Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Bodrum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bodrum or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bodrum and Essaouira 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: Bodrum or Essaouira?
Bodrum
Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
-
Bodrum Prices
Turkey PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBodrum $72Essaouira $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $72, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $57. 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 Bodrum and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBodrum $31Essaouira $26
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBodrum $62Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Bodrum or Essaouira? 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: Bodrum Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bodrum $16Essaouira $2.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum
Also for Bodrum, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Full-Day Ancient Ephesus Tour with Guide & Transfer: $268
- Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kusadasi Hotels: $211
- Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Mugla City Center Hotels: $183
- Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Didim (Altinkum) Hotels: $143
- Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Kusadasi: $137
- Transfer From Bodrum Milas Airport to Soke (Söke): $131
- Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kadikalesi Hotels: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bodrum Airport to Marmaris Hotels: $114
- Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Akyarlar Hotels: $114
- Bodrum Scuba Diving Experince with Lunch and Roundtrip Transfer: $111
- Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Yaliciftlik Hotels: $108
- Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Yalikavak Hotels: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- private transfer essaouira to casablanca or casablanca-essaouira: $278
- Private transfer Essaouira Ouarzazate.: $228
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Taroudant: $228
- Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $193
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $136
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $133
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $125
- Private transfer Marrakech city to Essaouira city: $125
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $121
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech: $109
- Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Bodrum 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 dayBodrum $27Essaouira $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum
For Bodrum, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bodrum Food, Culture & Cooking Experience transfer lunch included: $56
- Turkish Cooking Class in a Local Home: $69
- Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards: $108
- Etrim Village Turkish Cooking and Farm Experience: $120
- Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class: $137
- Market Visit and Cooking Class: $150
- Bodrum Cooking Class: $183
- Sunset Boat Trip including Dinner: $228
- Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $230
- From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $230
- 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $232
- Private VIP Gulet Boat Sunset Tour With Dinner For 3 Hour: $285
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
-
Baklava$1.43
-
Breakfast Crepes$0.51
-
Fish for Lunch$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agadir Cooking Class Experience with Local Market Visit: $30
- Cooking class: How To Be a Real Moroccan Chef: $40
- Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $46
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $51
- Sidi Kaouki Sunset Walk and Berber Tent Dinner by Atlantic: $51
- Essaouira Cooking Class At Home: $51
- Essaouira Berber Cooking Class & Organic Farm Tour Al Aaila Farm: $54
- Cooking Class in Essaouira Countryside: $57
- Essaouira Family Dinner Experience: $64
- Essaouira Street Food Tour: $67
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $68
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $210
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bodrum $20Essaouira $12
Tours and Activities in Bodrum
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.
- Ölüdeniz: Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley & Lunch Boat Tour: $75
- ALL INCLUSIVE - Private Bodrum City Tour for Cruise Passangers: $75
- Authentic Bodrum Village Tour with Lunch & Rug Weaving Experience: $56
- Authentic Ottoman Style Hammam Experience: $29
- Best of Bodrum Private Tour: $241
- Boattrip to Bodrum Maledives for Virgin Cruise Passengers: $40
- Bodrum Aquapark Entry Ticket: $57
- Bodrum Aquarium Bay Tour with Lunch & Swimming Stops: $31
- Bodrum Boat Tour with Lunch: Beaches and Islands: $27
- Bodrum Carpet Village Experience with women Weaving Cooperative: $56
- Bodrum City Private Tour For Cruise Passengers with TICKET: $199
- Bodrum City Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- 1 Day Horseback Riding Tour with Overnight Stay in Berber Tent: $284
- 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira desert: $32
- 1-Hour Scenic Quad Bike Tour: Discover Essaouira’s Coastline: $34
- 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $136
- 2 - Hour Quad Biking and Sandboarding Experience in Essaouira: $42
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $51
- 2-Hours Buggy Adventure in Essaouira desert (2 places per buggy): $94
- 2H Buggy Adventure in Essaouira beaches ́Dunes & Forest Ride: $153
- 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech: $193
- 3H Buggy Adventure – Dunes, Ocean & Sunset Ride: $226
- Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $33
- Discovery Tour around Essaouira by Electric Motorcycle: $110
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBodrum $8.91Essaouira $9.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bodrum and Essaouira, we can see that Bodrum is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bodrum is in Europe and Essaouira 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 Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Bodrum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bodrum than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bodrum Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bodrum or Essaouira?
Essaouira has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Bodrum. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum and Essaouira, 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.