withdrawing Dirhams in Marrakech

sjo1jcl

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone can give me any advice on the savviest way to buy my Dirhams in Morocco? It's a closed currency, meaning I can only withdraw it once I'm in the country. Obviously I don't want to take sterling over and exchange a massive amount because if I'm left with any spare, I won't be able to exchange it back into pounds. Also having a lot of cash on us would be unwise.

So...I'd like to be able to withdraw from cashpoints while over there.

I have an Abbey Zero card which I was planning to use, but have just checked the small print, and while they don't charge a fee for cash withdrawal, they do charge interest from the second you take out the cash to the point at which you pay off your balance in full. Only 4 days in our case, but I know there must be a better way (especially at 25%!)

I also have a Nationwide current account. But I'm pretty sure that now charges a fee for cash transactions abroad! Is there any way of escaping fees altogether, without relying purely on taking bundles of cash with us?

Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

dzug1

Taking bundles of cash with you won't escape fees - they will be there even if you can't see them. And sure as hell they will be more than the 0.84% (or is it 1% now?) the Nationwide will charge you.

trrk

Nationwide will probably be your cheapest bet. You could try putting credit on your Abbey card (providing you can use the card with credit on it).

ATMs are easy to come by in Marrakesh - there are lots around the main square. Doesn't hurt to have some cash to exchange at the airport as the ATM there is sometimes broken/out of cash and you will want to pay for a taxi.

You can change excess currency at the airport if you have some left. I don't know for sure about changing them back to £ as I changed mine into euro ready for my next holiday.

Mi_bargains

There are lots of cash machines all around Marrakech but you will find that some of them are a bit tempremental. I would take cash and get it changed at the airport. The rate will not change by much where ever you exchange your money. You can get you money changed back into sterling at the end of your trip.

I have been to Marrakech twice (trying to book flights for another visit this year), if you need any advice feel free to email me. Also I have contact details for an English speaking driver who is very good, if you want his details let me know.

regards

talulahbeige_2

My personal experience of Marrakech is to only take a small amount to change at the airport, the rate was quite a bit higher than we were charged for taking money out through our Nationwide account.
Cash machines can be tempremental but there are so many of them its not a problem, we spent 2 weeks in Morocco and didnt encounter problems.

sjo1jcl

Thank you everyone! I think I'll just hedge my bets and change a little bit at the airport, then use my Nationwide Account once we're in the city proper. I hate Abbey anyway so don't really want to give them any custom if at all possible (their customer service is monumentally shocking!)

Mi_bargains - I would love the contact details for the English-speaking driver if at all possible. We're hoping to get out to the mountains one day so it would be useful to know someone reliable who could take us there.

Many thanks.

cullin

Mi_bargains wrote: »

There are lots of cash machines all around Marrakech but you will find that some of them are a bit tempremental. I would take cash and get it changed at the airport. The rate will not change by much where ever you exchange your money. You can get you money changed back into sterling at the end of your trip.

I have been to Marrakech twice (trying to book flights for another visit this year), if you need any advice feel free to email me. Also I have contact details for an English speaking driver who is very good, if you want his details let me know.

regards

Yes please.would like to have the drivers details Thanks cullin

Mi_bargains

Hi, the drivers name is Jalil Benbili, his email address is ajalil197@yahoo.com .

He speaks fluent English and his prices are cheap. On your email mention to him that you are a tripadvisor member and he has been recommended by MIB15, he will then give you his best price and he will really look after you on your visit.

Have a wonderful trip and be warned that Marrakech is a very addictive city.........

pie81

Just to say we recently went to Marrakech and were able to buy Dirhams at Gatwick airport. We didn't get many (relied on ATMs mostly) but it was useful to have some for taxi from the airport etc.

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