morocco travel guide - Globe Drifters

How to get from the Tangier Airport to the City Center

Getting from the Tangier airport to the city center is easy enough and you’ve got a couple of options. The most common mode of transportation is by taxi. Airport pick-up is not included on our Morocco trip, but this blog will serve as a guide to help you get from Tangier Ibn Battouta International airport to your hotel in Tangier with relative ease. See some of your options explained in more detail below.

Pre-arranging a Transfer from Tangier Airport

One way to get from the Tangier Airport to your hotel in the city center is to pre-arrange airport pick-up before arrival with companies such as Welcome Pickups. This is one of the faster and slightly more expensive options. It will take you approximately 20 – 30 minutes to get to the city center. You can find other transfer companies by searching travel websites such as TripAdvisor. The cost will vary depending on the company.

You can also ask your hotel if they offer airport transfer services. Many hotels in Tangier offer these services at elevated prices. If you prefer this option, you can get in touch with your hotel and ask them to arrange an airport pick-up. If you’re signed up for our Morocco trip, we will let you know the name of the hotel after booking and you can contact them directly and ask them if they can arrange your airport arrival transfer.

You will usually see your driver waiting for you in the arrivals area just after the baggage claim area exit. All you need to do is look for the driver holding a sign with your name on it. Tangier is a small airport and you usually won’t have trouble finding the driver. You’ll then be transferred to your accommodation and the adventure begins!

Your driver will be waiting for you just through the glass doors after you’ve collected your luggage.

Your driver will usually be waiting for you in this area with a sign with your name on it.

Note that it’s important to have WhatsApp downloaded and set up on your phone before you arrive so you can be in touch with the transfer company or your driver. There is free Wifi at the Tangier airport, but if you can’t connect, you can turn on data roaming to be in touch with your driver.

Taxi

The most common way to get from the Tangier airport to the city center or your hotel is by taxi. Getting from the Tangier airport to the city center will take about 20 – 30 minutes, depending on traffic. The cost is about 250 – 300 dirhams (approximately $25 – $30 USD). Before hopping in a cab, be sure to agree upon the fare with the driver!

When you exit the airport, you’ll see a line of cream-colored taxis lined up. These are called grand taxis and are a legal mode of transportation in Tangier. Show the driver your hotel address, but be aware that some locations in the medina are not accessible by car, so you may be dropped off as far as the driver can go in his car. If this happens, you’ll have to go the rest of the way on foot.

Morocco is waiting for you!

PRO TIP: If you exchange money at the airport, be sure to ask the cashier for small bills that are easier for small, local vendors to break. Be sure to check out our Money in Morocco blog for more information on currency.

Getting from the Tangier airport to the city center is pretty easy, and most travelers don’t have any issues. Happy travels!

Tipping in Morocco: How Much & Who to Tip

By globedrifters Morocco

Learn the dos and don’ts of tipping in Morocco. The tipping culture here is more relaxed than in some countries, but tipping is still the norm. This guide covers who to tip, how much to give, and helpful tips for navigating Moroccan tipping customs.

Camel trekking in the Moroccan Sahara Desert

Should you tip in Morocco?

Tipping is customary in Morocco, but it is not mandatory. The best rule of thumb is to round up your bill and leave spare change. If you receive poor service or inadequate service, you are not obligated to tip. Tips are usually not included in the bill, though some upscale restaurants add a 10–15% service charge. Read on for more about how much and whom to tip during your travels in Morocco.

PRO TIP: For the sake of convenience, think of 10 dirhams as about $1 USD.

Who do I tip in Morocco?

It’s common to tip:

Tour guides
Bus drivers
Restaurant and cafe servers
Taxi drivers
Hotel luggage porters and maids

If someone goes above and beyond, feel free to tip extra.

Expect to be asked for tips when taking photos of market vendors, artisans, or street performers. They usually ask for 10–50 dirhams (~$1–$5 USD). Always ask permission before taking photos!

Tipping your tour guide and bus driver at the end of your trip is also strongly recommended, especially if you are satisfied with the service they provided and they helped you have a great trip.

NOTE: We always suggest tipping your hotel maids as the majority are females. Morocco is a very male-dominated society with many women lacking access to education and decent job opportunities. Hotel maids are very hard-working and deserving of a tip just as much as your luggage porter or restaurant waiter.

On our Morocco trips, the trip leader may suggest a tipping kitty at the beginning of your tour to cover tips for luggage porters, cleaning staff, waiters at restaurants for included meals, etc. This is also for buying water for the group, as well as a few surprises not on the itinerary along the way. Your tour leader will usually ask for around $50 – 60 USD per person to contribute to the kitty.

One reason for this tipping kitty is that making small change can be difficult, and many travelers choose not to tip because they don’t have small bills.

How much should I tip in Morocco?

Here are general guidelines on who and how much to tip while traveling through Morocco:

Restaurant/Cafe servers: Round up the bill & leave spare change. (i.e. If the bill is 137 dirhams, round up to 150)
Taxi drivers: Round up the fare & leave spare change. (i.e. If the fare is 25 dirhams, round up to 30)
Luggage porters: 10 dirhams per piece of luggage; more for very heavy bags
Housekeeping: 10 dirhams per day
Photo of vendors, products, etc.: 10–50 dirhams depending on request

PRO TIP: Try to pay with larger bills whenever possible in order to make small change for tipping at more upscale restaurants or when purchasing an expensive item. Making change for market vendors or small cafes and eateries can sometimes be very difficult!

Hotel maids make sure your unique Moroccan accommodations are beautiful and comfortable!

Should I tip my tour guide in Morocco?

We always recommend tipping your Moroccan tour guide and tour bus driver, especially if you feel they did an exceptional job and enhanced your experience.

Below are suggested amounts for tipping your tour guide and bus driver at the end of the trip based on our past travelers’ feedback from our 12-day Morocco trip. If you feel they made your trip extra special, then you’re welcome to tip more.

Tour guide: 1000 – 1500 dirhams (≈ $100 – $150 USD)
Driver: 450 – 450 dirhams (≈ $50 – $60 USD)

PRO TIP: When withdrawing from an ATM in Morocco, try to take out an odd-numbered amount (i.e. 490 instead of 500 dirhams) and you’ll get smaller bills that are easier for small vendors to break. For more information on exchanging currency in Morocco, check out our How to Exchange Money in Morocco blog.

Oranges in Chefchaouen, Morocco (The Blue City)

Chefchaouen, also known as The Blue City

Tipping in Morocco is pretty modest and straightforward. Just remember, tipping is not compulsory and tips should only be given when excellent service is received. Happy travels!