Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is where most visitors land, and it is refreshingly close to town: about 6 km from Jemaa el-Fna square. This guide covers what happens after you land, every way to get from Marrakech airport to the city centre and the medina (bus, taxi or pre-booked transfer) with indicative prices, and what to know before you fly home.
Marrakech airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, in a single building, and the medina is about 15 to 20 minutes away by car. To reach the centre you can take bus 19, a petit taxi, a grand taxi or a transfer arranged with your hotel or riad. Airport taxi fares are set by zone and go up at night, so confirm the price before you get in. If you are staying in a riad inside the medina, the car will drop you at the nearest gate and you walk the last stretch.
Marrakech Menara Airport: the essentials
Its official name is Marrakech-Ménara Airport, airport code RAK (ICAO: GMMX), and it is run by ONDA, Morocco’s national airports office. It sits southwest of the city, next to the Menara gardens it is named after. Don’t mix it up with Mohammed V Airport, which serves Casablanca.
Terminals T1 and T2 share one building, so you won’t need a shuttle if you head to the wrong door. Traffic keeps climbing: according to ONDA figures, just over 10.2 million passengers used Menara in 2025, the first time it passed ten million. That is why an expansion was awarded in 2025, aiming for around 16 million passengers a year before the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Expect some changes to entrances and waiting areas while the work goes on.
What happens after you land
- Passport control. Keep your passport and your accommodation address handy. Check the current entry requirements on GOV.UK (or your own government’s travel advice) before you fly.
- Baggage reclaim. In peak season, queues at passport control and the belts can make this the slowest part.
- Customs. Foreign currency worth 100,000 dirhams or more (roughly £8,000) must be declared on arrival and departure.
- Getting dirhams. The dirham is a closed currency, so you normally can’t buy it before you travel. Most people change money at the airport or use an ATM. Keep your exchange receipts: you’ll need them to change leftover dirhams back.
- Mobile data. Decide whether you’ll use roaming or a Moroccan SIM card; having data makes it much easier to find your driver or your riad.
- Heading into town. Taxi ranks and the bus stop are right outside the arrivals terminal.
One more thing: check your watch. Since 20 September 2026, Morocco has been back on GMT (UTC+0) all year round, after eight years on GMT+1, so it now matches UK time in winter and is one hour behind in summer. If you have a pick-up booked, confirm the local time with your driver, as some phones and booking apps were slow to update.
One money rule worth remembering: you can only take up to 2,000 dirhams in cash out of the country. Our guide to Moroccan currency explains the details.
How to get from Marrakech airport to the city centre
The distance is short and there are several options. This chart compares them by travel time to the Jemaa el-Fna area, with indicative prices.
The handiest choice for one or two people with light luggage. Up to three passengers.
A bigger car, useful for families or bulky bags.
A driver waits with your name on a sign. Best for late arrivals or riad stays.
The cheapest option. It runs a loop around the city.
Indicative times and prices in normal traffic. They can change with the time of day, the season and the airport works.
Marrakech airport bus 19
Line 19 links the airport and the centre on a loop: it stops at Jemaa el-Fna, the Hivernage district, Bab Doukkala, Guéliz and the train station before returning to the airport. The stop is opposite the arrivals terminal, across the car park.
- Indicative fare: about 30 dirhams one way. Carry coins or small notes.
- Frequency: usually every 20 to 30 minutes, roughly between 6am and 11.30pm.
- Pros: cheap, and it drops you close to Jemaa el-Fna and the Guéliz hotels.
- Cons: awkward with big suitcases, and there may be no service late at night.
Taxis from Marrakech airport
Marrakech has two kinds of taxi. A petit taxi is a small beige car that takes up to three passengers within the city. A grand taxi is a larger vehicle for bigger groups or trips outside town.
Since 2024, fares from the airport have been set by distance zone, with a day rate and a higher night rate. As a rough guide, the first zones up to the medina come to about 80 to 150 dirhams by day (very roughly £6 to £12), and noticeably more at night. Treat these as indicative only: always ask the price before you get in, and feel free to ask to see the fare card.
Only use cars from the official rank or a transfer you have booked. Have your accommodation’s name and exact address ready, ideally written down or saved on your phone.
Getting to a riad in the medina
This catches many first-timers out: most riads sit down lanes that cars can’t get into. Your taxi or transfer will stop at the nearest gate or square, and you walk from there.
- Before you travel, ask your riad exactly where the car will drop you and how long the walk is.
- Many riads send someone to meet you at that point: just ask.
- If you land late, a transfer arranged through the riad is the most relaxed option.
- Save the riad’s location on your phone before landing, in case you lose signal.
Once you have settled in, our Marrakech souks guide will help you find your way around the medina.
Flying home from Menara
- Leave plenty of time. Follow your airline’s advice and add a margin in peak season and school holidays, when security queues build up.
- Spend or change your dirhams. You can’t take more than 2,000 dirhams out of Morocco. To change the rest back, show your exchange receipts.
- Foreign currency. Leaving with the equivalent of 100,000 dirhams or more? You must declare it.
- Allow for traffic. The drive is short, but evening traffic in Guéliz and on the main avenues can slow it down.
Still choosing dates? Our guide to Marrakech weather by month will help.
Marrakech airport FAQ
What is Marrakech airport called?
Marrakech-Ménara Airport, code RAK. It is run by ONDA, Morocco’s national airports office.
How far is Marrakech airport from the city centre?
About 6 km from Jemaa el-Fna square, or roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car in normal traffic.
How many terminals does Marrakech airport have?
Two, T1 and T2, in the same building. The airport is being expanded ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Is there a bus from Marrakech airport to the city?
Yes, line 19, which loops via Jemaa el-Fna, Guéliz and the train station. It costs about 30 dirhams (indicative).
How much is a taxi from Marrakech airport to the medina?
Fares are set by zone and are higher at night. As a guide, expect around 80 to 150 dirhams by day to the medina. Always agree the price before you set off.
Can you exchange money at Marrakech airport?
Yes, there are exchange desks and ATMs in arrivals. Keep the receipts so you can change leftover dirhams back.
Sources
- ONDA, Morocco’s national airports office: Marrakech-Ménara Airport.
- GOV.UK: Morocco entry requirements (currency declaration).
- Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: travel advice for Morocco (2,000 dirham limit).
- 2025 passenger figures and expansion plans: ONDA data reported in the Moroccan press.
