20 Essential Darija Phrases for Taxi in Morocco: Don’t Get Scammed (Local Girl Guide)

By Fatima – Moroccan girl from Casablanca living in Milan – 9 min read

My first taxi scam was in Casablanca when I was 15. I took a petit taxi from Maarif to Ain Diab. The driver saw I was a young girl alone and said the meter is broken. He said “20 dirhams for short distance”. My mother later told me it should be 12 dirhams max with meter. I cried and paid 20. My father said “Fatima, in Morocco if you don’t speak taxi language, you pay double.”

Last year my Italian husband Marco came to Casablanca. He took a taxi from airport to my parents house. Driver said “No meter, Casa traffic, 300 dirhams”. Marco almost paid. I called driver and said in Darija “Khoya, dir compteur, rah Casa machi New York”. The driver laughed and put meter: final price 150 dirhams. 50% less!

That’s why this guide is important. In Morocco we have two taxis: Petit Taxi (small, blue/red/yellow depends city, for inside city, with meter) and Grand Taxi (big old Mercedes, for between cities, shared price). If you know 20 phrases, you will never be scammed again.

1. Starting The Ride – 6 Phrases Before You Get In

Don’t get in before you agree. This is rule number 1.

My tip: In Marrakech petit taxi is beige, in Casablanca red, in Fez red, in Tangier blue. Always same rule: demand meter. At night after 8pm, meter price + 50% is legal. So if day price 20dh, night 30dh is okay. More than that is scam.

2. During The Ride – 8 Phrases To Show You Are Local

Once inside, say these so driver knows you live here, not tourist first day.

Real example: Marco’s driver from airport tried to go via highway to make meter 200dh. Marco said “Sir nishan afak, ana kan3ref triq, ma bghitch autoroute”. Driver was shocked that tourist knows “I know road, I don’t want highway” and took short road. Final price 120dh.

3. Paying – 6 Phrases To Pay Fair Price

How Much Should Taxi Cost Really? – My Personal Price Table

If they ask scam price, just say “Ghali bzaf khoya, ana kanji dima hna, kan3ref taman”. Means “Too expensive brother, I come always here, I know price”. They will drop price immediately.

4. Grand Taxi – Shared Taxi Between Cities

Grand taxi is old Mercedes, 6 passengers. It goes between cities, like Casablanca to Rabat, or Marrakech to Essaouira. No meter, fixed price per seat.

Phrases:

Bch7al l’blassa l [Rabat]? = How much per seat to Rabat?
Bghina nemchiw daba wla khasna ntsenaw? = We go now or we must wait? (they wait until 6 people)
Bghit l’quddam afak = I want front seat please (front seat = more space, sometimes +10dh)

My tip: Front seat is best, you have more leg space. Back seat 4 people squeezed. Always ask front seat.

5. My 3 Golden Rules To Never Get Scammed

Rule 1: Never take taxi that is parked waiting for tourists in front of hotel/Jemaa El Fna. Walk 50 meters away, take taxi that is driving. Parked taxis = professional scammers.

Rule 2: Use Maps in front of driver. Open Google Maps and say “Ana 3andi GPS”. He will know you see the road and won’t take long detour.

Rule 3: Have small change. Always have 10dh, 20dh, 50dh notes. If you give 200dh for 30dh ride, he will say “No change” and you lose 170dh.

About me: I am Fatima, 26, from Casablanca, now living in Milan. My father was a grand taxi driver for 20 years between Casa and Rabat, so I grew up in taxi. I know all tricks because I heard them at dinner table. My mission is to make you pay same price as Moroccan. If this guide saved you money, comment how much you saved and which phrase you used. I reply to every comment and I will correct your Darija.