Getting around Marrakech

Public transport

ALSA Marrakech (www.alsa.ma) provides the local buses, including double-decker tourist buses that pass through key attractions and airport transfer.

Taxis

Marrakech's petit taxis are standard metered taxis, which can be hailed around the city. Ask the driver to use the meter or haggle for an agreed fare before travelling. When you arrive, make sure you have small notes to pay in cash. Tipping is not expected, but you can round up a dirham or two if the trip was excellent.

Grand taxis are old Mercedes cars that can carry up to six people for a fixed, agreed-upon fare, usually to out-of-town destinations such as Essaouira. Drivers will make sure all seats are full in a Grand Taxi and then leave from popular places like the bus station at Bab Doukkala.

A calèche is a horse-drawn carriage that can carry up to six people, either as a mode of transport within the medina or as a picturesque way to tour Marrakech. Not all tours have fixed prices, so check or negotiate before your ride. You can find calèches lined up between the Koutoubia Mosque and Jemma el-Fna.

Driving

Most tourists tend to avoid driving in Marrakech as some roads are narrow and often crowded with people and cyclists. After dark, the dangers increase since it is legal to drive cars and ride bicycles without lights at up to 20kph (12mph).

Street parking is often supervised by a 'parking guardian' on the block, who usually wears a blue coat and expects a tip of a few dirhams. Private parking can be found in most major hotels in Guéliz and off the Avenue Mohammed V. Other parking can be found around Medina at Jemaa el-Fna and off Rue Riad Zitoun el Jedid.

Car hire

Major car hire companies like Budget (+212 5244 38710; www.budget.com), Europcar (+212 5244 31228; www.europcar.de) and Hertz (+212 80 200 7778; www.hertz.com) operate in Marrakech. You can also rent from local companies.

Drivers must be over 21 to hire a car, but some rental companies charge additional fees for drivers under 23. Foreign nationals may drive in Marrakech if they are holders of a valid driving licence, but an International Driving Permit is recommended. Third-party insurance is automatically included when renting a car, but you might want to pay extra for collision damage waiver and personal insurance to avoid excessive charges in case of an accident.

Bicycle hire

Popular alternatives to car travel include bicycles and scooters. There are quite a few bicycle hire shops around the medina – some even conduct tours.