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Original poster

Exchanging money in marrakesh

26 replies

WeepingSomnambulist · 21/02/2023 14:44

Hi.
Can anyone help with some advice?

Going to Marrakesh in a couple weeks. The Riad plus tourist tax is €700 and to be paid on arrival.

I've asked them if they want paid in actual cash euros or in moroccan dirhams.

If I've to pay in dirhams then I'll need to exchange money at the airport, which isnt the best rate.

Will the airport exchanges accept pounds sterling in cash or do I need to use my card? I wanted to avoid my card to avoid the fee from Halifax. Anyone been and can help?

OP posts:
BlueberryBuffin · 21/02/2023 14:46

€700??!!! Is that a typo???

Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 21/02/2023 14:48

No. Four of us staying for a week. The tourist tax is €70 and the riad is €625. So altogether, it is €695.

OP posts:
Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 21/02/2023 14:50

They give prices in euros. I'm using pounds so can change into euros here or take pounds and change to dirhams in marrakesh.

I just didnt knowing the airport would let me change about £650 in cash notes.

OP posts:
BlueberryBuffin · 21/02/2023 14:53

Ok.
Sorry I've no idea about this (so why reply, right?!) But I wouldn't carry €700 cash ANYWHERE
How much is the card charge? I'd just pay it tbh. Better than withdrawing, exchanging, then guarding that much cash

Chewbecca · 21/02/2023 14:56

Most people would pay the Riad on a card, rather than cash.

Have you worked out if the fee on your card is any worse than the exchange fees? Make sure you take exchange rates into account as well as fees.

Could you apply for a card that doesn't apply a transaction fee? Jaja is one.

Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 21/02/2023 14:57

BlueberryBuffin · 21/02/2023 14:53

Ok.
Sorry I've no idea about this (so why reply, right?!) But I wouldn't carry €700 cash ANYWHERE
How much is the card charge? I'd just pay it tbh. Better than withdrawing, exchanging, then guarding that much cash

My wallet clips to my bra, under my clothes. I'm not worried about carrying cash.

And anyway, I would be carrying it onto the plane, off the plane to the waiting taxi with my name on it and straight to the door of the riad. The taxi driver walks us to the door or the riad.

Loads of places in marrakesh do not accept card. You do need to carry cash. I plan to get dirhams to last the first few days and then top up again during the week. But I do need the initial €700 worth to pay the hotel.

OP posts:
Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 21/02/2023 14:58

Chewbecca · 21/02/2023 14:56

Most people would pay the Riad on a card, rather than cash.

Have you worked out if the fee on your card is any worse than the exchange fees? Make sure you take exchange rates into account as well as fees.

Could you apply for a card that doesn't apply a transaction fee? Jaja is one.

Loads of riads dont accept card.

I've messaged to ask if they do so if they say yes then that solves the issue but just waiting.

OP posts:
Janek · 21/02/2023 15:09

If you're already with Halifax, you need a Halifax Clarity card, they don't charge foreign currency fees on that card and give you a perfect exchange rate. You can withdraw money from a local cash machine or pay on it.

Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 21/02/2023 15:44

Thank you for the card recommendations but we're going in 2 weeks. Bit last minute so not really wanting to take out a new credit card.

Literally just asking if anyone knows if the currency exchange in the airport accepts cash notes or do I need to just use my card.

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AltitudeCheck · 24/02/2023 23:08

You can change pounds or euros to dirhams at the airport and at loads of places in Marrakech.

We had euros left from a previous holiday which were were happily accepted in our riad which was at the 'budget' end of the things.

Bigger restaurants take cards. We used our dirhams at smaller restaurants, markets etc. We didn't ever have a problem breaking larger notes.

I was pleasantly surprised how 'easy' Morocco was.... Less hassle / hard sell /scams than I had expected. We got buses Marrakesh - Essaouira - Agadir and felt safe throughout the trip.

user12345678912334 · 24/02/2023 23:14

Went in January and we paid taxes etc in pounds.
Exchange rate wasn't too bad.
BTW: group of females and felt quite safe.
Beautiful country and wonderful people.

Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 26/02/2023 14:45

@user12345678912334

Can I ask, did you need to take medical records/proof of vaccines when you went? I'm seeing conflicted advice online.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 26/02/2023 14:52

WeepingSomnambulist · 21/02/2023 14:57

My wallet clips to my bra, under my clothes. I'm not worried about carrying cash.

And anyway, I would be carrying it onto the plane, off the plane to the waiting taxi with my name on it and straight to the door of the riad. The taxi driver walks us to the door or the riad.

Loads of places in marrakesh do not accept card. You do need to carry cash. I plan to get dirhams to last the first few days and then top up again during the week. But I do need the initial €700 worth to pay the hotel.

Show quote history

We went to Marrakesh just before lockdown. We paid for almost everything on card. Including the Riad.

user12345678912334 · 26/02/2023 18:27

@WeepingSomnambulist
We were not asked about vaccine status at all.

Blueskybird · 26/02/2023 23:22

I’m sure you know this but it’s a closed currency you can’t take Dirhams in or out out of the country

Protegemo1 · 26/02/2023 23:38

We were in Marrakesh in January and our riad wanted euros not dirhams, cash not card.
definitely recommend getting a taxi transfer arranged by the Riad- if you are staying central the riads can be really hard to find!
At the airport they checked our vaccine certificates & we also had the pre printed form, although Lots of people on our flight didn’t have the form & they just waved them through!
have a great time!

Protegemo1 · 26/02/2023 23:41

It is technically a closed currency but we got some dirhams in the uk at a currency exchange no problem .

Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 27/02/2023 07:28

Blueskybird · 26/02/2023 23:22

I’m sure you know this but it’s a closed currency you can’t take Dirhams in or out out of the country

You can actually get them, even though technically you shouldn't be able to. But the exchange rate is really terrible.
Obviously I did know that, which I why I was asking if I can exchange pound notes in marrakesh rather than using my card.

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Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 27/02/2023 07:29

Protegemo1 · 26/02/2023 23:38

We were in Marrakesh in January and our riad wanted euros not dirhams, cash not card.
definitely recommend getting a taxi transfer arranged by the Riad- if you are staying central the riads can be really hard to find!
At the airport they checked our vaccine certificates & we also had the pre printed form, although Lots of people on our flight didn’t have the form & they just waved them through!
have a great time!

Our risd replied to our email and said we can pay in euros. No card. So we will take euros.

Which vaccine certificates did they ask for? I've got the health form printed out but I wasnt sure about vaccine s

OP posts:
Protegemo1 · 27/02/2023 09:41

Just Covid - I’d downloaded my pass from the nhs app.

Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 27/02/2023 10:05

@Protegemo1

Ah good. Thank you so much for the info you've given! They're no longer asking for covid vaccine passes there anymore.
I was just worried as we couldn't get the rabies vaccine due to the shortage and didnt want to be turned away at the airport.

OP posts:
Protegemo1 · 27/02/2023 10:09

Last tip- check out the henna cafe. Really delicious food!

Original poster
WeepingSomnambulist · 27/02/2023 10:16

@Protegemo1

I think our Riad is round the corner from that! It says in the description that there is a henna cafe and you'll pass it on your way to them.
We're getting collected by their driver at the airport and he'll walk us to the riad so I'll ask.

OP posts:
catlovingdoctor · 27/02/2023 10:20

I went in December and the Riad staff told me about a nearby hotel where I could exchange sterling to dirhams at a good rate. Also plenty of ATMs located centrally.

ILoveWillSmith · 27/02/2023 13:41

We were there in January and you just needed the pre printed form with your info on. When you go through passport control they will ask you the address of your holiday accommodation - my husband had no clue, the officer wasn't impressed!