Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Marrakech?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Marrakech or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Marrakech or Cape Town? 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 Cape Town?
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.
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
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 Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Marrakech Prices
Morocco PricesCape Town Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarrakech $94Cape Town $187
The average daily cost (per person) in Marrakech is $94, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $187. 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 Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarrakech $54Cape Town $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarrakech $108Cape Town $174
Compare Hotels in Marrakech and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Marrakech or Cape Town? 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: Marrakech Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marrakech $13Cape Town $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer: $92
- private taxi transfer on arrival from Marrakech airport to medina: $7.00
- airport transfers: $23
- VIP Transfer Luxury Mercedes limo from Marrakech Airport Hotels: $56
- VIP Luxury Private Car Marrakech Airport ,City Transfer: $23
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Marrakesh HTL-APT (RAK): $19
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Marrakesh APT-HTL (RAK): $19
- Transfert de Marrakech vers Aeroport Mohamed 5 Casablanca: $126
- Transfers from or to Marrakech Airport and Marrakech: $9.16
- Transfer to or from Marrakech Menara Airport: $9.16
- Transfer from tour accommodation to the airport in Marrakech: $8.02
- Transfer from Marrakech to Imlil: Airport Transfer to Imlil - Taxi to Imlil: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- West Coast Wonders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $290
- Van for 1-7 Passenger Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $50
- Unguided Hermanus Wine Tour (Full Day Incl Cape Town Transfers): $174
- Transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Cape Town Areas: $26
- Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $156
- Township Tour by Lwafika Tours and Transfers in Cape Town: $75
- Table Mountain Tour with Round Trip Transfers: $61
- Table Mountain Tour with Cable Car Tickets & Transfers: $220
- Table Mountain Shared Transfer With Hotel Pickup: $50
- Table Mountain Cable Car Tour with Tickets & Hotel Transfers: $96
- Table Mountain Cable Car Ticket with Town Transfer: $84
- Table Mountain &Bo-Kaap Half-DayTour with Tickets &Transfers: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Marrakech or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town 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
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Food Meals for one dayMarrakech $27Cape Town $80
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orange Juice on the Square$0.30
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Breakfast$1.21
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Dates$0.61
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Olives$0.91
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Sandwich$1.31
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Souvenir Spices$6.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Shared 3 Days Trips From Marrakech To Merzouga+2dinner+2breakfast: $3.44
- Marrakech special food tour: $5.73
- Agafay desert Adventure: Camel Ride, Dinner and Show: $9.16
- Marrakech to Agafay: Sunset, Quad. Camel & Dinner. Fire Show: $10
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride, and Dinner Show: $10
- Excursion from Marrakech to Agafay desert Quad Camel dinner show: $11
- Agafya Desert Quad bike Camel Ride and dinner show: $11
- Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $11
- Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
- Agafay desert quad &camel ride with dinner show: $14
- Marrakech : Agafay desert ; Quad Biking, Camel Ride and Dinner: $14
- Agafay Desert Quad Biking & Camel Ride & Dinner & Show: $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $62
- Cape Town Cooking Class & Wine Pairing with Award-Winning Chef: $69
- Private Indonesian Cultural Cooking Class: $75
- PRIVATE South African Home Cooking Class in Cape Town with Annika: $82
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $85
- Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $87
- Sunset At Signal and Dinner Privat: $87
- Cape Town African Taste-Safari & Live Entertainment Dinner Experience: $93
- Cape Town Historic Centre Food Tour with 15 Local Dishes and Wine: $97
- PRIVATE Cape Malay Cooking Class in Lorette’s Cape Town Home: $99
- Cape Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $99
- Half Day Cape Town African Dinner Restaurant with Live Music Show: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marrakech $9.93Cape Town $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets$2.02
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Golf at Atlas Golf$57
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Shop in Style: Guided Tour of Marrakesh's Markets": $46
- 1 Day Terres d’Amanar Adventure: $74
- 1 Hour Camel Ride Tour In Marrakech Palm Grove: $25
- 1-day private tour from Marrakech to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou & Telouet: $137
- 1-night Atlas Mountain Experience from Marrakech with Hike and Camel Ride: $130
- 10 Hours tour from marrakech to ouarzazate: $46
- 2 - Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Ouarzazate & Ait Ben Haddou: $69
- 2 - Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour – Shared & Private Options: $110
- 2 Day Check-out Tour from Marrakech to Zagora: $79
- 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech To Zagora Marrakech Desert Tours: $138
- 2 Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour via Ait Ben Haddou: $154
- 2 Day Private Tour to Ouarzazate: $183
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ( Cape town ) Private Winelands Tasting Full Day Tour: $254
- 1 Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise from Cape Town: $26
- 1 Hour Small Group Quad Bike Adventure in Cape Town: $42
- 1- Hour Catamaran Cruise Cape Town: $26
- 1-Hour Table Mountain Abseiling Experience: $69
- 10 Day South Africa Tour Joburg to Cape Town: $2,823
- 100 % Catch Rate Cape Town Wild Tours: $81
- 12 Day South Africa Tour Johannesburg to Cape Town: $3,578
- 2 Day Cape Escape: Whale Coast, Penguins & Zipline Adventure: $288
- 2 hours sandboarding experience in Capetown: $27
- 2-Day Cape Town Big 6 Pre-Booked Attraction Tickets: $202
- 3 Wineries Private Tour in Stellenbosch, Paarl Tasting Included: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarrakech $9.56Cape Town $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:
- Marrakech Nightlife Pub Crawl with Hotel Pickup: $23
- Private Vineyard Day from Marrakech Wine Tasting and City Tour: $126
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $14
- Craft Gin Tasting Experience and Distillery Tour: $15
- 3-Days:Cape Town Tour Paragliding &Wine Tasting & Cape Peninsula: $28
- Urban Wine Tasting: $31
- Indigenous Food and Wine Tasting: $37
- Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Constantia Wine Tasting: $40
- Cape Town Wine Tour: 3 Wineries — Babylonstoren, Fairview & Spier: $48
- Cape Winelands Discovery: Small Group Wine Tasting Full-Day Tour: $50
- Cape Town Hostel Pub Crawl & LinkUps: $52
- Uncork the Cape : Stellenboch Half Day Wine Tour: $56
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $58
- Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Stellenbosch: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marrakech and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Marrakech much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town 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 Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Marrakech or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Marrakech and Cape Town, 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.
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.