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

Should you visit Dahab 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 Dahab 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: Dahab or Ouarzazate?

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.

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 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 $23, 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 Dahab and Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $8.49
    Ouarzazate $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $17
    Ouarzazate $44
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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 Dahab


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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $2.83
    Ouarzazate $3.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour from Dahab with Lunch & Hotel Transfers: $45
  • Beginner Scuba Dive at Lighthouse w Photos & Transfer: $58
  • Pickup transfer from Dahab To Sharm El Sheikh airport: $70
  • Private Pickup Transfer From Dahab To St. Catherine: $75
  • Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $195
  • Private Transfer From Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh airport: $65
  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $34
  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm el Sheikh Airport or Hotels: $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.02

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • Private transfer from Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou (round Trip): $79
  • Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $187
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech to Dades Gorges: $190
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Ouarzazate to Marrakech Private Transfer: $117
  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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
    Ouarzazate $28
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

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


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $1.82
  • Juice
    $0.10
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.57

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 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: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dahab $5.98
    Ouarzazate $11

Tours and Activities in Dahab

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

  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $35
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $40
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
  • Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50
  • Private Day Tour To Blue Lagoon And Ras Abu Galum From Dahab: $65
  • Private City Tour In Sharm El Sheikh From Dahab: $65
  • Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
  • Saint Catherine's Monastery half-day Tour with Lunch from Dahab: $70

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

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

  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure in Marrakech Palm Grove: $52
  • 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $151
  • 3-Day Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with Luxury Camp: $5.73
  • 3-Day Sahara Desert Adventure From Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga: $502
  • 7 night 8 day Casablanca morocco tour via merzouga: $2,048
  • Ait Ben Haddou Traditional Earthen Architecture Experience: $15
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $23
  • Casablanca: 6 Days Tour Blue City, Fes, Desert & Marrakech: $1,195
  • Day in the palm grove of Skoura Guided Mountain Bike Tour Quad Ride: $79
  • Desert Adventure in Skoura: $34
  • From Ouarzazate : 3-Day Merzouga Sahara Tour Erg Chabin: $103

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $3.55
    Ouarzazate -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dahab and Ouarzazate, we can see that Ouarzazate 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 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 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 Ouarzazate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dahab or Ouarzazate?

Ouarzazate has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab 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.