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

Should you visit Dakar or Merzouga?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Merzouga, 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 Merzouga?

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.

Merzouga

Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga 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 $73, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $22. 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 Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $31
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $62
    Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Merzouga? 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 Merzouga


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: Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.16
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • DSS transfer - DAKAR (one way) : $48
  • Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $63
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Saly Zone (two directions): $77
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Riu Baobab Hotel (two ways): $90
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $90
  • DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $116
  • Airport Transfer - Aéroport international Blaise Diagne to Dakar: $116
  • Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Round-Trp Private Transfer: $148
  • Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $190
  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $203

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way Errachidia airport transfer: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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 $33
    Merzouga $10
Typical Food Prices in Dakar

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


  • Breakfast
    $3.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

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

  • 1-Night in Desert Camp With Dinner & camel ride: $44
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $57
  • Berber Cooking Class in Merzouga Desert: $63
  • Moroccan Berber Pizza Cooking Class in Khamelia: $66
  • Overnight in Luxury camp with camels dinner: $67
  • 1-Night in the luxury camp. camel ride & Dinner: $69
  • 5 Hour Sunset Tour with Camel Ride and Dinner In Desert: $70
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $73
  • Day Trip By Camels In Erg Chebbi Dunes, Lunch With Berber Pizza: $73
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $83
  • One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $85
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $13
    Merzouga -

Tours and Activities in Dakar

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

  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $29
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $29
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $30
  • discover the magic of this city on our guided tour: $31
  • Discover the Magic of Dakar in a Guided Tour: $32
  • From Dakar or Saly: Gorée Island Half-Day Private Tour: $99
  • Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
  • Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $106
  • Private City Tour: $108
  • Dakar City Tour and Goree island (from 3 people): $127
  • Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
  • Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:

  • Camel Ride Experience: $26
  • Merzouga 4×4 desert tour : $29
  • Merzouga : Adventure Quad Bike Safari, & Sandboarding: $33
  • Merzouga ATV Quad Desert Tours: $41
  • Sahara ATv Experience -1.H Quad OR buggy : $42
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $42
  • ATV Tour In Merzouga Desert : $42
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $46
  • Sanding Ball in Experience the sand dunes on a zorbing activity: $47
  • Overnight in Desert Camp Berber Experience in Merzouga Desert & Camel Ride: $50
  • Erg Chebbi Dunes Quad Biking Tour: $52
  • Merzouga 4x4 tour - Excursion around dunes: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $8.66
    Merzouga -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Merzouga, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Dakar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dakar than you might in Merzouga.

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


Related Articles for Merzouga