Rabat Airport (RBA)
Rabat-Salé Airport serves Morocco's political and administrative capital, situated just 10 km northeast of central Rabat across the Bouregreg river in Salé.
Rabat-Salé Airport serves Morocco's political and administrative capital, situated just 10 km northeast of central Rabat across the Bouregreg river in Salé. With its sleek new Terminal 2 and expanding network of European low-cost flights, RBA is a calm, efficient, and stress-free entry point to the kingdom.
Quick takeaways
- Rabat-Salé Airport sits 10 km northeast of central Rabat — an easy 15–20 minute drive outside peak rush hour.
- Official grand taxis have a fixed regulated tariff: 150 MAD daytime / 200 MAD night to central Rabat, and 100 MAD to Salé.
- The ALSA Airport Express Bus (Line AE) runs to Gare Rabat-Ville and Gare Rabat-Agdal TGV (official schedule on alsa.ma) for 25 MAD one-way (40 MAD return).
- Pre-booked transfers start from €16 (≈170 MAD) with flight tracking and meet-and-greet inside the terminal.
- Direct onward road access is outstanding: Kenitra is 30 minutes north, and Casablanca is just 75 minutes south via the A1 motorway.
- Withdraw Moroccan dirhams at arrivals ATMs; local city taxis and medina riads operate primarily on cash.
Transport options
Getting from the airport to the city
Transport options
Everything for your transfer
Taxis, private transfers, shuttles, car rental and hotels around Rabat airport.
Terminals & arrivals
Rabat-Salé features a newly inaugurated terminal complex (Terminal 2) combining sustainable Moroccan architecture with modern passenger facilities. Immigration and customs clearance are typically faster than Casablanca or Marrakech. In the arrivals hall, you will find ATMs from major Moroccan banks (Attijariwafa, BMCE), official telecom desks offering tourist eSIMs and SIM cards, and international and local car hire desks. Step through sliding doors to find the taxi rank on your right and private driver greeting zone straight ahead.
Airport Terminal & Practical Directory
Official pickup points, transit stops, lounges and emergency desks at Rabat-Salé Airport
Official Taxi Rank
Terminal 1 forecourt: Grand taxi stand located directly opposite arrival hall doors. Official regulated fare is 150 MAD day / 200 MAD night to Rabat center.
Bus & Train Stations
ALSA Airport Express Bus (Line AE): Stops at Terminal 1 curb. Timed with flight arrivals, runs directly to Gare Rabat-Ville and Gare Rabat-Agdal TGV (25 MAD one-way / 40 MAD round-trip). Official info on alsa.ma.
VIP Lounge & Fast Track
Convives de Marque / Pearl Lounge (Terminal 1 Departures). Business lounge access with high-speed internet and complimentary drinks.
Direct Airport Contacts
- Lost Luggage Desk: +212 537 80 80 90
- Airport ONDA Switchboard: +212 537 80 80 89
- Border Police & Emergencies: Airport Border Police RBA / Emergency: 19
Arrival tips
Rabat-Salé is modern and remarkably swift to navigate. After passport control and baggage claim, you exit directly into the arrivals concourse where ATMs, mobile SIM kiosks (Maroc Telecom, Orange, inwi), and car rental desks are clustered together. Licensed grand taxis and pre-booked drivers wait immediately outside the terminal doors.
Reaching central Rabat is straightforward: a 15–20 minute drive along the coastal road or Avenue Hassan II. Licensed white grand taxis operate on a fixed official tariff of 150 MAD daytime (200 MAD night), while the ALSA Airport Express Bus (Line AE) connects the terminal to Gare Rabat-Ville and Gare Rabat-Agdal TGV for 25 MAD (40 MAD return, official info on alsa.ma).
For door-to-door comfort directly to your hotel or riad gate, a pre-booked private transfer is the smoothest option.
Arriving at night
Low-cost flights from Europe often touch down in the late evening. While the airport express bus finishes its runs around 22:00, licensed taxis remain on standby outside, and pre-booked private drivers track your flight status with a complimentary 60-minute wait guarantee.
Popular routes
Popular routes from Rabat
Tours & experiences
Popular tours & day trips from Rabat
Rabat is Morocco's coastal capital, blending ancient Almohad monuments, the cliffside Kasbah of the Udayas, and modern museums along the Bouregreg river.
- Kasbah of the Udayas & Hassan Tower guided tour
- Bouregreg river boat cruise
- Rabat medina & souks walking tour
- Day trip to Casablanca & Hassan II Mosque from Rabat
- Day trip to Volubilis & Meknes from Rabat
Good to know
When to visit
Rabat enjoys an enviable Atlantic Mediterranean climate with mild, temperate weather all year round. Summers (June to September) are warm and breezy (25–28°C), sheltered from the scorching heat of inland Marrakech and Fes by ocean currents. Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) bring blooming gardens and ideal sightseeing conditions for the Kasbah of the Udayas and Chellah. Winter is mild with occasional showers, making Rabat a pleasant winter sun escape.
Navigating your arrival at Rabat-Salé Airport
RBA is renowned among frequent visitors to Morocco for being one of the country's most hassle-free airports. Baggage delivery is prompt, and passport queues rarely take more than 15–20 minutes. As you emerge from customs, currency exchange counters and bank ATMs are located on both sides of the concourse. We recommend withdrawing 200–300 MAD for immediate transit needs, tips, and café purchases.
If you have arranged a private transfer, your driver will be waiting in the terminal greeting area holding a sign with your name.
Reaching the Rabat Medina and modern districts
Rabat is split between its historic walled Medina and ancient Kasbah of the Udayas on the Bouregreg estuary, and its elegant Ville Nouvelle and Agdal business districts built with broad boulevards. If your accommodation is a traditional riad in the Medina, no motor vehicle can drive through the narrow pedestrian alleyways. Your driver or taxi will drop you at the closest historic gate — usually Bab El Had or Bab Laalou.
From there, coordinate with your riad host in advance to have a luggage porter meet you with a cart.
Onward connections to Casablanca, Kenitra, and Fes
Thanks to Rabat's central position on Morocco's high-speed rail corridor (Al Boraq) and the national motorway network, RBA is an outstanding transit hub. Kenitra is just a 30-minute transfer up the northern coastal highway. Casablanca's financial centre is 75 minutes south by road, or an effortless 45-minute journey by high-speed train from Rabat-Agdal station. If you are heading towards Meknes or Fes, the A2 motorway provides direct highway access without navigating Casablanca traffic.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Rabat airport from the city centre?
Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) is located approximately 10 km northeast of central Rabat. Drive time is typically 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or private transfer.
How much is a taxi from Rabat airport to Rabat city?
The official regulated grand taxi fare published by ONDA is 150 MAD (approx. €14) for daytime service and 200 MAD (approx. €19) for night service to central Rabat (100 MAD day / 150 MAD night to Salé).
Is there a bus from Rabat airport to the city centre?
Yes, the ALSA Airport Express Bus (Line AE) operates between the airport terminal, Gare Rabat-Ville (approx. 35 min), and terminates at Gare Rabat-Agdal TGV (approx. 45–50 min). A single ticket is 25 MAD (40 MAD return). Be sure to check the day-specific timetable on alsa.ma as frequency varies and there is an evening gap between services.
Can I get from Rabat airport to Casablanca easily?
Yes, you can take a direct private transfer (approx. 75 minutes, €55–€60), or take a taxi to Rabat-Agdal station and catch the frequent Al Boraq high-speed train (approx. 45–55 minutes to Casa-Voyageurs).