Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dubai or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Essaouira can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Essaouira?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Dubai Prices
UAE PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $289Essaouira $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $60. 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 Dubai and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Essaouira $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Essaouira $56
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Essaouira? 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Essaouira $2.16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Guided Abu Dhabi City Tour Private Transfer: $300
- Fujairah Dam Tour with Private Transfers: $299
- Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
- Jabel Jais High Mountain Private Tour with Transfers From Dubai: $279
- Burj Khalifa The Lounge - Levels 154, 153, 152 with Transfers: $270
- Fujairah Adventure Park with Private Transfers: $265
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Fujairah Tour with Private Transfers: $260
- Dubai Dune Buggy Tours with Private Transfers: $260
- Afternoon High Tea at Atmosphere Burj Khalifa with Transfer: $259
- Dubai Prime Attractions Privat Tour with Entry & Hotel Transfer: $258
- Fujairah Private City Tour From Dubai with Transfer: $253
- High Tea At Burj Al Arab With Private Transfer: $251
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- private transfer essaouira to casablanca or casablanca-essaouira: $290
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Taroudant: $237
- Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $201
- Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $150
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $142
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $139
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $130
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $127
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech: $118
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech: $115
- Transfert Marrakech to Essaouira Or Essaouira to Marrakech: $114
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Dubai 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 dayDubai $96Essaouira $25
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $9.45
- Dubai Desert Safari with home or hotel pickup/drop & bbq dinner: $12
- Dubai Self Drive Desert Safari Fun with BBQ dinner: $13
- VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai, Pick/Drop Camel Ride Quad & BBQ Dinner: $13
- VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride, Quad & BBQ Dinner: $14
- 6-Hour Dubai Desert Dinner Safari with Dune Bashing & Camel Ride": $14
- Dubai desert safari with BBQ dinner, camel ride & dune Bashing: $14
- VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ/Dinner Camelride Sandbord: $15
- VIP Desert Safari Dubai with Quad Bike, Camel & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $15
- Vip Red Dune Desert Safari Dubai, Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner, Shows: $15
- Dubai Premium Desert Safari – Red Dunes, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $15
- VIP Desert Safari with 30 Minutes Quad Bike Dinner, Shows Dinner: $15
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.51
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Breakfast Crepes$0.54
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Fish for Lunch$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agadir Cooking Class Experience with Local Market Visit: $31
- Cooking class: How To Be a Real Moroccan Chef: $41
- Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $48
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $53
- Kids Moroccan Cooking Class: $53
- Sidi Kaouki Sunset Walk and Berber Tent Dinner by Atlantic: $53
- Essaouira Cooking Class At Home: $53
- Souk Stories Essaouira Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Essaouira Berber Cooking Class & Organic Farm Tour Al Aaila Farm: $65
- Essaouira Family Dinner Experience: $66
- Essaouira Street Food Tour: $70
- Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Essaouira $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- “Dubai City Tour – Old & Modern Highlights with Hotel Pickup.: $209
- "Discover Abu Dhabi: A Captivating 6-Hour Guided Tour": $69
- (Private) Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour from Dubai: $195
- 05 Hours Dubai Night City Tour: $61
- 1 Day Dubai City Tour: $80
- 1 HR - Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour: $20
- 1 Hour Kayaking Experience in Dubai Ticket: $43
- 1 Hour Shared Desert Horse Riding Experience: $50
- 1 hour Dubai Marina Riviera Leisure Cruise: $111
- 1-Hour Dune Buggy Self-Drive, Camel Ride & Sandboarding Adventure: $150
- 1-Hour KTM 450CC Dirt bike Desert Adventure Tours in Dubai: $154
- 1-Hour Kayaking Experience in Dubai: $47
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- 1 Day Horseback Riding Tour with Overnight Stay in Berber Tent: $296
- 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $210
- 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $78
- 2 – Hours Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Desert with Moroccan Tea: $58
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $53
- 2 Seater Dune and Ocean Buggy Tour: $59
- 2-hour quad adventure between beach and dunes: $59
- 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech: $201
- 3H Buggy Adventure – Dunes, Ocean & Sunset Ride: $236
- Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $34
- Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $76
- Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Essaouira $9.94
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Private Events & Birthdays: $126
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Essaouira, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Essaouira 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 Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Essaouira?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Essaouira, 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.