Car Hire Rabat Airport

Rabat Airport Mini Guide

The Mediterranean Coast of Morocco
Rabat, the capital city of Morocco is situated on the Mediterranean coast and it's airport is around 8km outside the city.  It is currently both a civilian and military airport and known as the First Royal Air Force base of Morocco.  During World War II it was used as a military airfield by the Americans and they continued to use it as a base for their Strategic High Command until their withdrawal from Morocco in 1957.

Small and Simple
Despite being the airport of the capital of the country, Rabat Airport is relatively small, handling just over 300,000 passengers a year.  It is only used by a few airlines and it's flights are mainly to France and Spain. Casablanca Airport – about one and a half hours journey away by car is often used as the main airport of the city.

Still Adequate for Your Needs
It may be small, but Rabat Airport is still perfectly adequate for the needs of the average traveller.  There are banking facilities and ATM machines to make sure you have enough local currency on arrival and a cafeteria and shops, including the obligatory duty free shop to while away the time in the departure lounge.  It also has the advantage of being so close to the city, so you arrive at your hotel quicker and have more time to spend there as you don't have such a long return journey to the airport.

Rabat Itself
The city is very well kept and cosmopolitan, but is much quieter than it's neighbour, Casablanca. It has wide tree lined boulevards and has a very relaxed feel about it.  Why not pick up a car at Rabat Airport and have the freedom to explore this interesting city.

Time for a Quick Trip into Rabat?
Even if you are only at the airport for a short while,  maybe you could make time for a quick sightseeing trip, perhaps the Royal Palace and Mosque?  Not especially large or grand it is still a fine example of Islamic architecture. For a Royal palace in this day and age you can get surprisingly close before being turned back by the royal guards.

There’s a lot to do and see in the city but one of the most fascinating aspects is outside the city in the ancient city of Chellah. Abandoned for years, thousands of birds, permanent and migratory, have made the city their home. Sometimes it’s a little spooky, like a Hitchcock film, at other times, the birdsong is mesmerising.

Heading back into the city in your hire car, visit the Royal Mausoleum, housing the body of the former King Mohammed V. His tomb is in a stunning room adorned with Moroccan flags and gilt work.