Getting around Marrakech: taxis, buses, carriages and walking

Marrakech is first discovered on foot: the medina is a maze of alleys that cars cannot enter, and most monuments are less than half an hour's walk from one another. To reach Gueliz, the [Majorelle Garden](/fr/attractions/jardin-majorelle) or the Palmeraie, however, you need a taxi, a bus or an app. This guide explains how the beige small taxis and their meters work, what has changed since Supratours took over the buses, the return of Uber, the horse carriages and the links to other cities in the country. Prices quoted are those observed in October 2026.

Walking in the medina and beyond

The medina is explored on foot, and only on foot in its narrowest alleys. From Jemaa el-Fna square, allow about ten minutes to the souks and a quarter of an hour to the Bahia Palace or the Saadian Tombs. Map apps work, but they often lose track in the covered derbs: spot the main streets (Rue Riad Zitoun, Rue Mouassine, Rue Dar el-Bacha) and the gates in the ramparts to find your way.

Two realities to be aware of. First, two-wheelers: scooters and mopeds ride through the alleys, including the busiest shopping streets, often fast. Keep to the right and listen for horns. Second, self-appointed "guides": a young man tells you the street is closed, that the square is "this way", or offers to walk with you. He will then ask for money or lead you into a shop. Decline politely and carry on. These situations are detailed in our guide to scams to avoid in Marrakech, and tips for finding your way in our medina guide.

Between the medina and Gueliz, walking is still possible: Avenue Mohammed V links the Koutoubia to the heart of the new town in about half an hour, but there is little shade in summer.

Small taxis, the most practical option

Marrakech's small taxis are beige, with a "Taxi" sign on the roof. They operate within the city limits only, carry three passengers at most and can be hailed in the street or found at ranks near the medina gates and the Koutoubia.

The meter and the night surcharge

Small taxis are fitted with a meter, and using it is compulsory. In practice, many drivers quote tourists a flat fare, especially around Jemaa el-Fna and outside the big hotels. Before getting in, ask for "the meter, please"; if the driver refuses, let him go and stop the next one. Check that the meter starts at the pick-up charge and not at an amount already displayed.

At night, a legal 50% surcharge applies to the metered fare. It is the only supplement allowed: a doubled "night rate" or one announced from 18:00 has nothing official about it.

Traps to know about

The flat fare: without the meter, the price asked of a foreigner is often several times the real fare. If you accept a flat fare, agree it clearly before getting in.
Shared rides: a small taxi may pick up other passengers on the way. This is common practice; each person pays for their own ride.
The detour to a shop: a driver who suggests "a quick stop" at a friend's herbalist or carpet shop earns a commission. Say no.
Large notes: pay with coins and 20 DH notes, as change is often short.

Large taxis and apps

Large taxis, often big saloon cars, can leave the city and carry up to six passengers. They are used for the Palmeraie, excursions into the Atlas or a return trip to the Ourika Valley: the price is negotiated before departure, for the whole vehicle, and should include the waiting time on site.

On the app side, the landscape changed at the end of 2025:

Uber returned to Morocco on 27 November 2025, starting with Casablanca and Marrakech, using only professional drivers holding a tourist transport or VTC licence. The price is shown before booking.
Heetch operates in Marrakech by connecting you with official taxis.
inDrive is available, but its drivers are generally private individuals with no passenger transport licence: you are not covered in the event of an accident. Avoid it.

City buses: a network in transition

Since 14 December 2025, the Marrakech urban and suburban bus network has been run by Supratours, a subsidiary of the railway company ONCF, which took over from the Spanish operator Alsa after twenty-six years. The operating plan covers 67 lines and a planned fleet of 349 buses, being renewed gradually. At launch, a ticket cost 5 DH and was paid on board.

For visitors, the most useful line is the 19, which links the airport with Gueliz, the station and Jemaa el-Fna, for 30 DH one way according to the latest known fares, to be checked on board: full details are in our guide Marrakech-Menara Airport to the centre. Other lines are handy for getting from the medina to Gueliz or the station, but numbers and routes are changing as the network is redesigned: ask the driver before boarding. Carry the exact change.

Horse carriages

Horse carriage in front of a monumental gate in Marrakech

The green horse carriages wait mainly along Place Foucauld, next to Jemaa el-Fna, and in front of the Koutoubia. They are mostly used for leisure rides: a tour of the ramparts, a trip to the Majorelle Garden or to the Menara. Prices are not reliably displayed: before getting in, agree the duration, the route and the amount for the whole carriage, not per person. Pay at the end.

Also look at the condition of the horses: a thin, lame or injured horse is a good reason to choose another carriage.

Bikes, scooters and cars

Cycling works well in Gueliz and Hivernage, on wide flat avenues, much less so in the medina where you share the alleys with pedestrians, handcarts and scooters. Renting a scooter is not recommended for visitors unfamiliar with local traffic, which is dense and undisciplined at roundabouts.

A hire car is useless in town: the medina is closed to cars and parking is complicated. It becomes useful for excursions, provided you park in a paid, guarded car park where an attendant will give you a ticket.

Leaving Marrakech: trains and coaches

Hall of Marrakech railway station

The ONCF railway station is in Gueliz, on Avenue Hassan II. Trains serve Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Tangier; for Tangier, the fastest option is to change onto the Al Boraq high-speed train. The Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed line is under construction: ONCF is aiming for it to open in 2029, ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

Intercity coaches leave a few steps away: the Supratours station adjoins the railway station, and the CTM station is directly opposite, on Rue Abou Bakr Seddik. These are the two companies to choose for Essaouira or Agadir, with numbered seats and a paid luggage hold.

Summary of transport options

Mode	Observed price	Best use	Watch out for
On foot	Free	Medina, souks, monuments	Scooters and fake guides
Small taxi	Metered, plus 50% at night	Medina to Gueliz, station, Majorelle	Insist on the meter, 3 passengers
Large taxi	Flat fare negotiated per vehicle	Palmeraie, excursions	Agree the waiting time
Uber	Price shown in the app	City trips, airport	Check the pick-up point
City bus	5 DH at the network launch	Gueliz, station	Network being redesigned
Bus 19	30 DH, 50 DH return	Airport	Loop route
Horse carriage	Negotiated price	Tour of the ramparts	Agree duration and price first