Travel to Morocco – Top Medical Schools

Morocco: travel information

How to get to Morocco

Airplane

direct flights go from Frankfurt/M. to Casablanca, there are also seasonal flights from almost all German airports to Agadir. Other international airports in the country are Tangier and Marrakech.

Ship

Ferries cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco, the shortest connection is between Algeciras and Ceuta. There are also ferries from Almería/Spain to Nador and from Sète in southern France to Tangier. The main port in the country is Casablanca.

Travel in the country

Flight connections

The relatively dense domestic flight network connects Casablanca with Marrakech, Tangier, Ouarzazate, Agadir and Laayoune, among others.

Bus

The national bus network is very well developed. In addition, there are shared taxis (louages) with a fixed destination that only leave when the car is full.

Rail

The rail network of Morocco covers about 2,000 km. A railway line runs from Marrakech via Casablanca, Rabat and Fez to Tangier. Another route leads from Fés via Oujda along the Algerian border to the south.

You should stock up on groceries for a longer train ride, even if you can buy some things on board – at tourist prices, of course. It is advisable to always bring a little more to share with fellow travelers. This promotes cultural exchange, is seen as very polite and is often enough the start of a good conversation.

Taxis

There are two types of registered taxis in the major cities of Morocco.

The Petits Taxis are yellow and marked with the words “Petit Taxi”. Mostly they are small, four-door Peugeouts, Renaults, Seats or comparable vehicles. They are equipped with a taximeter and serve the immediate city area. Usually you don’t have to point out the use of the meter. You can also negotiate a price before you start your journey. Petits Taxis are fast, efficient and inexpensive. As such, there is no better way to get around Marrakech.

The Grands Taxis, white, mostly old Mercedes-Benz cars with a regular taxi sign on the roof, are a lot more expensive than their little red brothers. They drive on fixed routes, but can also be used individually. In contrast to the petits taxis, they are allowed to leave the city area, which is why they are ideal for excursions in the area. They can also be rented by the hour or by the day.

Road transport and rental cars

The country’s road network comprises around 30,000 km of asphalt roads and 50,000 km of poorly paved roads. In late autumn, some mountain slopes are impassable due to the high water level in the rivers. Snowfalls also lead to road closures there in winter. If you want to rent a car in Morocco, you should be at least 21 years old and – what a surprise – have a valid driver’s license. The German driving license is recognized, but it is always advisable to have an international driving license with you. Cars should be checked thoroughly after receipt (e.g. spare wheel and jack on board?) – especially with smaller rental agencies. Contracts must be read carefully and only then signed.

In Morocco you drive on the right side of the road.

Maximum speed

The maximum speed in the country is 40 km/h, but it is also regulated by traffic signs, which you must pay attention to as police checks are not uncommon. Penalties for violations are particularly severe in urban areas.

Alcohol per mille limit

In Morocco there is an alcohol per mille limit of 0.0 for all car and motorcycle drivers.

Other rules

Signposting in Morocco is mostly in Arabic and French. The traffic rules generally correspond to those of the European Union. However, one should pay attention to the following:

In some cases the right of way rules are not observed. One shouldn’t insist on one’s right
Roundabout: Right before left (signs regulate everything else)
Avoid driving at night and unnecessary overtaking maneuvers

Careful and careful driving is especially important. The enforcement of claims for damages is almost impossible.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Morocco is:

Tourist office

Moroccan Tourist Office

Graf-Adolf-Straße 59

40210 Düsseldorf

Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 37 05

51/52 Email: [email protected]

Morocco: entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

Travelers to Morocco require a visa, a passport (valid for three months for visas up to a month or six months for visas up to three months) and a return flight or onward ticket.

Currency

The national currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham:

1 Dh or MAD = 100 Centimes.

Importing and exporting the local currencyThe import and export of the local currency Dirham is subject to restrictions.
Importing and exporting foreign currencies There is no limit to the import of foreign currencies; there is an obligation to declare amounts over 15,000 dirhams. The export of foreign currencies is permitted up to the amount declared on entry.

Goods, drugs, souvenirs

The internationally customary free allowances apply to the import of tobacco products and alcohol. When you leave the country, you are very strict about looking for drugs. Customs problems mainly arise when someone has imported a vehicle into Morocco and does not take it back again.

Drugs

Great caution is required with drugs, which are also offered on the street in many places in Morocco. They are illegal, even if you feel like everyone is smoking hashish at all times. If you are attracted to the sporting challenge of a three-month to five-year prison stay, you can of course smuggle drugs out of the country. It should always be remembered that a Moroccan prison is an experience that is not necessary.

Cheap goods, souvenirs

In the old royal cities of Fez and Meknés, as well as in Marrakech, you can buy beautiful hand-woven rugs and carpets, as well as hand-dyed clothing. But leather goods, copper and silver work, clay and porcelain vessels are also on sale throughout the country.

Morocco: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warnings

Infectious Diseases

In Morocco, the following infectious diseases are to be expected, which are not or less widespread in Germany or Central and Northern Europe:

Malaria: There is a low risk of malaria infection in Chefchaouen Province. Virtually only tertian malaria occurs.
Amoebic dysentery
Bacterial agitation
Schistosomiasis
cholera
Intestinal infections caused by contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
Typhus – especially in the northeast of the country
Hepatitis A and B
Kala Azar disease
Meningococcal – meningitis
Polio, polio
Leishmaniasis Disease
tetanus
rabies
typhus

Vaccination recommendations

Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
Hepatitis A and B
Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
Meningococcal meningitis
Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
Rabies – but only for high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.