A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dahab vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dahab 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 Dahab 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: Dahab or Marrakech?

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

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 Dahab?

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 Dahab is $24, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $100. 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 Dahab and Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $8.67
    Marrakech $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $17
    Marrakech $114
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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 Dahab


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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $2.89
    Marrakech $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $118
  • Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $100
  • Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
  • Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $195
  • Beginner Scuba Dive at Lighthouse w Photos & Transfer: $58
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour from Dahab with Lunch & Hotel Transfers: $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • transfer: $94
  • airport transfers: $24
  • VIP Transfer Luxury Mercedes limo from Marrakech Airport Hotels: $58
  • VIP Luxury Private Car Marrakech Airport ,City Transfer: $24
  • Transfert de l'aéroport de Marrakech à la ville: $24
  • Transfers Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira to Marrakech: $71
  • Transfer privé depuis ou vers l'aéroport marrakech: $6.00
  • Transfer marrakech to agadir or agadir to marrakech: $200
  • Transfer from Marrakech city or Marrakech airport to Casablanca city: $175
  • Transfer from Marrakech airport to city: $15
  • Transfer Marrakesh - Casablanca: $176
  • Transfer Marrakech to Mohammedia: $156

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Dahab 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
    Dahab $12
    Marrakech $28
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

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


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $1.86
  • Juice
    $0.10
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

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

  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $39

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.32
  • Breakfast
    $1.29
  • Dates
    $0.64
  • Olives
    $0.97
  • Sandwich
    $1.39
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $12
  • Agafay Desert Dinner & Live Show: $12
  • Ourika Valley Cooking Class, Garden Lunch & Pool from Marrakech: $12
  • Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
  • Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
  • Agafay Desert Quad and Camel Ride, Dinner & Show: $15
  • Agafay Desert Quad Biking & Camel Ride & Dinner & Show: $15
  • Agafay desert dinner show camel ride with sunset: $15
  • Cooking Class in the hearth of the Atlas Mountain from Marrakech With locals: $15
  • Agafay Desert Sunset and Camel Ride with Dinner from Marrakech: $15
  • Agafay Desert Camel Ride with Dinner and Fire Show from Marrakech: $18
  • Agafay Desert: Dinner + Show with Quad Bike & Sunset Camel Ride: $18

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dahab $6.10
    Marrakech $11

Tours and Activities in Dahab

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

  • 2 Day Hiking Canyoning Tour Colored and Wishwashi in Sinai: $71
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
  • Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
  • Camel Trek Desert and Beach Experience Private Tour in Dahab: $70
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $41
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $35
  • Jerusalem Bethlehem and Dead Sea 1-Day Tour from Dahab: $270
  • Jerusalem Bethlehem and Dead Sea 1-Day Tour from Dahab: $260

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.15
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $61

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • "Majorelle Garden & Palmeraie Quad Biking: Marrakech Adventure": $102
  • 1 Day Terres d’Amanar Adventure: $76
  • 1-night Atlas Mountain Experience from Marrakech with Hike and Camel Ride: $130
  • 1000 & 1 Night at the Agafay Desert - White Camel Camp Experience: $275
  • 2 - Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour – Shared & Private Options: $111
  • 2 - Day Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech & Camel Ride: $27
  • 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech To Zagora Marrakech Desert Tours: $149
  • 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains & Camel ride: $82
  • 2 Day Mt Toubkal Small Group tours from Marrakech: $223
  • 2 Day Private Tour to Ouarzazate: $188
  • 2 Day Toubkal Ascent adventure on North Africas Highest Peak: $212
  • 2 Day Zagora Adventure from Marrakech Quad Biking and Camel Ride: $280

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $3.62
    Marrakech $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech

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

  • Private Vineyard Day from Marrakech Wine Tasting and City Tour: $129


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dahab and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Dahab.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dahab Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dahab or Marrakech?

Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab 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.