Using a taxi in Rabat
If you’re planning a visit to Rabat, Morocco’s colorful capital city, a Rabat taxi is the easiest way to get around this historic UNESCO site while escaping the heat at the same time.
Hundreds of taxis are available across the city, and you have the choice between two types of taxis: petit and grand taxis. As the name suggests, petit taxis are smaller, with room for up to three passengers. In Rabat, they are a blue color and provide metered rides within the city boundaries. Grand taxis, on the other hand, are typically old Mercedes that can seat up to 6 passengers. These taxis operate along fixed routes and are more commonly used for inter-city trips, charging per-person rates.
Available at any time of day, you can hail a taxi in Rabat by waving one down in the street, or you can find them at designated taxi stands and near popular tourist attractions. Otherwise, you can arrange one using a Rabat taxi app, by phoning one directly, or by pre-booking one with a company like Welcome Pickups.
What's the cost of a taxi in Rabat?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| RABAT CITY CENTER TO NATIONAL ZOO | 6 € | 9 € | 14 MIN |
| RABAT CITY CENTER TO QUARTIER HASSAN | 8 € | 12 € | 17 MIN |
| RABAT CITY CENTER TO SALÉ | 11 € | 16 € | 20 MIN |
| RABAT AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER | 14.30 € | 19 € | 20 MIN |
| RABAT CITY CENTER TO CASABLANCA | 60 € | 90 € | 1 HR 15 MIN |
Rabat taxi rates
Your taxi fare in Rabat will depend on which type of taxi you use. Petit taxis are metered and can only operate within the city limits. You can expect to pay the following rates:
Base fare: €0.47 (5 MAD)
Rate per km: €0.85 (9 MAD)
Waiting time per hour: €3.80 (40 MAD)
Please note that the Rabat taxi fare from Rabat Airport to the city center is fixed at €14.30 (MAD 150) during the day and €19 (MAD 200) at night. Once in town, you can expect to pay around €1 (MAD 10) to any destination within the city, which is very affordable.
Grand taxis operate both in and outside the city at fixed rates, and the charge is usually per person. The driver may either wait until the taxi is full before departing, or they might pick up people along the way. If the taxi is full, you can expect to pay around €1.50 (15 MAN) per person for a short route. You can also choose to cover the cost of all 6 seats if you wish to depart immediately.
Keep in mind that your Rabat taxi price will likely increase by 50% at night (after 20:00), regardless of whether you’re using a petit or grand taxi.
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How to get a taxi in Rabat
Since taking a taxi in Rabat is the most popular way to get around, even for locals, it’s generally quite easy to hail one from the street. Keep in mind that metered taxis are the dark blue petit vehicles, whereas grand taxis are larger white and beige vans, usually Mercedes.
It’s common to hail a petit taxi in Rabat even if there are already passengers in it; just wave the driver over and let them know where you are headed; if it’s in the same direction, they’ll let you in.
Taxi stations are dotted throughout the city, where you’ll find grand taxis heading to specific destinations. If you plan to take a grand taxi for your intercity journey, keep in mind that they can be hot and crowded, with little to no luggage space. Since each stand serves a particular destination, it’s best to ask your hotel for the address of the one you’ll need.
You can also usually find taxis lined up near busy locations such as Mohammed V Avenue and popular tourist attractions like Kasbah des Oudaias, and there are several grand taxi stations along Avenue Chellah near the Old Bazaar.
It’s also possible to use a bicycle cab (a tricycle with a seating area) to get around the narrow streets of the medina.
How to get a taxi from Rabat Airport
Taking a taxi from Rabat Airport is easy. There are 30 official taxis stationed in front of the Arrivals Hall at any one time; simply take the first one in line. Keep in mind that due to the limited number of operating taxis, you may have to wait up to 20 minutes, unless you arrange a taxi in advance.
In addition to the fixed rate to the city center, there is also a fixed rate of €9.50 (MAD 100) during the day and €14.30 (MAD 150) at night to the nearby town of Salé. A price list should be displayed next to the taxi stand to guide you.
How to get a taxi from Rabat Ville
As the main train station in Rabat, taxis are usually stationed here during the hours trains are running. After disembarking, make your way to the main exit, and you will spot the row of blue taxis.
How to get a taxi from Rabat Bus Station
The bus station is very modern and well-signposted, so you should have no trouble finding a taxi from here. As you exit through the main entrance, you’ll immediately see a row of blue petit taxis. Across the road, in the car park, grand taxis will be waiting for passengers heading in all different directions.
Most popular Rabat taxi apps
During religious holidays and the peak travel season, finding an available taxi on the street can become more difficult, particularly if you’re traveling with a group of people, since seating space is limited. A great way to ensure that you’ll be able to catch a ride to where you need to go is to use a Rabat taxi app such as Careem or InDrive.
Otherwise, if you know exactly when and where you’d like to be picked up, you can pre-book a Rabat transfer with Welcome Pickups. This is especially recommended for trips to and from Rabat Airport, as these services offer a guaranteed pick-up time with fixed fares that you can pay for in advance online.
Useful Rabat taxi numbers
Not everyone has access to WiFi when they travel, and downloading yet another app may seem more like a hindrance than a help, in which case it can be useful to organize a taxi in Rabat by number.
Some popular Rabat taxi numbers include:
Taxis Rabat Maroc: +212 661 590 432
Station Taxi Khemisset: +212 642 288 322
Castle Trip: +212 661 955396
Benefits of booking your Rabat taxi in advance
Moving around by taxi in Rabat is by far the most convenient and stress-free transport option if you want to avoid the heat and the crowds. To take your experience to the next level with a top-rated company, you can pre-book your private transfer in Rabat with Welcome Pickups.
With Welcome, you’ll not only receive a reliable and personalized service, but also a friend on the ground. From the moment you land at Rabat Airport and throughout your trip, your trained, English-speaking driver will strive to provide the best possible service and a memorable experience for you and your travel party. No need to worry about finding an available cab on the street, your driver will come straight to you.
Rabat taxi tips
- Many Rabat taxi drivers don’t speak English; make sure to have any important information written down in Arabic.
- In most cases, card payment isn’t possible; always carry cash in the local currency in various notes.
- Tipping your taxi driver is customary in Rabat and greatly appreciated. For good service, you can round up or tip 10% of the total fare for long-distance trips.
- Grand taxis are usually shared with other passengers; there’s no reason to be alarmed if this happens to you, and as long as you don't mind the lack of privacy, your ride will cost less per person.
- After 20:00 or 21:00, the taxi rate in Rabat increases by 50%.
- It’s common when using a petit taxi for the driver to pick up other passengers along the way who are headed in the same direction.
- Some of the newer grand taxis can seat up to 11 passengers.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Rabat
Rabat can be a challenging destination for wheelchair users as it lacks specialized accommodation options and infrastructure compared to other cities in Morocco. However, with a bit of research and planning, you should be able to enjoy a memorable trip.
Taxis that you find on the street are usually not equipped to carry a wheelchair, unless it is foldable and can be placed in the trunk. However, it’s unlikely that petit taxis will have enough space, so you will need to locate a grand taxi service instead.
To ensure you’ll be met with a reliable Rabat taxi service, you can make arrangements with a travel agency that either owns or works with drivers who have fully accessible vans, such as Welcome Pickups.
Rabat taxi safety and complaints
Using a Rabat taxi is a safe option for tourists. The local authorities regulate taxi prices and services in general; as long as you choose an official taxi and you’re ready to negotiate the fare, you shouldn’t have any issues.
If, for any reason, you wish to file a complaint or report the driver for inappropriate behavior or reckless driving, you can first contact the company that they work for, and they should be able to come up with a solution.
If you don’t know which company the driver works for or if they can’t help you resolve the issue, you can escalate it to the local police. Make sure to write down as much information as possible, including the driver’s name, license plate, and registration number, to support your claim.