In 2010, I spent a year living in Casablanca, Morocco. It was an incredible experience, full of vibrant culture, delicious food, and wonderful people. For anyone planning to visit, here are some tips to help you make the most of your money:

Affordable Flights to Morocco

Consider flying to Morocco from Europe. First, find a cheap flight to Europe, then catch a budget airline like Ryanair, Easyjet, Air Europa, or AirArabia to Morocco. Easyjet offers flights from Paris, Milan, Geneva, and Madrid, with Madrid typically being the least expensive. Ryanair also provides very affordable fares, especially if you book well in advance, with the cheapest flights usually going to Fes. During my stay, I flew back to Europe about every six weeks, mostly using Easyjet because they didn’t charge a credit card fee and were lenient with carry-on luggage. If budget airlines seem pricey due to high demand, check out Royal Air Maroc and Air France, as they can sometimes be competitive.

Inexpensive Travel Within Morocco

Upon arriving at the Casablanca airport, you can take a train to the town center for about 4 Euros. In Marrakesh, a bus costs around 2 Euros. Taxis tend to be quite expensive and unnecessary unless you arrive very late at night. Once in the town center, use a “petit taxi” (small taxi) and make sure the meter is on. In Marrakesh, it can be tough to get a taxi driver to use the meter, so keep trying until one agrees. A 10-minute ride typically costs less than 1 Euro with the meter, compared to a minimum of 5 Euros without it.

For long-distance travel, you can use “grands taxis” (big taxis), which are old Mercedes cars that fit six people. Although they are slightly more expensive than buses and not very comfortable, they don’t make stops along the way and therefore are faster. If you prefer, you can pay double to ride alone in the passenger seat.

Buses, operated by companies like CTM, travel to almost every destination. However, the journey times can be lengthy. CTM is the most reliable and expensive option. Trains are another choice; they are often late and slow but are cheap and comfortable. For instance, a ticket from Casablanca to Marrakesh costs about 8 Euros.

Economical Hotels Around Morocco

Look for small hotels in the old parts of town. In Casablanca, this is around the central market, where a double room costs between 10 to 15 Euros. In Marrakesh, try the old medina. Near bus stations, there are also small hotels for local travelers that are usually cheaper. Buses and taxis can take you to the town center.

Additional Money-Saving Tips in Morocco

For food, visit local markets to find ripe fruits and sweet pastries, which make for a quick and healthy snack for under 1 Euro. At night, bakeries often serve shorba, a Moroccan soup, for less than $0.50, along with a glass of mint tea for $0.30. This is a great bargain and a wonderful way to mingle with locals.

Visit a hammam, the local public bath, for about $1. You can stay for hours, get a massage, exfoliate, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

In Marrakesh, be cautious of pickpockets. Keep your money safe by using a money belt or securing it in a zipped pocket.

In case of an emergency, you will find that Euros are more useful than Dollars.