A road trip in Morocco with a big family often means you need a van, not a normal car. But do you need 7, 8 or 9 seats? The answer depends on your bags, the age of your children and the roads you plan to drive. This simple guide helps you choose the right vehicle.
7, 8 or 9 seats: what are the options?
Many families look for a 7-seat Vito or a 9-seat Vito, because the Mercedes Vito is a famous van. To be clear: Alliance Tours does not have a Mercedes Vito in its fleet today. We offer similar vans with 7 to 9 seats. You can see them all on our minivan and minibus rental page:
| Vehicle | Seats | Main plus | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Vivaro Combi | 7 | Practical family van | from 95 €/day |
| Mercedes V-Class | 7 | High comfort | from 140 €/day |
| Hyundai Staria | 8 | Modern and roomy | from 130 €/day |
| Renault Trafic Combi | 8 | Strong, lots of space | from 150 €/day |
| Hyundai H1 | 8 | Good for long trips | from 190 €/day |
| Renault Trafic L2 | 9 | Most seats with a B licence | from 110 €/day |
Do you really want a Vito or another model? Ask us. We can check some requests, depending on availability.
Good news: a B licence is enough
In Morocco, a B licence lets you drive a vehicle with up to 9 seats, including the driver, and up to 3.5 tonnes. So you can drive all the vans in this guide with a normal car licence. A 9-seat van carries the driver and 8 passengers. For more seats, you need a minibus and a D licence, so it comes with a driver. Rules can change, so please check with us when you book.
When to choose 7 seats
A 7-seat van is good for a family of 5 or 6. The free seat is useful for a bag, a cool box, or to keep two children apart. It is also the cheapest choice. Our 7-seat van, the Opel Vivaro Combi, starts at 95 €/day. If you travel with grandparents or want more comfort on long days, the Mercedes V-Class has more comfortable seats. It costs more.
Be careful: with 7 people, all seats are full. Then the space for suitcases depends on the model. Ask us about the boot size before you book if you have a lot of bags.
When to choose 8 or 9 seats
If you are 7 people or more, 8 or 9 seats is the logical choice. This is common for families with cousins, trips with grandparents, or two families who travel together. If you need an 8-seat rental, the Hyundai Staria is modern and nice to drive on the motorway.
The 9-seat minivan, the Renault Trafic L2, is the largest vehicle you can drive yourself. It starts at 110 €/day, so it costs only a little more than a 7-seat van. It also gives you much more space. Even with 6 or 7 people, many families prefer it for their suitcases.
The real question: your bags
Families often count seats and forget bags. A ten-day trip means one big suitcase per adult, bags for the children, a pushchair, and sometimes child seats. Here is a simple rule:
- Few bags (soft bags, short stay): take the same number of seats as people.
- Normal bags: add one free seat.
- Many bags (pushchair, beach things, long stay): add two seats, or take the 9-seat van.
To learn more, read our article 9 or 12-seater minibus: how to choose. It explains the difference with larger vehicles.
Travelling with children
Young children must travel in a seat that fits their age and size. When you book, ask if child seats are available, or bring your own. Also plan regular stops, water and sun shades for the windows, mainly in summer.
Example of a family road trip
- Day 1: pick up the van at Mohammed V airport or in Casablanca centre.
- Day 2: Casablanca to Marrakech, about 240 km and 2 h 45 on the motorway. There are tolls.
- Days 3 to 5: Marrakech and short trips nearby, for example to the Ourika valley or the Atlas.
- Day 6: Marrakech to Ouarzazate over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, about 200 km and 4 hours. The road has many bends. Stop often if your children feel sick in the car.
- Days 7 to 10: drive back slowly to Casablanca.
Follow the speed limits: 60 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on roads and 120 km/h on motorways. There are many police checks. Always keep your papers and the car papers with you.
7 or 9 seats: our advice
- 5 or 6 people, few bags: 7 seats are enough.
- 6 people with many bags: take 8 or 9 seats.
- 7 to 9 people: 8 or 9 seats, for sure.
- More than 9 people: two vehicles, or a minibus with a driver.
FAQ
Do you rent a 7 or 9-seat Mercedes Vito?
No, the Vito is not in our fleet today. We offer similar vans: Opel Vivaro and Mercedes V-Class with 7 seats, Hyundai Staria, H1 and Renault Trafic Combi with 8 seats, and Renault Trafic L2 with 9 seats.
Can I drive a 9-seat van with a B licence?
Yes. A B licence covers vehicles with up to 9 seats, including the driver, and up to 3.5 tonnes. Please check with us when you book, because rules can change.
Where can I pick up the van?
At our branches in Casablanca centre, Mohammed V airport, Rabat and Mohammedia. We also deliver to Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir.
Ready for your family trip? Compare our 7 to 9-seat vans and book online with Alliance Tours, car and van rental in Morocco, or send us a WhatsApp message for quick advice.