Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Rabat?
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 Kuala Lumpur and Rabat. 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: Kuala Lumpur or Rabat?
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.
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 Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, 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 dayKuala Lumpur $62Rabat $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, 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 Kuala Lumpur and Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $36Rabat $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $72Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $6.45Rabat $2.10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.16
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.68
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Short Taxi Ride$3.16
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.69
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $270
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut Transfer [Car]: $252
- Chauffeur: KLIA to Singapore Car Transfer: $238
- KUL Hotel to Penang(One Way Transfer): $237
- KUL Hotel to Johor Bharu(One Way Transfer): $237
- Marina Island Jetty/ Lumut Jetty Transfer From/To KLIA or Kuala Lumpur: $230
- KL City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels One-way Transfer: $230
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $227
- Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore with 2h of Sightseeing: $223
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $222
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru Transfer [Car]: $202
- Kuala Lumpur VIP Arrival Transfer: $198
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 Tangier: $145
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $116
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $264
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $231
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $207
- Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $207
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $176
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $139
- Guided City Tour with Transfers: $118
- 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $31
- Rabat to Casablanca Private Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKuala Lumpur $15Rabat $12
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.44
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.04
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.54
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:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $29
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Malaysian Culture and Street Food Tour : $44
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Eat Like a Local: Kuala Lumpur Hawker Center and Street Food Tour by Night: $62
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $63
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.Kuala Lumpur $13Rabat $2.83
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.49
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $242
- Batu Caves And Countryside Tour: $24
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Full Day Melaka Tour with The Shore Sky Tower 43rd Floor - Unesco Heritage: $189
- History, Heritage & Culture Of Malaysia Tour: $62
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $66
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City & Shopping Tour with Lunch (PRIVATE TOUR): $77
- Kuala Lumpur Morning Food Experience Tour: $88
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- Shah Alam Islamic Arts and Culture Tours : $31
- *12 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Bentong w' Tour Guide: $90
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- 9-Day Tour to Imperial Cities and Desert: $1,400
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
- Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $132
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,924
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $103
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $720
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $105
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,397
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.25Rabat -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Rabat, we can see that Kuala Lumpur is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur 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 Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur than you might in Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Rabat?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Rabat in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Rabat. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Rabat. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Rabat. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Rabat averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Rabat in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Rabat. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Rabat. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun.
In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Rabat. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Rabat in the Winter?
Both Rabat and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Rabat. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Kuala Lumpur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rabat during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Rabat in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Rabat in the Spring?
Both Rabat and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Rabat. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Rabat. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Rabat averages at about 16°C (60°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.