Ridesharing is not exactly straightforward in Marrakesh, but I found a workable solution with an app called inDrive.

Ridesharing In Marrakesh: A Practical Guide

Popular ridesharing apps like Uber, Lyft, and even Careem (the regional alternative) are not available in Marrakesh. To make matters worse, the taxi mafia is strong and it is one of those places where you can expect to barter over pricing, even when a meter is present.

But you’re not totally out of luck. I used an app called inDrive that was like a de facto Uber. It worked well–just like Uber actually–where you could summon a car and track its status as it approached. Unlike Uber, you could negotiate the price as well. 

Both cars and motorcycles were available.

Here’s the thing. InDrive is not a recognized rideshare service in Morocco. It’s actually illegal, meaning both drivers and riders subject themselves to fines by using it (and to be clear, I found out about this after my trip). 

Taxi drivers have been known to harass and even attack both drivers and passengers on inDrive, which they view (rightly so) as a threat to their livelihoods. Unlike Uber or Lyft where there is general insurance that protects riders and drivers, this is not the case here. Based on the number of drivers, though, it is also a very popular app.

Twice I used a motorcycle and was not even offered a helmet… folks, that’s not wise (stick to the car), but I have to admit it was thrilling to weave through traffic on a motorcycle with the with the hot air bowing on you.

And wow, it was hot…

I found the drivers friendly, no less professional than the official taxis, and it was cheap…$2-3 for a ride across town. Cars did not have A/C, but neither did official taxis…

I’ve long been a critic of taxi mafias and so while I may not have used this service repeatedly if I knew it was illegal, I love apps like this that put willing drivers and passengers together…it is solving a supply/demand problem.

Is there a risk? Yes. Would I use it with my family? Probably not. But for me, traveling solo, it was a lot of fun.

Have you used the InDrive app in Morocco or any other nation?

top image: I rode across town without a helmet on that motorcycle…

This is part of my Return To Morocco trip report.