Compare Marrakech Airport car hire

From the ornate tiled architecture to the scents and sights of the city’s souks, Marrakech will charm you at every turn. Go beyond its borders and you can be in the soaring Atlas Mountains in around an hour and a half. Hire a car in Marrakech to turn this ever-popular city break into a real adventure.

Language: Arabic, Berber | Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD) | Avg. Flight time: 3 hrs 35 mins

There are several international car hire brands based at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), including Avis, Sixt and Hertz, so compare prices to find a cheap deal before you travel. It takes around 20 minutes to drive into the city, and the R303 will take you to the Atlas Mountains in around an hour and a half.

The car hire desks at Marrakech Airport are located in the arrivals halls at terminals 1 and 2.

Car hire companies that have desks at Marrakech Menara Airport include:

• Avis (Tel: +212 5244 33169)
• Hertz (Tel: +212 52444 7239)
• Sixt (Tel: +212-600077800)
• Budget (Tel: +212 5243 70237)

If you’d rather hire a vehicle from the city centre for a few days of leisurely exploring, you'll find a selection of international and local agencies around Boulevard Mohamed Zerktouni, including Sixt on Rue el Mansour. From there, you can skip the city traffic and head straight out of Marrakech on national routes N7 or N8.

With carriages, donkey carts, buses and mopeds all competing for road space, driving in central Marrakech is quite an experience. Confident drivers shouldn’t have a problem navigating its busy roads, but we don't recommend trying to take a car into the heart of the Medina, much of which is only suited to pedestrians and two-wheelers.

Locals don’t always obey road rules, and the roads in the centre can be manic at any time of day, with crossroads often being a free-for-all. Signposting is sparse too, so you should try to map out your journeys before you set off to avoid any delays. If you’re heading further afield, you’ll find that traffic quickly melts away once you’re out of the city centre.

If you're driving to Morocco’s popular Atlantic beach resorts, such as Agadir, there's good news: a modern motorway has halved the journey time from Marrakech to the coast. It does, however, have tolls, so you’ll need some cash handy. Watch out for speed cameras and roadblocks wherever you are, and make sure you have your documents ready if you are pulled over by the police.

Ourika Valley

Driving time: One hour 30 minutes (to Setti Fatma)

The foothills of the epic High Atlas Mountains lie just south of Marrakech, and this lovely valley walk is a great introduction. Start at Setti Fatma, where a number of local restaurants sit beside the river (and a number of very rickety-looking bridges cross it). From there, a hiking trail leads past Berber villages to a series of waterfalls, some of which have swimmable pools beneath them.

Imlil

Driving time: Two hours

For an alternative taste of Atlas life, head to the foothills of Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. The traditional village of Imlil has a real 'road's end' feel, and serves as a starting point for hikers heading into the mountains. There are lots of independent businesses touting guided walks, outdoor gear, souvenirs and local food – and there are some hostels too, should you want to turn this into an overnight trip.

Essaouira

Driving time: Two hours 40 minutes

It's quite a drive, but it would be a shame to miss out on Morocco’s Atlantic coast – and, just as in Imlil, there are opportunities to turn this into an overnight stay. Essaouira is an atmospheric old fishing port that is the perfect spot to escape the heat of Marrakech. Cool off while you watch painted blue boats bobbing against the backdrop of the sun-drenched citadel.

1. There are frequent roadblocks around Marrakech. Keep your passport, licence and car hire papers handy at all times in case you’re asked to show them.
   
2. Be aware that some suburban roads (particularly in the area of Palmeraie) are still unpaved. You may not be insured to drive on them.
   
3. When driving after dark, keep an eye out for cyclists and mopeds – it is legal for them to travel at up to 20kmph (12mph) without lights.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.