Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Arusha or Marrakech?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Marrakech 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: Arusha or Marrakech?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Marrakech
Marrakech is on of the most popular travel destinations in Morocco. It is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat and is located near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains only a few hours from the Sahara Desert. It's a beautiful city that is often referred to as the "Pink City" because of the pale pink color of many of the city's buildings. These striking colors make the city particularly beautiful during the evening hours when the low sun creates a very dramatic lighting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $176Marrakech $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $176, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $69. 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 Arusha and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $129Marrakech $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $258Marrakech $92
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Marrakech? 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Marrakech $6.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
- Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Airport transfer: $45
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfers from Marrakech to Fez (Airport or city/Door to Door): $231
- transfer from Marrakech to Fez Airport or city: $231
- Transfert privé vers ou depuis RAK aéroport: $13
- Transfert de l'aéroport de Marrakech à la ville: $22
- Transfert Privée Aéroport Marrakech vers Essaouira : $98
- Transfert Departure Marrakech City to Casablanca Airport: $265
- Transfert Aeroport Marrakech Votre Porte a marrakech: $13
- Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca airport: $27
- Transfer from Marrakech to Casa-Airport or Casa-Airport to Marrakech: $152
- Transfer from Marrakech to Agadir or from agadir to marrakech: $164
- Transfer from Marrakech city or Marrakech Airport to Essaouira: $93
- Transfer from Marrakech airport to the whole city: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Arusha 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 dayArusha $24Marrakech $13
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $27
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Africa health cuisine food tour: $106
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orange Juice on the Square$0.30
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Breakfast$1.20
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Dates$0.60
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Olives$0.90
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Sandwich$1.29
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Souvenir Spices$6.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner from Marrakech: $15
- Online Moroccan Cooking Class: $17
- Cooking Lesson at the Ouirgane Ecolodge with Lunch: $19
- Restaurant Dinner Experience with Hotel Pickup: $21
- Sunset in Agafay: Dinner, Camel, Quad-Book Adventure with Viator: $22
- Typical Moroccan Dinner at the inhabitant in Marrakech: $22
- Marrakesh: Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner with a Show and Transfers : $22
- Dinner Show in Agafay Desert with Quad Bike & Camels: $22
- Dinner Show Under stars in Agafay Desert with Sunset Camel Ride: $22
- Dinner in Desert Marrakech and Camel ride at Sunset: $23
- Magical Dinner & Agafay Desert ,Under The Stars: $24
- Moroccan Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $45Marrakech $7.01
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Day Tour in Arusha National Park: $279
- Marangu waterfall & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTD : $150
- Materuni Waterfalls, Visiting Chagga Village, CoffeeTour Kikuletwa Hotsprings: $100
- Materuni waterfalls coffee tour & Chemka hot springs Day trip: $95
- "Ultimate Tanzanian Adventure: 5-Day Safari Experience": $4,275
- 1 Day Arusha National Park tour: $270
- 1 Day Best Of Tarangire National Park Tour on 4x4 Jeep: $675
- 1-Day Ngorongoro Crater Special Tour: $645
- 1-Day Tarangire National Park Tour: $267
- 12 Days Best Of Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Tour: $8,775
- 12 Days Best Of Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Tour: $8,745
- 1Day Safari Tour Tarangire National Park Join Group: $279
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets$1.99
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Golf at Atlas Golf$56
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 10 Hours tour from marrakech to ouarzazate: $44
- 3 Day Sahara Desert Tour From Marrakech ending in Fez city: $251
- 3 Days Tour - Marrakech To Fez via Sahara Desert Erg chebbi: $207
- Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $21
- Atlas Mountains Horseback Ride Day Tour From Marrakech : $50
- Atlas Mountains, Berber Villages & Waterfall Tour: $25
- City Tour Marrakech with guide 1/2 day: $21
- Desert Agafay & Berber Villages Day Tour From Marrakech including Camel Ride: $49
- Desert tour small group with luxury tent: $98
- Food Tasting Tour in Marrakech medina : $70
- Full Day Desert Agafay & Atlas Mountains Tour With Camel Ride : $48
- Full Day Guided Tour in Ouzoud Waterfalls : $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $11Marrakech $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Marrakech, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Marrakech much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marrakech would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marrakech 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Marrakech.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Marrakech?
Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Marrakech, 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.