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.
Jump to 
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.
-
Dahab Prices
Egypt PricesRabat Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDahab $23Rabat $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $23, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $57. 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 personDahab $8.47Rabat $29
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDahab $17Rabat $58
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dahab $2.82Rabat $2.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab
Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $117
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $100
- Dahab to Sharm El-Sheikh: Private Door-to-Door Transfer: $63
- Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
-
Taxi to Sale$3.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to or from rabat city service Vip airport: $15
- Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport: $26
- Transfer Rabat to Mohammedia: $76
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $133
- Transfer Rabat to Casablanca: $98
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $248
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $289
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $200
- Safe and Comfortable Transfer: Rabat to Casablanca: $100
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $151
- Rabat/Sale Airport transfert to All Hotels & Airbnb: $65
- Rabat to Marrakech Private Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfy Ride Now: $145
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 dayDahab $12Rabat $23
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 Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Express Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Rabat: $40
- Cooking Class: $47
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $53
- Rabat Eats Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Rabat Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Moroccan Cooking Class with Local Amazigh Family in Medina Rabat: $63
- Rabat Family Dinner Experience: $65
- Rabat Authentic Moroccan Cooking Class with Expert Chefs: $65
- Rabat Restaurant Cooking Class: $69
- cooking classe near the medina of rabat with local chefs: $70
- Rabat Food Tour: $79
- Rabat Night Tour with balade Sunset views & Moroccan Dinner: $105
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dahab $5.96Rabat $3.10
Tours and Activities in Dahab
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $42
- 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: $30
- Jerusalem Bethlehem and Dead Sea 1-Day Tour from Dahab: $270
- Jerusalem Bethlehem and Dead Sea 1-Day Tour from Dahab: $260
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Car tour in Rabat: $43
- Customized Cultural Tours of Rabat with Professional Guides: $206
- Day Trip from Rabat to Casablanca with Hassan II Mosque Ticket: $141
- Exclusive Rabat City Tour with Authorized Guide and VIP Vehicle: $76
- Experience Todra Gorge Hiking Adventure: $36
- Explore Rabat Highlights by Premium Car – Private City Tour: $29
- Explore Rabat by Electric Tuk Tuk – Private City Highlights Tour: $34
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $70
- Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup: $235
- From Casablanca 6Day Private Morocco Tour By Imperial Cities: $1,550
- From Casablanca: 5-Day Private Desert Adventure to Marrakech: $1,540
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDahab $3.54Rabat -
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.