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 $33, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $103. 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 $11
    Marrakech $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $22
    Marrakech $118
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 $3.80
    Marrakech $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • private transfer from Cairo to Alexandria: $70
  • private Airport Transfer from any destination in Cairo or Giza : $35
  • 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
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cairo APT-HTL (CAI): $33
  • Transfer to Cairo & Giza Hotels From Cairo Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada : $226
  • Transfer from Cairo, Giza or Cairo airport to Ain Sokhna: $60
  • Transfer from Cairo Int. Airport to Cairo/Giza hotels: $21
  • Transfer from Cairo Airport to the Hotels in Cairo or Giza : $18
  • Transfer from Cairo Airport to the Hotels in Cairo or Giza: $20
  • Transfer from Cairo Airport to a hotel in Cairo or Giza: $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • Agadir to Marrakech transfer One Way Private Transfer: $163
  • Airport Marrakech Transfer one way: $24
  • Hammam Massage Transfers Included: $83
  • Hammam and Massage Experience with Transfers: $83
  • Marrakech Airport Private Transfer: $30
  • Marrakech Private Transfer to Hotels & Moroccan Cities: $159
  • Private Horse carriages Experience & hotel transfer : $30
  • Private Transfer Agadir airport - Marrakech: $238
  • Private Transfer From Marrakech To Fez: $226
  • Transfers from or to Marrakech Airport and Marrakech: $12
  • private transfer to or from Marrakech and Taroudant one trip: $107
  • "Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer": $270

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 $18
    Marrakech $29
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.

  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
  • Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise: $5.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $7.00
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $8.00
  • Local Oriental Food Tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $9.00
  • 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour : $9.00
  • Giza pyramids,Sphinx,ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise& shopping: $9.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $10
  • VIP Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,ATV bike,CamelRide,Shopping&DinnerCruise: $10

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.33
  • Breakfast
    $1.33
  • Dates
    $0.66
  • Olives
    $1.00
  • Sandwich
    $1.43
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakesh: Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride, Dinner and Show: $9.00
  • Sunset Dinner in the Agafay Desert: $10
  • Marrakech Agafay Camel ride,Dinner , Fire Show: $12
  • Agafay Desert Dinner, Camel Ride & Quad Biking.: $12
  • Camel Ride in the Agafay Desert, Dinner and Fire Show: $12
  • Agafay Desert Quad & Camel Rides with Dinner Show: $12
  • Agafay Desert: Camel ride, dinner and fire show: $12
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show – From Marra: $12
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride and Dinner Experience: $13
  • Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride with Dinner in Camp: $13
  • Camel Ride at Marrakech Desert Agafy with Dinner: $13

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $9.09
    Marrakech $11
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
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.47

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • 1 Day Private Tour in Cairo and Giza: $90
  • 2 Days in Cairo & Giza Private Tour : $80
  • 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $253
  • 2-Day Tour Ancient Egypt and Old Cairo Highlights Tour: $290
  • 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
  • 2-Days Tours at Cairo & Giza : $143
  • 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $14
  • 8-Hour Private Tour to Giza Pyramids, Memphis and Sakkara: $79
  • Alexandria Private Day Tour From Cairo: $95
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour to All Pyramids and Cairo and 2 evenings: $299
  • All Inclusive Full-Day Tour to Pyramids, Museum, mosque and Felucca: $39
  • Bedouin Desert Safari Tours By Jeep 4x4 In Hurghada: $55

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.21
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $63

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • Luxury Full-Day Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert Tour: $9.52
  • Atlas Mountains ourika valley Guided Tour: $11
  • Atlas Mountains Ourika Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $11
  • Full-Day Tour from Marrakech to the Imlil & Toubkal Valley: $11
  • Small group to Atlas Mountains 4valleys;Waterfulls and camel Ride experience : $11
  • Group shared day tour to Ourika valley & Atlas Mountains: $11
  • Marrakech Culture Tour Guided Half Day Exploration of Medina: $12
  • Atlas Mountain Full Day Tour with Three Valleys and Waterfalls: $12
  • Shopping tour Marrakech Souks: $12
  • Marrakech Airport to Hotel – Your Premium Arrival Experience: $12
  • Medina Walking Tour with Souk Shopping in Marrakech: $12
  • Marrakech Cultural Tour Madrasa Ben Youssef and Secret Garden: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.48
    Marrakech $10

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: $71

Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakech Nightlife Adventure: The Ultimate Pub Crawl: $26


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.