A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cappadocia vs. Merzouga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cappadocia or Merzouga?

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

Should I visit Cappadocia or Merzouga? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cappadocia or Merzouga?

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is in Central Anatolia, between the mountains Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan. It is famous for its underground cities, fairy chimneys, and caves. The landscape of the area is some of the most unique you'll ever see. The fairy chimneys are bizarrely shaped rock outcroppings that have evolved from the unique geography in the area. There are hiking trails through the series of valleys that make up the area. It's a great place to explore for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

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 10-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best 2-Week Tours from Istanbul, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Cappadocia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $151, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $17. 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 Cappadocia and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cappadocia $53
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cappadocia $106
    Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Cappadocia and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Cappadocia 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.

Hotels in Cappadocia


Hotels in Merzouga


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: Cappadocia Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cappadocia $51
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia

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

  • Cappadocia Shared Transfer from/to Kayseri Erkilet Airport: $9.80
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer(Kayseri ASR - Nevsehir NAV Airport to Hotel): $13
  • Cappadocia Shared Transfer From/To Kayseri and Nevşehir Airport: $13
  • Shared Airport Transfer From Nevsehir/Kayseri Airports to Hotels: $15
  • From Kayseri & Nevsehir Airports: Transfer to Cappadocia: $16
  • Shared Shuttle Airport or Hotel Transfer in Cappadocia: $16
  • Airport Transfer From and To Kayseri and Nevsehir : $16
  • Kayseri Airport Transfer: $16
  • Transfer from Kayseri Airport to Cappadocia Hotels (Small Group): $16
  • Whirling Dervishes Show in Cappadocia w/ Free Hotel Transfer: $20
  • From Shared Airport Transfer to Kayseri Airport: $22
  • Shared Airport Transfer from Nevsehir Airport to Cappadocia: $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way transfer: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Cappadocia or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Cappadocia 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
    Cappadocia $50
    Merzouga $5.92
Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cappadocia:


  • Cookies
    $0.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cappadocia

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

  • Turkish Night Show in Cave Restaurant with Dinner and Transfer: $44
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night in Avanos Dinner Included: $48
  • Cappadocia Traditional Turkish Night with Dinner (in Authentic Cave Restaurant): $53
  • Cappadocia Night: Turkish Dance & Dinner : $60
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Entertainments: $62
  • Cappadocian cooking - hands-on class with pickup: $64
  • Romantic Cappadocia Sunset Dinner and Wine : $65
  • Turkish Night Show With Dinner in a Cave Restaurant: $65
  • Turkish night show with dinner and unlimited free alcohol: $69
  • Cappadocia Cave Restaurant for Dinner and Turkish Entertainments: $71
  • Half-Day Private Food Tour in Kayseri: $75
  • Romantic Cappadocia Private Sunset Dinner With Wild Food : $78

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

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

  • One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $65
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $65
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $85
  • Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $87
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $98
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Overnight in Luxury Camp With camel Trek & Dinner: $107
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $124
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip w/Luxury Tent & Dinner: $127
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cappadocia $95
    Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cappadocia

For Cappadocia, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Underground City Entrance for Two
    $0.93
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
    $18
  • Horseback Riding for Two
    $3.55
  • Cappadocia Driving Tour
    $3.78
  • Goreme Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.46
  • Whirling Dervishes Show
    $3.09
  • Turkish Bath
    $2.16
  • Hot air ballooning
    $13
  • Goreme open air museum
    $0.62
  • Bellydancing Show
    $4.02

Tours and Activities in Cappadocia

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

  • Skip the Line: Guray Museum Admission Ticket: $4.36
  • Cappadocia Private Tour (Car & Guide): $5.00
  • Best Of Private Cappadocia Tour ( Car & Guide ): $5.45
  • Cappadocia Private Tour with Car & Guide : $5.99
  • Explore Cappadocia North and Red Underground City Private Tour : $12
  • Cappadocia Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Watching Experience: $16
  • Private Underground City tour in Cappadocia Derinkuyu , Kaymakli: $19
  • 2 Hour Sunset Quad Bike(Atv) Tour: $19
  • Sunrise Balloon Watching Tour with Photographer: $20
  • Guided ATV Tour with Sunrise Option: $21
  • Red Tour in Cappadocia with Lunch: $22
  • 2 Hour Sunset Quad Bike (ATV) Tour in Cappadocia: $22

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:

  • Overnight in Desert Camp Berber Experience in Merzouga Desert & Camel Ride: $82
  • Private Adventure to Merzouga Risani from Erfoud : $142
  • Private Desert Tour and Visit to Nomadic Families: $98
  • 1 Hour Merzouga Desert Buggy Experience: $140
  • 1 Hour Merzouga Desert Quad Biking Tour & Sandboarding: $64
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $60
  • 1/2 day 4x4 tour of Erg Chebbi: $82
  • 2 Hours Merzouga Desert Quad Bike Adventure: $113
  • 2 hours Merzouga Dunes ATV Rental - Desert Quad Biking Tour: $112
  • 2-Day Desert Tour with Return to Marrakech: $182
  • 3 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga with Luxury Camp: $218
  • 3 Days Tour to Merzouga Dunes and Camel Trek: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cappadocia $18
    Merzouga -

Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:

  • Cappadocia Nightlife Experience: Bar and Pub Crawl Tour: $32
  • Wine tasting in Cappadocia: $64
  • Cappadocia Wine Cellar and Wine Yard with Wine Tasting: $79
  • Full-day Cappadocia Tour with wine tasting and clay shaping : $90
  • Wine Tasting and Sunset in Cappadocia: $196


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cappadocia and Merzouga, we can see that Cappadocia is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cappadocia is in Europe and Merzouga 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 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 Cappadocia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cappadocia 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 Cappadocia Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.