Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lisbon or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon 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: Lisbon or Rabat?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, 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 dayLisbon €131Rabat €41
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Rabat is €41. 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 Lisbon and Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €58Rabat €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €116Rabat €50
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €24Rabat €1.97
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lisbon to Seville private transfer one way max 6 persons: $736
- Full Day Tour - Transfer to Porto from Lisbon with Stops: $719
- Full Day Tour - Transfer to Algarve from Lisbon with Stops: $666
- From Private Transfer to Six Senses Douro Valley: $639
- Lisboa - Porto Private Transfer, with 2 visits on the way: $629
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Lagos: $586
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Faro: $586
- From the Algarve to Lisbon; Guided transfer with extra Wow!: $554
- To/From the Lisbon Airport: Faro Private Transfer: $533
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport and Portimão: $533
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Albufeira: $533
- Private Transfer Algarve / lisbon center city or for airport: $527
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€3.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Rabat to Tetouan: $145
- Transfer Rabat to Tangier: $144
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Mohammedia: $59
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $115
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $261
- Transfer Rabat to El Jadida: $115
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $229
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $267
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $185
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $205
- Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon €42Rabat €12
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $54
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
- Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $69
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: $75
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- 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.Lisbon €24Rabat €2.66
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $217
- 2-Hour Night Sailing Tour in Lisbon with a Drink: $49
- Divine Journey : Fatima Full Day Private Tour: $163
- Lisbon Essential Walking Tour: History, Stories and Lifestyle: $27
- Lisbon Full Day Small Group City Tour: $71
- Lisbon by Heart Private Walking Tour: $65
- Private 4X4 Jeep Tour to Arrábida, Sesimbra & Picnic - Lisbon: $93
- Private Walking Tour - Wandering Around Lisbon: $120
- Private Walking Tour in Belém: $85
- Private day tour Serra da Estrela cheese factory bread museum: $209
- Sintra & Cascais Private Tour from Lisbon + Dinosaur footprints on the beach!: $158
- Sintra or Cascais Half-day Private Tour - The real portuguese essence!: $120
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
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,906
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $102
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $713
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $104
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,383
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $82
- Private Boat Exploration Tour in Rabat: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Rabat -
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $42
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch: $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Rabat, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Rabat?
Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Rabat in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Rabat. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Rabat. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Rabat during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Rabat. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 23°C (73°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Rabat in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Rabat. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
Lisbon is around the same temperature as Rabat in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Rabat fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Rabat. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLisbon 19°C (66°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Rabat in the Winter?
Both Rabat and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Lisbon is cooler than Rabat. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Rabat averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Lisbon usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Rabat. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLisbon 12°C (53°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Rabat in the Spring?
Both Rabat and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
In April, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Rabat. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rabat. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLisbon 16°C (60°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Lisbon
| Lisbon | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.