Fair prices in مراکش — what things really cost

The ONCF train runs from a station beneath the airport terminal to the central Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port stations for a low fixed fare, roughly hourly. It is the cheapest and most predictable way into the city, avoiding any taxi haggling. Buy your ticket at the machine or counter and keep it until you exit.

Official white grand taxis from the airport charge a set fare into central Casablanca that is higher at night. Agree the price before setting off and use only the official rank outside arrivals. The train is far cheaper, and a ride-hailing app is often cheaper still if you have data.

The small red petit taxis are cheap and legally required to run the meter for trips inside the city. Insist on the meter (say 'le compteur, s'il vous plait'); if the driver refuses or claims it is broken, get out and take another. Short central hops cost only a dirham or two, plus a legitimate fifty percent surcharge at night.

Entry to the Hassan II Mosque interior is only by guided tour with a set ticket price, sold at the mosque for several tour times a day in multiple languages. Buy directly at the ticket office rather than from touts, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant is good value, and the seafood along the Corniche is a local highlight. Look for busy places with locals over tourist-facing menus, and note that some venues add a service charge to the bill.

Casablanca's streets and medina are full of cheap, tasty snacks like msemen flatbread, maakouda potato fritters and grilled skewers. Buy from busy stalls with high turnover, carry small change, and a few coins buys a filling bite.

Sweet green tea with fresh mint is the national drink and is cheap everywhere, from a downtown cafe to a medina stall. A seafront cafe on the Corniche costs a little more than a back-street one, but both are normal prices, not a scam.

A grand taxi from the airport to the medina runs a fairly standard fixed fare of around 120 to 150 dirhams; agree the price before you get in. Late at night or with luggage it is the easiest option, and splitting with other passengers lowers the cost.

Small red petit taxis handle short hops within the city and are cheap when the meter is used. Insist the driver runs the meter (le compteur); short rides across town cost only a dirham or two. Petit taxis cannot enter the car-free medina.

A sit-down meal in a mid-range or riad restaurant is good value, though tourist-facing terraces near the main gates charge more. Look for busy local places a lane or two off the main route, and check whether service is included.

The medina is full of cheap, excellent street food: a bowl of harira soup, a bean or grilled-meat sandwich, or fresh sfenj doughnuts cost very little. Eat where locals queue, and carry small notes and coins.

Sweet green tea with fresh mint is the national ritual and cheap at any local cafe. A terrace with a view or a tourist spot costs a little more, but the price is normal, not a scam. Ask for it less sweet if you prefer.

Sites like the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas charge a small entry fee, typically around 20 to 30 dirhams. Keep some cash for these, as the medina is largely a cash economy and card payment is rare at the monuments.

Airport taxis often quote a flat tourist price. Insist on the meter, or agree a fair fixed fare in advance knowing the medina is only a short ride away. A pre-booked hotel transfer avoids haggling.

The small petit taxis are metered by law. Ask the driver to switch on the meter; if he refuses, agree a price first or take another taxi. Fares rise slightly at night.

Mint tea is cheap almost everywhere. Rooftop cafes overlooking the square charge more for the view, which can be worth it once. Check prices before ordering near the main sights.

Eat a little away from Jemaa el-Fna for better value and quality. Menus with clear prices are a good sign; confirm the cost of extras like bread and water before they arrive.

The evening food stalls are an experience, but some overcharge tourists. Choose a busy stall with locals, check prices on the board, and confirm the bill before paying.

A licensed guide with an official badge can unlock the medina's history and shield you from touts. Book through your riad or a reputable agency and agree the route and price in advance, separate from any shopping.

Prices in the souk are a starting point, not a fixed rate. Bargain politely, start well below the asking price, and be ready to walk away. Compare a few stalls before buying.