A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lagos vs. Merzouga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lagos 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 Lagos 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: Lagos or Merzouga?

Lagos

A coastal town in the south of Portugal, Lagos is known for its old world charm, plummeting cliffs, and Atlantic beaches. Many come to enjoy a full range of activities from beach-going and watersports to exploring cobbled streets lined with options for shopping and dining. Historic churches and castles add to the charm, as well as a clifftop lighthouse showing the way to Lagos for ships at sea.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Lagos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lagos is €118, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is €16. 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 Lagos and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lagos 61
    Merzouga 9.57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lagos 122
    Merzouga 19
Compare Hotels in Lagos and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Lagos 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.

Hotels in Lagos


Hotels in Merzouga


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: Lagos Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lagos 31
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lagos

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lagos:

  • Transfer Burgau - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $55
  • Transfer Praia da Luz - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $58
  • Transfer Praia da Luz - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $70
  • Car or Van Departure Transfer Meia Praia or Lagos to Faro Airport: $78
  • Private Transfer from Praia da Luz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $102
  • Private Transfer from Gil Eannes Square to Faro (FAO) Airport: $102
  • Private Transfer from Santa Maria (Lagos) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $102
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer to/from Monchique or Lagos: $103
  • Private Transfer to Faro Airport (60 min): $107
  • Faro Airport to/from Lagos/Private Transfer max 4 passengers: $118
  • Faro Airport: Private Transfer With Options To or From Lagos: $128
  • Private Transfer from Budens to Faro (FAO) Airport: $130

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way transfer: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Lagos or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Lagos 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
    Lagos 34
    Merzouga 5.55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lagos

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lagos.

  • Classic Food Tour - Lagos: $97
  • Full-Day West Coast Adventure with Hiking, Sunset, Dinner & Wine : $120

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.

  • One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $65
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $65
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $85
  • Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $87
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $98
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Overnight in Luxury Camp With camel Trek & Dinner: $107
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $124
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip w/Luxury Tent & Dinner: $127
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lagos 26
    Merzouga -

Tours and Activities in Lagos

Here are a few actual costs in Lagos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Lagos Scavenger Hunt and Sights Private Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Guided Walking Tour with Brodie from Australia: $16
  • Ponta da Piedade Rock Formations Guided Boat Tour: $19
  • Tour to go inside the Ponta da Piedade Caves/Grottos and see the beaches - Lagos: $20
  • Lagos Street Art: In-App Adventure Hunt: $21
  • In-App Adventure Hunt: $21
  • Ponta da Piedade Grotto Tour: $22
  • Boat Tours: $27
  • Ponta da Piedade Grotto Tour in Lagos, Algarve: $27
  • Coast Cruise Trip to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos: $29
  • NATURA TOUR - Countryside of Lagos - ECO TUK and LOCAL guide: $29
  • TUK TUK Tour Lagos Old& New Town& Beaches- Best way to know: $31

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:

  • Camel Ride Experience: $27
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $38
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion - Sahara 4WD Adventure: $43
  • Merzouga ATV Quad Desert Tours: $43
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Tours & Excursions: $46
  • Extreme Adventure with Harness Zorbing in Merzouga dunes: $48
  • Merzouga one hour Adventure Tour: $55
  • Merzouga 4x4 tour - Excursion around dunes: $55
  • Merzouga Experience -1.5h Quad buggy : $55
  • Merzouga 4X4 Half-Day Tour with Lunch: $55
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $60
  • From Quad bike tour to the peak of Erg Chebbi dune: $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lagos 6.79
    Merzouga -

Sample the Local Flavors in Lagos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lagos:

  • Lagos Wine Tasting and Tapas: $44
  • Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting: $86


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lagos and Merzouga, we can see that Lagos is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lagos 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 Lagos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lagos 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 Lagos Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.