Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Dahab?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDahab $13Rabat $44
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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDahab $6.09Rabat $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDahab $12Rabat $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dahab $1.92Rabat $2.10
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 Taba border group from 1 to 12: $220
- Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $109
- Private Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) Transfer: $71
- Private Transfer from Hotel in Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh Airport: $55
- Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $38
- Dahab Private Transfer To/From Sharm el sheikh ( One Way Transfer ): $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Rabat to Tetouan: $145
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Meknes: $102
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $115
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $262
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $230
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $268
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $185
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $206
- Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $206
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $175
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $138
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
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Food Meals for one dayDahab $4.82Rabat $12
Typical Food Prices in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$2.00
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Juice$0.11
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Breakfast for Two$0.63
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
- Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $40
- Stargazer + Camel riding + Bedouin dinner from Dahab : $90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dahab $4.60Rabat $2.84
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: $39
- Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $50
- Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $28
- Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $45
- Dahab Windsurfing Adventure in Red Sea Waves: $30
- Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour : $38
- Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
- luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
- From Three Pools Guided Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $28
- Full Day Climbing and Hiking Tour in Canyon with Pickup: $40
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- 9-Day Tour to Imperial Cities and Desert: $1,400
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
- Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $131
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,916
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $103
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $717
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $105
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,391
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDahab $2.63Rabat -
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.