25–30 minutes into the medina for about $3–4
From T1 and T3 at Marrakesh Menara, airport bus 19 runs into the medina and Gueliz for roughly $3–4 per person, one of the cheapest options out of RAK. Officially it takes about 25–30 minutes, but it can feel longer when the bus fills with luggage and makes several city stops.
The bus usually runs about every 20–30 minutes from around 06:00 until roughly 23:00, but real‑world reports mention gaps stretching to 40 minutes or more, especially in the evening or during Ramadan. Regulars on r/Morocco say they only use it with daytime arrivals and a loose schedule, then switch to taxis if they land late or are on a deadline.
Airport bus 19 stops right outside the terminal forecourt at RAK, and in town it serves key areas near the medina and Gueliz rather than hotel front doors. Some riders on Google Maps mention that the bus does not always stop exactly where online maps show it, and a few had to wave it down or ask locals to confirm the correct stop near the old city walls.
Tickets run about $3–4, paid directly to the driver in Moroccan dirhams, so having small notes ready (20–50 MAD) speeds things up. TripAdvisor posts mention conflicting advice about kiosks vs. paying on board, but recent riders report just handing cash to the driver and keeping the small paper ticket for spot checks.
Inside, this is a regular city bus with limited luggage racks, so larger bags tend to pile into the aisle and slow boarding and exit. Several Google reviews describe standing with suitcases in a full bus, and one rider said getting off at their medina stop was tough because the aisle was blocked by bags and people.
Step-by-step: using bus 19 at RAK
- 1. Exit arrivals at T1 or T3: Walk out to the main road in front of the terminal; look for the marked bus 19 stop among the airport shuttles.
- 2. Check the sign and crowd: If you see more than 20–30 people waiting and no bus in sight, factor in that gaps can hit 40+ minutes and decide if a taxi makes more sense.
- 3. Have cash ready: Prepare about 30–40 MAD in small notes before boarding so you can pay the driver quickly and avoid holding up the line.
- 4. Pay the driver and keep the ticket: Hand over the fare when you step on, take the paper ticket, and keep it in a pocket in case an inspector boards later on the route.
- 5. Secure your luggage fast: Slide bags under seats if possible; if they must stay in the aisle, keep them close so others can pass. This matters at crowded medina stops.
- 6. Watch for your stop near the medina or Gueliz: Use offline maps and ask the driver to call your stop; some riders walk one block from the busiest tourist stops to get off at a quieter one.
- 7. On the way back to RAK: At least 2 hours before an EU flight, regulars aim to be at their city stop, since unpredictable gaps can turn a 20‑minute wait into almost an hour.
Practical tip: For arrivals after about 22:00 or before 06:00, plan on a taxi from RAK and treat bus 19 as a daytime money‑saver, not your only way into town.