
Car Rental in Marrakech: Tips and Instructions
Marrakech is a vivid city in Morocco, known for its rich history and exotic atmosphere. The historic center of the town, with mosques, traditional markets, narrow streets and palaces blend the past era with modern today, creating a must-visit destination.
If you are about to visit this unique city, you may wonder if you need to hire 4X4 in Marrakech Morocco and how to rent a car on a budget in Morocco.
Let’s see the ultimate driving and car rental guide in Marrakech to find the best car rental company in Morocco and to get ready for this unforgettable exotic journey!
Marrakech is a vivid city in Morocco, known for its rich history and exotic atmosphere. The historic center of the town, with mosques, traditional markets, narrow streets and palaces blend the past era with modern today, creating a must-visit destination.
If you are about to visit this unique city, you may wonder if you need to hire 4X4 in Marrakech Morocco and how to rent a car on a budget in Morocco.
Let’s see the ultimate driving and car rental guide in Marrakech to find the best car rental company in Morocco and to get ready for this unforgettable exotic journey!
Should I Rent a Car in Marrakech?
Do you need a car in Marrakech? Is renting a car in Morocco safe? Is 4X4 rental in Morocco necessary? Let's see what you should know.
Car hire in Marrakech is the safest and most convenient way to explore not only the city but also wider areas to fully discover this destination that fills you with nostalgia and impressiveness. Plus, with Marrakech car rental 4X4, you can discover off-the-beaten-path places and go away from mass tourism.
The pros of renting a car in Marrakech are:
- Flexibility to travel at your own pace and see as many points of interest as you want
- Convenience and avoidance of overcrowded public transportation
- Access to remote areas and off-the-beaten-path spots
- Possibility for day trips and outdoor activities.
- Safety during your trip.
The cons of renting a car in Marrakech are:
- Poor road condition that in many places requires to rent a 4X4 in Marrakech.
- Aggressive driving style
- Heavy and chaotic traffic
- Confusing road signs
- Higher travel cost than other transportation options.
However, keep in mind that Abbycar is a budget car hire in Marrakech, giving you the opportunity to easily and conveniently access every spot and area you desire affordably, while at the same time it is the best car rental in Marrakech with worlwide reputation and excellent customer service.
Other transportation options you have:
- Public transportation: It is cheaper than car rental, but it has limited schedules and routes and it is not very comfortable, as it is overcrowded.
- Taxis: Taxis are easily available and much cheaper than in the European countries. However, if you do many routes and long distances per day, taxis will be more expensive than car rental.
- Biking: In Marrakech, you can also rent a bike at low price. However, keep in mind that driving a bike in Marrakech is not very safe due to the poor maintenance of the road and low driving standards in the country.
- Walking: In the city center, you can see the main attractions on foot.
Hiring a car in Marrakech may not be necessary in several situations:
- In Medina: The old city's narrow streets are best explored on foot or by using local transportation. Thus, renting a car in Marrakech Medina is not the best option you have.
- For short stays: For brief visits, where you just want to stroll around in downtown, a rental car is not necessary.
- Organized tours: If your journey is organized by a travel agency, you can get around and do day trips and excursions with guided tours.
However, remember that there are some tourist attractions accessible only by car. These are:
- Ourika Valley: Located about 30 kilometers from Marrakech, this scenic valley offers stunning landscapes, waterfalls and traditional Berber villages.
- Ouzoud Waterfalls: About 150 kilometers from Marrakech, these impressive waterfalls are a popular day trip destination.
- Agafay Desert: A rocky desert located around 30 kilometers southwest of Marrakech is ideal for experiencing desert landscapes without traveling to the Sahara.
- Atlas Mountains: You need a car to explore these impressive mountains, where you can do activities, such as hiking, visit traditional villages and admire the astonishing view.
- Essaouira: This coastal town about a 2.5-hour drive from Marrakech is known for its historic medina and beaches.
- Ait Benhaddou: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient fortified village is about a 3.5-hour drive from Marrakech and is famous for its unique architecture.
To visit these places, a 4X4 hire in Marrakech is the best and most convenient option.
For personal experiences and testimonials about driving and car rental in Marrakech, you can check the following link

How to Rent a Car in Marrakech
Renting a car in Marrakech is a simple procedure. The step-by-step rental process consists of the following:
- Choose from Abbycar’s easy platform or in person in one of our rental locations the car type that meets your criteria according to your needs, travel plan and budget.
- Provide a valid driving license, passport or ID and credit card.
- A deposit amount will be blocked in your credit card, but not charged. This deposit will be charged only in case of damage.
- You take the car after inspecting its situation and take photos to prove the existence of any pre-existing damage. You should also check the mileage and gas mileage.
- You return the car at the drop-off point.
The required documentation to rent a car in Marrakech is:
- Driving license (International Driving Permit)
- Passport or ID
- Credit card under your name (the main driver’s name). However, there is the possibility to rent a car in Morocco without credit card, so please ask us about that before your arrival.
The most useful tips for renting a car in Marrakech are:
- Obtain an International Driving Permit: It is required along with your national license.
- Book in advance: Make the reservation early, especially in high season and if you want to find cheap car rental in Marrakech.
- Choose the right car: A reliable car, which is suitable for most road conditions, such as an SUV or 4X4 hire in Morocco, is the best option. With this vehicle, you can easily do day trips ane excursions in the Atlas Mountains and the desert.
- Best insurance: Choose an insurance with wide coverage and low deductible, including theft protection. Even if you are looking for cheap car rental in Marrakech, Morocco, the wisest thing to do is to invest in a full insurance to avoid stress during your trip.
- Check the car before pick-up: Inspect the rental car for damages before taking it. Take photos to prove its prior condition.
- Use navigation app: As the cost to use your mobile phone for internet data may be high, you can ask for GPS from the rental company.
Additional Travel Tips for Marrakech
Is it safe to rent a car in Morocco? Should I rent a 4X4 in Marrakech? Read further!
Navigating Marrakech roads
Driving in Marrakech roads may be difficult for an inexperienced or young driver, but if you are careful, you will not deal with any problem. You must be prepared for heavy traffic, especially in the rush hours, while you must also be patient with aggressive driving style of the locals.
The streets of the city, especially in downtown, are labyrinth-like, so one of the most important driving tips for Marrakech is to use a GPS. In Medina, the streets are very narrow and cobblestone, so it is better to go there on foot.
In rural areas, there may be unpaved roads, so we recommend you to rent a 4X4 in Morocco.
Parking tips in Marrakech
If you have to remember only one parking tip for Marrakech, this is to avoid parking in Medina, where parking is challenging. The historic center is easily explored on foot, so it is wiser to park your car on a secure spot outside Medina.
If you are wondering what a secure parking spot in Marrakech is, we recommend you park your car in your hotel, in a safe garage or official parking lot. Street parking is not recommended as it may result in fines or safety issues.
Driving to nearby attractions
With car rental in Marrakech, you can drive to nearby attractions, which is the best way to feel the most out of this exotic country. If you plan to do excursions, Marrakech 4X4 rental is the best thing to do, as the road conditions are very variable.
Plus, in some areas the roads may be winding and narrow, so you must be prepared for low speed. Organize your route, take breaks and don’t forget to have cash, as many toll stations and local shops don’t accept other payment options.
Dealing with car rental issues
As abovementioned, it is important to inspect the car and take photos to prove its pre-existing condition. It is highly recommended to choose not only a budget car rental in Morocco, but a reliable rental company, such as Abbycar, that has excellent customer service and can help you with any issue or safety matter.
The best car hire in Marrakech combined with a wide-coverage insurance is the best way to travel stress-free, eliminate the deposit amount in your credit card and feel confident in case of emergency.

Where to Rent a Car in Marrakech
The most popular locations for car hire are in Marrakech airport, downtown and railway. The best location for car rental in Marrakech is at the airport if you come by plane, as you can easily and conveniently go wherever you want.
There are many car rental companies in Marrakech with attractive offerings and you can easily find cheap car rental in Marrakech downtown and at the airport. However, your main priority should be your safety and to choose a reliable car rental company.
The best tips for choosing the best car rental company in Marrakech are:
- Price comparisons and deals: Check the offers and discounts for the car category you want. There are many budget car rentals at Marrakech airport, but you should always compare the car categories and the whole package together with insurance to fully understand the price.
- Hidden fees: Read thoroughly the rental agreement to avoid hidden charges.
- Car fleet: Choose the best car rental in Marrakech with new and safe vehicles and great variety to find the perfect car for you.
- Customer service and reliability: A worldwide reliable company with local partners is your safe option to rent a car in Marrakech, 4X4 or other vehicle.
- Online booking: The easy and straightforward process of booking online in a user-friendly platform is the best choice to perfectly organize your trip and find the best car rental company in Morocco.
Abbycar is the best rental car company in Marrakech, with worldwide reputation, offering super deals all-year-long for budget car rental in Marrakech. Plus, it has great variety in new and modern vehicles, provides Morocco 4X4 rental, 24/7 road assistance and excellent customer service.
Explore the sights of Marakkech with Abbycar easily, safely and on a budget!