Between airport transfers and ready-made day trips, there is an option many travellers discover on site and wish they had known about earlier: hiring a private driver for the day. A vehicle and a driver just for you, for eight or ten hours, to go wherever you want at your own pace. Here is how it works in Marrakech, who it is ideal for and how to make the most of it.
How hiring a driver works
You book a vehicle with driver for a set time, usually half a day or a full day. During that time, the driver takes you wherever your programme requires: sightseeing in town, shopping, lunch, a trip into the surroundings, dinner in the evening. He waits during your visits, keeps your purchases safe in the vehicle and adapts the route if you change your mind.
The difference from a classic day trip? You are not buying a fixed programme, but time and freedom. The difference from a taxi? The same driver stays with you all day, with no haggling for every ride.
What is it for?
A day discovering Marrakech
Morning at the Majorelle Garden, lunch in the Palmeraie, afternoon at the Menara or an artisans’ market outside the medina, a sunset drink on a rooftop: without a driver, every journey becomes a taxi negotiation. For a detailed visit of the medina and its monuments, we add an official guide, the only person licensed to guide on the sites; your driver drops you off and picks you up at the gates.
A tailor-made trip
Want to combine Ourika in the morning and Lalla Takerkoust lake in the afternoon? Prefer an Atlas village off the tourist trail, or a particular cooperative? Hiring a driver lets you design your own trip. For ideas, see our guide to the best day trips from Marrakech.
Shopping and bulky purchases
Rugs, pottery, lamps, ceramics: end-of-stay purchases pile up quickly. Your driver takes you to the artisans’ districts and showrooms, and your purchases stay in the vehicle until you are back at your hotel.
Business trips and events
Business meetings, seminars, weddings or birthdays: a dedicated driver guarantees punctuality and a polished image, with a vehicle suited to the number of participants.
A typical day
- The day before, you tell us your main wishes: departure time, places you want to see, restaurant booked.
- In the morning, your driver waits outside your hotel or at your riad’s meeting point.
- During the day, he drives you from place to place, advises on opening times and good addresses, and waits for you at each stop.
- In the evening, he drops you at your accommodation, or at the restaurant if your plan includes it.
Half day, full day or several days?
- Half day (about 4 hours): ideal for a targeted visit, shopping or a sunset outing.
- Full day (8 to 10 hours): to combine the city and its surroundings, or for a personalised trip.
- Several days: the most economical option for a road trip between Marrakech, the Atlas, Essaouira and Agadir. The driver travels with you from stage to stage, and his accommodation costs are included in the quote.
How the price is calculated
The rate for hiring a driver depends on the duration, the type of vehicle and the distances covered. A day in town or nearby does not cost the same as a day including a return trip to Essaouira. In every case we give you a fixed price in advance, including fuel and the driver, with no online payment. As with our transfers, the price is per vehicle: with four or five people, hiring a driver becomes very affordable per person.
Which vehicle should you choose?
- A premium SUV for a couple or a business meeting.
- A Mercedes Vito for a family or a small group of up to seven, with room for shopping.
- A Mercedes Sprinter for a group of up to sixteen.
The features of each vehicle and how they work are detailed in our complete guide to private tourist transport in Morocco.
Questions to ask before booking
- Language: our drivers speak French and/or English; state your preference.
- Child seats: provided on request, to be mentioned when booking.
- The driver’s meals: on a full day, it is customary to give him time for lunch; he often takes it while you have yours.
- Tipping: not compulsory, but appreciated if you enjoyed the service.
Private driver or organised trip?
If you know exactly what you want to see and it matches one of our day trips, book the trip directly: the programme is already optimised and the price includes any local guides. If you want more flexibility, to combine several places or mix sightseeing, shopping and restaurants, hiring a driver is made for you. Our article private tours with a driver in Morocco explains both approaches.
Book your driver
Send us the date, the length of time you need, the number of passengers and your wishes: we will reply quickly with a proposal and a fixed price. You can also browse all our transfers and private rides for your arrivals and departures.
