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

Should you visit Dakar or Marrakech?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Marrakech, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dakar or Marrakech?

Dakar

Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.

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 Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Dakar?

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 Dakar is $79, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $94. 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 Dakar and Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $34
    Marrakech $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $68
    Marrakech $108
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Dakar 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 Dakar


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: Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.61
    Marrakech $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport to Hotel 1/3 people: $92
  • Transfer - DSS Airport Saint-Louis (One way): $275
  • Transfer - DSS Airport Dakar (One way): $69
  • Private Transfer, Airport, Hotels, Dakar, Saly and Surrounding Areas: $72
  • Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $225
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $97
  • Dakar hotels to Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
  • DSS Airport to Saly Private Transfer: $63
  • DSS Airport to RIU Baobab Hotel – Premium Private Transfer: $73
  • DSS Airport Transfer Dakar (Return): $126
  • DSS Airport To Dakar Center Premium Private Transfer: $73
  • Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Round-Trp Private Transfer: $142

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • "Marrakech to El Jadida: Private Transfer for Your Comfort": $114
  • "Marrakech to Rabat: Enjoy a Private Transfer with Ease": $172
  • Aéroport transfer: $17
  • Agadir private transfer from Imlil to Agadir airport (AGA): $284
  • Agadir private transfer from Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane to Agadir airport (AGA): $110
  • Agadir private transfer from Marrakech to Agadir airport (AGA): $172
  • Agafay Camel Ride, Pool & Lunch with Hotel Transfers: $23
  • Agafay Desert Pool Day with Camel Ride, Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $33
  • Agafay Desert Pool Day, Moroccan Lunch & Transfers from Marrakech: $29
  • Agafay Desert Tour with Private Breakfast and Transfer Included: $252
  • Agafay Desert, 2H of Quad Biking, tea & transfer from Marrakech: $33
  • Airport & City Transfer Marrakech to Casablanca | Private: $114

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Dakar 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
    Dakar $36
    Marrakech $27
Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:


  • Breakfast
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.

  • Authentic Jollof Cooking Class: $99
  • Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.30
  • Breakfast
    $1.21
  • Dates
    $0.61
  • Olives
    $0.91
  • Sandwich
    $1.31
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakech Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride Dinner and Fire Show: $5.00
  • Agafay Desert Magic: Sunset Camel Ride, Quad Bike & Dinner: $8.70
  • Agafay Desert Camel Ride and Quad Bike with Dinner Show: $9.15
  • Agafay desert Adventure: Camel Ride, Dinner and Show: $9.15
  • Marrakech to Agafay: Sunset, Quad. Camel & Dinner. Fire Show: $10
  • Agafay Desert Quad & Camel Rides with Dinner Show: $11
  • Magical Dinner in Agafay Desert with a Sunset Camel Ride: $11
  • Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $11
  • Excursion from Marrakech to Agafay desert Quad Camel dinner show: $11
  • Marrakech desert tour dinner show & camel ride with sunset views: $12
  • From Agafay Desert Sunset Quad Bike Camel Ride Dinner: $14
  • Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $14
    Marrakech $9.93

Tours and Activities in Dakar

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

  • Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
  • Dakar City Tour with Guide Markets and Landmarks: $172
  • Dakar Senegalese Culture and History 4 Hour Tour: $150
  • Dakar in 3h: Full tour by traditional fast coach: $34
  • Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
  • Private City Tour: $117
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $33
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $33
  • prepare the thieboudienne for the ultimate local experience: $55
  • private tour "move, eat, act like a local": $82
  • Day tour Somone lagoon and Bandia park Safari: $244
  • Day tour in Dakar museum and monument: $149

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.02
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $57

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakech Medina Self-Guided Walking Tour Experience: $1.12
  • Marrakech Audioguided walking tour 2h45 and 21 reviews: $6.75
  • Skip the Line: Woven History Museum Ticket - musée Histoire Tissée: $7.05
  • Ourika Valley Tour: Waterfall Hiking and Lunch: $8.01
  • Taxi Marrakech tours: $9.15
  • Marrakech Airport to Hotel – Your Premium Arrival Experience: $9.27
  • Guided Medina Walking Tour Monuments and Souks: $10
  • Small group to Atlas Mountains 4valleys;Waterfulls and camel Ride experience: $10
  • Berber Rugs Marrakech Shopping Tour with Shipping Available: $11
  • Marrakech Cultural Tour Madrasa Ben Youssef and Secret Garden: $11
  • High Atlas Adventure: Discover Ourika Valley and Berber Culture: $11
  • Bahia Palace Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $9.41
    Marrakech $9.56

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: $126


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Marrakech?

Dakar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Dakar 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.