Car rental in Meknes

Renting a car in Meknes

Once the capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, Meknes is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, and its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quieter than Fez, it can be explored at an easier pace: Bab Mansour, El Hedim square, the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the vast Heri es-Souani granaries.

A car really pays off for what lies around it: the Roman site of Volubilis, the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the vineyards and olive groves of the Saïs plain, and the Middle Atlas beyond. On Cardnd you book a model from 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 Fez-Saïss airport

Meknes has no airport with regular commercial flights. The nearest is Fez-Saïss (FEZ), south of Fez and around 60 km away. From there you reach Meknes across the Saïs plain or along the A2 motorway.

Meknes agencies deliver within the rental city: if you fly in, book a car in Fez with delivery to the airport. Arriving by train? You can ask for delivery to Meknes station when the agency delivers; the agency sees the time before accepting, and any delivery fee is shown before payment.

Driving and parking in Meknes

Meknes comes in two halves: the new town (Hamria), with wide, easy avenues, and the medina and imperial city, separated from it by the Boufekrane valley. The medina is not for driving; park on its edge, for instance near El Hedim square or Bab Mansour, and continue on foot.

In the new town you park on the street, often under the eye of an attendant. Rush hours are moderate compared with Casablanca, but roundabouts and the many petits taxis call for attention. The city walls create a few one-way streets and narrow gateways, so follow the road signs rather than the shortest route on your GPS.

Where to go from Meknes

Volubilis, around 30 km to the north, is the best-preserved Roman site in the country, known for its mosaics and triumphal arch. Right next to it, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun clings to two hillsides. To the south, El Hajeb, Ifrane and Azrou lead into the Middle Atlas cedar forests, where Barbary macaques are a common sight.

Fez is around 60 km away on the A2, an easy day trip. The Meknes region is also wine and olive country, and several estates can be visited on the roads towards El Hajeb and Boufekrane. Further afield, Rabat and the Atlantic coast are reached by motorway.

Road-trip ideas from Meknes

An ancient-history day: Meknes to Volubilis in the morning before the heat, lunch in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, then back over the Zerhoun hills. Roughly sixty kilometres round trip on good roads.

The Middle Atlas over two days: via El Hajeb, climb to Ifrane and its alpine-style chalets, carry on to the cedar forest near Azrou, then to the lakes around Dayet Aoua. Spend the night in Ifrane or Azrou and return across the Saïs plain.

Imperial cities over three days: Meknes, then Fez on the A2 for its medina, and finally Rabat by motorway. On Cardnd, the car is returned where it was picked up, so plan the loop back to Meknes. With an SUV you can push further south towards Midelt and the High Atlas.

Good to know in Meknes

Meknes has a continental climate: hot, dry summers and cool winters with cold nights. Heading up towards Ifrane, snow is possible in winter, so check road conditions and drive carefully.

A city car is enough for the town and Volubilis. For the Middle Atlas, a slightly more powerful car or an SUV makes the climbs more pleasant. The A2 motorway is tolled. The mileage included is shown on each car; unless stated otherwise, the car goes back with the same fuel level, so fill up before heading onto small mountain roads. Police checks are common at town entrances; stick to the speed limits.