Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Marrakech?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarrakech $70Cape Town $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Marrakech is $70, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $100. 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 $47Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarrakech $94Cape Town $78
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 $6.42Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- airport transfers: $22
- airport transfer from Casablanca to Marrakech : $133
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Marrakesh HTL-APT (RAK): $13
- Transfert privé vers ou depuis RAK aéroport: $6.33
- Transfert de l'aéroport de Marrakech à la ville: $22
- Transfert Aeroport Marrakech Votre Porte a marrakech: $6.33
- Transfers Marrakech Airport : $51
- Transfer from el Jadida to Marrakech riad or hotel or Airport : $189
- Transfer from Marrakech to Imlil: Airport Transfer to Imlil - Taxi to Imlil: $67
- Transfer from Marrakech city or Marrakech Airport to Essaouira: $95
- Transfer from Marrakech Airport to Marrakech City Centre: $9.98
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech: $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town HTL-APT(CPT): $44
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Camps Bay to Cape Town Airport: $18
- Shopping Mall Transfers: $22
- Shared Transfer to Cape Agulhas - Where The Two Oceans Meet From Cape Town F/Day: $184
- Shared Return Transfer to Aquila Safari from Cape Town Day trip: $151
- Robben Island and Long Walk to Freedom with Ticket &Transfer: $88
- Return Transfer to Aquila Safari The Big 5 From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees: $154
- Private Transfer: Cape Town to International Airport (CPT): $48
- Private Transfer: Cape Town to CPT Airport in Business Car: $65
- Private Transfer: CPT Airport to Cape Town in Luxury Van: $80
- Private Transfer from Cape Town Cruise Port to Cape Town hotels: $25
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 $13Cape Town $43
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$1.22
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Dates$0.61
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Olives$0.91
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Sandwich$1.32
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Souvenir Spices$6.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Evenings Experiencing a Sunset Dinner in the Agafay Desert: $14
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner from Marrakech: $15
- Agafay Desert Package, Quad Bike, Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $16
- Online Moroccan Cooking Class: $17
- Cooking Lesson at the Ouirgane Ecolodge with Lunch: $19
- Dinner in Agafay desert from Marrakech & camel riding: $19
- Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner & Camel Ride & Show: $21
- From Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride and Dinner: $21
- Marrakech desert: Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show: $21
- Marrakech Agafay Desert show with Dinner Sunset Camel Ride: $21
- Restaurant Dinner Experience with Hotel Pickup: $21
- Quad bike dinner & magic show agafay desert: $22
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:
- Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $29
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $44
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $56
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $57
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $60
- From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $63
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $63
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $65
- Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $71
- Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80
- Private Indonesian Asian Cape Malay Cultural Cooking Class : $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marrakech $7.14Cape Town $23
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$2.03
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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:
- 10 Hours tour from marrakech to ouarzazate: $44
- 2 days Tour Marrakech-Ouarzazatte: $189
- Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $21
- Atlas Mountains Horseback Ride Day Tour From Marrakech : $51
- Atlas Mountains Tour & three valleys with camel ride : $24
- Atlas Mountains and Berber villages & Waterfalls Day Tour from Marrakech : $26
- Best Marrakech Private walking tour: $44
- City Tour Marrakech with guide 1/2 day: $33
- Desert Agafay & Berber Villages Day Tour From Marrakech including Camel Ride: $50
- Desert Thrills: Quad Biking Adventures in Palmeraie Marrakech: $44
- Experience Spa Hammam Massage and Camel tour: $105
- Food Tasting Tour in Marrakech medina : $70
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Wineries Private Tour in Stellenbosch, Paarl Tasting Included: $140
- Bespoke Tour : Cape Point , Table Mountain & Penguin Colony : $260
- Cape Point Full Day Tour: $195
- Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $300
- Cape Town Aquila Game Reserve Safari Tour with Lunch Included : $251
- Cape Town Two Oceans Scenic Helicopter Experience : $265
- Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $31
- Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-On Hop-Off Tour from Cape Town.: $109
- Long Walk to Freedom in Robben Island including Ticket & Afrogem: $159
- Penguins Boulders Beach and Cape Point Small Group Day Tour: $67
- Penguins Private Tour- Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point Tour from Cape Town: $115
- Private Historical Cape Town City and Scenic Passes Tour.: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarrakech $15Cape Town $21
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: $9.77
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $25
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $39
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $39
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $40
- Half day Wine Tour: $42
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $47
- Stellenbosch, Franschhoek & Paarl Wine Tasting Shared Tour: $50
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
- Fullday Wine Tour: $52
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $52
- Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $54
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.