Casablanca-Settat · Morocco

Car rental in Casablanca

Casablanca — The economic capital, gateway to the kingdom

Casablanca is not a tourist postcard, but it is the economic heart of Morocco, the country's primary airport (CMN), and the most practical base for exploring Rabat, El Jadida, and the Atlantic coast. The Hassan II Mosque alone justifies a 24-hour detour.

Compare cars in Casablanca Read the full guide

Region: Casablanca-Settat
Population: ~3.5M pop. (urban area)
Airport: Mohammed V (CMN)
Climate: Mild oceanic, temperate summers
Time zone: GMT+1 (summer)
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

Why go

Why visit Casablanca?

The real reasons that make the difference when planning your stay.

Hassan II Mosque: 3rd largest in the world, 210 m minaret, guided tours in English

Habous Quarter: neo-Moorish medina created in the 1930s

Unique Art Deco architecture on Mohammed V Avenue and Gironde Boulevard

Aïn Diab Corniche: beaches, seafood restaurants, oceanfront bars

Transport hub: 1st ONCF railway station in the country, CMN airport, highways to the whole kingdom

When to go

Best time to visit

Climate, crowds and surf season at a glance.

April → June

Perfect climate, 20–26 °C, before the summer crowds. Ideal for the corniche and the medina.

September → October

After the back-to-school season, the city is quieter, and the ocean is still warm. Our favorite season for Casa.

July → August

25–30 °C, peak crowds on the corniche, cultural events (Jazzablanca Festival, Casa Music Show).

November → March

Mild but rainy and windy winters. Good for architectural tours and the Hassan II Mosque without the crowds.

Neighborhoods

Where to stay and wander in Casablanca

The right neighborhood changes everything: vibe, parking, distance to the beach.

City Center (Mers Sultan, Mohammed V)

Art Deco, business

Colonial historic heart: 1920s-30s architecture, banks, heritage cinemas (Rialto). A must-see on foot.

Maârif

Shopping, young

Commercial district, Twin Center, trendy restaurants, nightlife. A good base if you are working in Casa.

Aïn Diab / Corniche

Seaside, lively

Beaches, hotel pools, oceanfront restaurants, nightclubs. Easy parking during the day.

Anfa

Chic residential

Villas, embassies, upscale hotels. Quiet, safe, ideal for a comfortable business stay.

Habous (New Medina)

Artisanal, photogenic

Medina built by the French in the 1930s. White arches, Arabic bookstores, pastry shops (Bennis!).

Things to do

What to do in Casablanca

Our cliché-free selection, from must-see highlights to genuine local tips.

Culture

Hassan II Mosque

The only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims (outside prayer times). 1-hour guided tour (120 MAD), 210 m laser minaret, platform over the Atlantic.

Culture

Habous Quarter & Bennis pastry shop

Neo-Moorish medina, bookstores, Mohammed V Mosque. Taste the gazelle horns from Bennis (since 1930).

Culture

Art Deco architecture walk

Rialto Cinema, Liberté building, central market. The tourist office offers a very well-made "Casa-Patrimoine" map.

Plage

Aïn Diab Corniche

Oceanfront promenade, seafood restaurants, Sqala and Tahiti Beach pools. Ideally at sunset.

Famille

Morocco Mall & aquarium

One of the largest shopping centers in Africa. Giant aquarium, musical fountain, international brands. Good plan for a rainy day.

Culture

Villa des Arts & galleries

Contemporary art center in an Art Deco villa. Rigorous programming, free, air-conditioned.

Around the city

Day trips and road trips from Casablanca

Distances, driving times and what to expect on site.

Rabat

Administrative capital, Oudayas kasbah, Hassan Tower, Mohammed VI Museum. Direct A1 highway, toll ~30 MAD.

90 km1 h

El Jadida

UNESCO Portuguese city, spectacular underground cistern, family beaches. Perfect day trip round-trip.

100 km1 h 30

Azemmour

Small white medina above the Oum Errabia, street art, bohemian vibe. To be combined with El Jadida.

85 km1 h 15

Bouznika & royal beaches

Family beaches between Casa and Rabat, golf, pine forests. Weekend getaway for Casablancans.

55 km45 min

Marrakech

Direct A7 highway, toll ~70 MAD. Doable in a day but a minimum of 2 nights is recommended.

240 km2 h 30

Oualidia

Protected lagoon, renowned oysters, surfing in winter. One night there is ideal.

175 km2 h 30

Getting around

How to get around in Casablanca

In practice

Casablanca is huge and congested: on foot, you will remain confined to the center. The tram is efficient on its 2 lines but does not cover the corniche. The red petit taxis are numerous but overheated during rush hours. To move between Maârif, Aïn Diab, and the Habous — and even more so for Rabat or El Jadida — a car is by far the easiest.

Rent a car in Casablanca

Prix réels, sans frais cachés. Filtrez par type de véhicule, transmission et politique carburant.

Compare cars in Casablanca

What each way of getting around costs in Casablanca

Only amounts from verified sources are shown; elsewhere a practical indication replaces the price.

What each way of getting around costs in Casablanca
Mode	Indicative price	Good to know
Airport taxi → city centre	250 – 350 MAD	Observed range for the ride; agree the fare before departure.
Petit taxi in town	Metered	Ask for the meter to be switched on; night surcharge is standard.
Grand taxi (shared)	Per-seat fare, agreed upfront	The fare is quoted at the rank — ask for it before getting in.
Tram	Single ticket	Ticket machines at every stop, flat fare whatever the distance.
ONCF train	Depends on class and destination	Official ONCF fares; cheaper in 2nd class and off-peak.
Car rental / day	240 MAD – 750 MAD	Budget → comfort range observed in this city.

Car rental

Everything about renting in Casablanca

Prices, conditions, driving: the full guide, no fluff.

Renting in Casablanca: Mohammed V airport or center?

Mohammed V Airport (CMN) is 30 km south of the center, which is 30–45 min via the A7 highway (toll ~20 MAD). It is the 1st airport in Morocco: all international rental companies are present there 24/7. The center gathers independent agencies, especially in the Maârif district and along Mohammed V.

Our rule: if you arrive by plane and leave the next day for Marrakech, Rabat, or the coast, pick up the car at the airport — you save on the train (45 min, 43 MAD) or taxi (~300 MAD). If you stay 2-3 days in Casa before moving, renting in the center makes more sense: no airport surcharge and easier return.

CMN Airport: open 24/7, all international rental companies, surcharge ~10–15%
Maârif Center: lower rates, choice of independents
Casa-Voyageurs station: convenient if you arrive by train from Rabat / Marrakech

How much does a rental cost in Casablanca?

Highly competitive market: prices are comparable to Marrakech, among the lowest in the country. As an indication (daily, basic insurance, 7 days):

City car (Sandero, i10): 220–300 MAD / day (22–30 €)
Compact (Clio, Polo, Yaris): 300–420 MAD / day (30–42 €)
Compact SUV (Duster, Captur): 430–620 MAD / day (43–62 €)
Executive sedan (Passat, Mégane): 500–750 MAD / day, common for business trips
High rates in July-August and end-of-year holidays

Conditions, deposit, and insurance

Credit card required in the main driver's name. Deposit 5,000 to 15,000 MAD depending on the category. Minimum age 21, young driver surcharge up to 25.

Third-party liability included, CDW and theft highly recommended given the dense traffic. Check your premium bank card coverage before stacking insurances.

Valid national driver's license (1 year of experience) or international driving permit
"Full-to-full" fuel policy to be preferred
Unlimited mileage at most rental companies
Return at Casa-Voyageurs station possible with Avis / Europcar (to be confirmed)

Driving in Casablanca

Casablanca is undoubtedly the most difficult city in Morocco to drive in: heavy traffic, roundabouts with no apparent rules, scooters everywhere, traffic jams 8 am-10 am and 5 pm-8 pm. The tram has priority and cuts across main roads. Avoid driving in the city center during rush hours.

Outside the urban area, the A7 (Marrakech) and A1 (Rabat) are among the best highways in Africa. The N1 towards El Jadida is free but slower.

Speed limits: 60 km/h in the city, 100 km/h on roads, 120 km/h on highways
Numerous fixed speed cameras, zero tolerance
Fuel 13–15 MAD/L, gas stations everywhere
Parking: paid in the center (~3 MAD/h), underground parking lots around Mohammed V

Budget

How much to plan per day

Indicative prices in Moroccan dirhams (MAD), per person.

Item	Backpacker	Mid-range	Comfort
Hotel (night, double)	300 MAD	750 MAD	2 000 MAD
Meals	50 MAD	150 MAD	400 MAD
Car rental / day	240 MAD	420 MAD	750 MAD
Activity / visit	80 MAD	250 MAD	700 MAD
Total / day / pers.	≈ 420 MAD	≈ 950 MAD	≈ 2 200 MAD

Safety & advice

Good to know before you go

Casablanca is safe in the central districts and the corniche. Avoid isolated alleys at night (Old Medina, Hay Mohammadi).
Watch out for pickpockets on the tram during rush hours.
Tap water is drinkable according to standards, but mineral water is always safer for visitors.
Useful numbers: 19 (police), 15 (Samu).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions — Casablanca

The questions we get most often by message.

Is it better to rent in Casablanca city centre or at the airport?

If you are leaving Casablanca immediately for another city, rent at the airport. If you are spending your first few days visiting the city or attending business meetings in the centre, rent in the city centre to save on rental days and parking fees.

Is renting in the city centre cheaper?

Daily rates are generally the same. However, renting in the city is often more economical in the end because you do not pay for the days when the car would sit uselessly parked in front of your hotel.

Can the car be delivered to the hotel?

Yes, this is a very common and highly appreciated practice in Casablanca. Many agencies offer free or low-cost delivery directly to your address or hotel.

What budget should I plan for?

Expect between 25 and 35 € per day for an economy car in the low season. Anticipate an increase of 30 to 50% during the summer period.

Do I need a credit card?

Yes, it is imperative. A bank card with the word "Credit" is required to block the deposit. Debit cards are very often refused by the terminals of Moroccan agencies.

Go further

Tools & guides for your stay

Prepare every step with our dedicated guides and tools.

Mohammed V Airport (CMN) Guide

1st airport in the country: counters, ONCF train, transfers.

Casablanca → Marrakech Route

240 km of highway, tips for stops and gas stations.

Casablanca → Rabat Route

90 km, the must-do round trip from the coast.

Casablanca → Tangier Route

330 km via the A1, crossing the north of the kingdom.

Should you rent a car in Casablanca?

Interactive tool: tram, taxi, train, or car?

Compare transfer vs rental

Estimate the cost CMN → Maârif, Anfa, Aïn Diab.

Arriving by plane

Airports near Casablanca

Local hub and regional alternatives to plan your arrival and rent a car straight from the terminal.

Casablanca Mohammed V
CMN
30 km from the centre · 40 min
Local hub
Casablanca Mohammed V Airport is the main international hub of Morocco — over 9 million passengers/year, and the most used entry point for international travelers.
CMN airport guide Compare cars at CMN
Rabat–Salé
RBA
Regional airport · Rabat
Rabat–Salé Airport, on a human scale, serves the administrative capital. Traffic is mostly institutional and business, with regular connections to Europe.
RBA airport guide Compare cars at RBA
Marrakech Menara
RAK
Regional airport · Marrakech
Gateway to southern Morocco, Marrakech Menara Airport is located just 6 km from the historic centre. A major tourist hub connected to over 50 European destinations.
RAK airport guide Compare cars at RAK
Tanger Ibn Battouta
TNG
Regional airport · Tanger
The gateway to northern Morocco, ideal for exploring Tangier, Asilah, and Chefchaouen.
TNG airport guide Compare cars at TNG