Welcome to Morocco! You’ve just arrived at the stunning Marrakech Menara Airport. Here are some essential tips to ensure a smooth arrival and departure.
Marrakech Menara Airport is conveniently located just 7 kilometers from the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, making it only a 15-20 minute drive to the city center.
Passport Control
Upon landing, your first stop will be passport control. To minimize delays, please proceed to the passport control line promptly, especially if multiple flights have landed around the same time.
The officer at passport control will ask for the name and address of your hotel or riad. It’s a good idea to have this information readily available. They may also request to see your boarding pass, which can be shown in mobile format.
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After successfully passing through, you will receive one stamp for entry and another for your exit from Morocco. Additionally, if this is your first visit, you will be issued a special ID stamp.
Before entering the baggage claim area, another officer will ask to see the stamp in your passport.
Baggage Claim
If you checked luggage, you can retrieve it from the baggage carousel immediately after passport control. Nearby, you’ll find currency exchange booths and restrooms. Don’t forget one last check before leaving the Marrakech airport: a security scan of your luggage.
Drones
It’s important to note that drones are prohibited in Morocco. If you attempt to bring a drone into the country, it will be confiscated at customs during the luggage scan.
SIM Cards
Before you leave the airport, be sure to stop by the booths selling Moroccan SIM cards (from Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange). I recommend purchasing a local SIM card and having it activated on the spot. For more information on staying connected in Morocco, check out my post titled “Stay Online in Morocco: SIM Cards and Internet.”
ATMs
Near the SIM card stands, you will find ATMs. I recommend withdrawing Moroccan dirhams directly from the ATM instead of exchanging your money, which often comes with higher fees.
Taxis
If you need a taxi, head to the taxi ordering counter located next to the arrivals exit. Here, you can prepay your fare using cash or a card; rates are fixed based on your destination. After payment, you will receive a receipt indicating your taxi number. Then, proceed to the taxi area upstairs, show your receipt, and enjoy your ride to the hotel. For more information on getting from Marrakech airport to the city center, refer to my post “How to Get from Marrakech Airport to the City Center.”
Departing from Marrakech Airport
It’s advisable to arrive at Marrakech Airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight. Even if you are traveling with just hand luggage, it is essential to first visit your airline’s check-in counter to obtain a stamp on your boarding pass. Following that, you will need to go through the luggage scan and passport control.
Therefore, ensure you have ample time and arrive early, as you may encounter multiple lines.
If you’re flying out of Morocco with a budget airline like Ryanair, be sure to check in online and print your boarding pass. This is a unique requirement only for Ryanair. According to Ryanair’s website:
“If you depart from a Moroccan airport, a digital boarding pass will not be accepted. You must carry a physical printout of your boarding pass and present it at the Moroccan airport check-in facility.”
Most other airlines do not require a printed boarding pass and allow you to check in at the airport instead.
