Car rental in Kenitra

Renting a car in Kenitra

Kenitra sits on the Sebou river, a few kilometres from the Atlantic and around 40 km north of Rabat. A university and industrial town, it is also a handy stop on the Rabat–Tangier corridor, served by the A5 motorway and the Al Boraq high-speed rail line.

A car makes a real difference here: Mehdia beach, Lake Sidi Boughaba, the Maâmora cork-oak forest and the lagoon at Moulay Bousselham are not always easy to reach by public transport. On Cardnd you pick a model and your dates; the request goes to verified local agencies, and the first one to confirm takes the booking. The total price, service fees included, is shown before you book, and you pay according to the payment terms shown when you book.

At Rabat-Salé airport

Kenitra has no commercial airport of its own. The nearest is Rabat-Salé (RBA), north-east of Salé, which conveniently lies on the way between the two cities. Kenitra agencies deliver within the rental city: if you fly in, book a car in Rabat with delivery to the airport, or reach Kenitra by train or taxi.

In Kenitra itself, when the agency delivers, choose delivery when you book and enter the address, such as the station or your hotel, with your arrival time. The agency sees that time before accepting, and any delivery fee is shown before payment.

Driving and parking in Kenitra

Central Kenitra is flat and laid out along wide avenues, so it is fairly easy to get around. Traffic builds up at office hours, school-run times and near the industrial zones, with plenty of scooters and grand taxis: keep your distance and take roundabouts carefully.

There is no car-free old medina like in Fez; you park along the avenues, often watched by an attendant in a high-visibility vest who expects a few coins. Around the station and the markets, finding a space takes longer in the late afternoon. In summer the Mehdia road gets busy at weekends, so set off early to enjoy the beach without the queues.

Where to go from Kenitra

Around ten kilometres away, Mehdia has a long beach, the mouth of the Sebou and an old kasbah overlooking it. Next door, the Lake Sidi Boughaba reserve is a favourite with birdwatchers. Inland to the east, the Maâmora cork-oak forest is a good spot for a picnic.

Further north, along the coast or the A5, the Merja Zerga lagoon at Moulay Bousselham is known for its flamingos and boat trips, followed by Larache and the Roman ruins of Lixus. To the south, Rabat and Salé are around 40 km away, with the medina, the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Hassan Tower. Meknes and Fez can be reached via Sidi Kacem, or by motorway through Rabat.

Road-trip ideas from Kenitra

A nature day: Kenitra to Mehdia for the beach and the kasbah, a stop at Lake Sidi Boughaba, then back through the Maâmora forest. Short distances, ideal with children.

North over two days: take the A5 or the coast road to Moulay Bousselham and the Merja Zerga lagoon, stay the night, then carry on to Larache, its seafront and the ancient site of Lixus. Asilah is not far beyond if you want to continue towards Tangier.

An imperial loop over three or four days: head for Sidi Kacem and on to Meknes and Volubilis, spend a night in Fez, return along the A2 motorway to Rabat for a day in the capital, then drive back up the A5 to Kenitra. On Cardnd, the car is returned where it was picked up, so plan the loop back to Kenitra.

Good to know in Kenitra

The climate is mild and damp, shaped by the ocean: temperate summers, rainy winters and frequent morning fog near the Sebou and the coast. Switch your lights on and slow down when visibility drops.

A city car or a compact is plenty for the town and the coast. For long runs on the A5 or to Fez, a saloon or an SUV is more comfortable. The motorway is tolled, so keep some change or a card handy. Petrol stations are plentiful on the main roads. The mileage included is shown on each car; unless stated otherwise, the car goes back with the same fuel level. Kenitra also has an Al Boraq station, which is useful if someone joins you by train and you want the car delivered there.