Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Addis Ababa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Historical Tours in Ethiopia, The Best Adventure Tours to Ethiopia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $68Rabat $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $68, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $44. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $44Rabat $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $88Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Rabat
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $7.85Rabat $2.10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
- Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $175
- City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $26
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $21
- Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Tetouan: $290
- Private transfer from Rabat To Chefchaouen: $282
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Fes: $271
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $267
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $261
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $253
- Private Transfer from Rabat-Sale Airport (RBA) to Casablanca: $220
- Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $208
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $208
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis : $196
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $176
- Privatr Transfer Casablanca - Rabat: $163
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
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Food Meals for one dayAddis Ababa $18Rabat $12
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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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:
- Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $70
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $108
- Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
- HALF DAY + DINNER Addis Ababa City Tour: $140
- Half Day + Dinner Addis Ababa City Tour: $150
- Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with transfers: $154
- Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa: $168
- Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205
- Food tours in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: $238
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $76
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $8.10Rabat $2.84
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Airport Layover Tour | Addis highlights, National Palace, Coffee Ceremony: $200
- 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $280
- 3 Day Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour: $300
- 3 Days Visiting Harar and Dire Dawa Tours: $480
- 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $57
- 4 Hours Addis Ababa highlights city tour from Bole airport: $75
- 9 Days Omo Valley and Danakil Danakil Depression tour: $3,831
- A guided tour of Addis Abeba that includes a city viewpoint: $59
- Addis Ababa - Half Day City Tour: $180
- Addis Ababa - Half Day Cultural Experience : $100
- Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour: $75
- Addis Ababa Bole Airport Culinary and Walking Tour : $69
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- 9-Day Tour to Imperial Cities and Desert: $1,400
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
- Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $130
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,930
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $104
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $722
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $104
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,401
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $6.69Rabat -
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
- The Pub Crawl Royale: A Battle of the Best Drinks: $64
- Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Rabat, we can see that Addis Ababa is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Addis Ababa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Addis Ababa than you might in Rabat.
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.