Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Rabat can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Heraklion or Rabat?
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Rabat €41
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Rabat is €41. 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 Heraklion and Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Rabat €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Rabat €50
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Rabat? 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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Rabat €1.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,021
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $280
- Private Transfer Port/Airport to/from Ierapetra: $273
- Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $229
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to Makris Gialos area up to 7 : $228
- KNOSSOS PALACE private tour ( with Transfer from Heraklion Prefecture ): $196
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to IERAPETRA area up to 7 customers: $184
- Private Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Makrygialos: $175
- Semi Private Wine and Olive Oil tour (Transfer & Lunch Incl.): $163
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 : $157
- Private Wine | Food Pairing at Titakis Winery with Free Transfer: $153
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $149
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale€3.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Rabat to Tetouan: $145
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Meknes: $102
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $115
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $262
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $230
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $268
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $185
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $206
- Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $206
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $175
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $138
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat and Heraklion 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 dayHeraklion €52Rabat €12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Troy Dinner-Show: $33
- Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
- From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $48
- Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $59
- Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $64
- Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $84
- Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $90
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $123
- E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Rabat €2.66
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
- Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
- Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $82
- 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
- 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
- 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
- Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
- Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
- All Year Tour to Knossos Palace & Heraklion: $618
- All-Day Knossos Palace Tour & Olive Mill Visit: $695
- Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $86
- Archaeological Museum of Guided Walking Tour: $86
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- 9-Day Tour to Imperial Cities and Desert: $1,400
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
- Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $131
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,916
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $103
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $717
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $105
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,391
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Rabat -
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
- Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $118
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
- Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $134
- Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
- Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $183
- Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
- Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
- Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Rabat, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Heraklion is in Europe and Rabat 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 Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion than you might in Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Rabat, 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 Heraklion or Rabat?
Heraklion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Heraklion or Rabat in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Rabat. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Heraklion is a little warmer than Rabat in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Rabat during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Rabat. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Rabat in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Rabat. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
In the autumn, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Rabat. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Rabat averages at about 20°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. In the autumn, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Rabat. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Rabat in the Winter?
Both Rabat and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Rabat. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Heraklion usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Rabat. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Rabat in the Spring?
Both Rabat and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
Heraklion is around the same temperature as Rabat in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Rabat fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Rabat. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 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.