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

Should you visit Dahab or Rabat?

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 Rabat 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 Rabat?

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.

Rabat

While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Rabat 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 $13, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $44. 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 Rabat in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $5.94
    Rabat $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $12
    Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Rabat

Looking for a hotel in Dahab or Rabat? 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 Rabat


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 Rabat Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $1.88
    Rabat $2.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $260
  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $110
  • Dahab To/from Sharm El Sheikh Private Transfer : $40
  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $38

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    $3.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

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

  • Transfer Rabat to Tetouan: $147
  • Transfer Rabat to Tangier: $146
  • Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
  • Transfer Rabat to Safi: $168
  • Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport: $22
  • Transfer Rabat to Meknes: $104
  • Transfer Rabat to Kenitra: $52
  • Transfer Rabat to Fes: $116
  • Transfer Rabat to El Jadida: $117
  • Transfer Rabat to Casablanca: $76
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $272
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $187

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Rabat?

Prices for flights to both Rabat 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 $4.71
    Rabat $13
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

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


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $1.96
  • Juice
    $0.10
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.62

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: $30
  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
  • Stargazer + Camel riding + Bedouin dinner from Dahab : $90
  • Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat

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

  • Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $50
  • cooking classe near the medina of rabat with local chefs : $66
  • Rabat Restaurant Cooking Class: $74
  • Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $76
  • Cooking Class in a Family Home: $76
  • Rabat Family Cooking Class: $79
  • Night Tour River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner: $97
  • Rabat Night Tour with River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner : $98
  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
  • Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dahab $4.49
    Rabat $2.88

Tours and Activities in Dahab

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

  • 2- Day Tour Exploring the Hidden Gems of Serabit el Khadim: $200
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $40
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $50
  • Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
  • Astronomy and Bedouin Culture group Tour in sharm with Pickup: $140
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $28
  • Cairo 1-Day Tour by Bus From Dahab: $130
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $45
  • Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $60
  • Dahab's Kept Secrets 5 Adventures in 1 Tour: $25
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour : $38
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33

Tours and Activities in Rabat

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

  • private Tour between the monuments of Rabat City : $44
  • Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
  • Car tour in Rabat: $29
  • Exclusive Luxe Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $72
  • Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $60
  • Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $133
  • From Casablanca: 15-Day Guided Tour of Morocco: $2,600
  • From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $736
  • From Full Day Tour in Fes City All inclusive Tickets: $198
  • From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $107
  • Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
  • Half Day Tour in Rabat City with Guide: $77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $2.57
    Rabat -


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


Which is Bigger, Dahab or Rabat?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab and Rabat, 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.