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

Should you visit Antananarivo or Rabat?

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 Rabat 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 Rabat?

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.

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 Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Antananarivo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $71, 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 Antananarivo and Rabat in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antananarivo $29
    Rabat $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antananarivo $58
    Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Rabat

Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo 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.

Hotels in Antananarivo


Hotels in Rabat


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 Rabat Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antananarivo $14
    Rabat $2.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $76
  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $58
  • Madagascar: Airport Ivato transfer to hotel: $33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    $3.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

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

  • Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Rabat City: $13
  • Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
  • Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat Medina : $25
  • Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $42
  • Transfer Rabat to Kenitra: $52
  • Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport Private Transfer: $56
  • Rabat Guided City Tour with Hotel Transfers: $58
  • Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport : Private Transfer: $60
  • Transfer Rabat to Mohammedia: $60
  • Private Departure Transfer from Rabat to Casablanca Airport: $61
  • Rabat to Casablanca Private Transfer: $65
  • Rabat Guided City Tour with Hotel Transfers: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Rabat?

Prices for flights to both Rabat 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 $28
    Rabat $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

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

  • Private City and food tour in Antananarivo: $98
  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

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 ): $50
  • cooking classe near the medina of rabat with local chefs : $66
  • Rabat Restaurant Cooking Class: $74
  • Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $76
  • Rabat Family Cooking Class: $80
  • Rabat Night Tour with River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner : $99
  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
  • Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antananarivo $24
    Rabat $2.89

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

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

  • 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $871
  • 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $200
  • Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $36
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $43
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $24
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $147
  • From 9 days unique adventure trip to Tulear: $2,122
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $205
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299

Tours and Activities in Rabat

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

  • SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
  • Private Traditional Hammam Experience in Rabat Medina: $28
  • Private Half-Day Exploration Tour of Rabat in a Green Taxi: $28
  • Savory Home-Cooked Meal and Experience Moroccan Hospitality: $31
  • Walking Tour Rabat, City of lights by night : $31
  • Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $39
  • Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
  • Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
  • private Tour between the monuments of Rabat City : $44
  • Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
  • Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
  • Rabat Shopping Tour: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antananarivo $9.48
    Rabat -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Rabat, we can see that Antananarivo 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 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 Rabat.

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


Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Rabat?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo 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.