Last updated: June 2026
Your phone is your lifeline in Morocco - but only if you’ve set it up right before you land. The wrong apps will let you down in a Fes medina alley at dusk. The right ones will get you from the airport to your riad without a single overcharge. Here’s what actually works, what’s improved since Uber came back, and what you can skip entirely.
Offline Maps: Download Before You Land
This is the most important prep you’ll do. Google Maps is fine in Casablanca and Gueliz (Marrakech’s modern district), but it falls apart badly inside medinas. The lanes aren’t detailed enough, the routing sends you through walls, and if you lose signal - which you will - you’re stranded.
Organic Maps is what I use now and recommend to anyone visiting Morocco. It’s free, ad-free, open-source, and pulls from OpenStreetMap data that’s been contributed by locals - including mappers in Fes and Marrakech who have walked and logged medina paths that no commercial vehicle ever mapped. Download Morocco before you leave home (the file is around 300-400MB). You’ll get accurate footpaths, alley names, gate locations, and points of interest that simply don’t exist in Google Maps offline.
OsmAnd is the alternative if you want more control - it has more routing options, elevation profiles, and customisation. The downside is it’s more complex to set up, and the map file for Morocco is larger. For most travellers, Organic Maps is cleaner and simpler.
Both apps work entirely offline once you’ve downloaded the region. Neither needs a data connection for navigation. I keep Google Maps installed for the satellite view and for reviews, but I navigate with Organic Maps.
Check out our full getting around Morocco guide for broader transport context.
Ride-Hailing Apps: A Changing Picture
Morocco’s ride-hailing landscape shifted significantly in late 2025. Here’s where things stand:
inDrive is the dominant app and the one I’d install first. It operates across at least 10 cities including Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier, Agadir, and Fes. The model is different from Uber - you propose a price, the driver accepts or counter-offers. That negotiation dynamic might feel unfamiliar, but it works in your favour: drivers tend to be more motivated than fixed-rate services, and prices are generally lower than petit taxis once you know the going rate for a route. The app is well-regarded by both locals and tourists.
Uber relaunched in Morocco in November 2025 after a seven-year absence, starting in Casablanca and Marrakech. It currently offers UberX and UberXL only, and operates through licensed VTC (private hire vehicle) partners. Be aware: at certain pickup points - especially near the medina and at Marrakech airport - there can be friction with traditional petit taxi drivers. Don’t arrange your pickup in front of them. Message your driver, walk to a quieter spot, then get picked up.
Careem has a presence in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, though it’s smaller than inDrive. Worth having as a backup.
My honest recommendation: Install inDrive as your primary app and keep Uber as a backup. In cities that don’t yet have app-based services, agree a price with the petit taxi before you get in - always. Our Marrakech transport guide covers the taxi situation there in more detail.
ONCF and Bus Booking
The ONCF Voyages app (available on iOS and Android) covers both trains and Supratours coaches. You can book, pay, and download an electronic ticket to show on your phone. The app runs in English, French, and Arabic. For the Marrakech - Casablanca - Fes rail corridor, this is excellent - trains are comfortable and the app booking works well. Book in advance for weekend travel and during school holidays.
CTM buses have their own website and app for booking. CTM is the premium intercity bus operator - air-conditioned coaches, assigned seats, on-time record that’s generally reliable. You can book online with an international card and show an e-ticket on your phone.
Supratours is integrated into the ONCF platform, which makes sense because Supratours often fills the rail gaps - it covers routes like Marrakech to Essaouira and connections to Agadir. Book both train and Supratours legs in one transaction through the ONCF app.
For more detail on the full transport picture, see our guide to getting around Morocco.
Translation Apps
Google Translate with Arabic and French downloaded offline covers most situations. Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is its own dialect and differs significantly from Modern Standard Arabic, so don’t expect perfect accuracy - but for menus, signs, and basic communication it’s genuinely useful. Download both language packs before you travel so they work without a data connection.
The camera translation mode (point your phone at text and it translates in real time) is useful in pharmacies and supermarkets. French is more widely spoken in cities than Arabic in business contexts, so prioritise that pack if you’re pressed for storage.
Currency Converter
Any basic offline converter will do - XE Currency or similar. The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, meaning you can’t get it outside Morocco. Know roughly what 100 MAD buys you before you arrive so you can sense-check taxi quotes, restaurant prices, and market offers without fumbling for your phone each time. Our Morocco cash and money guide covers the full picture including ATM strategy.
WhatsApp: Not Optional
WhatsApp is how Morocco communicates. Your riad host will send you check-in details on WhatsApp. Your tour guide will confirm meeting times on WhatsApp. Drivers, market contacts, the guesthouse that doesn’t have a booking system - all WhatsApp. Make sure your number is active on WhatsApp before you land, and share it when you book accommodation. It’s not a travel app per se, but it’s the most practically useful thing on this list.
If you book any of our tours, we coordinate all pre-trip logistics via WhatsApp too.
eSIM vs Local SIM Card
For most visitors on trips of a week or two, a travel eSIM is easier than buying a local SIM at the airport. You activate it before you leave, you have data the moment you land, and you avoid the queue at the carrier kiosk.
Airalo offers Morocco plans starting around $5-10 for small data bundles. Good for travellers who’ll mostly use hotel Wi-Fi and just need occasional map and messaging data.
Holafly offers unlimited data plans (around $37 for 10 days), running on Maroc Telecom and Inwi networks. The “unlimited” comes with fair-use caveats that aren’t clearly disclosed, but for typical travel use it holds up.
Nomad has been well-reviewed specifically for Morocco - around $29 for 20GB on the Orange network, which is solid value if you’ll be navigating a lot or working remotely.
Local SIM card: If you’re staying more than two weeks, or if you’re visiting rural areas and the Atlas Mountains where coverage matters, a local SIM from Maroc Telecom is the most reliable option. Their network has the widest coverage nationally. You can buy at the airport or any Maroc Telecom shop in any city - passport required. Costs roughly 50-70 MAD for a starter SIM plus whatever data bundle you add.
Our dedicated Morocco SIM card guide covers local carrier pricing in detail.
Accommodation Apps
Booking.com and Airbnb both work well in Morocco and offer good riad selection. I’ve had good experiences booking through both. What I’d add: read recent reviews specifically for check-in process and host responsiveness, because riad access can be tricky (many are unmarked from the street, medina addresses are approximate). A responsive host who’ll guide you in on WhatsApp is worth more than a slightly better room.
For riads specifically, also check the riad’s own website and Instagram - many smaller properties offer better rates direct and it’s good to verify they’re still operating, as ownership changes in medinas can be frequent.
Apps You Don’t Need
Google Street View in medinas - it doesn’t exist in meaningful form. Don’t count on it.
Waze - fine on main roads but useless in cities. Skip.
TripAdvisor - useful for reviews before you go, but don’t leave it open consuming data while you’re walking around. Download what you need to notes first.
Most food delivery apps - Glovo operates in some Moroccan cities, but unless you’re staying in a modern apartment in Casablanca or Rabat for an extended period, you won’t use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Uber work in Morocco in 2026?
Yes, Uber relaunched in November 2025 after a seven-year gap. It currently operates in Casablanca and Marrakech only, through licensed VTC partners. Coverage is growing but limited compared to inDrive, which works across at least 10 Moroccan cities. Use inDrive as your main ride app, Uber as a backup in the two cities where it’s available.
Which offline maps app is best for Marrakech medina?
Organic Maps is the best option for medina navigation. It uses OpenStreetMap data that includes detailed footpaths, alley names, and landmarks inside medinas - detail that Google Maps simply doesn’t have. Download the Morocco map pack before you leave home. OsmAnd is a strong alternative with more features, but Organic Maps is simpler for most travellers.
Is an eSIM or a local SIM better for Morocco?
For trips under two weeks in cities, an eSIM from Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad is more convenient - no queue at the airport, no language barrier. For longer stays or trips into rural areas and the Atlas Mountains, a local SIM from Maroc Telecom gives you better coverage and cheaper data per GB. See our Morocco SIM card guide for current local carrier pricing.
Can I book ONCF trains on my phone?
Yes. The ONCF Voyages app (iOS and Android) lets you search, book, and pay for train and Supratours coach tickets. The app works in English. Download your e-ticket to your phone. For the main Marrakech - Casablanca - Rabat - Fes corridor, booking via the app is the best way to guarantee a seat, especially on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
Do I need WhatsApp in Morocco?
Effectively yes. WhatsApp is the standard way Moroccan businesses, hosts, drivers, and guides communicate with visitors. Your riad will send arrival instructions on WhatsApp. Your tour confirmation will come on WhatsApp. Make sure your number is active before you arrive and include it in all bookings.
Is Google Translate useful in Morocco?
Yes, particularly with French and Arabic downloaded for offline use. Moroccan Arabic (Darija) differs from Modern Standard Arabic, so translation accuracy is imperfect, but it handles menus, signage, and written communications well. The camera translation mode is especially useful in pharmacies, supermarkets, and anywhere with printed labels. Download both language packs before you travel.
