Morocco is full of breathtaking landscapes and lively city centers. Casablanca, the port city in the west of the country, facing the Atlantic Ocean is one of the historic cities of Morocco.
Casablanca is also a popular destination with its French colonial heritage evident in the Moorish architecture of the city center, its iconic Hassan II Mosque and its beautiful surroundings. Renting a car in Casablanca is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy these incredible panoramas at your own pace. The most suitable way to enjoy this adventure in complete freedom is undoubtedly renting a car. If you opt for this option there are several questions that will invade your mind.
In this article we will try to answer these questions in the most detailed way.
Should you rent a car in Casablanca?
It is highly recommended to rent a car in Casablanca. Although it may seem intimidating at first, self-driving is much easier than it seems. Unless you are staying in one city, renting a car is the most efficient and flexible way to get around Casablanca and the country as a whole.
Renting a car is also the best option if you are pressed for time and trying to see as much as possible. No need to rely on buses that only run twice a day and take forever to get to your destination. No need to go to the main city first to change buses. Having your own car means saying goodbye to long waits.
Renting a car in Casablanca also means that if you are traveling to the surrounding area or another destination, you do not need to drag your luggage to the train station. You can quickly leave your belongings in the trunk while you stop at a restaurant with a tiny backpack. There is also no worry about missing the bus or train.
Is it safe to rent a car in Casablanca?
The simple answer is: it is as safe as anywhere else. You will be stopped at checkpoints as the police will not know if you are a local or a tourist, but you should then flag yourself down.
The majority of the roads you have to use as a tourist are paved and safe. Morocco is in the middle of an innovation of road infrastructure in cities, national roads and highways. In Casablanca and big cities like Rabat and Marrakech the roads have become wider and well maintained, so driving has become quite smooth.
Who can rent a car in Casablanca?
To rent a car in Casablanca you must be at least 21 years old and have held a driving license for 1 year and for some categories of cars you must be at least 23 years old and have held a driving license for 2 years or register for young driver insurance.
First of all, you need a credit card with enough money not only for the rental but also for the initial insurance excess.
You will also need to bring your passport and of course you need a driving license. Make sure you have all three handy as well as the vehicle insurance as you will encounter police checks along the road.
Morocco has an agreement with many countries so depending on where you are coming from you may be able to use your own driving license to rent a car in Morocco. This is true for US and EU citizens. Even so, you may want to invest in an international driving license especially if your license does not have a photo of you on it. Make sure it has a French translation.
Do you need to be an expert to drive in Casablanca?
In Morocco, Casablanca in particular, you have to be vigilant behind the wheel. The traffic laws are not as respected. It is necessary to watch out for motorcyclists especially those who drive Chinese motorbikes. Other than their increasing number in the city, motorcyclists tend to appear out of nowhere on the road, always stay alert.
Traffic lights and signs are often on the far right of the road, so you might miss them if you don’t know where to look. It’s not uncommon for them to be hidden behind a tree, so keep checking. The same goes for speed signs. They can change quickly and can be hard to see – stay alert at all times. Developing countries often have a reputation for corrupt police officers; however, this is largely untrue in Morocco. The police and traffic wardens are helpful, so don’t hesitate to contact them for assistance. If you speak French or Arabic, you’ll be much better off as English is not always spoken.
Although Morocco is primarily an Arabic-speaking country, there are road signs that are easy to read. Illiteracy is still a problem in Morocco, so many road signs use symbols to explain this. It also helps that the signs are in Roman letters, as well as Arabic.
In Morocco, people drive on the right side of the road and traffic on the right is preferred. Wearing a seat belt is an absolute requirement, both legally and for safety reasons. Child car seats are mandatory on highways, but in cities, they are rarer. You can rent child seats from some car rental agencies in Casablanca if you want your babies or toddlers to be properly restrained.
If you are stopped by the police for an infraction, you will have to pay the fine on the spot in cash. Make sure to carry at least 1000 DH in cash when traveling for cases like this. Some examples of costs are 300 DH for seat belt violations and 300 DH per 10km over the speed limit you are traveling. Talking on the phone while driving is also a 300 DH fine.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Casablanca?
A well-known car rental company in Casablanca may cost more, price still does not translate into quality. Don't be afraid to book the cheapest car available from local agencies in Casablanca. Local offices are much more flexible, cheaper, and offer the same standard cars.
Expect to pay around €25 to €40 per day for a car rental in Casablanca. Gas costs around 65 DH per gallon (€6.2), and diesel is slightly cheaper. For around €40 to €50 extra per day, you can also hire a driver to take you where you want to go.
Some car rental companies in Casablanca offer to deliver the car to the airport, others do not. Some agencies, among those that offer this service, charge the customer an additional fee, while other agencies deliver the rented car to the airport or to the location chosen by the customer for free.
Rates differ from one agency to another depending on the vehicles and services offered. Take your time to compare the rates, services and quality of the vehicles offered by rental agencies in Casablanca.
