Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK): practical guide

Opening hours, how early to arrive, what you find inside, and how to get to and from the city: the questions travellers ask most.

By the Medina Transfers team · Updated 14 October 2026

Marrakech Menara Airport (code RAK) is the only airport of Marrakech. It is about 6 km from the city centre, open 24 hours a day, and a 15 to 20 minute drive from the Medina, Gueliz and Hivernage.

Key facts

Question	Answer
Airport code	RAK
Distance from the city centre	About 6 km
Opening hours	24 hours a day
Terminals	Connected terminal buildings under one roof, for international and domestic flights
WiFi	Free
Lounge	Aspire Lounge, Terminal 1 (it replaced the Pearl Lounge in 2025)
Cash	ATMs and exchange counters near baggage reclaim and by the exits

Flying out: how early to arrive

Airlines usually ask passengers to be at the airport 2 to 3 hours before an international flight. Allow 3 hours when you can: check-in, security and passport control each have their own queue, and they lengthen when several flights leave close together. Count back from there to set your pick-up time: 15 to 20 minutes from the centre, 25 to 35 minutes from the Palmeraie.

Arriving

Passport control, baggage reclaim, then customs. With checked luggage, plan 30 to 60 minutes from landing to the exit during busy periods. The arrival guide goes through each step.

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Inside the terminal

Money: ATMs and exchange counters. See money at the airport.
SIM cards: counters for Orange, Maroc Telecom and inwi after customs. Passport required.
Shops and duty-free: in the departures area, after security.
Lounge: the Aspire Lounge, after passport control. See the fast track and lounge guide.
Smoking: travellers report a smoking lounge after security, near the A gates.

Getting to and from the city

Private transfer: €20 per vehicle for 1 to 7 passengers, booked in advance. See the price guide.
Taxi rank: outside arrivals at all hours. See how taxis work.
Bus 19: 30 dirhams per person, daytime and evening. See the bus 19 guide.
At night: see taxis at night.

Sources

Sleeping in Airports, opening hours, WiFi and lounge
Orange Travel, terminals, arrival steps and waiting times
The Airport Lounge Bro, Pearl Lounge and arrival time before a flight, 2026

Other guides

Marrakech airport bus 19: route, stops, price and timetableLine 19 is the cheapest way from Marrakech Menara Airport to the city. Here is where it goes, what it costs, and when it is the wrong choice.Is there Uber in Marrakech?Uber is back in Marrakech after seven years away. Here is how it works today, where the other apps stand, and what to do when you land.Arriving at Marrakech airport, step by stepFrom the aircraft door to the pavement outside: the order of the steps at Marrakech Menara Airport, how long they take, and where your transport waits.How far is Marrakech airport from the city centre?Distances and drive times from Marrakech Menara Airport to each district of the city and to the main destinations beyond, plus the time to allow door to door.Marrakech airport taxi at nightA late arrival changes three things: the taxi fare, the bus, and how easy it is to find a riad. Here is what to expect after dark.Private transfers from Marrakech to other citiesDistances, drive times and alternatives for the main routes out of Marrakech, and when a private vehicle is worth it.Getting around Marrakech with a private driverHow the districts of Marrakech fit together, how long it takes to cross from one to another, and when a driver is simpler than a taxi.Day trips from Marrakech with a private driverWhat can be reached from Marrakech in a half day or a day, how long the road takes, and how a day with a driver is organised.Taxis in Marrakech: how they workTwo kinds of taxi, a meter that is not always used, and cash only. Here is what to know before you raise your hand.Tipping in Marrakech: taxis, drivers and airport transfersTipping is appreciated in Morocco but never an obligation. Here are the amounts people actually give to drivers.Money at Marrakech airport: dirhams, ATMs, cards and cashYou cannot buy dirhams before you leave home. Here is where to get them when you land, and what you will need cash for in the first hour.Luggage storage in Marrakech: where to leave your bagsA late flight, an early check-out, a riad whose room is not ready: here is where your suitcase can wait in Marrakech, and what it costs.Marrakech airport fast track and loungesFast track, meet and greet, lounge: what each one really is at Marrakech Menara Airport in 2026, what it costs, and whether you need it.SIM card, eSIM and WiFi at Marrakech airportYou land, and the first thing you want is a working phone. Here is what the three operators sell at the airport, what an eSIM costs, and how to manage without either.Queues at Marrakech airport and how early to arriveStories of endless queues at Marrakech airport are mostly out of date. Here is what the figures say in 2026, where time is still lost, and when to leave your hotel.Marrakech airport shuttle bus: every option comparedThe airport bus to the centre costs about 3 euros. Here is what else runs from the airport by bus or shuttle, and the point where a private car becomes cheaper.

Frequently asked questions

Is Marrakech airport open 24 hours?

Yes. The airport is open 24 hours a day and taxis wait outside at all hours. The airport bus does not run late in the evening.

What is the code of Marrakech airport?

RAK. The full name is Marrakech Menara Airport.

How early should I arrive at Marrakech airport?

Airlines usually ask for 2 to 3 hours before an international flight. Travellers who know the airport suggest 3 hours, because check-in, security and passport control can each have a queue. See queues and how early to arrive.

How many airports are there in Marrakech?

One: Marrakech Menara Airport, about 6 km from the city centre.

Does Marrakech airport have free WiFi?

Yes, free WiFi is available in the terminal.

Can you walk from Marrakech airport to the city centre?

It is about 6 km along main roads, which is not practical with luggage. A taxi, the bus or a transfer takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Does Marrakech airport have a lounge?

Yes, the Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1, which replaced the Pearl Lounge in 2025. Priority Pass lists it. See the fast track and lounge guide.

About the author

The Medina Transfers team

Medina Transfers is a private transfer company based in Marrakech (Bd Zerktouni, Passage El Ghendouri) that runs transfers between Marrakech Menara Airport and the city.

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