A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dharamsala vs. Fez for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dharamsala or Fez?

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

Should I visit Dharamsala or Fez? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Dharamsala or Fez?

Dharamsala

With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.

Fez

Fez is the historical capital of Morocco and has one of the country's most impressive and elaborate medinas. It's authentic and traditional atmosphere attracts travelers from all over the world. It's fun to wander the city's elaborate alleyways, sample the food, and soak up the sights and smells. In Fez's medina you'll find donkeys, carts, spices, and pottery. You'll find traditional foods, locals bartering for goods, and religious buildings that date back hundreds of years. The medina is also the world's largest car free urban zone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Religious Tours in India, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Fez or Dharamsala?

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 Dharamsala is $36, while the average daily cost in Fez is $93. 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 Dharamsala and Fez in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dharamsala $20
    Fez $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dharamsala $40
    Fez $70
Compare Hotels in Dharamsala and Fez

Looking for a hotel in Dharamsala or Fez? 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 Dharamsala


Hotels in Fez


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: Dharamsala Hotel Prices and Fez Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dharamsala $4.48
    Fez $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:

  • Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fez

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fez

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

  • Private Transfer from Fes to Any Destination – One Way or Return: $9.48
  • Private Transfers in Fez from the Airport to your Hotel and Vice versa: $12
  • Private Airport Transfer Arrival & Departure: $12
  • Fez Sais Airport Private Arrival and Departure Transfer: $13
  • Fes Airport Transfer (one way) + Free SIM Card: Stay Connected: $13
  • One way Fes Airport Transfer or Vice Verca: $13
  • Fez Airport Private Transfer: $13
  • Private transfer from/to the Airport of Fez (Including SIM Card): $13
  • Private transfer from/to the Airport of Fez (Including SIM Card): $13
  • Fez - Sais Airport Transfers: $14
  • Luxury Private Transfer in Fez Morocco: $14
  • Fez : One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Dharamsala or Fez?

Prices for flights to both Fez and Dharamsala 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
    Dharamsala $13
    Fez $44

Typical Food Prices in Fez

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


  • Yogurt
    $0.65
  • Dinner for 2
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fez

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

  • Moroccan Cooking Class and Lunch in a Traditional Riad: $39
  • Fez Cooking Class at a Traditional Riad with Market Visit: $40
  • Family Dinner in Fes with Tea and Fun Stories: $45
  • Unforgettable Cooking Class in Fez: $45
  • fez Cooking Class Moroccan cuisine with Market Visit: $47
  • cooking classe in fes with ouliya: $47
  • Moroccan Cuisine Fez Cooking Class: $53
  • Fez Souk tour & traditional Home Cooking: $53
  • Cooking Class - Moroccan cuisine: $53
  • Fes Street Food Tour Taste Authentic Flavors in the Medina: $57
  • Private 5 h Fez Cooking Class with a local family: $59
  • Moroccan Cooking Class at a Riad in Fez: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dharamsala $4.85
    Fez $9.78

Tours and Activities in Dharamsala

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

  • Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $88
  • Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
  • Guided Cycling tour in Dharamshala: $28
  • Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $39
  • Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $39
  • Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $107
  • McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $19
  • Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
  • Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $97
  • Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $63
  • The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $14

Typical Entertainment Prices in Fez

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


  • Granary Fee
    $2.16

Tours and Activities in Fez

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

  • Private & shared Tour in Morocco: $3.55
  • Fez Medina Traditional Craft Shopping Tour with Expert Guide: $5.92
  • Pottery and Ceramics Guided Tour: $7.11
  • Fes Tour: Medina, Chouara Tannery, Artisans, Souks & Royal Palace: $9.00
  • Fes Discovery Tour Historical Monuments Markets and Old Medina: $9.48
  • Geometric mosaic & pottery tour in fes: $9.48
  • Fes Bus Tour King palace jewish Quarter Merinid Tombs tanneries: $10
  • Private Fes Medina Tour with Local Guide – Culture & Hidden Gems: $10
  • Fes Medina Tour: Madrasa, Artisans, Tanneries & Historic Souks: $10
  • Fez Old Medina Walking Tour with Local Guide: $12
  • Private Walking Tour inside the Medina with a Local Guide: $15
  • Private Fes Medina City Tour with Local Guide: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dharamsala $4.85
    Fez $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Fez

Also in Fez, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full Day Boutique Winery and Wine Tasting Tour from Fez to Meknes: $176


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dharamsala and Fez, we can see that Fez is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dharamsala is in Asia and Fez is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Fez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fez than you might in Dharamsala.

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


Which is Bigger, Dharamsala or Fez?

Fez has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Dharamsala and Fez, 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.