Rental Cars & Self-Driving

A rental car is the best option to discover Morocco's rural beauties and remote regions — the Atlas Mountains, the Road of the Kasbahs, the Atlantic coast, and the southeast. In the Medina cities (Marrakesh, Fes), a car is more of a hindrance, but for tours, it is unbeatable.

Costs

• Small car (Dacia Sandero, Renault Clio): 250–400 MAD/day (25–40€) — sufficient for roads and light terrain.
• SUV/4×4 (Dacia Duster): 400–700 MAD/day (40–70€) — recommended for Atlas tracks and desert edges (Note: real Sahara tracks require an off-road vehicle with a guide).
• Fuel: approx. 14 MAD/liter (1.35€/l) for gasoline, 12 MAD/liter (1.15€/l) for diesel (as of 2025).
• Insurance: Full coverage (CDW/LDW) is a must — the deductible is otherwise high (5,000–15,000 MAD).
• Toll roads (Autoroutes): Morocco has a good highway network with tolls. Marrakesh–Casablanca: approx. 60 MAD. Casablanca–Fes: approx. 100 MAD. Casablanca–Tangier: approx. 120 MAD. Payment in cash or via Jawaz transponder.

Providers

International providers (Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt) have offices at all airports and in the cities. Local providers (Medina Cars, First Car, Afrique Cars) are often 20–30% cheaper, but the vehicles are older. Book through comparison portals (Check24, billiger-mietwagen.de) for the best prices, and pay attention to customer reviews for local providers.

Driving in Morocco — What You Need to Know

• Road condition: Highways and national roads (N-roads) are in excellent condition. Provincial roads (P/R-roads) vary greatly — from well-paved to pothole-ridden. Tracks in the Atlas and desert require experience and possibly 4×4.
• Traffic rules: Right-hand traffic, speed limit: 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on country roads, 120 km/h on highways. Police checks (speed traps and roadblocks) are very frequent — strictly adhere to the limit!
• Driver's license: German driver's license is accepted. An international driver's license is not required but recommended (and costs only 15€ at the citizens' office).
• Roundabouts: Ubiquitous and often chaotic. Basic rule: Whoever is in the roundabout has the right of way — in practice, however, the law of the stronger often applies.
• Avoid night driving: Unlit donkey carts, pedestrians, and cyclists on the road make night driving outside the cities dangerous.
• Parking: In the cities, there are "Gardiens" (unofficial parking attendants with yellow vests). Give them 5–10 MAD when you return — they watch over your car. In many places, there is no alternative.
• Refueling: Gas stations (Shell, Total, Afriquia) are plentiful on main roads. In the desert and mountains, distances can be large — fill up before heading into remote regions.