Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Durban?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Durban or Marrakech?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Durban and Marrakech. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Durban or Marrakech?
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
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 Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurban $57Marrakech $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Durban is $57, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $71. 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 Durban and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurban $27Marrakech $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurban $54Marrakech $96
Compare Hotels in Durban and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Durban 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.
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: Durban Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durban $15Marrakech $6.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $115
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $47
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $38
- From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $538
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $42
- Durban Airport Transfer to Westville: $212
- Durban Airport Transfer to Morningside: $212
- Durban Airport Transfer to City of Durban: $182
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
- Departure Private Transfer from Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Minivan: $82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One way transfer from Fes to Marrakech: $318
- Private Transfer between Marrakech and Casablanca: $316
- Private Premium Transfert From / To Marrakech To / From Tangier: $290
- Private Transfer From Marrakech To Tangier: $268
- Private Transfer From Marrakech To Agadir Or Agadir To Marrakech : $268
- Private Transfer Marrakech - Rabat : $267
- "Marrakech to Fes: Your Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $260
- City to City Transfer - Marrakesh > MHamid: $260
- Private Transfer from Marrakech Menara (RAK) Airport to Taroudant: $260
- Private Transfer from Safi to Casablanca (CMN) Airport: $260
- Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech With Private Transfers: $257
- From Marrakech : Private Transfer to Fes : $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Durban or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Durban 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 dayDurban $17Marrakech $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban
For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $44
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orange Juice on the Square$0.31
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Breakfast$1.24
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Dates$0.62
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Olives$0.93
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Sandwich$1.34
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Souvenir Spices$6.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agafay Quad Bike, camel ride, sunset, dinner & show: $3.34
- Sunset Dinner in the Agafay Desert: $15
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner from Marrakech: $15
- From Dinner in Agafay Desert with Sunset: $19
- Cooking Lesson at the Ouirgane Ecolodge with Lunch: $19
- Dinner Show in Agafay Desert with Camel in Sunset: $19
- Dinner in Agafay desert from Marrakech & camel riding: $19
- Agafay Desert Dinner Show , Sunset And Camel Ride: $19
- From Agafay Desert Sunset at Dinner And Fireshow: $21
- From Marrakech Agafay Desert Camel Tour Sunset With Dinner Show : $21
- Agafay Camel Ride Sunset and Dinner with Show: $21
- Marrakech : Moroccan Cooking Class with our Executive Chef: $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durban $18Marrakech $7.25
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- ½ Day iSimangaliso Boat Safari Tour From Durban: $195
- 1 Day Safari Isimangaliso - Boat Cruise & Game Drive Fr Durban : $191
- 1/2 Day Durban City & Phezulu Tour From Durban: $169
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $131
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $166
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $166
- 1/2 Day Phezulu Safari Tour from Durban: $170
- 1/2 Day Private Tour Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park: $212
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $178
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park Tour from Durban: $172
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $172
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $172
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets$2.06
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Golf at Atlas Golf$58
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Tour - Marrakech To Fez via Sahara Desert Erg chebbi: $211
- Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $21
- Atlas Mountains Horseback Ride Day Tour From Marrakech : $51
- Atlas Mountains Tour & three valleys with camel ride : $17
- Atlas Mountains and Berber villages & Waterfalls Day Tour from Marrakech : $27
- Berber Experience Atlas and Sahara: $200
- Best Private Shopping Tour In the Souks of Marrakech: $45
- City Tour Marrakech with guide 1/2 day: $39
- Desert Agafay and Atlas Mountains Day Tour & Camel ride From Marrakech: $18
- Desert Thrills: Quad Biking Adventures in Palmeraie Marrakech: $45
- From Ouzoud Waterfalls Guided Tour & Boat Ride: $29
- Full Day Guided Tour in Ouzoud Waterfalls : $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurban $14Marrakech $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Durban
Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl in Durban : $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durban and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Durban.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durban Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Durban or Marrakech?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Durban 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.
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.