Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Marrakech?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Marrakech. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Marrakech or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $53, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $62. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Kuala Lumpur and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Kuala Lumpur, $64 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Kuala Lumpur, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $32, such as in a hostel.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $84 in Marrakech For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $11 per day in Kuala Lumpur for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Marrakech travelers spend around $11 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Kuala Lumpur $11
Marrakech $11
Typical Food prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Bachelor's Pizza Co. at EPiC Food Hall:
$1.75
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US PIZZA in Malaysia:
$3.70
-
US PIZZA in Malaysia:
$3.70
-
US PIZZA in Malaysia:
$3.70
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Pizza Mansion in Klang Valley:
$19
-
Amazing Local Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur:
$29
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Cooking Class With Garden Tours in Penang:
$38
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Discover the Best Local Food Tour by Night in Kuala Lumpur:
$39
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Local Evening Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur:
$40
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Malaysian Ramadhan Buffet Dinner Cultural Show - nearby KLCC:
$40
-
Bayu Balau Beach Resort 2D1N Stay at Standard Room with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner:
$41
-
Kota Kinabalu City Night Tour with Seafood Dinner:
$43
Typical Food prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Virtual Cooking Class with Moroccan Family:
$16
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Moroccan Cooking experience In Atlas Mountains Cook with a Berber family:
$29
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Cooking Class In Atlas Mountains From Marrakech Cook With A Berber Family:
$30
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Berber Life Cooking and Culture Experience:
$32
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Marrakech Food Tasting Experience Including Dinner:
$34
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Berber Life Cooking Class and Culture Experience:
$35
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Moroccan Cooking Workshops:
$35
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Cooking class with Berber family in Atlas Mountains Day trip from Marrakech:
$36
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From High Atlas Berber Cooking Class:
$36
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Cooking Class with A Berber Family From Marrakech:
$37
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Day Trip Atlas Morocco Berber Experience & Cooking Class From Marrakech:
$37
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Moroccan Cooking Class With Chef Najlae !:
$40
Local Transportation
To get around in Kuala Lumpur, the average visitor spends $5.50 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Marrakech's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $5.66 per person, per day on transportation in Marrakech.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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i-City Shah Alam Theme Park Adventure with Return Transfer:
$60
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[Exclusive Sale] Private Langkawi International Airport Transfers (LGK) for Langkawi:
$12
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[6% Flash Sales] Private City Transfers for Ipoh and Surrounding Cities:
$134
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[23% Flash Sales] Private Transfers between Desaru and Kuala Lumpur :
$194
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VIP Departure Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport:
$196
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Upside Down House Gallery and Busquarium Tickets with Transfers in Langkawi:
$11
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Tanjung Rhu Mangrove Tour with Lunch and Transfers in Langkawi:
$24
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Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Ticket With Return Transfer:
$144
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Sunway Lagoon One-Day Admission Tickets Including Transfer:
$91
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Sunway Lagoon Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur:
$68
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Sunset Mangrove Cruise Experience with Transfers and Meal in Langkawi:
$35
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Sungai Lebam River Cruise Tour with Transfer within Desaru:
$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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transfers from and to airport at best rates:
$37
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private transfer from Marrakech city to Menara Airport:
$11
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private transfer from Marrakech To Chefchaouen (Blue City):
$243
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private transfer : Marrakech airport ⇆ Marrakech City:
$18
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private airport transfer from RAK to Marrakech city:
$7.30
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Vtcgo Marrakech - Essaouira Private Transfer:
$92
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VIP Private Transfer Marrakesh Menara Airport:
$25
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Transfert privé à l'arrivée de l'aéroport de Marrakech:
$19
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Transfert de l'aéroport de Marrakech à la ville:
$13
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Transfert Departure Marrakech airport from city center:
$6.64
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Transfert Arrivel Aireport:
$11
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Transfers from Marrakech airport to the city and the medina:
$19
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Kuala Lumpur 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.
Entertainment
In Kuala Lumpur, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $12 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Marrakech can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $6.29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Ticket in Johor:
$12
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Binsuluk River Cruise Tour:
$40
-
Dinawan Island Experience from Kota Kinabalu:
$46
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Heritage Staycation at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion with Breakfast & Guided House Tour:
$100
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Historical Klang & Orchard City of Selangor Walking Tour:
$64
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Ice Skating Experience with Blue Ice Skating Rink in Johor:
$4.85
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Langkawi Private Guided Mangrove River Cruise Tour:
$116
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Little India & Mah Meri Cultural Village Tour:
$126
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Private Island Adventure at Paradise 101 in Langkawi:
$49
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Putrajaya Islamic Walking Tour from Kuala Lumpur:
$64
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Sepanggar Island Diving Experience:
$67
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The Sheep Sanctuary Admission Ticket at Cameron Highland:
$1.95
Typical Entertainment prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets
$2.24
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Golf at Atlas Golf
$63
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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"Chefchaouen & Talassemtane Natural Park Eco Tour | Private & Luxury:
$773
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"Mogador Camel Expedition Ecotour | Private & Luxury:
$205
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04 D / 03 night desert tour from Marrakech to Fes:
$995
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04 days Private Desert tour from Marrakech.:
$807
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1 day City tour of Marrakech:
$73
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1 day City tour of Marrakech in private:
$68
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1 week around Morocco : New Year tour from Casablanca:
$2,030
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1-Day Trip shared-Tour to imlil valley from Marrakech:
$33
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10 days Desert and nord tour:
$16,174
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10-Day Private Cultural Tour of the Imperial Cities of Morocco:
$2,022
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10-Days Guided Quad Tour - Sahara Dunes Chigaga, Mountains & Kasbah:
$2,787
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10D 9N Morocco Tour From Marrakech By Imperial Cities And Merzouga Desert:
$1,866
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Kuala Lumpur spend on average $5.73 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Marrakech spend on average $13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:
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Full-Day trip to Essaouira - Includes Food&Wine tasting:
$150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
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