Marrakesh Getting There & Away

Getting There & Away

By air Marrakech is served by an international airport which is located around 10 minutes away from the city by taxi. Plenty of low cost companies now fly to Marrakech. Some companies fly to Casablanca additionally where a plane change for the 45 minute flight to Marrakech can be made. If going by petit taxi, make sure to have the driver use his meter or agree on the price beforehand. As you exit the airport terminal, there is a sign which actually gives you an idea of how much the taxi ride should cost. As to whether you can convince or bargain with the driver to use these prices is another matter however. It really all depends on the number of taxis and potential passengers around. Essentially, you should pay no more than 60 dirham from the airport to the centre of the city during the day and 90 dirham at night for a petite taxi. If you press the drivers, these prices are easily obtainable. However, be aware that you might have to accept a higher price. In this event, dont pay more than 100 dirham in the daytime and 150 at night. As a guide for using taxi services in Morocco, you should aproach the taxi, tell the driver where you want to go and how much you will pay. If the driver doesnt accept, just move onto the next driver. If you are travelling from the airport to somewhere further afield (e.g. Essaouria), your hotel or guest house may be able to arrange a grand taxi to pick you up at the airport, and charge a fixed price for the journey. Grand taxis are generally more expensive than petit taxis, but more comfortable especially when you have luggage. It also avoids hassle, as it's not always easy to haggle with a taxi driver after staggering off a long plane journey half-asleep! You can fly from several European cities direct to Marrakech on Atlas Blue http://www.atlas-blue.com which is an offshoot of Royal Air Maroc http://www.royalairmaroc.com Easyjet http://www.easyjet.co.uk began flying to Marrakech from Gatwick airport in the UK in July 2006. In August 2006, Ryanair announced that they will begin direct flights from London Luton to Marrakech. (sometimes for under £40 return). Thomsonfly travel from Manchester for under £60. As it's virtually impossible to obtain local currency outside Morocco, the airport money changing outlets are often useful. Exchange rates are, surprisingly, identical to those in the major towns. The Arrivals hall at Terminal 2 has a money changing outlet and an ATM. Terminal 1 has two money changing outlets in the Arrivals hall and one in Departures. So if you find the money changing outlets are closed when you arrive, it's worth taking the short walk across the car park to the other terminal. By train Trains arrive from Casablanca hourly, and regularly from other destinations such as Rabat. The train station is located in the recently developed ville nouvelle. Frequent local buses leave from just across the street into the medina and modern tourist area. Petit taxi drivers will also be quick to offer their service, but pay no more than Dh 10 - 15 for this short ride. For those wishing to travel by train from Tanger, the cost from Tanger to Marrakech is currently around 180 Dirham. The journey is an excellent one for sightseeing, so , if you can, try and do this journey by day. There is currently no train line further south than Marrakech in Morocco. By bus Most CTM and private bus lines arrive at the long distance bus station near Bab Doukkala, a 20 minute walk (Dh 15 - 20 by petit taxi) from Jema el-Fna. It's the place to take the buses from the small companies, that go directly to small destinations. CTM has another small station at the Gueliz, at Zerktouni street. It's better to take them there, because you can buy the tickets for advance (you'll find place) and the buses that leave from Bab Doukala go directly there and stop fo half an hour and even change the bus. Besides, the CTM's offices there are better, and there's no people trying to oush you to their line. Supratours and Eurolines buses, however, will arrive at the main train station.