Car Rental at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG)

How you leave the airport depends on where you go next. If the whole trip stays inside Tangier, a taxi or the airport bus may be enough. If you plan to reach Cap Spartel, Asilah, Tetouan or Chefchaouen, a rental car gives you a schedule that public transport cannot match.

A car is not always the right answer. For a two- or three-day stay inside the medina, the streets are narrow and parts of the old town are closed to cars. Parking can cost more than a taxi. Rent a car when you want the coast road, an early start for Chefchaouen, or a family trip with luggage.

If you arrive by ferry or train instead, L&M CAR also has desks at the Port of Tangier City and Tanger Ville railway station. Tell us your arrival point when you book and we will match the pickup to your route.

1. 1

   How many people and how many bags?

   Count passengers and suitcases together. A small economy car seats four adults on paper, but four adults with four suitcases will not fit. A city car suits one or two travellers with cabin luggage or two medium bags. A family sedan suits a couple or a family of four with a normal holiday load. An SUV adds boot space and ground clearance for longer trips.

2. 2

   Where will you drive?

   Most roads around Tangier are paved, and the main routes to Asilah, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Rabat are in normal condition. A compact car is easier to park in Tangier. The road to Chefchaouen climbs through the Rif, so a car with enough engine for hills feels better than the smallest option. For long motorway days, a sedan or SUV is more comfortable.

3. 3

   Manual or automatic?

   Many rental cars in Morocco are manual. If you only drive automatics, say so when you book, because supply is smaller and the earliest dates fill first. An automatic is also easier in stop-and-go traffic and on steep hills.

4. 4

   Petrol or diesel?

   Diesel is sold as gasoil and petrol as essence or sans plomb. Diesel cars often use less fuel on long motorway days; petrol cars are usually quieter in town. Check the sticker inside the fuel flap before the first fill-up and never guess.

Models change through the year, so we do not promise a specific make or model unless you ask in advance. Tell us your route and passenger count and we will tell you what is available for your dates.

• Child seats: request one when you book. Carrying your own is also possible.
• Second driver: add every driver to the contract so both are covered. Ask about the fee for your dates.
• Phone mount and offline map: download your map before you leave the airport Wi-Fi.
• Vans and seven-seaters: availability is limited, so ask before you book.

A simple rule: two people staying in Tangier and Asilah need an economy car. A family touring Chefchaouen, Fes and Rabat will be more comfortable in a sedan or SUV. A business trip with meetings across the region suits a premium sedan.

1. 1

   Book with your flight details

   Use your arrival time, not the time you hope to leave the terminal. Add your flight number so the agent can plan around a delay. Ask for a written confirmation that lists the car category, dates, price, deposit and what is included.

2. 2

   Prepare your documents

   Bring the driving licence of every driver, held for at least two years for most vehicles, plus a passport or national ID. Renters must be at least 21; some vehicle categories require 25. If your licence is not in Latin script, ask before you travel whether an International Driving Permit is needed.

3. 3

   Meet the agent in arrivals

   Look for the L&M CAR name sign in the arrivals hall. Save our number before you land in case you cannot find the agent or your bags take longer than expected.

4. 4

   Inspect the car

   Walk around the car with the agent. Check the body, wheels, spare wheel, interior, fuel level and mileage. Take dated photos or a short video. Ask for your copy of the inspection form.

5. 5

   Read the contract before you sign

   Check the total price, the deposit, the insurance excess, the mileage rule, the fuel rule, the return time and the late-return fee. Ask in English, French, Arabic or Spanish if anything is unclear.

6. 6

   Return with time to spare

   Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the agreed time if you are catching a flight. Refuel to the level stated in the contract, walk around the car with the agent and keep the closing document until any deposit is released.

Why the paperwork matters: most disagreements come from a fee nobody explained, a scratch nobody noted or a fuel rule nobody read. A clear contract protects both sides. If something on your contract differs from what you were told, stop and ask before you sign.

• Drive on the right and overtake on the left, as in most of Europe.
• Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers.
• Do not hold a phone while driving. Use a mount or hands-free kit.
• Carry your licence, passport or ID copy and the rental papers in the car. Police checks are routine.
• Speed limits are commonly 60 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on open roads and 120 km/h on motorways. Signs rule.

You will see police and gendarmerie posts at town entrances and mobile speed checks on straight sections. Slow down when you see officers or a sign. If you are stopped, pull over safely, switch off the engine and show your documents. Most stops last a minute or two. Ask for an official receipt if you are fined.

The motorway network links Tangier with Rabat, Casablanca and beyond. Toll booths are placed at entry and exit, and the amount depends on the section and vehicle class. Keep small notes or a card ready. Services along the motorway are regular, with fuel, toilets and cafes.

Tangier traffic is busy at morning and evening peaks, near the port and along the corniche. Drivers can be assertive. Keep a safe distance, signal early and expect scooters, taxis and pedestrians to appear from the side. Petits taxis stop without warning; let them.

Roundabouts are common. Approach slowly, watch the signs and markings, and give way to whoever is already in the circle or has clear priority. If you are not sure, wait. A few extra seconds beat a collision.

Outside the cities you will share the road with lorries, vans, motorbikes, tractors and sometimes animals. Roads in the Rif have many bends, and fog or rain can reduce visibility in winter and early spring. Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see, and use low gears on long descents.

Limit night driving outside cities. Unlit vehicles, pedestrians and animals can appear suddenly. If you land late, drive straight to your hotel in Tangier and start longer journeys in daylight.

Fuel stations are common on motorways and in towns, less so in small villages. Refuel when you pass half a tank on a rural route. Gasoil is diesel; essence or sans plomb is petrol. Check the sticker inside the fuel flap before the first fill-up. Most stations have attendants; tell them the fuel type and amount and check that the pump starts at zero.

Parking near the medina and Kasbah is limited. Choose a hotel with parking or use a guarded car park and walk. Informal attendants in high-visibility vests may direct you to a space and expect a small payment. Do not leave bags, phones or documents visible in the car.

1. 1

   Stop safely

   Switch on the hazard lights, check whether anyone is hurt and call emergency services if needed. Do not move the vehicles if the police need to see the scene, unless they block traffic dangerously.

2. 2

   Call L&M CAR

   Call us as soon as you can, before agreeing to repairs or leaving the scene.

3. 3

   Exchange details

   Note the other driver, insurance details and plates. Fill in the constat amiable (the standard joint accident report) if the situation allows.

4. 4

   Take photos

   Photograph the scene, the cars, the plates and the road markings.

5. 5

   Do not sign what you do not understand

   Ask for the police report if officers attend, and keep every document for the claim.

One day: Tangier and the cape. Start at the Kasbah and the medina in the morning, while the lanes are quiet. Park outside the walls and walk in. After lunch, drive west along the coast to Cap Spartel, continue to the Caves of Hercules and finish at Perdicaris Park above the sea. The loop is short, so you can slow down at each stop.

Two days: Asilah and the coast. Drive south to Asilah on the first day, walk the old town, have lunch by the sea and spend the afternoon on the beach or the ramparts. Return to Tangier or stay overnight. On the second day, add the cape and the caves.

Three days: Tetouan and Chefchaouen. Head east to Tetouan, visit the medina and continue into the Rif. Spend the next morning in Chefchaouen before the crowds arrive. Drive back on the third day, or stop at Asilah on the way. Mountain roads need daylight, so leave Chefchaouen before late afternoon.

With a week, take the motorway south to Rabat and continue to Fes, then loop back through the Rif. One-way rentals and drop-off in another city depend on availability; ask before you book.

Travelling by train? The high-speed Al Boraq links Tangier with Rabat and Casablanca. Some visitors take the train south and rent a car for the north, or the reverse. L&M CAR has a desk at Tanger Ville railway station for exactly that kind of mixed trip.