Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cairo or Merzouga?
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 Merzouga 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 Merzouga?
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.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $31Merzouga $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $31, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $23. 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 Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $10Merzouga $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $20Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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.
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 Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.53Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- Arrival transfer from Cairo airport: $5.00
- Private Transfer: Cairo Airport Arrival Any Hotel in Cairo Giza: $7.00
- Cairo CAI Airport Private Transfer to/from Cairo/El Omraniya: $8.82
- Private Transfer Between Cairo Airport and Cairo or Giza Hotels: $9.60
- Private Cairo Airport Transfers & Limousine to Anywhere in Cairo or vice versa: $10
- Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotels in Cairo: $10
- Cairo Airport Transfer Service with Private Driver: $10
- Private Cairo Airport Transfer To or From Cairo and Giza Hotels: $10
- Private Cairo International or Sphinx Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Departure Transfer from Cairo City to Cairo Airport: $12
- Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Pyramids Hotel to Cairo airport: $12
- Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotel Royal: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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
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Food Meals for one dayCairo $16Merzouga $11
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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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
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping,Dinner cruiseII: $8.00
- 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing: $8.00
- Romantic Nile Dinner Cruise Experience: $8.00
- 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.00
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Merzouga Cooking Class Familye: $45
- Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $52
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $59
- Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $59
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $65
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $106
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.46Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.78
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.02
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best-Selling Giza Pyramids Tour: Camel Ride, Lunch &Private Guide: $2.50
- VIP Luxury Shopping Tour –Local Markets + Gourmet Lunch & Drinks: $4.00
- Full-Day Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, Saqqara&Memphis All-Inclusive Tour: $4.00
- Day tour to Giza pyramids & sphinx, saqqara and Memphis: $4.00
- Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.50
- ViP Private Tour Giza Pyramids,camel ride , inside 3rd Pyramid: $4.50
- Chep Full Day tour Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Camel Ride &Quad Bike: $4.50
- Luxury Private Tour Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum: $4.74
- Private Giza Pyramids Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum Tour: $5.00
- Explore Giza Pyramids on a Private ATV or Camel Tour: $5.00
- Giza Pyramids Tour with Camel Ride and Lunch: $5.00
- Half Day Tour to Giza Pyramid,Sphinx ,inside pyramid,Camel,lunch: $5.00
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- Buggy Adventure in Merzouga Erg Chebbi: $3.53
- Merzouga Sunset Adventure: Camel, Quad, Buggy or 4WD: $23
- From Erg Chebbi "Buggy & Quad bike Tour ": $24
- Camel Ride Experience: $29
- Merzouga dunes quad biking & Sandboarding Experience: $33
- ATV Quad bikes in sahara dunes experience & sandboarding: $34
- Desert 4×4 Tour Around Merzouga: $35
- Merzouga 4X4 Adventure : Nomad Family & Gnawa Music Experience: $36
- 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $39
- Quad Biking Desert Tour in Erg Chebbi Dunes: $39
- Merzouga 4x4 Tour Excursion Around Erg Chebbi Dunes: $40
- Desert Quad Bike Adventure – Merzouga & Erg Chebbi: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.37Merzouga -
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Merzouga, we can see that Cairo is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Cairo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairo than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.
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.