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| Home > City Guide - Marrakech - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport The national company CTM (tel: (04) 443 4651; website: www.ctm.co.ma) is the main provider of urban bus services within Marrakech, which leave from Marrakech’s central bus station, Place El Mouarabitène, just outside Bab Doukkala. There are also many private lines that operate throughout the city from the central bus station. CTM services are reliable and operate from early morning until late at night (around 0500-2200), with night buses running on the more popular routes. However, buses can be very crowded at peak hours (four times daily). Single fares are paid to the driver and cost no more than Dh3 for journeys between Guéliz and the medina. Grand Taxis, Petit Taxis and Calèches Quicker and only a little more expensive than the buses are the grand taxis, large cars that carry up to six people for a fixed fare. Generally keeping to specific routes, the taxis leave – when full – from the bus station, from Jemaa-el-Fna and from the Post Office in Guéliz. Petit taxis are saloon cars that are required to be metered but seldom are, so visitors should ask their driver to switch on the meter as they enter the vehicle. Otherwise, prices are best agreed in advance with an average price of around Dh10–20 rising to Dh15–25 at night. It is not customary to tip, although foreign visitors often do. In addition is the calèche, a horse-drawn carriage carrying up to five people. Again, prices should be agreed in advance. For five people this should not cost much more than a petit taxi. Calèches line up in the garden square between the Koutoubia and Place Jemaa El Fna, the Badia Palace and the more expensive hotels. For specified trips, grand taxis and calèches are required by law to display prices. All three can be hired for tours of the city. Grand and petit taxis can be hired for day trips outside the city. Limousines Limousines can be hired from Travel Link, 19 Rue Mauritania, Guéliz (tel: (04) 444 8797; fax: (04) 444 8839; e-mail: nait@travellink.ma; website: www.travellink.co.ma). Rates are Dh2000–2800 (dependent on the type of limo) for an eight-hour tour for two people. Driving in the City Many of the roads in the Marrakech medina are simply too narrow for cars and only small cars can negotiate the rest. It is advisable to leave the car and use taxis while in the city. Furthermore, accident rates are very high, especially around the medina where people and cyclists are apt to pull out suddenly in front of the traffic. After dark, the dangers increase since it is legal to drive cars and ride bicycles without lights at up to 20kph (12mph). Parking in Guéliz can be found at any of the big hotels or off the Avenue Mohammed V. In the medina, spaces are available at the Jemaa El Fna outside the Foucauld Hôtel and in the car park beside the CTM Hôtel. Car Hire The major car hire companies can be found in Guéliz. These include: Avis, 137 Avenue Mohammed V (tel: (04) 443 3727 or 3169 (airport office); website: www.avis.com); Hertz, 154 Avenue Mohammed V (tel: (04) 443 9984 or 444 7230 (airport office); fax: (04) 443 9983; website: www.hertz.com); Europcar, 63 Boulevard Zerqtouni (tel: (04) 443 1228; website: www.europcar.com); Budget, Boulevard Zerktouni, Guéliz (tel: (04) 443 1180 or 8875 (airport office) or 444 0720 (La Mamounia office); website: www.budgetrentacar.com), and Always, Complex Kawkab, Centre Guéliz (tel: (04) 444 6797; fax: (04) 443 0938). Hire fees are subject to 20% government tax; visitors should make sure that this has been added to the agreed price. Rates start at around Dh600 per day for a four-door saloon. Although smaller local companies can undercut this by up to a half this is often reflected in the condition of the cars. However, one more reputable outfit is Concorde Cars, 154 Avenue Mohammed V (tel: (04) 443 9973). Drivers must be over 21 years of age to hire a car and be in possession of a full national driving licence. Third-party insurance is automatic on renting a car. Bicycle and Scooter Hire A popular alternative is the bicycle or moped. Both can be rented from Hassan Location, 51 Rue de la Recette, Medina (tel: (04) 444 2493), and Marrakech Motos, 31 Route de Casablanca (tel: (04) 444 8359). Prices start at around Dh100 per day for a bike and Dh200 per day for a moped. Bicycles can also be hired from Hôtel de Foucauld, Avenue El Mouahidine (tel: (04) 444 5499), and Hotel Central Palace, 59 Derb Sidi Bouloukat (tel: (04) 444 0235), both just off Jemaa El Fna, as well as from a number of small operators around Place 16 Novembre, Guéliz. |
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