Travel Question of the Day: What should I do about travel money for Morocco?
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Your support makes all the difference.Q I've just realised you can't get Moroccan dirhams in England. Do you know if it's best to get some at the airport, or just use an ATM when I get there? Or is it worth taking euros? The guy picking us up from the airport quoted a price in euros, so can we just use them instead?
Emma Henderson
A Morocco is one of a (thankfully dwindling) number of countries that restricts the movement of its currency, the dirham. The Foreign Office says: “The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is non-convertible. You can import or export up to a maximum of 1,000 MAD to or from Morocco.” That’s about £80-worth.
The tourist board warns that the dirham “cannot be converted outside the Kingdom's borders”. Currency dealers in France, Spain and Algeria may dispute that last assertion, but from a British holidaymaker’s point of view there is no point in trying to get dirhams before you leave. Instead, just bring cash and change it, little and often, when you get there.
If you happen to have some euros from your last trip to Europe, then do bring them along; the narrowest “spread” between buying and selling rates are for euros. But pounds are also acceptable – so long as they are Bank of England notes (as opposed to Scottish or Northern Irish) and in reasonable condition.
Why not change a big slab of cash all at once? First, you will probably not get a particularly good rate at the airport when you arrive; you will probably find better deals in town at hotels or bureaux de change (you’re looking for a rate of 12.5 dirhams to £1).
Next, when you change back surplus dirhams to “hard currency” (sterling, euros, dollars, etc) at the end of your stay, you are allowed only half the amount that you changed during your visit – this will not prove a problem if you have bought dirhams as you go along, so long as you remember to keep all receipts.
Finally, the Foreign Office warns “It‘s very difficult to exchange travellers’ cheques,” and I agree. If you want a back-up, bring a debit card – but use it in an ATM only as a last resort, because you’ll lose a small fortune in fees.
Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder
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