A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo 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 Cairo 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: Cairo or Marrakech?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Cairo?

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 Cairo is $30, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $94. 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 Cairo and Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $10
    Marrakech $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $20
    Marrakech $108
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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.

Hotels in Cairo


Hotels in Marrakech


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.46
    Marrakech $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • private Airport Transfer from any destination in Cairo or Giza: $35
  • cairo to siwa transfers service - safe ,comfortable easy rides: $120
  • Visit Mall of Egypt with Hotel Transfer: $47
  • VIP Private Cairo Airport Transfer To Or From Cairo , Giza Hotels: $12
  • VIP Meet and assist with transfer from Cairo and SPX Airport: $10
  • VIP Meet and Greet Private Hotel Transfer from Cairo Airport: $39
  • VIP Meet and Assist in Cairo Airport with Private Transfer to Cairo Hotels: $49
  • VIP Luxury Airport Transfer: Mercedes E-Class Meet & Greet: $50
  • Transfer to Cairo & Giza Hotels From Cairo Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $226
  • Transfer from Hurghada to Luxor city by private Cars: $170
  • Transfer from Hurghada to Cairo by van: $235

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • "Marrakech to El Jadida: Private Transfer for Your Comfort": $115
  • "Marrakech to Rabat: Enjoy a Private Transfer with Ease": $172
  • Agadir private transfer from Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane to Agadir airport (AGA): $110
  • Agafay Camel Ride, Pool & Lunch with Hotel Transfers: $23
  • Agafay Desert Luxury Private Lunch with 4x4 Transfer: $172
  • Agafay Desert Pool Day with Camel Ride, Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $33
  • Agafay Desert Pool Day, Moroccan Lunch & Transfers from Marrakech: $29
  • Agafay Desert Tour with Private Breakfast and Transfer Included: $252
  • Airport & City Transfer Marrakech to Casablanca | Private: $115
  • Airport Taxi Transfers Marrakech: $17
  • Airport Transfer Ride: $21
  • Airport transfer Transfer to your hotel in Marrakech: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Cairo 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
    Cairo $16
    Marrakech $27
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $5.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping,Dinner cruiseII: $5.60
  • 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Giza Pyramids Sphinx Camel Ride ATV Bike Shopping Dinner cruise: $7.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $7.20
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • Dinner Nile Cruise belly dancer open buffer tanora show sailing on Nile: $8.00
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.30
  • Breakfast
    $1.21
  • Dates
    $0.61
  • Olives
    $0.91
  • Sandwich
    $1.31
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakech special food tour: $5.73
  • Agafay Desert Magic: Sunset Camel Ride, Quad Bike & Dinner: $8.76
  • Agafay Desert Camel Ride and Quad Bike with Dinner Show: $9.17
  • Excursion from Marrakech to Agafay desert Quad Camel dinner show: $11
  • Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $11
  • Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
  • Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
  • Agafay Desert Quad Biking & Camel Ride & Dinner & Show: $14
  • Marrakech Sunset in the Agafay desert, camel ride and dinner show: $14
  • Marrakech Agafay Desert Sunset with Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
  • Agafay desert dinner show camel ride with sunset: $15
  • Cooking Class in the hearth of the Atlas Mountain from Marrakech With locals: $15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $8.29
    Marrakech $9.93
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.77
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $5.90

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • ( Stopover Tour Of Cairo ) Private All Inc.Pyramids,Camel Ride,Museum& Lunch: $180
  • (Egypt jewel) Day Tour To Giza Pyramids, Museum, Mosque &Felucca: $55
  • 01 Day Cairo tour Islamic and Coptic Cairo: $143
  • 01 Day Tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $246
  • 1 Day Private Tour in Cairo and Giza: $90
  • 1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo: $30
  • 1 Day tour to Giza pyramids Memphis city Dahshur and Saqqara pyramids: $15
  • 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour Around Giza Pyramids: $30
  • 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Private Tour around Giza Pyramids: $37
  • 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1 Hour Adventure In The Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60
  • 1 Hour adventure in the Nile River By Nile Taxi In Cairo: $60

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.02
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $57

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Marrakech Medina Self-Guided Walking Tour Experience: $1.12
  • Berber Culture Experience & Atlas Mountains Tour: $5.73
  • Marrakech Audioguided walking tour 2h45 and 21 reviews: $6.77
  • Skip the Line: Woven History Museum Ticket - musée Histoire Tissée: $7.06
  • Ourika Valley Tour: Waterfall Hiking and Lunch: $8.03
  • Marrakech Airport to Hotel – Your Premium Arrival Experience: $9.29
  • Navigate Marrakech Effortlessly, Your Digital Tour Guide Anytime: $10
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Experience Half Day from Marrakech: $10
  • Guided Medina Walking Tour Monuments and Souks: $10
  • Berber Rugs Marrakech Shopping Tour with Shipping Available: $11
  • Marrakech walking Tour Jewish Quarter and Bahia Palace: $11
  • Cycling tour in marrakesh desert: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.35
    Marrakech $9.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $69
  • Cairo Autumn Downtown Food & Bar Crawl with Drinks: $109

Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:

  • Marrakech Nightlife Pub Crawl with Hotel Pickup: $23
  • Marrakech Nightlife Adventure: The Ultimate Pub Crawl: $25
  • Private Vineyard Day from Marrakech Wine Tasting and City Tour: $126


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Marrakech?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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.