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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cappadocia is $122, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $22. 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 $34
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cappadocia $68
    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 $33
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cappadocia

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

  • Nevşehir or Kayseri Airport Private Transfer Service: $3.39
  • Shared Transfers for Kayseri and Nevşehir Airports: $3.41
  • Cappadocia Private Airport Transfers from Kayseri & Nevşehir: $11
  • Cappadocia Transfer From/To Nevsehir and Kayseri Airport: $11
  • Cappadocia Shared Transfer From/To Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport: $12
  • Cappadocia ATV Safari Sunrise Sunset Daytime Hotel Transfer: $12
  • Cappadocia Shared Transfer From to Kayseri and Nevsehir Airport: $12
  • Cappadocia ATV tour with transfer and guide: $12
  • Cappadocia NAV & Kayseri ASR Shuttle Airport Transfer: $12
  • Cappadocia Airport Transfer to/from Kayseri/Nevsehir (ASR or NAV): $14
  • Cappadocia Shuttle Transfer from Nevsehir Airport: $16
  • Cappadocia Luxury Private Airport Transfer: $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • Merzouga Luxury Camp & With Transfer included: $74

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 $56
    Merzouga $10
Typical Food Prices in Cappadocia

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


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    $0.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cappadocia

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

  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner and Drinks: $51
  • Cappadocia From Traditional Cooking Class Course: $57
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show, Dinner & Unlimited Drinks & Pickup: $61
  • Turkish Night at Cave Restaurant with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks: $62
  • Turkish Nights in Cappadocia Dinner & Cultural Show in a Cave: $65
  • Cappadocia Night: Turkish Dance & Dinner: $70
  • Turkish Night Show With Dinner in a Cave Restaurant: $74
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Cultural Show and Dinner: $75
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night Show with Dinner & Hotel Transfers: $75
  • Half-Day Private Food Tour in Kayseri: $78
  • 2-Hour Cappadocia Turkish Night Show and Dinner Experience: $79
  • Cappadocia Turkish Night with Dinner and Cultural Show: $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

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

  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza: $3.41
  • Authentic Merzouga Desert Camp with Camel Ride, 4x4 & Dinner: $45
  • Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $50
  • Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
  • Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $57
  • Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $57
  • Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $62
  • Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $68
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Erfoud Desert Tour, Sunset, Dinner, Camel Ride, Visit the Nomads: $148
  • From 2-Nights In Luxury Camp with Camel Trek & Dinner.: $170
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cappadocia $62
    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
    $0.60
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
    $12
  • Horseback Riding for Two
    $2.31
  • Cappadocia Driving Tour
    $2.46
  • Goreme Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.30
  • Whirling Dervishes Show
    $2.01
  • Turkish Bath
    $1.41
  • Hot air ballooning
    $8.15
  • Goreme open air museum
    $0.40
  • Bellydancing Show
    $2.62

Tours and Activities in Cappadocia

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

  • Cappadocia Sunrise Balloon Watching Tour with Hotel Pickup: $3.39
  • Cappadocia Green Tour Lunch + Guide + Museum Tickets /Small Group: $3.39
  • Cappadocia Daily Tour Red & Green - Mix: $5.68
  • Cappadocia Horse Tour: $6.70
  • Cappadocia Private Day Tour: $8.00
  • Cappadocia Private Tour - Cappadocia's All Highlights in 1 Day: $9.00
  • Private Full Day Cappadocia Tour With Luxury Van and Guide: $9.00
  • One Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $9.00
  • Private Pottery Workshop Experience and Guiding: $9.08
  • Cappadocia Tours : Best of Cappadocia: $10
  • Private Tour : All Highlights of Cappadocia 1 Day: $10
  • Cappadocia Artisan & Local Craft Experience: $10

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

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

  • 1 Hour Merzouga Buggy Desert Tour: $114
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp: $3.41
  • 1 hour Quad in the Sahara: Merzouga Off Roading Experience: Nature & Wildlife: $78
  • 2 Hour Merzouga Buggy Adventure in the Sahara Dunes: $199
  • 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $37
  • 2-Days Merzouga tour from Errachidia: $200
  • 2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard: $43
  • 3 Days Marrakech to Sahara Adventure Merzouga Dunes & Camel Trek: $112
  • 3 Days Merzouga Tours From Marrakech & back Group & Private: $159
  • 3-Day Best Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech via Merzouga: $284
  • 4×4 Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $34
  • 4x4 tours in Merzouga: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cappadocia $12
    Merzouga -

Sample the Local Flavors in Cappadocia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cappadocia:

  • Wine tasting in Cappadocia: $67
  • Local Wine Tasting Experience: $68
  • Wine Tasting in Cappadocia Turkey - Introduction of local wines: $72
  • Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys Guided Tour with Local Wine Tasting: $85
  • Cappadocia Vineyard Experience and Wine Tasting: $92
  • Private Wine Tasting and Day Tour w/Göreme Museum: $108
  • Wine Tasting and Sunset in Cappadocia: $204
  • Half-Day Private Cappadocia Wine Tour Experience: $268
  • Ancient Cappadocia's Wine Tasting - Private Tour: $275


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?.