A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Marrakech?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Marrakech, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Marrakech?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Marrakech

Marrakech is on of the most popular travel destinations in Morocco. It is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat and is located near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains only a few hours from the Sahara Desert. It's a beautiful city that is often referred to as the "Pink City" because of the pale pink color of many of the city's buildings. These striking colors make the city particularly beautiful during the evening hours when the low sun creates a very dramatic lighting.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Ethiopia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ethiopia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $67, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $70. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Addis Ababa and Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $43
    Marrakech $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $86
    Marrakech $94
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Marrakech? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Marrakech


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $7.73
    Marrakech $6.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
  • City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $26
  • Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Marrakech To Fez: $455
  • One way transfer from Fes to Marrakech: $370
  • Private Transfer between Marrakech and Casablanca: $315
  • City to City Transfer - Marrakesh > Merzouga: $300
  • Agadir and Marrakech airport transfer : $294
  • Agadir private transfer from Ouirgane to Agadir airport (AGA): $294
  • Transfer Marrakech to Tangier: $290
  • Private Premium Transfert From / To Marrakech To / From Tangier: $288
  • Private Transfer From Casablanca to Marrakesh: $285
  • Private Premium Transfert From / To Marrakech To / From Meknes: $282
  • Agadir private transfer from Imlil to Agadir airport (AGA): $275
  • Transfer Marrakech to Fes: $260

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Addis Ababa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Addis Ababa $17
    Marrakech $13
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
  • City Tour, Food Tour, Shopping in Shiro Meda Market : $72
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
  • Culinary Class and Food Tour in Addis Ababa : $82
  • Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $116
  • Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
  • Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa: $168
  • Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.30
  • Breakfast
    $1.22
  • Dates
    $0.61
  • Olives
    $0.91
  • Sandwich
    $1.32
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Evenings Experiencing a Sunset Dinner in the Agafay Desert: $14
  • Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner from Marrakech: $15
  • Agafay Desert Package, Quad Bike, Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $16
  • Online Moroccan Cooking Class: $17
  • Cooking Lesson at the Ouirgane Ecolodge with Lunch: $19
  • Dinner in Agafay desert from Marrakech & camel riding: $19
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner & Camel Ride & Show: $21
  • From Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride and Dinner: $21
  • Marrakech desert: Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show: $21
  • Marrakech Agafay Desert show with Dinner Sunset Camel Ride: $21
  • Restaurant Dinner Experience with Hotel Pickup: $21
  • Quad bike dinner & magic show agafay desert: $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $7.98
    Marrakech $7.14

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • Addis Ababa City Tours Full-Day Tours : $113
  • “Addis Ababa City Tours”: $75
  • 3 Days Meskel Festival Package-Addis Ababa City Tour/Debre Libanos Monastery: $256
  • 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $85
  • Addis Ababa - Half Day City Tour: $180
  • Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour: $75
  • Addis Ababa Bole Airport Culinary and Walking Tour : $89
  • Addis Ababa City - Half Day Tour: $55
  • Addis Ababa City Tour: $120
  • Addis Ababa City Tours Full Day With Hotel Pickup And Drop Off: $79
  • Addis Ababa City Tours With Cocking Class Of Ethiopian Food & Shopping : $81
  • Addis Ababa City tour: $72

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.03
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $57

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 10 Hours tour from marrakech to ouarzazate: $44
  • 2 days Tour Marrakech-Ouarzazatte: $189
  • Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $21
  • Atlas Mountains Horseback Ride Day Tour From Marrakech : $51
  • Atlas Mountains Tour & three valleys with camel ride : $24
  • Atlas Mountains and Berber villages & Waterfalls Day Tour from Marrakech : $26
  • Best Marrakech Private walking tour: $44
  • City Tour Marrakech with guide 1/2 day: $33
  • Desert Agafay & Berber Villages Day Tour From Marrakech including Camel Ride: $50
  • Desert Thrills: Quad Biking Adventures in Palmeraie Marrakech: $44
  • Experience Spa Hammam Massage and Camel tour: $105
  • Food Tasting Tour in Marrakech medina : $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $6.59
    Marrakech $15


When comparing the travel costs between Addis Ababa and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Marrakech?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Marrakech, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.