Which place is cheaper, Meknes or Durban?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Durban or Meknes?
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 Meknes. 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 Meknes?
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.
Meknes
So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurban $52Meknes $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Durban is $52, while the average daily cost in Meknes is $46. 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 Meknes in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurban $24Meknes $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurban $48Meknes $52
Compare Hotels in Durban and Meknes
Looking for a hotel in Durban or Meknes? 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 Meknes Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durban $13Meknes $1.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $500
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $106
- Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $84
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $45
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Durban or Meknes?
Prices for flights to both Meknes 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 $16Meknes $14
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: $40
Typical Food Prices in Meknes
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:
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Popcorn$0.20
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Spices$2.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes
For Meknes, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durban $16Meknes $3.55
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 1/2 Day Durban City & Phezulu Tour From Durban: $149
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $155
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $122
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $145
- 1/2 Day Phezulu Safari Tour from Durban: $149
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $151
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park Tour from Durban: $151
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $150
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $152
- 12 Days Best Of South Africa Tour - Johannesburg to CapeTown: $3,353
- 15 Day Tour Cape Town to Johannesburg: $3,257
- 2 Day Hluhluwe Imfolo & Isimangaliso W/Park Tour from Durban: $634
Tours and Activities in Meknes
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.
- Fes Volubilis Tour: $45
- From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
- From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $256
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurban $13Meknes $2.62
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 : $36
Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:
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Bottle of Wine$4.58
When comparing the travel costs between Durban and Meknes, we can see that Durban is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durban Expensive? and Is Meknes Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Durban or Meknes?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Meknes. When comparing the sizes of Durban and Meknes, 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.
When is the best time to visit Durban or Meknes?
Durban has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Meknes experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Durban or Meknes in the Summer?
Both Meknes and Durban are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Meknes because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Durban is around the same temperature as Meknes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durban in January average around 25°C (76°F), and Meknes averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Meknes. Durban usually receives less sunshine than Meknes during summer. Durban gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Meknes receives 330 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Durban. In January, Durban usually receives more rain than Meknesin July. Durban gets 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyDurban 25°C (76°F)Meknes 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Durban or Meknes in the Autumn?
Both Meknes and Durban during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Meknes year-round.
In April, Durban is generally a little warmer than Meknesin October. Daily temperatures in Durban average around 22°C (71°F), and Meknes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
In Meknes, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durban. In the autumn, Durban often gets less sunshine than Meknesin October. Durban gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Meknes receives 227 hours of full sun.
Durban usually gets more rain in April than Meknesin October. Durban gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberDurban 22°C (71°F)Meknes 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Durban or Meknes in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durban and Meknes. Meknes attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Durban is a little warmer than Meknes in the winter. The daily temperature in Durban averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Meknes fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.
In Durban, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durban usually receives more sunshine than Meknes during winter. Durban gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Meknes receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Durban usually receives less rain than Meknesin January. Durban gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDurban 17°C (62°F)Meknes 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Durban or Meknes in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Durban as well as Meknes. The warm climate attracts visitors to Meknes throughout the year.
In the spring, Durban is a little warmer than Meknes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durban in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Meknes averages at about 16°C (60°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Meknes. In the spring, Durban often gets less sunshine than Meknesin April. Durban gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Meknes receives 256 hours of full sun.
Durban usually gets more rain in October than Meknesin April. Durban gets 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Meknes receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilDurban 21°C (69°F)Meknes 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Meknes and Durban
| Durban | Meknes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (76°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
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.