We recently traveled to Morocco where we spent 2 days in Marrakech and 2 in the Sahara desert. A separate blog post will follow with more details about these locations. For this trip, we flew from Jerez de la Frontera to Menara Aiport in Marrakech with a quick layover in Madrid. In this blog post, I am going to share information you NEED to know prior to landing and taking off from Menara Airport in Marrakech, Morocco.
General Facts:
❂ Marrakech Menara Airport also known as RAK is the main international airport in Marrakech, Morocco.
❂ There are only two terminals and both are located in the same building making transfers easy.
❂ The airport is located about 3 miles away from Marrakech city center.
❂ Information regarding arriving and departing flights and more information on Menara Airport can be found HERE
Transportation:
Since RAK is approximately 3 miles away from the city center, transportation is easy. There are 4 main transportation options available at the airport:
- Bus:
- L19 Express Bus: Takes passengers to further destinations within the city such as the Railway Station.
- City Buses: Routes 11, 12, 18, 20, and 33 take passengers from RAK to downtown Marrakech.
- More information detailing the location and fares of each bus can be found here: BUS INFO
- Taxi:
- Transfer via taxi is the most convenient since the airport is just 3 miles away from downtown. It can take anywhere from 15-30 mins to get downtown depending on traffic.
- Per the RAK official website: It is NOT recommended to take the taxis located immediately in front of the arrivals terminal as these taxis “belong to an organized gang”.
- Instead, exit the arrival terminal and walk across the car park where you’ll find the following official taxis:
- Marrakech Taxi
- Cab Morocco
- More information regarding taxis and fares can be found here: TAXI INFO
- Car rental:
- Can be booked prior to or upon arrival to RAK.
- Car rental companies can be found at both arrival terminals.
- More information regarding the car rental companies is available at RAK here: CAR RENTAL INFO
- Scheduled private airport transfer:
- If you are exploring Morocco on your own (without a tour guide) this is probably the best hassle-free option to get to your final destination, hotel, or Riad.
- You can book your private transfer car here: PRIVATE TRANSFER HIRE
- Cost starts at 35 euro for round trip door-to-door service depending on party/car size.
- Tour guide pick up (optional):
- For our trip, we opted to book a private tour since we wanted to explore the Sahara Desert.
- In our opinion, this was the best stress-free way to really explore Morocco! Transportation was included in our booking and we received door-to-door service.
- We used this company and cannot say enough good things about them: EXPLORE MOROCCO TRAVEL – The best tour guide company!
Things to know:
Drones:
- Do NOT bring a drone: In general, Morocco is a heavily secured country so drones are not allowed. If you choose to bring one into the country you will have to declare it upon arrival and it will get confiscated if you do not have the proper paperwork. You will have to pass all your bags through a scanner so they are likely to find it even if you do not declare it. Don’t worry though, you can get your drone back at the end of your trip only if and when you fly out of the same airport.
- If your drone gets confiscated, you will receive a paper from security. Guard this document with your life or you will not be able to retrieve your drone.
- This drone rule also applies to mini drones or drones that weigh under 250g. A drone is a drone is a drone in Morocco.
- You can legally enter Morocco with a drone as long as you have the proper licenses/permits but it takes planning and can be complicated. So do your research and bring at your own RISK!!
Security Upon Arrival:
- Upon arrival to RAK airport in Marrakech, you will have to go through passport/border control. You will be asked to show your passport, declare your profession, and the name of your Riad or hotel (make sure to have this information ready to go).
- Each traveler should approach passport control individuality (this includes any child over 16) so families and couples will have to split up.
- After customs, your passport will be checked again to make sure it has the stamp/visa
- After baggage claim and before exiting the airport you will have to get in line for the last control point. This is where all pieces of luggage are scanned, including carry-ons and handbags.
Security Upon Departure
- It is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours in advance for international flights.
- You will have to go through four security points:
- Upon entry to the departures side of the airport: All your bags will be scanned, even if you are only traveling with a carry-on.
- After obtaining a boarding pass: You will pass through security just like any other airport.
- Passport control/Customs: Same as arrivals, make sure you have your passport and boarding pass ready to go. And remember, each passenger approached customs alone.
- Directly after passport control and before entering the airline gate: Your boarding pass and passport will be checked one last time to ensure it has the stamp.
I have to say that even with all the security points, the airport seems to run efficiently! Wait times for each security checkpoint were never more than 10-15 minutes. I’m sure this depends on the season as well, so give yourself enough time to get through 4 check points/4 lines.
Lounges
❂ Pearl Lounge located in terminal 1 after security controls:
- A nice quiet area with pods and couches to unwind until your flight boards
- There is free wifi, non-alcoholic beverages, and food.
- No buffet, no self-service
- The cost per person if you do not have lounge access is 30 euro.
I hope you found this blog helpful and informative for your next adventure into Marrakech via Menara airport! Let me know your thought in the comments below and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
I will also be writing a blog post on what to do in Marrakech and my experience in the Sahara desert with our tour guide! I will link it here when it’s completed.
As always thanks for reading and happy exploring ✨