A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Essaouira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Essaouira?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Essaouira 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: Islamabad or Essaouira?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Islamabad?

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 Islamabad is $52, 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 Islamabad and Essaouira in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Essaouira $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Essaouira $56
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Essaouira

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Essaouira


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.65
    Essaouira $2.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad Airport Transfers: $54
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40

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: $287
  • Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $199
  • Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $137
  • Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $137
  • Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $129
  • Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $125
  • Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira: $117
  • Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech: $114
  • Transfert Marrakech to Essaouira Or Essaouira to Marrakech: $112
  • Private transfer Essaouira Safi.: $110
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
  • Transferts Marrakech à Essaouira ou Essaouira à Marrakech: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Essaouira?

Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $26
    Essaouira $25

Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

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


  • Baklava
    $1.52
  • Breakfast Crepes
    $0.54
  • 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: $30
  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
  • Cooking class: How To Be a Real Moroccan Chef: $41
  • Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $48
  • Moroccan cooking class in Essaouira city: $53
  • Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $53
  • Essaouira Cooking Class At Home: $53
  • Al Aaila Farm Moroccan Natural And Healthy Cooking Experience: $59
  • Essaouira Street Food Tour: $69
  • Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
  • l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $70
  • 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $214

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.44
    Essaouira $13

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
  • Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
  • Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad: $200
  • Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad: $120
  • Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
  • Explore Takht I Bahi and Peshawar Full Day Tour from Islamabad: $145
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
  • From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
  • Full Day Islamabad & Taxila UNESCO Site Tour: $78
  • Full Day Islamabad Guided City Tour: $100

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: $293
  • 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira desert: $32
  • 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $207
  • 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $77
  • 2 – Hours Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Desert with Moroccan Tea: $54
  • 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $53
  • 2-Hours Buggy Adventure in Essaouira desert (2 places per buggy): $92
  • 2H Buggy Adventure in Essaouira beaches ́Dunes & Forest Ride: $158
  • 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech: $199
  • 3H Buggy Adventure – Dunes, Ocean & Sunset Ride: $233
  • Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $34
  • Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.87
    Essaouira $9.96


When comparing the travel costs between Islamabad and Essaouira, we can see that Essaouira 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. Even though Islamabad is in Asia and Essaouira is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Essaouira?

Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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.

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