What Is a Petit Taxi in Morocco?
Quick answer
A petit taxi is a small, colour-coded city cab in Morocco — a different colour in each city — carrying up to three passengers for short trips within the city. They should run the meter (“compteur”); fares are low (often 10–30 MAD around town), with a legitimate surcharge at night.
Petit taxis are the everyday way to zip around Moroccan cities — cheap, plentiful and handy when the medina’s heat or your tired feet call for a ride. Knowing how they work avoids the one common annoyance: the unmetered fare.
Here’s the rundown.
What a petit taxi is
Petit taxis are small cars (often a compact hatchback or sedan) painted a distinctive colour that varies by city — beige/khaki in Marrakech, red in Casablanca, blue in Rabat, and so on. They carry up to three passengers and operate only within the city limits (for intercity trips you need a grand taxi).
They’re everywhere in towns and cities and easy to flag down on the street.
The meter and fares
Petit taxis are legally meant to use the meter (“compteur”) — ask for it when you get in. City fares are low, commonly 10–30 MAD for a typical trip, with a legitimate surcharge (often around 50%) at night. Drivers may also legally pick up other passengers going the same way (shared rides).
From airports and for obvious tourists, drivers often won’t use the meter — in that case, agree the fare before getting in, and know the rough price for your route.
Tips to avoid overpaying
Insist on the meter, or agree the price first if they refuse. Carry small dirham notes and coins — drivers rarely have change for big notes, which is sometimes used to round up against you. A few words of greeting and a confident, friendly manner help.
Where available (Casablanca, Rabat, sometimes Marrakech), apps like inDrive give fixed app-set prices and remove the haggling. For longer or intercity trips, use a grand taxi, train or private driver.
Key takeaways
- Petit taxis are small, colour-coded city cabs (colour varies by city).
- Up to three passengers; city trips only (grand taxis go intercity).
- Insist on the meter; fares ~10–30 MAD, with a night surcharge.
- Carry small notes; use inDrive where available for fixed prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a petit taxi in Morocco?
Typically 10–30 MAD for a short city trip on the meter, with a legitimate surcharge (around 50%) at night. Always ask for the meter or agree the fare first.
Do petit taxis use a meter?
They’re supposed to. Ask for the “compteur.” From airports and for tourists they often won’t, so agree the price before setting off.
How many people can ride in a petit taxi?
Up to three passengers. For larger groups or intercity trips, you need a grand taxi (or a private vehicle).
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