Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Izmir?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Izmir or Merzouga?
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 Izmir and Merzouga. 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: Izmir or Merzouga?
Izmir
Izmir is a metropolitan city of Turkey and the second most populous city on the Aegean Sea after Athens, Greece. Known as Smyrna in antiquity, it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans, and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Most remnants of this past are gone; however, there are a few archaeological sites in addition to beaches, bustling city streets, and colorful markets.
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Izmir Prices
Turkey PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIzmir $85Merzouga $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Izmir is $85, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $23. 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 Izmir and Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIzmir $42Merzouga $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIzmir $84Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Izmir and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Izmir or Merzouga? 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: Izmir Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Izmir $21Merzouga -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Izmir
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Izmir:
- Bodrum Airport Private Minivan By Meet Transfer: $42
- Bodrum Airport Transfer Luxury Vito or Minibus ( Meet Transfer): $44
- Izmir Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer from/to Izmir City: $47
- Dalaman Airport - Marmaris - Fethiye Meet Transfer: $48
- Izmir Airport Private Transfer Meet Transfer: $49
- İzmir Airport Transfer to Bodrum, Didim, Kusadasi, Cesme, Fethiye: $50
- Private Transfer from Izmir Cruise Port to Izmir City Hotels: $53
- Private Transfer from Izmir Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $57
- Private Transfer from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Izmir Port: $57
- Private Transfer from Izmir Airport (ADB) to Izmir Cruise Port: $57
- Private Transfer from Izmir Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $57
- Private Transfer from Izmir Hotels to Izmir Cruise Port: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Izmir or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Izmir 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 dayIzmir $29Merzouga $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Izmir
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Izmir.
- Authentic Turkish Home Cooking Class with Locals: $76
- Authentic Dinner Cooking with a Local Family in İzmir: $90
- Private Food tour in Europe and Asian Side of Istanbul: $293
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Berber Pizza Cooking Class: $35
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $51
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $59
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $64
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Merzouga Desert Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour: $140
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Izmir $14Merzouga -
Tours and Activities in Izmir
Here are a few actual costs in Izmir for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Budget - Friendly Ephesus Tour from Izmir: $41
- Izmir : Ephesus and Sirince Guided Tour: $53
- Ephesus Ancient City with Best Guides Only For Cruise Guests: $59
- Full Day Marmaris Pirate Boat Tour with Lunch: $64
- Ephesus Tour: $64
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- Cesme-Alacati Tour from Izmir: $70
- Private Ephesus Tour from Izmir Port and Hotels: $75
- Pamukkale Tour from Izmir to Hierapolis and Travertines: $76
- PRIVATE EPHESUS & MARY'S HOUSE TOUR from Izmir Cruise Port: $79
- From Izmir Full Day Boat Tour of Cesme with Mediterranean Lunch: $84
- From Ephesus, Artemis Temple Tour with Tickets/Lunch: $84
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- Merzouga 1 hour Quad bikes experience: $2.81
- Safari Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $2.81
- Quad Biking Desert Tour in Erg Chebbi Dunes: $3.51
- Merzouga Sunset Adventure: Camel, Quad, Buggy or 4WD: $23
- Merzouga dunes quad biking & Sandboarding Experience: $33
- ATV Quad bikes in sahara dunes experience & sandboarding: $34
- Desert 4×4 Tour Around Merzouga: $37
- 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $39
- Overnight desert camp experience : camel ride & Sandboarding: $41
- 2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard: $44
- Ultimate 2-Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding.: $45
- Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIzmir $6.18Merzouga -
Sample the Local Flavors in Izmir
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Izmir:
- Wine Tour with Metropolis Ancient City: $122
- Wine Tasting Tour at Two Wineries in Urla Turkey: $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Izmir and Merzouga, we can see that Izmir is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Izmir is in Europe and Merzouga 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 Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Izmir would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Izmir than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Izmir Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.
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.