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

Should you visit Islamabad or Marrakech?

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 Marrakech 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 Marrakech?

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.

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 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, Marrakech 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 $53, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $95. 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 Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $21
    Marrakech $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $42
    Marrakech $108
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Marrakech


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 Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.70
    Marrakech $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Islamabad Private Door to Door Airport Transfer: $54
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • Luxury Private Transfer from Marrakech to Meknes: $290
  • Private Marrakech Transfer to Merzouga On Time, Every Time: $285
  • Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer: $285
  • Agadir private transfer from Imlil to Agadir airport (AGA): $283
  • Private Transfer From Marrakech To Tangier: $275
  • Private Transfer Essaouira - Lmlil: $274
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech Menara (RAK) Airport to Taroudant: $266
  • Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech With Private Transfers: $262
  • From Marrakech : Private Transfer to Fes: $252
  • One Way transfer from Marrakech to Rabat: $250
  • Day Trip to Essaouira with private transfers and guide: $250
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca (CMN) Airport: $248

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech 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
    Marrakech $27

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.31
  • Breakfast
    $1.22
  • Dates
    $0.61
  • Olives
    $0.92
  • Sandwich
    $1.32
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Agafay Desert Adventure from Sunset Camel Ride Dinner: $9.00
  • Agafay Sunset, Moroccan Dinner & Live Entertainment: $11
  • Magical Dinner in Agafay Desert with a Sunset Camel Ride: $11
  • Agafay Desert sunset: Camel and quad bike+Dinner with fire show: $11
  • Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $11
  • Marrakech Berber dinner in Agafay, camel ride and fire show: $11
  • Enjoy The Agafay Desert Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner with Fire Show: $11
  • Marrakech Agafay Desert Dinner Under the Stars with Live Music: $13
  • High Atlas Sunset and Authentic Berber Dinner from Marrakech: $14
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show with Camel Ride from Marrakech: $14
  • Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
  • Marrakech Agafay Desert Sunset with Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.51
    Marrakech $10

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

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

  • 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: $90
  • Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad: $135
  • Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad: $200
  • Discover Taxila Private City Tour of World Heritage Unesco Sites: $95
  • Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
  • Explore Takht I Bahi and Peshawar Full Day Tour from Islamabad: $160
  • 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: $92
  • Full Day Islamabad Guided City Tour: $100

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.04
  • 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:

  • "Mogador Camel Expedition Ecotour | Private & Luxury: $188
  • "Shop in Style: Guided Tour of Marrakesh's Markets": $46
  • 1 Day Terres d’Amanar Adventure: $74
  • 1 Hour Camel Ride Tour In Marrakech Palm Grove: $25
  • 1-night Atlas Mountain Experience from Marrakech with Hike and Camel Ride: $130
  • 10 Hours tour from marrakech to ouarzazate: $46
  • 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech To Zagora Marrakech Desert Tours: $138
  • 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains & Camel ride: $80
  • 2 Day Mt Toubkal Small Group tours from Marrakech: $217
  • 2 Day Mt. Toubkal Trekking Tour from Marrakech: $216
  • 2 Day Zagora Desert Tour via Ait Benhaddou: $181
  • 2 Day Zagora Tour from Marrakech Including the Atlas Mountains, Camel Trek and Desert Camp: $262

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.89
    Marrakech $9.66


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia and Marrakech 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.

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


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Marrakech?

Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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.