A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aswan vs. Merzouga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aswan or Merzouga?

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

Should I visit Aswan or Merzouga? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Aswan or Merzouga?

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

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 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Aswan?

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 Aswan is $19, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $21. 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 Aswan and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $6.34
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $13
    Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Aswan 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.

Hotels in Aswan


Hotels in Merzouga


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: Aswan Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $4.07
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • Private transfer from/to Aswan train station: $7.00
  • Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $8.00
  • Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Private Transfer: $10
  • Private Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $10
  • Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel: $13
  • Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan : $13
  • Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Aswan: $13
  • Shared Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels : $15
  • Private Airport Transfer To Aswan Hotels/ Nile Cruises: $15
  • Private Transfer From Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel: $15
  • Aswan Airport Arrival Transfer: $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way Errachidia airport transfer: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Aswan 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
    Aswan $9.31
    Merzouga $10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

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

  • Private Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village in Aswan: $44
  • Nubian Dinner at the Nubian village : $47
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $49
  • Private Aswan Nubian Cooking Class and Market Tour: $50
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
  • Aswan Sunset Dinner Cruise: $80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

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

  • 1-Night in Desert Camp With Dinner & camel ride: $44
  • Berber Cooking Class in Merzouga Desert: $64
  • Moroccan Berber Pizza Cooking Class in Khamelia: $67
  • 1-Night in the luxury camp. camel ride & Dinner: $69
  • Overnight in Luxury camp with camels dinner: $71
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $75
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $85
  • One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $85
  • Merzouga Desert Tour, Quad Sandboarding Camel Ride & Dinner: $130
  • Quad Biking, Sandboarding, Camel & Sunset Dinner: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $5.74
    Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    $1.19

Tours and Activities in Aswan

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

  • Temple Of Kalabsha Entry Tickets: $3.80
  • Unfinished Obelisk Entry Ticket: $5.60
  • Kom Ombo Temple Entry Ticket: $9.12
  • High Dam Aswan Entry Tickets With Pickup And Drop Off: $13
  • Philae Temple Complex Skip the Line Entry Ticket: $13
  • Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
  • Unfinished Obelisk Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $16
  • Adventure Felucca Ride in Aswan ( Private boat ): $17
  • Nubian Museum Magic: Private Tour in Aswan's Heart: $20
  • High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, & Philae Private Tour: $20
  • Horse Carriage Ride with a Private Tour in Aswan: $20
  • Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour from Aswan: $20

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

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

  • Merzouga 4x4 tour - Excursion around dunes: $21
  • Camel Ride Experience: $27
  • Merzouga : Adventure Quad Bike Safari, & Sandboarding: $33
  • Private Quad Bike Adventure at Merzouga with Guide: $40
  • Merzouga ATV Quad Desert Tours: $41
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $42
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $47
  • Sanding Ball in Experience the sand dunes on a zorbing activity: $48
  • Overnight in Desert Camp Berber Experience in Merzouga Desert & Camel Ride: $50
  • Erg Chebbi Dunes Quad Biking Tour: $52
  • Merzouga one hour Quad bike Adventure Tour: $53
  • Merzouga 4X4 Half-Day Tour with Lunch: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.17
    Merzouga -


When comparing the travel costs between Aswan and Merzouga, we can see that Merzouga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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