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

Should you visit Cairo or Ouarzazate?

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 Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate?

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.

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate 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 $29, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $55. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.74
    Ouarzazate $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Ouarzazate $44
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Ouarzazate? 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 Ouarzazate


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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.28
    Ouarzazate $3.46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.07
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • 01 way Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Your Hotel in Cairo: $13
  • 01 way Transfer from Cairo airport to your Hotel in Giza: $13
  • 01 way Transfer from hotel in Cairo to Alexandria: $50
  • 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Ride At Giza Pyramids With Private Transfer: $30
  • 1 Way Pick up transfer from Cairo to Hurghada by private Car: $80
  • 1 way Private Pickup transfer from Le Meridien Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $18
  • 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $180
  • 2 Private day tours in Giza pyramids and Cairo city with 2 airport Transfers: $155
  • 2 Private days in Giza and Cairo including Free Transfer from Airport: $126
  • 2-Day-One night Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
  • 2-Days Trip in Cairo & Giza (Including Free Transfer from the Airport): $143
  • 2-Days Trips in Cairo & Giza (Including Free Transfer from the Airport): $137

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $46
  • Ouarzazate to Marrakech Private Transfer: $115
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $187
  • Private transfer from Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou (round Trip): $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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 $15
    Ouarzazate $28
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 , ATV, camel ride Plus Nile Dinner Cruise: $3.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $4.50
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
  • Cairo Dinner Nile Cruise with Belly Dancer Show on Nile River: $7.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Giza Pyramids Sphinx and Nile River Dinner Cruise Cairo Tour: $7.20
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $8.00
  • Food Tour Private Tour from Cairo or Giza Hotel: $8.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
  • Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $8.00
  • Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping,Dinner cruiseII: $8.00

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

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

  • Private Moroccan Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $7.85
    Ouarzazate $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
    $0.73
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $5.59

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Luxury private tour Giza Pyramids, grand Egyptian Museum, kingTut: $3.50
  • Private Half-Day Giza Pyramids & Sphinx Tour with Camel Ride: $4.00
  • Best ViP Private Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, inside Pyramids: $4.00
  • Cairo tour to Giza Pyramids Sphinx Grand Egyptian museum (GEM ): $4.50
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum Tour: $5.00
  • Egyptian Spicy Shop and Egyptian Cotton Shopping Private Tour: $5.00
  • Private Tour in Iconic Giza Pyramids From Cairo: $5.00
  • Private Giza Pyramids & Sphinx Tour with Licensed Egyptian Guide: $5.00
  • Cairo shopping advisor tour papyrus ,perfume ,golden cartouche , Egyptian cotton: $5.00
  • Half Day Private Guided Shopping Tour in Cairo: $5.00
  • Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $5.00
  • Luxury Private Pyramids Tour with Lunch and Camel Ride: $5.00

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

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

  • 3-Day Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with Luxury Camp: $5.68
  • Ouzoud Waterfalls Guided Tour and Boat Ride: $14
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $23
  • Half Day Private Tour in Sidiflah Gorge: $24
  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • Private tour in the oasis of Skoura with pottery workshop: $28
  • guided tour of the Skoura palm grove by mountain bike: $34
  • Private Skoura Oasis Walking Tour and Homemade Meal with Locals: $35
  • Private tour of Skoura by ATV or E-bike Half-day with guide: $35
  • Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $36
  • Ait Ben Haddou to Fint Oasis - Full-Day Quad Adventure: $36
  • Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.28
    Ouarzazate -

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 Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour: $75
  • Cairo Autumn Downtown Food & Bar Crawl with Drinks: $108


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Ouarzazate, we can see that Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Ouarzazate?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Ouarzazate, 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.