Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Merzouga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Merzouga, 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: Aqaba or Merzouga?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Merzouga $22
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $22. 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 Aqaba and Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Merzouga $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Merzouga? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Merzouga -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- King Hussein Int Airport Transfers One Way to Aqaba: $25
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Hotels: $27
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Tala Bay Hotels: $33
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $47
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $47
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba Port: $47
- Private Transfers from Aqaba Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $47
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba City Hotels: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:
- Merzouga Luxury Camp & With Transfer included: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Merzouga $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $80
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza: $3.41
- Authentic Merzouga Desert Camp with Camel Ride, 4x4 & Dinner: $45
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $50
- Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
- Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $57
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $57
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $62
- Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $68
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Erfoud Desert Tour, Sunset, Dinner, Camel Ride, Visit the Nomads: $148
- From 2-Nights In Luxury Camp with Camel Trek & Dinner.: $170
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Merzouga -
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
- Turgut camp with tour: $15
- Sea Breeze 3 Hours Snorkeling or 2 Hours Sunset Cruise: $24
- Aqaba Local Tour: $28
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Aqaba Local Food, Market & Culture Walking Tour: $30
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Half-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum with Sandboarding & Sunset: $33
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp: $3.41
- Merzouga Desert Excursion - Sahara 4x4 Adventure: $3.41
- Quad Biking Desert Tour in Erg Chebbi Dunes & Sandboarding: $3.41
- Merzouga Sunset Adventure: Camel, Quad, Buggy or 4WD: $23
- Camel Ride Experience: $28
- Merzouga Quad Biking Experience: $32
- ATV Quad bikes in sahara dunes experience & sandboarding: $33
- Jeep Tour in Sahara Desert Merzouga, Morocco: $34
- Adventure in Merzouga with Quads, Jeep Tours, Camel Ride camping: $34
- 4×4 Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $34
- Desert 4×4 Tour Around Merzouga: $34
- 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Merzouga -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Merzouga, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Merzouga is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.
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.