Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Grands taxis link towns to their neighbours, often in a relay system that may necessitate changing a few
times on longer journeys. Taxis sometimes ply longer routes but these services are rarer and usually leave
first thing in the morning.
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Grands taxis take six cramped passengers (two in the front, four in the back) and leave when full. It can
often be advantageous to pay for two seats to get the taxi going earlier, and give yourself more space. This is
particularly useful for lone women, as you should get the front seat to yourself.
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The fixed-rate fares are a little higher than bus fares, but still very reasonable. Make it clear you want to
pay for
une place
(one spot) in a
taxi collectif
(shared taxi). Another expression that helps explain that you
don't want the taxi to yourself is
ma'a an-nas
(with other people). If you've got particularly heavy/bulky
luggage, there might be a surcharge.
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Hiring an entire taxi is sometimes a good option - especially if you're travelling with a small group, or
you want to travel along an unpopular route without waiting hours for other passengers. The fare should be
six times the cost for one place. If you'll be travelling through a scenic area, make sure plans for stopping en
route are clear.
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Grand-taxi drivers often have a boy-racer mentality. Overtaking on blind corners can be a badge of hon-
our, and speed limits are only adhered to when there's a police roadblock in sight. Night-time journeys are
best avoided. Seatbelts are a rarity - and questioning this may be taken as a slur on your driver's skills.
Petit Taxi
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Cities and bigger towns have local petits taxis, which are a different colour in every city.
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Petits taxis are licensed to carry up to three passengers, but are not permitted to go beyond the city limits.
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They are usually, but not always, metered. To ask in French for the meter to be switched on, say '
tourne
le conteur, si'l vous plaît'.
Where taxis are not metered, agree on a price beforehand.
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If the driver refuses to use the meter and won't give you a price, ask to stop and get out. Most petit-taxi
drivers are perfectly honest, but those in Marrakesh and Casablanca are notoriously greedy with tourists.
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Multiple hire is common. The price should be the same whether you hail an empty taxi and pick up other
passengers en route, or there are already others in a taxi you wave down, or you travel alone.
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From 8pm (often 9pm in summer) there is normally a 50% surcharge - or just Dh1 or so where a fixed-
fare system is in place.
Pick-Up Truck & 4WD
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In more remote areas, especially the Atlas Mountains, locals travel between villages in Berber
camionettes
(pick-up trucks), old vans or the back of trucks.
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When travelling between remote towns and villages, the best time to find a lift is early on market days
(generally once or twice a week). Waits for departures can be considerable.
