A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antananarivo vs. Essaouira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antananarivo or Essaouira?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Essaouira can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Essaouira?

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

Essaouira

Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Antananarivo?

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 Antananarivo is $87, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $55. 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 Antananarivo and Essaouira in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antananarivo $28
    Essaouira $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antananarivo $56
    Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Essaouira

Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo or Essaouira? 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 Antananarivo


Hotels in Essaouira


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: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antananarivo $13
    Essaouira $1.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $93
  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $35
  • Cheap Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in Antananarivo: $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira

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

  • Private Transfer Essaouira-Essaouira Airport: $20
  • Private transfer Kaouki to Essaouira or Essaouira to Kaouki: $21
  • Transfer Essaouira Airport to Essaouira: $21
  • Marrakech : Private Transfer from or to Marrakech Airoport: $21
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $22
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $26
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Aéroport : $32
  • Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport : $36
  • 1-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $36
  • Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $37
  • Agadir or taghazout: day in Essaouira with transfer: $45
  • From Scenic Diabat Horseback Ride with Transfer: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Essaouira?

Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Antananarivo 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
    Antananarivo $47
    Essaouira $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

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


  • Baklava
    $1.39
  • Breakfast Crepes
    $0.50
  • Fish for Lunch
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira

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

  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
  • Traditional Moroccan and Berber Cooking Classes : $53
  • l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $63
  • Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $66
  • Essaouirra cooking class: $67
  • Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
  • 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $192

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antananarivo $22
    Essaouira $12

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $158
  • 9-Day Adventure from Antananarivo to Isalo Park & Tulear: $1,784
  • Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $34
  • Antananarivo : Day tour to Mantasoa Lake: $165
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Andasibe Mantadia National Park 3-Day Tour: $484
  • Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $62
  • Lemurs Park & City Tour: $300
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $23
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $142
  • From Road trip Day tour to Ampefy Village: $175

Tours and Activities in Essaouira

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

  • From Marrakech : Ouzoud waterfalls guided trip and boat tour: $10
  • Souk Had Draa: Private Tour and Traditional Moroccan Breakfast: $21
  • Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $26
  • Private City Tour: $26
  • Full-Day Essaouira Tour from Marrakech: $26
  • Historical & Cultural Sightseeing Tour - half day: $35
  • Explore Essaouira's Secrets: A Guided Tour with a Local!: $35
  • 3-Hour Camel Tour: $46
  • Guided Dromedary Riding Tour: $51
  • Essaouira Tour - Half day visit to berber market : $54
  • Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $55
  • 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antananarivo $9.01
    Essaouira $9.14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Essaouira, we can see that Antananarivo is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Antananarivo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antananarivo than you might in Essaouira.

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


Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Essaouira?

Antananarivo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo and Essaouira, 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.