A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Rabat for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bucharest or Rabat?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Rabat. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Bucharest or Rabat?

Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.

Rabat

While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Bucharest?

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 Bucharest is $178, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $53. 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 Bucharest and Rabat in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bucharest $62
    Rabat $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bucharest $124
    Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Rabat

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Rabat? 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 Bucharest


Hotels in Rabat


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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bucharest $26
    Rabat $2.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Bucharest to Sofia Private Transfer: $634
  • Bucharest to Sofia - Private Transfer: $574
  • Private Transfer From Cluj to Bucharest: $497
  • Bucharest Airport: Private Transfer To / From Pitesti: $444
  • Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu - Private Transfer: $340
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $340
  • Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo - Private Transfer: $319
  • Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer: $319
  • Bucharest Airport Transfer To Constanta Mamaia: $300
  • Bucharest to Craiova - Private Transfer: $298
  • Bucharest (Romania) to Veliko Tarnavo (Bulgaria) - Private Guided Transfer : $280
  • Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport Constanta - Private Guided Transfer : $280

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    $3.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Rabat To Fez: $108
  • "Rabat to Marrakech Private Transfer: Smooth and Comfortable": $140
  • Agadir Quad Biking 2 hour with Transfers and Nomadic Tea : $43
  • Best Private Transfer services: Rabat to Fez : $93
  • One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes : $194
  • Private Departure Transfer from Rabat to Casablanca Airport: $48
  • Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Rabat City: $15
  • Private Transfer From Rabat to Casablanca : $55
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Bouznika: $86
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to El Jadida: $258
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Kenitra: $108
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Rabat?

Prices for flights to both Rabat and Bucharest 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
    Bucharest $100
    Rabat $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

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

  • Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $50
  • Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $53
  • 5 Premium Wine Tasting with Rich Dinner, incl Sommelier: $73
  • Exceptional Dinner by Multi-Award-Winning Chef, Drinks incl: $73
  • Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $81
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $81
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $83
  • Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $85
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $94
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $127
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $200
  • Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $225

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat

For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $48
  • Rabat Restaurant Cooking Class: $72
  • Walking Food Tour: $74
  • Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $74
  • Cooking Class in a Family Home: $75
  • Rabat Family Cooking Class: $77
  • Night Tour River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner: $94
  • Rabat Night Tour with River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner : $96
  • Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bucharest $14
    Rabat $2.85

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $246
  • Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $102
  • Transylvania Heritage Tour at Peles Bran and Cantacuzino Castles: $139
  • Walking Tour - Delightful Bucharest (Old Town & Victory Avenue): $17
  • 1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran: $135
  • 1-Day Guided Tour: Bucharest-Peles, Dracula Castle & Brasov: $27
  • 10 h Ceausescu Communism Private Tour in Bucharest plus Dracula's Grave : $237
  • 10 hours Private Apiary Tour in Romania - From Bucharest: $269
  • 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $255
  • 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,678
  • 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $553
  • 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $129

Tours and Activities in Rabat

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.

  • Private Half-Day Exploration Tour of Rabat in a Green Taxi: $27
  • Walking Tour Rabat, City of lights by night : $40
  • Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $43
  • private Tour between the monuments of Rabat City : $43
  • Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
  • Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $53
  • Rabat old Medina ,Hassan Tower and Kasbah Oudaya Walking tour : $53
  • Rabat Shopping Tour: $54
  • Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $60
  • Rabat Guided Biking Tour: $60
  • Private Guided City Walking Tour: $63
  • Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bucharest $9.11
    Rabat -

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
  • Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $28
  • Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $37
  • Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $38
  • Bar Crawling: $43
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
  • Private Wine Tasting Experience: $53
  • Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $56
  • Pub Crawling in Style to the Most Fancy Bars (not Old Town): $58
  • Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $59
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Rabat, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest is in Europe and Rabat 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 Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Rabat.

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


Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Rabat?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Rabat. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Rabat, 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.


When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Rabat?

Bucharest has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Rabat in the Summer?

Both Rabat and Bucharest during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.

Bucharest is around the same temperature as Rabat in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bucharest. In the summer, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Rabat. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bucharest 23°C (73°F) 
    Rabat 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Rabat in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Rabat. The autumn months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Bucharest is much colder than Rabat. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Rabat averages at about 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Rabat. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bucharest 13°C (55°F) 
    Rabat 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Rabat in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Rabat. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Bucharest in the winter. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Rabat. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Rabat. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bucharest -1°C (29°F) 
    Rabat 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Rabat in the Spring?

Both Rabat and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Bucharest is cooler than Rabat in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Rabat fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Rabat. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Rabat. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bucharest 12°C (54°F) 
    Rabat 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Rabat and Bucharest

Bucharest Rabat
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (29°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 77 mm (3 in) 20°C (69°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 6°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (62°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 102 mm (4 in)