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Tourist scams and rip-offs in Rabat, Morocco: how to avoid them
Photo made by Jean Marc Bonnel on Pexels.com
Rabat is generally a calm and safe capital for visitors, with moderate petty crime and low violent crime. The main concerns are taxi overcharging at the airport, friendly-stranger scams, and small-scale pickpocketing in busy areas. Use official taxis, the tram, and bank ATMs to keep costs honest.
Updated October 2026
Common scams in Rabat, Morocco and how to avoid them
1. Airport taxi overcharging
How it works: Unlicensed drivers inside the terminal quote inflated flat fares that are several times the normal airport-to-centre price. They may also skip the meter for tourists.
How to avoid it: Use the official taxi rank at the terminal and agree a price or insist on the meter before riding. Refuse anyone who approaches inside the building.
2. Friendly stranger tours
How it works: A local offers to show you around or insists you visit a specific shop or riad, then you are pressured into paying inflated prices or a commission is added to your purchases.
How to avoid it: Politely decline unsolicited guides and shop visits. Plan your own route and use official tourist information.
3. Souvenir price inflation
How it works: Sellers in tourist-heavy craft areas start at very high prices for carpets, leather and metalwork, knowing visitors rarely know the fair local range.
How to avoid it: Compare prices across several stalls and bargain politely from a much lower starting point. Buy in shops with clearly displayed prices.
4. Petit taxi meter manipulation
How it works: Some city petit taxi drivers claim the meter is broken, or quote a flat rate well above the metered fare for short trips around the centre.
How to avoid it: Insist the driver use the meter, and have small change ready. If the meter is refused, take another taxi.
5. Airport exchange poor rates
How it works: Currency counters at the airport and some central booths offer noticeably worse rates and high fees compared with banks, and may push dynamic currency conversion.
How to avoid it: Exchange only small amounts at the airport, and use bank-attached ATMs or official bank counters for the rest, always choosing Dirham.
6. Pickpocketing in crowds
How it works: Distraction techniques, such as bumping or asking for directions, are used to lift wallets and phones in busy tourist and market areas.
How to avoid it: Keep bags closed and zipped toward your body, and avoid showing phones or cash in dense crowds.
Official tickets for the top sights in Rabat, Morocco
Skip street sellers: book official tickets and tours with free cancellation.
From the airport to the city centre
Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA)
Fair taxi price (official, daytime): 150 MAD - 250 MAD (€14 - €23). Use the official taxi rank only and agree the fare before getting in. Refuse unlicensed drivers who approach inside the terminal.
Best alternative: ONCF train (Rabat Ville line) (40 MAD (€3.63), about 20 min)
Public transport: tickets, validation and fines
- Single ticket
- 6 MAD (€0.55) (Single tram ride token or ticket.)
- Validation rules
- Validate your ticket at the gate before boarding the tram, or buy a cashless card at stations. Failure to validate counts as travelling without a ticket.
- Fine without a valid ticket
- 100 MAD (€9.09). Fine for travelling without a valid ticket on the tram, applied on the spot by inspectors.
- Paying by card
- Tram accepts official cashless travel cards; simple contactless bank cards are not always accepted, so use the official card or ticket machines.
Tipping and service charges
Tipping: Around 10 percent at restaurants is appreciated; small change for taxis and services.
Cover and service charges: No cover or bread charge is standard in Rabat; menus should show prices. Confirm the total before paying if a service charge appears.
Cards, ATMs and currency exchange
Choose to be charged in Moroccan Dirham and decline dynamic currency conversion. Prefer bank-attached ATMs over independent high-fee machines. Check your bank's foreign transaction fees before travelling.
Areas where extra care is advised
- Medina and Kasbah of the Udayas: Busy and narrow; keep bags closed and be alert to pickpocketing and unsolicited guides during peak hours.
- Around Rabat Ville station late at night: Keep bags secured and stay on well-lit routes after dark, as you would in any busy station area.
Emergency number
19
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Frequently Asked Questions about Rabat, Morocco
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Based on widely reported traveler experiences and official advice. Prices are approximate and change; check current fares on arrival. Updated October 2026.