Marrakech-Menara Airport
Five kilometres (3 miles) from the centre, Marrakech-Menara is the main gateway to the city and Morocco's second-busiest airport. Small enough to cross quickly, busy enough to get caught out.
Marrakech-Menara at a glance
Coded RAK and run by ONDA, the airport sits about five kilometres south-west of the centre. It's Morocco's second-busiest after Casablanca and one of the country's most-trafficked, with traffic climbing sharply in recent years. An expansion project is under way to keep up.
The terminals
The airport is arranged in several modules, in an architecture that echoes the Moroccan palace - mashrabiya screens and filtered light. International and domestic flights share the space, the latter few in number. Airline-terminal assignments change often: check your ticket and the departure boards, not a fixed rule.
On arrival
The flow is standard: immigration check, where the entry stamp goes on your passport, then baggage claim and customs. At peak times, especially in high season, the immigration queue can run long - bring patience. A passport valid at least three months from your entry date (six months recommended) is enough for a tourist stay up to 90 days, no visa, for most nationalities.
On-the-ground services
Post-Brexit, UK carriers charge daily add-ons or per-MB rates for Morocco. Two clean options: an eSIM activated before you land (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad or Saily typically £6-£35 for a Morocco plan), or a local SIM from Maroc Telecom, Orange or Inwi in the arrivals hall (about £8-£16 for around 20 GB, passport required). eSIM is faster and cheaper. A local SIM makes sense for stays running into weeks.
On departure
For an international flight, turn up about three hours ahead (more at busy times). You still need to check in at the airline counter even with no hold luggage, for the stamp on your boarding pass. Counters close one to two hours before the flight. Then security, exit control and the boarding area with its shops.
Parking
Accessibility
The terminal is recent and broadly accessible: step-free access, lifts, adapted toilets and reserved parking. For wheelchair assistance, tell your airline at least 48 hours before the flight. Flag your needs to your riad too, since the medina is still hard to move around in.
From the arrivals doors, touts offer a 'taxi' at two to four times the real fare: don't follow anyone, head for the official rank or your booked transfer. Watch out for currency exchange at poor rates and the currency conversion offered at ATMs - always pay in dirhams.
The essentials
