Should you visit Addis Ababa or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Rabat, 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 Rabat?
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.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Addis Ababa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $53. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Rabat? 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.
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
Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa:
$148
-
Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer:
$100
-
Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer:
$77
-
Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa:
$75
-
Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers:
$65
-
Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer:
$62
-
Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers:
$55
-
Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer:
$55
-
Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer:
$49
-
Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers:
$44
-
City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles:
$39
-
City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa:
$35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer from Rabat To Chefchaouen:
$298
-
Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier:
$281
-
Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to El Jadida:
$275
-
Transfer Rabat to Essaouira:
$275
-
Transfer Rabat to Agadir:
$252
-
Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan:
$241
-
Private Transfer from Rabat–Salé Airport (RBA) to Rabat City:
$229
-
Private Transfer from Rabat to Fes:
$228
-
One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes:
$206
-
Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Meknes:
$206
-
One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis:
$206
-
Transfer Rabat to Safi:
$198
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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 $11
Rabat $22
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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:
-
Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host:
$47
-
Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings:
$49
-
Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings:
$49
-
Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks:
$50
-
Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings:
$50
-
Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings:
$50
-
Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa:
$55
-
Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.:
$56
-
Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour:
$60
-
Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner:
$60
-
Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting:
$65
-
Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony:
$70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Private Food Tour of Rabat’s Old Medina by Green Taxi:
$33
-
Taste the Medina Like a Local Rabat Food Tour:
$34
-
Express Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Rabat:
$40
-
Rabat Food Tour at Medina Local Tastings and Kasbah of the Udayas:
$46
-
Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ):
$52
-
Rabat Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings:
$59
-
Rabat Eats Food Tour with 15+ Tastings:
$59
-
Rabat Family Dinner Experience:
$63
-
Moroccan Cooking Class with Local Amazigh Family in Medina Rabat:
$65
-
Food Tour in Rabat with an Expert Guide Lunch or Dinner Include:
$67
-
Rabat Restaurant Cooking Class:
$68
-
cooking classe near the medina of rabat with local chefs:
$69
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
-
• Ethiopia Danakil Experience: Fire, Salt & Color Adventure:
$450
-
• Explore the Wild: 5-Day Chebera Churchura Adventure Tours:
$1,775
-
"Awash National Park Safari Experience":
$280
-
14-Days Northern Ethiopia Tours:
$1,580
-
2-Day Wenchi Crater Lake & Ethiopian Highland Experience:
$300
-
2-Day: Addis Ababa city tour & Debre Libanos with Lunch:
$265
-
2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights:
$300
-
3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour:
$1,650
-
3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour:
$730
-
3-Day Coffee Farm & Local Culture Experience in Yirgalem:
$288
-
3-Day Lalibela Rock-hewn churches and Addis Ababa City Tour.:
$890
-
3-Day Omo Valley Tribal Experience in Jinka & Turmi:
$620
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
-
Best of Rabat Tour (half-day):
$78
-
Chefchaouen The Blue City from Rabat in a Full-day Guided tour:
$189
-
Chefchaouen: Full Day Private Guided Tour From Rabat:
$206
-
Customized Cultural Tours of Rabat with Professional Guides:
$200
-
Day Trip from Rabat to Casablanca with Hassan II Mosque Ticket:
$160
-
Exclusive Rabat City Tour with Authorized Guide and VIP Vehicle:
$74
-
Experience Todra Gorge Hiking Adventure:
$34
-
Explore Rabat Highlights by Premium Car – Private City Tour:
$29
-
Explore Rabat Landmarks: Premium Bike Tour Led by Official Guides:
$89
-
Explore Rabat by Electric Tuk Tuk – Private City Highlights Tour:
$34
-
From Casablanca 6Day Private Morocco Tour By Imperial Cities:
$1,550
-
From Casablanca: 5-Day Private Desert Adventure to Marrakech:
$1,540
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
-
Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup:
$60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Rabat, we can see that Rabat is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Rabat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rabat than you might in Addis Ababa.
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 Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Rabat?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Rabat. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Rabat, 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.
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