A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Luxor vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Luxor or Marrakech?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Luxor or Marrakech? 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: Luxor or Marrakech?

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Luxor?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $20, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $89. 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 Luxor and Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $7.12
    Marrakech $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $14
    Marrakech $92
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Marrakech? 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 Luxor


Hotels in Marrakech


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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $3.65
    Marrakech $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • private transfer from Luxor to Aswan by private Vehicle or Retuen: $85
  • private Transfer from Marsa alam To Luxor: $70
  • private Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $85
  • city tours in Luxor Camel Ride and banana island with transfer : $40
  • Vip Marsa Alam Private Transfer to Luxor: $180
  • VIP Luxor Airport Transfer: $45
  • VIP Luxor Airport Private Transfer: $25
  • Transfer from luxor to Aswan passing by Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples (Optional): $150
  • Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada / Hurghada Luxor in AC vehicle. : $75
  • Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $55
  • Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada: $64
  • Transfer from Luxor airport to Luxor hotels: $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Marrakech Transfer one way: $23
  • ESSAOUIRA Day Trip from Marrakech with Transfers: $31
  • Hammam and Massage Experience with Transfers: $80
  • private transfer : Marrakech from or to Oualidia Beach & hôtels: $80
  • private transfer to or from Marrakech and Taroudant one trip: $103
  • transfer Marrakech from/to Essaouira one way trip .: $172
  • "Marrakech to Essaouira: Private Transfer for Your Comfort": $92
  • 2 Hour Horse Ride Through Palmeraie Grove with Transfer-Marrakech: $5.00
  • 2 Hours Horseback Riding at Palmeraie with Transfers - Marrakech: $5.00
  • 2h Buggy Adventure in the Marrakech Desert with Transfer and Tea Break: $126
  • Aéroport transfer : $30
  • ATV Quad Adventure in Agafay Desert with Transfer – Marrakech: $5.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Luxor 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
    Luxor $9.43
    Marrakech $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $28
  • Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner : $34
  • Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Sunset Dinner at a Traditional Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 2 Hour Cooking Session with Family in Luxor: $40
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Nile in Luxor: $50
  • Enjoy Dinner or Lunch on board the Luxor Nile River.: $50
  • Felucca Ride at Sunset and Dinner at an Egyptian House in Luxor: $55

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.32
  • Breakfast
    $1.30
  • Dates
    $0.65
  • Olives
    $0.97
  • Sandwich
    $1.40
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • ATV Quad in Agafay desert, Dinner, Show & Camel Ride - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Moroccan Journey, Cooking Class learn & lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Essaouira City Tour with Cooking Class and Lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Agafay Camel Ride & Romantic Dinner with Transfer - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Chez Ali Fantasia folklore Show & Oriental Dinner - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Romantic Dinner in Agafay & Camel Ride with transfer - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Day Trip to Essaouira City with Cooking Class & Lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Cooking Class learn Full Day Adventure with Lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Agafay Desert Sunset & Romantic Dinner with Transfer – Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Delight Moroccan Cooking Class in Essaouira with Lunch- Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Enjoy ATV Quad in Agafay Desert, Sunset Camel & Dinner-Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Chez Ali Fantasia Folklore Show With Oriental Dinner – Marrakesh: $5.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $6.30
    Marrakech $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.53
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.56
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.18

Tours and Activities in Luxor

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

  • 2 Days Sightseeing Tour of Luxor Highlights: $120
  • Adventure Hot Air Balloon Ride Tour in Luxor: $79
  • Balloon Experience with Personalized Photography: $120
  • Balloon Tour and Sunset Felucca Ride in Luxor with Luxor Tour: $189
  • Day Tour to East and West Banks From Luxor: $15
  • Day Tour to Hathor Temple at Dendera from Luxor by car: $90
  • Day tour to Aswan from Luxo visit Edfu,Kom Ombo,Phila Temples & Aswan dam.: $276
  • Dendera Temple Tour by Boat from Luxor { private }: $120
  • Dendera Temple from Luxor Private Tour: $49
  • Dendera and Abydos Temples Day Tour from Luxor with Lunch: $75
  • Dendera and Abydos private tour from Luxor: $125
  • East Bank Tour in Luxor: $87

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.16
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $61

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • ATV Quad Adventure and Camel Ride at Palmeraie Desert - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Hot Air Balloon Adventure With Berber Breakfast - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Agafay Desert ATV Adventure, Show & Sunset Camel Ride – Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Majorelle Garden & Koutoubia Tour by Horse Carriage - Marrakech: $5.00
  • Atlas Mountains Adventure Visit Local Berber Villages - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Explore Atlas Mountains River Trip & Hiking Adventure - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Bahia Palace Ben Youssef & Medina Private Guided Tour - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • City Tour Marguel Garden& Koutoubia by Horse Carriage- Marrakesh : $5.00
  • Paragliding Fly Experience in Atlas Mountains & Lake - Marrakech: $5.00
  • Private Tour to Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef & Medina - Marrakech: $5.00
  • 3 Days Merzouga Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes: $5.00
  • Explore Atlas Mountain River With Hiking Adventure - Marrakesh: $5.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $2.12
    Marrakech $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Luxor.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Marrakech?

Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Marrakech, 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.