much more enjoyable. With a rental car, you experience the ultimate freedom and can go, stop, and explore wherever you want. Additionally, the roads are in excellent condition, and you’ll drive through fantastic landscapes. We traveled through Morocco for 2.5 weeks and share all our tips in this article to ensure you’re well-prepared. For example, in the first two days, we received three fines, and below you’ll read exactly how to avoid this.
Is Renting a Car in Morocco Safe?
Renting a car in Morocco is definitely safe. You’ll quickly discover during your trip that most travelers explore the country by rental car. The King of Morocco has invested significantly in the infrastructure in recent years, resulting in well-maintained main roads. There are highways between major cities, and they are usually quiet. While the traffic in cities like Fez and Marrakech can be a bit more hectic, it’s still very manageable. Of course, it may take a little getting used to because things are a bit different than in your hometown, but after a day of driving, you’ll feel completely at ease. Fortunately, people in Morocco generally drive quite responsibly.
Parking Your Car in Morocco
In major cities like Fez and Marrakech, there’s a high chance you’ve booked accommodation in the medina. The medinas are always car-free zones, so you’ll need to park your car outside. However, this has been taken into account, and there are plenty of secure parking lots available. Beforehand, use Google Maps to find the nearest parking lot in relation to your accommodation. It costs approximately 20 dirham ($2) per night to park your car, and you pay this in advance to one of the attendants at the parking lot. Afterwards, it can sometimes be challenging to find your hotel because the medina is like a maze, and GPS reception is poor inside. You’ll find locals in the medina who offer to guide you to your hotel. Keep in mind that they will ask for money afterwards, so it’s best to agree on a price in advance to avoid any hassle.
Tip: Whenever you park your car, always pin the location in Google Maps so you can easily find your car.
Traffic Rules and Speed Controls in Morocco
The traffic rules in Morocco are very similar to the ones we know. However, there are more frequent police checks on the streets. The speed limit changes frequently from 80 to 60 and from 60 to 40 within a distance of about 100 meters (328 feet). The police are almost always positioned with speed cameras at points where the speed limit changes from 80 to 60. Slow down before reaching the 60 sign, as they often have speed cameras immediately after the sign. Some friendly oncoming drivers may flash their headlights to warn you that there are police ahead.
The easiest way to navigate in Morocco is by using Google Maps. Prior to your trip, download the map of Morocco in the app so you can navigate offline. This way, you can find gas stations, supermarkets, landmarks, and restaurants without an internet connection. It’s also handy to pin your pre-booked hotels and any specific attractions you plan to visit in Google Maps.
Bring a Credit Card in the Name of the Main Driver
A crucial tip is to bring a credit card that is in the name of the main driver. This is mandatory for the deposit, and a credit card in a different name will not be accepted. Additionally, make sure the credit card has sufficient funds to cover the deposit and any other local expenses. If you don’t have a credit card yet, we recommend applying for this credit card.
Extra Tips for Renting a Car in Morocco
- Avoid driving in the dark. The roads are poorly lit, and there might be animals or even pedestrians on the road that are difficult to see.
- Avoid having an almost empty tank and opt for reliable gas stations such as Shell, Total, and Afriquia. Some small, unknown gas stations may sell impure fuel, which can be harmful to your car.
Wat does it cost to rent a car in Morocco?
When renting a car in Morocco, prices can vary depending on the season and how early you book. Booking a rental car through Rentalcars.com is highly recommended for Morocco. With a rental car, you always have a chance of damage and problems along the way, which is why it’s smart to book with a reliable party. At Rentalcars, you can always take out a Full Protection Insurance, you can change your booking for free and all conditions are clearly indicated. So you don’t have to worry about snags and if something goes wrong on your trip, everything is always reimbursed and taken care of. This is totally worth it as far as we are concerned, especially on holiday.
Note: Sometimes the local rental company will try to sell you extra insurances. These are absolutely unnecessary as everything is covered with Rentalcars’ Full Protection Insurance. So don’t be fooled because you are 100% covered, even your excess will be refunded in case of damage.
Price hikes due to shortage of cars: There is currently a huge shortage of rental cars worldwide. To survive the corona crisis, car rental companies have had to sell a large portion of their cars. Since demand is rising fast, there are not enough chips for new cars and prices are skyrocketing due to the shortage. As a result, many rental cars are double the price or even fully booked. It’s best to book as early as possible to be sure of a rental car that is still somewhat affordable. At Rentalcars.com, you can currently cancel or change your booking free of charge up to 48 hours in advance, so you are not stuck with anything but still be sure of a rental car.
