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

Should you visit Dubai or Merzouga?

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 Merzouga can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Merzouga?

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.

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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Dubai?

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 Dubai is $289, 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 Dubai and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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 Dubai


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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Sea Taxi
    $0.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai

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

  • Global Village Entry Ticket with Transfer Option: $9.50
  • Private Dubai Airport Transfer to Downtown and Coast Hotels: $13
  • Private Dubai Airport Arrival/Departure Transfer to Dubai City: $13
  • Private Dubai Airport Transfer Arrival or Departure: $15
  • Global Village Dubai Tickets with Transfers Option: $16
  • Dubai International Airport to Dubai Hotels Private Transfers: $16
  • Private Dubai Airport Transfer DXB to Dubai City: $17
  • Premium Dubai Airport Departure and Arrival Transfer Service: $17
  • Dubai Frame Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $18
  • Dubai Lost Chamber Aquarium Atlantis Ticket wth optional transfer: $19
  • Dubai Airport Arrival and Departure Transfers | Private Service: $20
  • Dubai Airports Arrival Transfer Only: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • Merzouga Luxury Camp & With Transfer included: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dubai $96
    Merzouga $10
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.54
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • 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:

  • VIP Red Dunes Dubai Desert Safari BBQ Quad Dinner Shows: $3.75
  • Royal Desert Adventure with BBQ dinner: $5.00
  • Dubai Desert Safari, Dunes Drive, Camel Ride, Shows & Dinner: $6.98
  • Desert Safari Dubai with Camel Ride, Sandboarding and BBQ Dinner: $7.80
  • Luxury Red Dune Safari Dubai with Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Dinner: $7.90
  • VIP Red Dune Safari, Pick/Drop, Camel Ride,BBQ Dinner & Quad Bike: $7.99
  • VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride, Quad & BBQ Dinner: $8.00
  • VIP Desert Safari Dubai with Quad Bike, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $8.00
  • Premium Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ dinner Quad Bike and Shows: $9.73
  • Premium Desert Safari Dubai with Quad Bike BBQ Dinner and Shows: $10
  • Dhow Cruise With Dinner at Al Jaddaf Dubai: $14
  • VIP Desert Safari Dubai with Quad Bike, Camel & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

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

  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza: $3.41
  • Authentic Merzouga Desert Camp with Camel Ride, 4x4 & Dinner: $45
  • Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $50
  • Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
  • Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $57
  • Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $57
  • Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $62
  • Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $68
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Erfoud Desert Tour, Sunset, Dinner, Camel Ride, Visit the Nomads: $148
  • From 2-Nights In Luxury Camp with Camel Trek & Dinner.: $170
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 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's Hidden Gems: Self Guided City Tour: $3.41
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Dubai: $5.69
  • Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Dubai Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $6.84
  • Dubai Walking Tour 1h00 and 9 audio reviews: $7.43
  • Dubai Global Village E Tickets: $8.29
  • Global Village Dubai Tickets: $8.37
  • Global Village Dubai Ticket: $8.65
  • Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
  • Global Village Dubai Ticket With Transport Options: $9.00
  • The Palm Monorail Ticket Dubai: $9.21
  • Miracle Garden and Global Village Entrance Ticket: $9.77

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

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

  • 1 Hour Merzouga Buggy Desert Tour: $114
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp: $3.41
  • 1 hour Quad in the Sahara: Merzouga Off Roading Experience: Nature & Wildlife: $78
  • 2 Hour Merzouga Buggy Adventure in the Sahara Dunes: $199
  • 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $37
  • 2-Days Merzouga tour from Errachidia: $200
  • 2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard: $43
  • 3 Days Marrakech to Sahara Adventure Merzouga Dunes & Camel Trek: $112
  • 3 Days Merzouga Tours From Marrakech & back Group & Private: $159
  • 3-Day Best Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech via Merzouga: $284
  • 4×4 Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $34
  • 4x4 tours in Merzouga: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Merzouga -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Merzouga, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Merzouga 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 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 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 Merzouga.

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