Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Arusha?
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 Arusha or Merzouga?
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 Merzouga 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 Merzouga?
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.
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 G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $188Merzouga $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $188, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $23. 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 Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $125Merzouga $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $250Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Merzouga -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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 $40Merzouga $11
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)$2.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Merzouga Cooking Class Familye: $45
- Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $52
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $59
- Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $59
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $65
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $106
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Merzouga -
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Best Arusha City Tour: $15
- Guided Arusha town tour with market visit,shopping, and city walk: $17
- Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets&Hidden Gems+pickup: $19
- Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
- Arusha Town Tour: $30
- Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
- Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
- Hidden Arusha Waterfall, Village & Coffee Tour (All-Inclusive): $36
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $45
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Private Walking Tour with Giraffes: $55
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- 1 Hour Buggy Can-am Merzouga Desert Experience: $153
- 1 Hour Merzouga Buggy Desert Tour: $71
- 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp: $65
- 1 hour Quad in the Sahara: Merzouga Off Roading Experience: Nature & Wildlife: $81
- 1 hour tour Quad biking experience: $100
- 1/2 day 4x4 tour of Erg Chebbi: $94
- 2 Hour Merzouga Buggy Adventure in the Sahara Dunes: $206
- 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $39
- 2 days tour in Merzouga Erg Chabbi with 4WD Jeep and Camel Treck: $294
- 2 hours Merzouga Dunes ATV Rental - Desert Quad Biking Tour: $114
- 2 nights luxury desert camp & camel ride experience: $200
- 2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Merzouga -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Merzouga, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha 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.