Arriving at Tanger Med Port by ferry is exciting… and a bit overwhelming. You’ve cleared customs, you’re finally in Morocco, and now you just want to jump into your rental car and drive to Chefchaouen, Tetouan, or Tangier. But Tanger Med is 40 km away from Tangier city and doesn’t work like a normal downtown location. So the big question is: can a car rental company actually deliver the car right to Tanger Med Port?
Short answer: yes if the agency is local, organised, and used to the port’s security rules. In this guide, we’ll explain how Tanger Med works, what’s possible with car delivery, and how MarHire handles door-to-door handovers at the port.
Table of contents
Tanger Med Port in a nutshell
Can rental companies deliver to Tanger Med Port?
Why you rarely see desks inside the passenger terminal
How “meet & greet” delivery really works
How MarHire handles car delivery at Tanger Med Port
Before your ferry crossing
Step-by-step: from ferry ramp to car keys
Documents, insurance and payment
Practical tips for a smooth handover at Tanger Med
FAQ: Tanger Med car delivery with MarHire
1. Tanger Med Port in a nutshell
Tanger Med is not the little old port of Tangier Ville. It’s a huge deep-water complex on the Strait of Gibraltar, about 40 km from Tangier city, handling containers, trucks and millions of passengers every year.
For passengers with cars or on foot, everything is organised around:
Ferry arrivals and departures from Spain and France,
Border checks and customs,
A dedicated passenger terminal with shuttles taking foot passengers between ship and building.
You’ll typically:
Arrive by ferry (Algeciras, Motril, Barcelona, etc.)
Pass police and customs checks,
Exit into the arrivals area or parking zone, where you can meet your rental agent.
Because of the port’s size and security rules, regular “walk-up” car rental desks like at a small airport are rare. That’s why pre-arranged delivery is so important.
2. Can rental companies deliver to Tanger Med Port?
Why you rarely see desks inside the passenger terminal
Tanger Med Passenger Port is designed first for border control, trucks and ferries, not for high-street-style shops. The infrastructure is spread out, with separate areas for vehicles, foot passengers, buses and trucks.
For a car rental company, having a permanent desk inside the terminal means:
Extra port authorisations and staff badges,
Long opening hours to match ferry schedules,
Higher operating costs for relatively limited demand.
That’s why many agencies, including international brands, prefer meet & greet service near a specific parking area around the port rather than a fixed office.
How “meet & greet” delivery really works
Most travellers arriving at Tanger Med who prebook a car will experience some version of this:
Before arrival
The agency sends you a WhatsApp pin or description of the meeting point (often a named parking or area just outside the main terminal).
You confirm your ferry company and ETA.
When the ferry docks
For drivers with their own car, they follow the vehicle exit lane.
For foot passengers, a port shuttle or marked path leads to the passenger terminal where customs and luggage checks take place.
After customs
You exit the building and meet the rental agent in an agreed parking zone.
The car is already there, inspected, fuelled and ready to go.
This model keeps things flexible: the agency can move between Tangier Airport, Tangier city and Tanger Med Port with the same car and team.
3. How MarHire handles car delivery at Tanger Med Port
MarHire is a local Moroccan agency used to ferry schedules, summer “Marhaba” peaks and late-night arrivals at Tanger Med. Here’s how their port delivery typically works.
Before your ferry crossing
A few days (or weeks) before arrival, you:
Share your ferry route and company (for example Algeciras, Tanger Med) and scheduled arrival time. You can double-check routes and crossing durations on sites like Ferryhopper’s Tangier travel page
Confirm number of passengers, luggage and child seats you need.
Choose your car category: economy, SUV, 7-seater, or automatic if you prefer.
MarHire then:
Assigns a car and driver for your specific boat,
Prepares the contract and documents,
Shares the exact meeting point at Tanger Med by WhatsApp (with a GPS pin, photos or a short description).
Step-by-step: from ferry ramp to car keys
When your ferry arrives at Tanger Med:
Stay reachable
As soon as you get mobile signal, turn your phone on and open WhatsApp.
The MarHire agent will send you a short “Welcome to Morocco, we’re here” message and confirm the time.
Complete border formalities
You follow the standard arrival procedure for foot passengers: shuttle or walk to the terminal, passport check and customs for luggage.
If you’re arriving as a bus group, you still exit via the terminal and can meet your car right outside.
Meet your agent
Outside the terminal, you walk to the agreed parking area where the MarHire agent is waiting with your car.
The team usually holds a sign with your name or “MarHire”, and they know your ferry number in case of delay.
Inspect and sign
You walk around the vehicle together, note existing scratches on a diagram and take photos with your phone.
The agent explains fuel policy, insurance and any deposit in simple terms, then you sign the contract.
Drive away toward Tangier, Tetouan or Chefchaouen
The agent shows you the easiest exit from Tanger Med to the highway direction Tangier, and you’re on your way.
The idea is that you never have to leave the port area or pay for extra transfers: you go straight from ferry ramp → customs → your car.
Documents, insurance and payment
To keep the Tanger Med handover as fast as possible, MarHire will ask you in advance for:
Driver’s licence details (and minimum holding period),
Passport information,
A WhatsApp number that works in Morocco,
Your preferred payment method (cash in MAD/EUR for the balance, or card if available).
At the port, you typically need to show:
Original driver’s licence,
Passport,
Booking confirmation / WhatsApp conversation.
The agent then confirms your insurance cover and excess, adds any additional drivers, and collects the agreed deposit (often flexible depending on car category and profile).
4. Practical tips for a smooth handover at Tanger Med
A few simple habits make a big difference at such a large port:
Choose your arrival time with care
Tanger Med can be busy in summer and during big travel operations like Marhaba. Check official port information and useful tips on Tanger Med Passagers website before picking your ferry.
Build in buffer after scheduled docking time
Ferries can be delayed by weather or traffic around the Strait. Tell MarHire the boat name and company, not just the timetable. The team tracks your ferry and adjusts the meeting time.Keep your luggage manageable
Remember you’ll walk a short distance from the terminal exit to the parking area. If you’re a large family, it can be easier to let one adult meet the agent and bring the car closer, then load luggage and passengers.Ask about one-way options
Many visitors want to pick up at Tanger Med and drop off in Casablanca, Tanger, Marrakech or Agadir. Ask MarHire about one-way fees when you book; they can often confirm this upfront so you don’t need to return to the port at the end of your trip.Confirm night or early-morning arrivals
If your ferry arrives very late or very early, make sure your booking confirmation clearly states “late arrival” and check any small extra charges for out-of-hours handovers.
5. FAQ: Tanger Med car delivery with MarHire
Can you really bring the rental car inside Tanger Med Port?
Yes. MarHire arranges authorised access and parking in the agreed zone near the passenger terminal. You don’t have to leave the port or take a taxi to Tangier city; the car is brought to you at Tanger Med.
What if my ferry is delayed or cancelled?
Delays are common on busy days or in bad weather. If your ferry is delayed, the MarHire team simply shifts the meeting time, there’s no penalty just because the boat was late. If your crossing is cancelled and you’re rebooked on another ship or route, you just update your WhatsApp conversation so the car can be rescheduled.
Is it possible to pick up at Tanger Med and drop off somewhere else?
Yes, subject to availability and a clearly announced one-way fee. Many travellers pick up at Tanger Med and return the car in Tangier city, Tangier Airport, Chefchaouen, Tanger, Rabat, Casablanca or even Marrakech.
What kind of cars can be delivered to Tanger Med?
Almost the full fleet:
Economy hatchbacks for couples and solo travellers,
Compact sedans and SUVs for road trips in the north,
7-seaters and minivans for families or groups.
If you have heavy luggage, sports gear or surfboards, tell MarHire in advance so they can choose a model with enough boot space.
Can I pay on arrival at the port?
In most cases, yes. You usually pay a small booking deposit online, then the remaining balance when you receive the car at Tanger Med. For many categories, cash payment (in MAD, and sometimes EUR) is possible, just make sure it’s agreed in writing before you travel.