Last updated: June 2026
Six trips since 2017 and I still use a checklist. Morocco rewards preparation and punishes winging it - the riads that matter get booked out months in advance, the border can be more scrutinising than you expect, and arriving in Marrakech at midnight with no SIM card and no riad address written down is nobody’s idea of a good start.
This post is that checklist, built from hard experience. Work through it in order and you will arrive relaxed.
See the full Morocco trip planning guide if you want the bigger picture alongside this checklist.
2+ Months Before: The Big Decisions
Passport validity and visa
Most travellers from the UK, Ireland, EU, US, Canada, and Australia get 90 days visa-free on arrival in Morocco - no pre-arranged visa needed. You get a stamp at the airport, which is also your exit document, so make sure the officer actually stamps your passport. People have been held up leaving because they never got an entry stamp and had no proof of legal entry.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Border control will also check you have at least two blank pages for stamps. If your passport is getting full, renew it now.
See the Morocco visa guide for country-by-country detail and what to do if your nationality is not on the visa-free list.
Flights and rough route
Book flights early for high season (March-May, September-October) - these windows fill quickly and prices spike. Marrakech (RAK) is the most common entry point; Casablanca (CMN), Fes (FEZ), and Agadir (AGA) are worth checking depending on where you plan to start.
Decide on a rough route before you book. Morocco is larger than it looks on a map. Trying to reach the Sahara from Marrakech, loop north to Fes, and hit Chefchaouen in one week is a common mistake. It leaves you spending most of your time on a bus. Pick a region and go deeper rather than trying to cover everything in one trip. The best time to visit Morocco guide will help you match your route to the season.
Sahara tour (if applicable)
If a Sahara overnight is on your list, book it here - not two weeks out. The reputable operators running camel treks and desert camps around Merzouga and Erg Chebbi fill up well in advance, particularly in spring and autumn. Budget operators that are still available last minute are usually still available for a reason.
Browse our Morocco tours to find operators we trust for the desert routes.
1 Month Before: Accommodation, Insurance, and Health
Riads and hotels
The best riads in Marrakech medina, Fes, and Chefchaouen book out 6-8 weeks ahead in peak season. Do not leave this until a fortnight before departure. Good riads are small - often 6 to 12 rooms - and they are not on every booking platform. Search directly on the riad’s own site or via specialist platforms, and read the cancellation policy carefully before paying a deposit.
One practical note: when you check in anywhere in Morocco, you will be asked to fill in a fiche de police (a police registration form). Every guesthouse and hotel does this by law. Hand over your passport, fill it in, and get on with your evening.
Travel insurance
Do not skip this. Private healthcare in Morocco is good quality but expensive, and emergency medical evacuation can run to tens of thousands of euros. Standard travel insurance policies often exclude trekking, desert activities, or riding, so read the small print. If your itinerary includes the High Atlas, Sahara quad bikes, horse riding, or anything physically active, you need a policy that covers it explicitly.
See the Morocco travel insurance guide for what to check in a policy.
Vaccinations
Morocco does not require proof of vaccination for entry. That said, Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended for all travellers, particularly if you plan to eat from market stalls and street food vendors - which you should, because it is wonderful. Hepatitis B and a Tdap booster are worth checking with your GP or travel clinic. Book an appointment now if you need any of these, as some require multiple doses spread over several weeks.
2 Weeks Before: Connectivity, Documents, and Packing
eSIM or SIM card plan
Sort your connectivity before you leave. Two solid options in 2026:
eSIM: If your phone supports eSIM (most phones made after 2020 do), buy a data plan before you travel. Nomad offers a 20 GB plan for around $29 and is well rated for Morocco. Saily and SimOptions are cheaper alternatives for lighter users. The advantage is you can set it up at home and be online the moment you land. See the Morocco SIM card guide for a full comparison.
Local SIM: INWI has the strongest rural coverage in Morocco - useful if you are heading into the Atlas Mountains or deep desert. Maroc Telecom is a close second. You can buy a local SIM at the airport on arrival or from any phone shop in the medinas, but you will need your passport for registration.
Offline maps
Download offline maps before you fly. Google Maps works well and allows offline areas to be downloaded to your phone. Maps.me is an alternative with good pedestrian detail in medinas, where the lanes can be too narrow and too confusing even for GPS.
Medinas are genuinely disorienting. The map will not always match reality. Download it anyway - it at least shows you roughly which direction you are heading.
Document copies
- Email yourself photos of your passport, travel insurance policy, and hotel confirmations
- Screenshot riad addresses in Arabic script as well as English - taxi drivers in Marrakech may not read romanised transliterations
- Save your insurance emergency number in your phone contacts
Packing - modest clothing
Morocco is a Muslim-majority country and conservative dress is both respectful and practical. This does not mean dressing in layers in 35-degree heat - it means covering shoulders and knees, particularly in medinas, mosques, and rural areas. Linen trousers and longer skirts are comfortable in the heat. A light scarf is useful for women in more traditional areas and doubles as sun protection in the Sahara.
Beach resorts like Agadir are more relaxed, but as a general rule, dressing modestly will make your time in Morocco significantly easier and more enjoyable.
See the full Morocco packing list for a detailed breakdown by season and itinerary type.
Final Days Before Departure
Cash and card plan
Morocco’s currency is the dirham (MAD) and it is a closed currency - you cannot buy it outside Morocco. Your options:
- Withdraw dirhams from ATMs on arrival (Visa and Mastercard work reliably at Marrakech and Casablanca airports)
- Bring euros or US dollars to exchange at a bureau de change in the medina (banks also exchange, at similar rates)
- Carry a card with no foreign transaction fees for larger purchases
ATMs in medinas can run out of cash on busy weekends, so do not rely on finding a working ATM at 10pm. Withdraw a sensible amount at the airport and keep smaller notes for market shopping - vendors rarely have change for a 200 MAD note.
Airport transfer
Book your airport transfer or plan your route to your first accommodation before you land. The taxi situation outside Marrakech Menara airport in particular can be chaotic for first-time visitors, and unofficial drivers will quote you several times the standard rate. Agree a price before getting in any taxi, or book a transfer directly through your riad.
Check current travel advisories
Check the FCO (UK) or Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) advisories within a few days of departure. Morocco is generally a safe and stable destination, but advisories occasionally flag specific border regions (particularly near the Algerian border and Western Sahara). Five minutes reading before you fly costs nothing.
Arrival Day Checklist
You’ve landed. Here is what to do before you leave the airport:
- Passport stamp: check your passport has been stamped before you leave the immigration area. If it has not, go back and ask.
- Cash: withdraw dirhams from the airport ATM if you did not sort this in advance. Have enough for transport and your first night.
- SIM: if you are buying a local SIM rather than using an eSIM, the airport arrivals hall has phone shops. Bring your passport.
- Riad address in Arabic: confirm you have the address written in a format your driver can read.
- Riad pickup confirmation: WhatsApp your riad to confirm you have landed. Most good riads will have a driver waiting or will send directions. The old medinas in particular have streets too narrow for cars - many riads will have a meeting point where someone walks you the last 200 metres.
- Water: buy a large bottle before you leave the airport. Tap water in Morocco is not recommended for drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Morocco?
Citizens of the UK, Ireland, EU countries, US, Canada, and Australia do not need a visa. You get 90 days visa-free on arrival, stamped into your passport at the port of entry. Check the Morocco visa guide for the full country list and what to do if your nationality is not included.
How far in advance should I book a Sahara tour?
At least 4-6 weeks in advance if you are travelling in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October), which are the peak seasons. The best operators with decent camps and knowledgeable guides have limited space and they fill up. Booking last minute limits you to whoever is still available. Browse our tours for recommended options.
What vaccinations do I need for Morocco?
No vaccinations are legally required for entry. Recommended for most travellers: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and checking that your routine vaccinations are current. If you are trekking or spending time in rural areas, discuss Rabies with your GP or travel clinic. Book a travel clinic appointment at least 6-8 weeks before departure.
Is eSIM reliable in Morocco?
Yes, for most of the country. In cities and tourist areas, eSIM providers like Nomad and Saily give solid 4G coverage. If you are heading into remote Atlas Mountain villages or very rural desert areas, a local INWI SIM may give better coverage as it roams across more local towers. See the Morocco SIM card guide for detail.
Do I need travel insurance for Morocco?
It is not a legal requirement for entry, but you should not travel without it. Private hospital care is expensive, emergency evacuation even more so. Check that your policy covers the activities you are planning - many standard policies exclude trekking, desert activities, and riding. Read the Morocco travel insurance guide before you buy.
Can I use my bank card in Morocco?
Yes, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at airport ATMs, larger hotels, and some restaurants in cities. However, many medina shops, market stalls, and smaller riads are cash only. Always carry some dirhams. Withdraw at a bank ATM (lower fees than standalone machines) and keep a mix of denominations, as vendors often cannot change large notes.
What should first-time visitors know about Morocco?
Read the Morocco first-time guide - it covers the things that genuinely catch people off guard: how aggressive the touts can be in certain medinas (and how to handle it), the difference between fixed-price shops and negotiable markets, how to navigate the food scene safely, and what the pace of travel is actually like. Morocco is one of the best countries I have ever visited - it just helps to know what you are walking into.
