Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA)
The complete 2026 guide to the airport of Morocco's capital: real-time flights, bus, taxi, city-centre access, terminal, airlines and what to see in Rabat.
ℹ️ Independent information guide. This site is not affiliated with the official Rabat airport or the ONDA — it simply helps you plan your trip.
Rabat-Salé Airport: gateway to the capital
Located about 14 km north-east of Rabat, in the municipality of Salé, Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA / GMME) serves Morocco's political and administrative capital. A green, elegant and peaceful city on the Atlantic, Rabat is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique blend of historic heritage and modern town planning.
- 15-20 minutes from central Rabat
- Served by Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, Air France and Qatar Airways
- A calm capital, ideal for a heritage city-break
Hassan Tower, RabatRabat, Morocco's capital between heritage and modernity
Capital of the Kingdom since 1912, Rabat is the seat of the royal palace, the government and the institutions. Far from the bustle of Casablanca or Marrakesh, it charms with its gentle way of life, its wide palm-lined avenues, its gardens and its long Atlantic seafront. In 2012, UNESCO inscribed "Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage" on the World Heritage list.
The city reads like an open-air history book: the Kasbah of the Udayas and its medina inherited from the Almohad and Andalusian dynasties, the 1920s Art Deco new town, and the contemporary institutions. Separated from its neighbour Salé by the Bouregreg estuary, Rabat forms with it a dynamic conurbation, linked by a modern tramway.
Exceptional heritage: Udayas, Hassan and Chellah
Three sites sum up Rabat's wealth. The Kasbah of the Udayas, an ochre-walled fortress overlooking the ocean, shelters a maze of white-and-blue lanes and a peaceful Andalusian garden. The Hassan Tower, an unfinished 12th-century minaret, watches over the esplanade where the sumptuous mausoleum of Mohammed V rises, a masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship.
A little further on, the Chellah site layers Roman ruins and a Merinid necropolis overrun by storks and gardens, in a timeless atmosphere. To these must-sees are added the medina, the Mellah and the miles of beach and corniche that make Rabat a capital on a human scale, where culture and relaxation come together.
Getting your arrival in Rabat right
Rabat-Salé Airport is compact and easy to cross: formalities are usually quick. On arrival you will find ATMs, exchange offices and car-rental desks. Central Rabat is around fifteen minutes away by taxi.
Rabat is an excellent base to explore the north and centre of the country: the Al Boraq high-speed train links Rabat-Ville to Tangier and Casablanca in record time, while the road leads easily to Kénitra, Meknes or the coastal beaches. Remember to withdraw a few dirhams on arrival and to activate an eSIM to stay connected.
Rabat airport flights: live departures & arrivals
Up-to-date flight times, delays and gates for Rabat and every airport in Morocco.
Rabat airport transport: getting to the city centre
Rabat-Salé Airport is ~14 km from the centre. Taxi, bus or private transfer: here are all the options to reach Rabat, Salé or another city.
Grand taxi
Available outside arrivals, 15-20 minutes to the centre. Agree the fare before you go.
Bus (ALSA)
A city line links the airport to the centre at a very affordable fare.
Private transfer
A driver waiting with a sign, ideal with luggage or in a group.
| Option | Duration | Indicative fare | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand taxi | ~ 15–20 min | ≈ 100–150 MAD | Speed |
| City bus (ALSA) | ~ 30–40 min | ≈ 6 MAD | Tight budgets |
| Private transfer | ~ 15–20 min | variable | Comfort & luggage |
| Car rental | depends on route | from ~250 MAD/day | Excursions |
💡 Good to know: the tramway and the high-speed train
Once in the city, the Rabat-Salé tramway easily serves the main routes. To reach Casablanca or Tangier, Rabat-Ville station offers the Al Boraq high-speed train, one of the fastest in Africa.
Indicative 2026 fares, subject to change (time, traffic, luggage). Always agree the taxi price before you go.
What to do when you land at Rabat airport
Passport control
Present your passport and entry form. Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Withdraw dirhams
ATMs and exchange desks on arrival. Keep cash for the taxi.
Taxi or bus
Taxi rank and bus stop right outside arrivals.
Get connected
Free Wi-Fi in the terminal, or an eSIM to be reachable the moment you land.
Kasbah of the UdayasRabat-Salé Airport terminal
The airport has a compact, modern terminal handling both domestic and international flights: check-in, security, shops, cafés, banks and car-rental desks.
Its size makes for a particularly quick and pleasant journey — a real plus for the many business travellers in the capital as well as city-break tourists.
Rabat at a glance
From the Kasbah of the Udayas to the Chellah site, a glimpse of the capital's treasures, minutes from the airport.
Services and facilities at Rabat airport
Free Wi-Fi
Wireless connection in the terminal.
Exchange & banking
Banks and ATMs on arrival.
Car rental
Desks of the main agencies.
Shops
Souvenirs and local products.
Cafés & dining
Snacks and cafés on the city and boarding sides.
Accessibility
Reduced-mobility assistance and first aid.
Flights and airlines at Rabat airport
Rabat is connected to Europe and the Gulf by several scheduled and low-cost airlines.
🇫🇷 France
Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux…
🇧🇪 Belgium
Brussels, Charleroi…
🇪🇸 Spain
Madrid, Barcelona…
🇮🇹 Italy
Rome, Milan…
🕌 Gulf
Doha (Qatar Airways).
🇲🇦 Domestic flights
Connections via Casablanca.
What to visit in Rabat near the airport
A heritage capital on the Atlantic, Rabat blends historic monuments, gardens and a gentle way of life, minutes from the airport.
Kasbah of the Udayas
Blue-and-white lanes and an Andalusian garden overlooking the ocean.
Hassan Tower
The unfinished 12th-century minaret, symbol of Rabat.
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
A jewel of Moroccan craftsmanship facing the Hassan Tower.
Chellah
Roman ruins and a Merinid necropolis overrun by gardens and storks.
Distances from Rabat airport
| Destination | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Central Rabat & medina | ~ 14 km | ~ 15–20 min |
| Kasbah of the Udayas | ~ 15 km | ~ 20 min |
| Salé | ~ 5 km | ~ 10 min |
| Casablanca | ~ 90 km | ~ 1 h (Al Boraq train) |
| Kénitra | ~ 45 km | ~ 40 min |
Rabat airport: practical information
Practical tips for your time at the airport
Arrive early
2 h before a short flight, 3 h before a long-haul.
Agree the price
Set the taxi fare before you get in.
Tram in the city
Handy and cheap to get around Rabat-Salé.
Carry dirhams
Dirhams are only available in Morocco.
Stay connected
An eSIM connects you the moment you land.
Al Boraq
Reach Casablanca or Tangier by high-speed train.
FAQ: everything about Rabat airport
Where is Rabat-Salé Airport?
It is about 14 km north-east of Rabat, in the municipality of Salé, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by taxi from the centre.
How do I get from Rabat airport to the city centre?
You can take a grand taxi (~100–150 MAD, 15-20 min), an ALSA city bus (~6 MAD) or a private transfer.
What is the Rabat airport code?
The IATA code is RBA and the ICAO code is GMME.
Which airlines serve Rabat?
Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, Air France, Qatar Airways, TUI fly and Transavia, among others.
How do I get to Casablanca from Rabat?
Rabat-Ville station offers the Al Boraq high-speed train, which reaches Casablanca in about 1 hour.
Is Rabat airport suitable for a short stay?
Yes, its compact size and closeness to the centre make it an ideal airport for a city-break in the capital.
Is there free Wi-Fi at Rabat airport?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal. An eSIM lets you connect the moment you arrive.
Rabat-Salé Airport location
About 14 km north-east of Rabat, in the municipality of Salé.
- Anass Sedrati — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but p — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but p — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
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- Petar Milošević — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but p — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)