Marrakech - public bus from airport
I'll be staying at a hotel very close to Bab Doukkala bus station, can you advise how I get there from the airport using public transport? And will the bus drive expect the correct change - I'll only jusst have changed money at the airport? Thanks
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take care have nice holiday here in morrocco
as for public transport - don't know anything. didn't see a bus at the airport so I think taxi would be best.
also - I think it's best to change money at the airport because it's safe and you don't have to worry about being without local currency.
It may help to know at which hotel you are staying.
Bus service number 19 goes from the airport to Marrakech centre and costs 20Dh for each person or you can purchase a return ticket for 30Dh. There may also be a small charge for luggage but Im not sure what this is or if it is included in the fare.
Come out of the airport doors and go across the parking area, the bus stop is just to the left, no need to cross the road. There is a large lit up poster with a picture of the bus and bus times. Buses depart on the hour and half hour.
The driver may stop as close to the hotel as he possibly can if you tell him where you are staying; surprisingly some bus drivers do speak English.
If you just miss the bus you may have to wait quite a time during which you will be hassled by taxi drivers, just say no thank you or La Shokran and ignore them.
If the bus driver does not go near the hotel, then get off near Jemaa el Fna square and get a petit taxi for about 20Dh.
If you need a map of the centre get in touch, my e-mail is jklejna@aol.com.
You will probably be given large notes so ask for smaller denominations for bus/taxi.
When bringing paper currency into Morocco (U.S. Dollars, British Pounds, Euros etc.), these must be in near perfect condition - no tears or ink marks. Do not bring Scottish or Irish Sterling notes as they are impossible to cash as are Australian and Canadian Dollars.
Furthermore, if you intend to use a debit card, advise your bank or card issuer that you intend to travel abroad so that no block will be put on the usage of your card. Notify the issuer and give them a 'phone number where you can be contacted abroad.
There are a number of stops at which the 19 bus parks up, mainly outside of hotels for the benefit of travellers not wishing to use outrageously overpriced taxi's.
The bus goes to Djemaa el Fna but not into the square itself, which is mostly pedestrianised. The no. 19 stops on the main road opposite the Koutoubia Mosque.
Hi caff, thank you for your response as well. With the information that you have given me here plus other information I have found elsewhere since I posted my query I think I now have a good idea about where the bus stops are.
Kind regards to both of you.
1. The Mamounia hotel
2. The Royal Mirage hotel (now Albatross hotel)
3. The Kenzi Farah hotel
4. Es Saadi hotel (all hotels above are on Avenue de Menara)
5. Ryad Mogador (at Bab Doukkala)
6. M. Eddhabi
7. The Meridian
8. Siaha Farah
9. Sofitel
10. Le Marrakech hotel (in Guilez)
11. El Andalous
12. Ryad Opera
13. Kenza
14. Corail
15. Hivernage & Spa
16. Agdal
17. Les Almoravids (Guilez, near to Bab Nkob)
18. Atlas Marrakech
19. Les Idissides
20. Imperial Borj - CLOSED DOWN
21. Golden Tulip (Siaha)
22. Chems
23. Caspien hotel
24. Amalay
25. Al Boustane
26. Ibis hotel (Guilez/Hivernage)
27. Hasna
28. Oudaya
29. Tafoukt
30. Al Kabir
31. Hotel Diwane (Guilez)
32. Pacha
33. Menara
34. Mont Guilez
35. L Hamra
36. Imperial Holiday
37. Tazi (the square)
38. Hotel Foucauld (the square)
39. Le Gallia
40. Central Palace
41. The palmeries (multiple hotels)
42. Bahia (medina)
43. Club Med (the square)
44. Jnane el Harti
45. Al Charaf
46. Toulousain
47. Hotel Nassim (Guilez)
48. Amani
49. Atlassy
50. Atlas Medina
51. Ryad Opera
52. Royal Mirage Palace
53. Akabar
This is a link for YouTube where you can see info on the airport and map, although this is not very clear so try setting to 1080p for higher resolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-7ml0Dxkmo
Additionally, this is the link to the Alsa website who run the 19 bus. It shows the route for the bus but not hotel names along the route: http://www.alsa.ma/en/marrakech
If you wish to match this a map, I can send you a copy by e-mail, contact me at jklejna@aol.com
When first in Morocco, one of my fellow travelers was in a wheelchair which he made himself in a workshop. Thus he was able to dismantle it into pieces so he could get into a taxi and put the sections in the boot. His problem though was he could not walk at all and relied on the wheelchair completely. When getting around town, he was a bit of a mercenary plowing into people!
Most of the terrain in Marrakech, including the souks, is fairly flat so easy to negotiate.
Hotels may not have lifts so consider this when choosing one. Do a lot of research beforehand so that you are informed as to what facilities they may or may not have.