Withdrawing cash at Marrakech airport
Several ATMs and exchange desks are located in the public arrivals hall, after customs, and on the departures side. The ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard and charge a fixed fee per withdrawal, so one large withdrawal beats three small ones. The airport exchange rate is fair without being the best in town; change enough for two days and top up in Gueliz if you are staying longer.
Two local rules to know: dirhams cannot be bought outside Morocco, and they cannot be taken out either. Plan to change any remaining notes before passport control on departure, and keep the receipt from your first exchange. All the tips are in our guide to money and exchange in Morocco.
Getting connected as soon as you land
The terminal's free wifi is fine for sending a message, no more. To be reachable as soon as you walk out, which matters when you need to contact a driver or riad, there are two options:
- Local SIM card: Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi desks are in the arrivals hall. A tourist plan with data costs a few dozen dirhams. Passport required, activation in a few minutes. Comparison in our article on SIM cards in Morocco.
- eSIM: activated before you leave, it works the moment you land, with no queue or paperwork. It is the simplest option if your phone is compatible. See our Morocco eSIM page.
Lost or damaged luggage: what to do
If your suitcase does not appear on the belt, do not leave the reclaim area: go to the baggage desk of your airline or its ground handler, with your boarding pass and the tag stuck to the back of your ticket. You will be given a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and a file number, both essential to trace the bag and claim compensation. Give the exact address of your accommodation: recovered bags are delivered, but a medina riad is much easier to find with the name of the nearest gate.
Travelling with children or reduced mobility
Reduced mobility assistance must be requested from the airline at least 48 hours before the flight: the airline triggers the service with the airport. Mention it again at the check-in desk on the day. With children, bring water and snacks: you cannot cross the passport queues with a tray, and the lounges become a real comfort if there is a delay.
As for formalities, the police card was abolished in September 2019: only your passport is checked, on entry and exit. Citizens of the EU, Switzerland, the UK, Canada and the US need no visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days, with a passport valid for the whole stay.
Withdraw dirhams and break them into 50 and 100 notes. Activate your connection, eSIM or local SIM. And know exactly where you are going: the riad's name, the medina gate, or the meeting point with your driver.