Which SIM Card Is Best for Tourists in Morocco? (Travel Guide)

So… which SIM card is actually best for tourists in Morocco?

If you want the short answer:
👉 Orange Morocco is the safest and most reliable choice for most travelers.
But depending on your route, budget, and device, a physical SIM might not even be your best option — many travelers now switch to eSIMs because they are cheaper and easier to activate.

Let’s break everything down clearly.

Short Answer — Orange Is the Best SIM for Tourists

Among Morocco’s three major operators:

• Orange Morocco → Best overall for tourists

• Maroc Telecom → Strong rural coverage, weaker speeds

• Inwi → Cheapest but most inconsistent

If your trip includes:
Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Fes, or Tangier → Orange is consistently more stable.

If the focus of your trip is Atlas Mountains, Merzouga desert, or long highway routes, Maroc Telecom sometimes performs better — but the difference isn’t dramatic enough to justify choosing it over Orange unless you know your route will be rural-heavy.

For a broader overview of coverage differences, the Morocco network comparison guide breaks down each operator city-by-city.

Where to Buy a Physical SIM Card in Morocco

Tourists typically buy SIM cards in two places:

1. Airport Kiosks (Marrakech / Casablanca / Agadir)

Easiest place to buy — but by far the most expensive.
Prices can be 2–3× higher than city shops.

You’ll see prepaid packs advertised as:

• “Tourist Pack 10GB”

• “Holiday Pack 20GB”

• “Airport Exclusive”

These sound official, but they’re often marked-up versions of normal city packages.

If budget matters to you, skip the airport kiosks completely.

2. Local Shops in the City (Much Cheaper)

Once you get into downtown areas, you’ll find dozens of official carrier shops offering:

• SIM + data bundle

• Passport registration (mandatory for physical SIMs)

• More reasonable rates

• Staff who handle activation for you

Average downtown pricing:

• 10GB → $8–$12

• 20GB → $12–$20

If you want to compare these with eSIM pricing, here are the Morocco eSIM plans you can activate instantly:

Tourist Data Packages — What You Actually Get

Physical SIM tourist packs are usually available in:

• 5GB

• 10GB

• 20GB

• 30GB or “unlimited social” packs (slower speeds)

Important notes:

• Passport is required for all physical SIMs

• Your name is attached to the SIM (KYC regulation)

• Activation may take up to 10–20 minutes

• Some stores charge extra service fees

This is one reason why many travelers now prefer eSIMs instead — installation is immediate and requires no ID.

Below are Roafly’s Morocco eSIM options for comparison:

If you’re unsure how much data you’ll need, you can estimate it with the Data Usage Calculator

Orange vs Inwi vs Maroc Telecom — Full Breakdown

Before choosing a physical SIM, you need to know how each operator performs in different regions.

Orange Morocco — Best for Most Tourists

• Strongest coverage in major cities

• Best balance of speed + reliability

• Ideal for Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Fes, Rabat

• Best for hotel Wi-Fi backups and Google Maps

If you prefer going with the safest and most consistent option, choose Orange.

Maroc Telecom — Best for Rural Areas

• Strong coverage in villages and mountains

• Slightly weaker city speeds

• More “old-school” tourist SIM shops use it

If your route includes long rural drives, it can be a solid alternative.

Inwi — Budget Option

• Often the cheapest

• Speeds vary significantly

• Mixed performance in crowded areas (Medina, markets, plazas)

If cost is your only priority, this might be acceptable — otherwise Orange is simply better.

Airport SIM Prices in Morocco (Realistic Expectations)

Airport SIM prices in Morocco are notoriously inflated.
At Marrakech (RAK), Casablanca (CMN), and Agadir (AGA), you’ll typically see:

• 10GB → $20–$30

• 20GB → $30–$40

• 30GB → $45–$55

These “Tourist Packs” often include the same data as normal prepaid plans but sold at 2–3× the regular price.
Shops know tourists don’t want to search for local stores, so they mark everything up.

If you want to avoid the “airport tax,” skip the kiosk and either:

• buy a SIM in the city

• or activate an eSIM instantly

(A quick comparison: Roafly’s Morocco eSIM plans can be activated before your flight and don’t require a passport.)

eSIM vs Physical SIM — Which Is Better for Tourists?

If your device supports eSIM, the choice is usually simple.

Physical SIM — Pros

• Works on all unlocked phones

• Better for extremely long stays (2+ months)

• Local calling minutes available

Physical SIM — Cons

• Airport prices are inflated

• Passport registration required

• SIM swap + manual activation

• Activation queues depending on store

• Harder to troubleshoot

eSIM — Pros

• Instant activation

• No passport or shop visit

• Keep your normal SIM active

• No risk of losing your SIM tray

• Works as soon as you land

eSIM — Cons

• Requires an eSIM-compatible phone

• Some older models may not support it

If convenience matters — and for most travelers it does — an eSIM is the more modern and stress-free option.

If you're curious whether an eSIM is actually worth it in Morocco, you can read the deeper breakdown in the Is an eSIM Worth It in Morocco? guide.

If you want a detailed comparison of all eSIM options, the full Best eSIM for Morocco guide breaks down coverage, speed, and network routing.

Marrakech vs Casablanca Coverage — What Tourists Should Expect

Coverage quality varies by region.

Marrakech

• Orange performs best inside the Medina and major districts

• Good speeds in Gueliz and Hivernage

• Inwi drops in crowded areas

Casablanca

• Orange + Maroc Telecom dominate

• 4G is very stable along the Corniche

• Inwi is okay but varies by neighborhood

For Road Trips / Sahara / Atlas

• Maroc Telecom sometimes edges ahead

• Orange still works in many populated stops

• Data may dip on long desert highways — expected in all networks

If you want a detailed operator breakdown, check the Morocco network comparison.

Which SIM Should You Choose Based on Your Trip Type?

✈️ Short Trip (1–7 days)

Best option: eSIM
Why: No need to hunt for shops, no paperwork, instant setup.

🏙 City-Focused Trip (Marrakech / Fes / Casablanca / Rabat)

Best option: Orange SIM or any eSIM routed through Orange.
City speeds are strong and very stable.

🏔 Atlas Mountains / Rural Villages / Sahara Desert

Best option: Maroc Telecom physical SIM
If your adventure is extremely rural, Maroc Telecom has legacy infrastructure that still dominates remote coverage.

💼 Long Stay (30+ days)

Best option: Physical SIM might be cheaper long term
Though you can still combine it with an eSIM for the first week.

FAQ — Common Questions About SIM Cards in Morocco

Can I buy a SIM card at the airport?

Yes, but prices are heavily marked up. Downtown shops are much cheaper.

Do I need my passport?

Yes. Moroccan law requires ID registration for all physical SIM cards.

Can I hotspot/tether?

Yes, all major operators (Orange, Inwi, Maroc Telecom) allow hotspot usage.

Are eSIMs faster than physical SIMs?

Speed is identical — both use the same network (e.g., Orange).
The difference is convenience, not speed.

Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi instead?

Hotels and cafés vary a lot. Google Maps and WhatsApp often lag on public Wi-Fi.
Having mobile data is safer and more reliable.

Final Recommendation — Which SIM Is Best for Tourists in Morocco?

If you want the simplest, most reliable option, choose:

👉 Orange Morocco
— either as a physical SIM purchased in the city, or as an eSIM activated instantly.

For most travelers, eSIM is the better overall choice because:

• it costs less than airport SIMs

• you avoid queues and passport registration

• it works the moment you land

• you can manage everything in English

If you'd like to browse ready-to-use Morocco data options, here are all Morocco eSIM plans