Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Rabat? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Karachi or Rabat?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayKarachi $26Rabat $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $43. 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 Karachi and Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Rabat $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Rabat $2.10
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$3.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Private Transfer from or to Salé and Rabat: $24
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat Medina : $25
- 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $31
- Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Rabat City: $32
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $42
- Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $44
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport : Private Transfer: $59
- Rabat to Casablanca Private Transfer: $65
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $66
- Rabat To Casablanca Luxury transfer: $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Rabat $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
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
- Walking Food Tour: $76
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $76
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $76
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $76
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Rabat $2.83
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $195
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Rabat old Medina ,Hassan Tower and Kasbah Oudaya Walking tour : $40
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
- Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $60
- Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- Private Guided Boat Tour in Rabat: $70
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Rabat -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Rabat, we can see that Rabat is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia 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 Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Rabat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rabat than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Rabat?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Rabat. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Rabat?
Karachi 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 Karachi or Rabat in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Rabat. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
In the summer, Karachi is a little warmer than Rabat. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Rabat averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. In the summer, Karachi often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets more rain in July than Rabat. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Rabat in the Autumn?
Both Rabat and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Karachi is generally a little warmer than Rabat. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Rabat. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Rabat during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Rabat. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Rabat in the Winter?
Both Rabat and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
Karachi is a little warmer than Rabat in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the winter, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Rabat. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Rabat. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Rabat in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Rabat. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Karachi is much warmer than Rabat. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Rabat averages at about 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Rabat during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Rabat. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Karachi
| Karachi | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.