The Moroccan dirham
The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD, written locally as DH or درهم). One dirham is divided into 100 centimes. You will see:
- Notes: 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams.
- Coins: 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams, plus small centime coins.
The dirham is a closed currency. You generally cannot buy it outside Morocco, and only a small amount may be legally carried in or out. Plan to get dirhams on arrival and spend or reconvert them before you leave.
A local quirk: some people, especially in markets, quote prices in rials or francs (old units). In most of Morocco, 1 dirham = 20 rials. If a price sounds surprisingly high, ask "bil dirham?" (in dirhams?).
Getting cash: ATMs vs. exchange
ATMs are widespread in cities and towns — airports, train stations, the edges of medinas and main streets — and are usually the simplest way to get dirhams. Tips:
- Use ATMs attached to banks (Attijariwafa, BMCE/Bank of Africa, Banque Populaire, CIH, Société Générale and others), ideally during opening hours in case the machine keeps your card.
- Your bank may charge a foreign withdrawal fee; some Moroccan ATMs add their own fee. Withdraw larger amounts less often to limit fees.
- If the ATM offers to convert the amount into your home currency (dynamic currency conversion), decline and choose to be charged in dirhams — the rate is almost always worse.
- In small towns and the desert, ATMs are rare and sometimes empty. Withdraw enough before you leave the cities.
Exchange offices (bureaux de change) and banks exchange euros, US dollars and British pounds easily, generally at fair rates with no commission. Rates at airports are similar to those in town. Keep your exchange receipts — you may need them to convert dirhams back when you leave.
Cards and contactless payments
Card acceptance is growing quickly but is far from universal:
- Hotels, larger restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations in cities, chain stores, train stations and the ONCF and CTM websites usually accept Visa and Mastercard.
- Riads often accept cards but may add a surcharge; some prefer cash.
- Medina shops, small restaurants, taxis, markets, guides, hammams and desert camps usually expect cash.
- American Express is accepted less often.
Tell your bank you are travelling to Morocco to avoid having your card blocked, and carry a second card from a different bank as backup.
How much cash to carry
Carry enough for the day in small notes and coins, keep the rest in your accommodation's safe, and split cards and cash between bags. Small denominations (20 and 50 dirham notes, 10 dirham coins) are invaluable — taxis and small shops often cannot change a 200 note.
Tipping
Tipping (pourboire) is customary in Morocco and an important part of many workers' income. Typical practice:
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Café | Round up or leave a few dirhams |
| Restaurant | Around 10% if service is not included |
| Porter carrying luggage to your riad | 10–20 MAD depending on distance and number of bags |
| Car-park attendant (gardien) | 2–5 MAD in the day, a little more overnight |
| Petit taxi | Round up the fare |
| Licensed guide (half day) | 10% or more, in addition to the agreed fee |
| Driver on a multi-day tour | Commonly 100–200 MAD per day for the group, depending on service |
| Riad staff | A tip in the staff box at the end of the stay |
| Musicians or performers you photograph | A few dirhams |
| Public toilet attendant | 1–2 MAD |
Tipping is always discretionary; reward good service and do not feel obliged to tip people who did nothing for you, such as unsolicited "guides".
Bargaining
In the souks, prices are rarely fixed, and bargaining is expected. It should be friendly, not adversarial:
- Decide what an item is worth to you before asking the price.
- Let the seller name a price first, then offer a reasonable lower figure.
- Meet somewhere in between. Polite humour helps.
- If you cannot agree, thank them and walk away — sometimes the price follows you.
- Once a price is agreed, it is considered rude to back out.
Prices are fixed in supermarkets, pharmacies, cooperatives and government craft centres (Ensemble Artisanal), which are useful for checking typical prices before shopping in the souks. Bargaining is not appropriate for food in restaurants, taxi meters or bus tickets.
Typical daily budgets
Costs vary widely with travel style and season. As rough guides per person per day, sharing a double room, excluding international flights:
| Style | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Budget | Hostels or simple guesthouses, street food and local cafés, buses and second-class trains |
| Mid-range | Comfortable riads, sit-down restaurants, first-class trains, some guided visits |
| Comfort / luxury | Boutique riads or luxury hotels, private drivers, fine dining, private guides |
Morocco can be very affordable — a bowl of harira or bissara, mint tea and fresh bread cost little — but prices in tourist hotspots such as central Marrakech and luxury desert camps can approach European levels. Restaurants that serve alcohol are generally more expensive.
Common money pitfalls
- Unclear prices: always confirm prices in advance for food stalls, taxis without meters, henna, guides and photos with performers.
- Short-changing: count your change, especially in taxis and at busy stalls.
- "Free" services: an unsolicited guide or someone who "helps" with directions will usually ask for money afterwards.
- Fake commissions: drivers or guides may steer you to shops where they receive a commission. If you want to shop independently, say so at the start.
Before you leave Morocco
Spend your last dirhams on snacks or souvenirs, or reconvert them at an exchange office or the airport bank counter (before passport control at most airports). Keep your exchange receipts handy.
Related: visa and entry, safety and etiquette and our Marrakech guide.
This guide was last reviewed in October 2026. Entry rules, opening hours, transport timetables and prices change; check official sources shortly before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
