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

Should you visit Marrakech or Calgary?

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

Should I visit Marrakech or Calgary? 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: Marrakech or Calgary?

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.

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Marrakech?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Marrakech is $68, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $156. 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 Marrakech and Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Marrakech $46
    Calgary $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Marrakech $92
    Calgary $148
Compare Hotels in Marrakech and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Marrakech or Calgary? 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 Marrakech


Hotels in Calgary


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: Marrakech Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Marrakech $6.28
    Calgary $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • Hammam and Massage Experience with Transfers: $77
  • Private Transfer From or To Marrakesh Menara Airport RAK: $9.85
  • Transfer Marrakech to Agadir & Marrakech to Agadir One way: $115
  • transfer from Marrakech city to Agadir city (AGA) one-way: $82
  • "Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer": $250
  • "Marrakech to El Jadida: Private Transfer for Your Comfort": $109
  • "Marrakech to Fes: Your Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $225
  • 2h Buggy Adventure in the Marrakech Desert with Transfer and Tea Break: $49
  • Agadir or Taghazout: Marrakech Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $34
  • Agadir private transfer from Marrakech to Agadir airport (AGA): $164
  • Agadir private transfer from Ouirgane to Agadir airport (AGA): $290
  • Agafay Desert Pool Day with Shuttle Transfer: $82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $91
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary Downtown: $138
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $91
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $61
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary Downtown: $121
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary: $181
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $111
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Luxury SUV: $120
  • Private Transfer from Fernie to Calgary International Airport: $77
  • Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury Van: $129
  • Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Business Car: $108
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Marrakech or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary and Marrakech 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
    Marrakech $13
    Calgary $31
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.30
  • Breakfast
    $1.19
  • Dates
    $0.60
  • Olives
    $0.89
  • Sandwich
    $1.29
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner from Marrakech: $15
  • Cooking Lesson at the Ouirgane Ecolodge with Lunch: $19
  • Dinner in Agafay desert from Marrakech & camel riding: $19
  • Restaurant Dinner Experience with Hotel Pickup: $21
  • Dinner and show in Desert Agafay with Quad bike & Camel ride: $22
  • Sunset in Agafay: Dinner, Camel, Quad-Book Adventure with Viator: $22
  • Agafay desert Sunset Camel ride with Dinner Show: $23
  • Magical Dinner & Agafay Desert ,Under The Stars: $24
  • Marrakech Amazing Dinner Show in Agafay Desert, Sunset Camel Ride: $24
  • Dinner Experience in a Moroccan Restaurant with transfer: $24
  • Moroccan Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $24
  • From Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner with Live Show: $25

Typical Food Prices in Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $8.16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary

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

  • Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Marrakech $6.99
    Calgary $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Palace Tickets
    $1.99
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $56

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakech Medina Walking Tour With Local Guide: $5.00
  • Marrakesh: Cactus Thiemann Entry Ticket: $8.28
  • Ourika Valley, Atlas Mountain and Waterfalls Tour from Marrakech: $10
  • Palmerai adventure on quad atv: $10
  • 1/2 day Guided Medina Walking Tour & Souks : $13
  • Marrakech:Quad Tour in Palmeraie: $14
  • Historical Marrakech Walking Tour: $15
  • Marrakech activities: Camel ride tour Marrakech: $15
  • From Ourika Valley and Atlas Mountains Day Tour: $16
  • quad Adventure at the Dunes of the palmery desert: $16
  • Essaouira 1 Day Tour From Marrakech: $16
  • From Marrakesh: Ourika Valley & Atlas Mountains Day Tour: $16

Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary

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


  • Stampede Admission (for 2)
    $22

Tours and Activities in Calgary

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

  • Classic Banff DayTour: Banff, Bow Falls, Johnston Canyon : $135
  • 1 Day Yoho Tour | Moraine Lake | Johnston Canyon | From Calgary: $118
  • 2 Days Jasper and Banff Tour from Calgary: $163
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Calgary's Highlights: $238
  • 2-Hour Scooter Tour of Calgary's City Highlights: $68
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour of Calgary, E-Bike Upgrade Options Available: $101
  • 3-Hour Street Art Tour of Calgary with Craft Beer Tastings: $101
  • 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.47
  • Afternoon tour to Banff from Calgary: $244
  • Banff Area & Johnston Canyon 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff: $119
  • Banff Deep 1 Day Tour in Banff National Park: $172
  • Banff Hot Springs - Gondola - Wildlife Tour from Calgary/Banff: $115

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Marrakech $15
    Calgary $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary

Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $83
  • Calgary Brewery Tour: $89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marrakech and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Marrakech much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marrakech is in Africa and Calgary is in North America, 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 Marrakech would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marrakech 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 Calgary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calgary than you might in Marrakech.

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


Which is Bigger, Marrakech or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Marrakech and Calgary, 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.