Should you visit Marrakech or Casablanca?
Should I visit Marrakech or Casablanca? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Casablanca
Casablanca is so much more than a classic Bogart movie with killer one-liners. It is also the largest, most cosmopolitan city in the country of Morocco. Sitting at the economic and industrial heart of this region, Casablanca has a population of approximately four million. Brush up on your high school French before visiting this lively city as it's the main language spoken by the locals. While this is the most liberal and progressive city in Morocco, remember to be cautious in this region of the world with your western views.
Which city is cheaper, Casablanca or Marrakech?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Marrakech is $60, while the average daily cost in Casablanca is $62. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Marrakech and Casablanca in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $80 in Marrakech For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
A hotel room in Casablanca is about $74 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Marrakech travelers spend around $11 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food in Casablanca costs travelers about $17 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Marrakech $11
Casablanca $17
Typical Food prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Virtual Cooking Class with Moroccan Family:
$16
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Moroccan Cooking experience In Atlas Mountains Cook with a Berber family:
$29
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Cooking Class In Atlas Mountains From Marrakech Cook With A Berber Family:
$30
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Berber Life Cooking and Culture Experience:
$32
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Marrakech Food Tasting Experience Including Dinner:
$34
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Berber Life Cooking Class and Culture Experience:
$35
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Moroccan Cooking Workshops:
$35
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Cooking class with Berber family in Atlas Mountains Day trip from Marrakech:
$36
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From High Atlas Berber Cooking Class:
$36
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Day Trip Atlas Morocco Berber Experience & Cooking Class From Marrakech:
$37
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Cooking Class with A Berber Family From Marrakech:
$37
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Moroccan Cooking Class With Chef Najlae !:
$40
Typical Food prices in Casablanca
Some typical examples of dining costs in Casablanca are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Casablanca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Casablanca.
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Private Virtual Moroccan Cooking Class Experience with a Local:
$27
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Casablanca Food Tour:
$87
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Casablanca Food Tour - Moroccan Street Food Tour:
$94
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Casablanca Food Tour - Marché Central & Seafood Lunch:
$140
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Authentic Moroccan Home-Cooking: Private Cooking Class with a Casablanca Local:
$146
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Private Cooking Class with Optional Market Tour:
$150
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Casablanca Food Tour:
$156
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6-Hour Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Casablanca:
$156
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Authentic Moroccan Cooking Class in Casablanca with Hotel Transfers:
$156
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Casablanca unique private walking food tour.:
$166
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Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Casablanca Local with Transfers:
$171
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Experience Moroccan Cuisine - Private Market Tour & Cooking Class with Transfers:
$173
Local Transportation
Marrakech's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $5.48 per person, per day on transportation in Marrakech.
The average price of local transportation around Casablanca is $9.33 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfert Departure Marrakech airport from city center:
$6.64
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private airport transfer from RAK to Marrakech city:
$7.30
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Transfer for min 2 pers: Airport pick-up or drop-off service:
$7.75
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Marrakech City Center Private Airport Transfer:
$8.00
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One-Way Marrakech-Menara Private Airport Transfer:
$8.09
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Shuttle Arrival Transfer from RAK Marrakech to Marrakech City:
$8.97
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Transfer From Marrakech Airport To Your Accommodation:
$9.29
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Transfer Marrakech Airport:
$9.33
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Private Airport Transfer: Menara Airport (RAK) to Marrakech:
$9.58
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Private Arrival Transfer from Marrakech Airport to your Hotel:
$9.95
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Private transfer arrival from Marrakesh Airport to Hotels, Riads in Marrakesh:
$9.95
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Private transfer from Marrakech hotels & riads... To Marrakech Airport:
$9.95
Typical Local Transportation prices in Casablanca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Casablanca:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Casablanca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Casablanca:
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Vtcgo Casablanca Book Your Transfers:
$136
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VIP Transfer From Casablanca To Marrakesh:
$310
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Transfer in private vehicle from Casablanca City to Airport:
$38
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Transfer in Private from Casablanca Mohammed V Airport to Casablanca City:
$34
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Transfer in Private car from Casablanca Mohammed V Airport to Casablanca City:
$38
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Casablanca City to Airport:
$34
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Transfer from anywhere in Casablanca to anywhere in Marrakech:
$199
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Transfer from Casablanca to your Riad or Hotel and Airport in Marrakech:
$218
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Transfer from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport To Marrakech:
$162
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Transfer from Casablanca Airport:
$82
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Transfer from CASABLANCA airport to Marrakesh:
$119
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Transfer Private From Rabat to Chefchaouen:
$211
Is it cheaper to fly into Marrakech or Casablanca?
Prices for flights to both Casablanca 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Marrakech can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $6.09 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Casablanca's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $7.74 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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
$2.17
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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:
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Skip the Line: Museum Mohammed VI for the Water Civilization Admission Ticket:
$4.98
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Marrakech City Tour and Majorelle Garden by car - Half Day - shared (8 pers):
$12
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Marrakech Hidden Sights And Souks - Half Day Tour:
$13
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Anima Garden Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket:
$15
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Marrakech Shopping Tour - Private Tours (Half day):
$15
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Group shared day tour to Ourika valley & Atlas Mountains:
$15
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Marrakech Delicious Food Tasting Experience:
$16
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Historical Guided Tour:
$18
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Walking tour of the old city:
$19
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Full-Day Guided Tour to Ouzoud Waterfalls with Boat Ride:
$19
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Marrakech city tour With official Local Guide:
$19
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Camel ride tour in Marrakech:
$19
Tours and Activities in Casablanca
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Casablanca are as follows:
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10 Day Morocco Affordable Tour starting in Casablanca and ending in Tangier:
$2,600
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10 Day private tour around Moroccco:
$2,074
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10 Days 9 Nights Budgeted Casablanca Adventure:
$2,051
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10 Days 9 Nights Luxury Tour of Morocco:
$2,295
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10 Days 9 Nights Private Morocco Tour from Casablanca with Camel Trek:
$2,364
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10 Days Grand Morocco Tour for Best Experience:
$1,991
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10 Days Imperial Cities and Desert Tours:
$2,261
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10 Days Morocco Luxury Classic Tour:
$4,198
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10 Days Tour From Casablanca to Merzouga Desert, Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech:
$3,636
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10 Days Tour From Casablanca, Morocco:
$1,866
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10 Days Tour Imperial Cities and Sahara Desert (Any Departing Point):
$1,963
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10 Days Tour from Casablanca:
$1,493
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Marrakech spend on average $13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:
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Full-Day trip to Essaouira - Includes Food&Wine tasting:
$150
Sample the Local Flavors in Casablanca
Also in Casablanca, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Day Tour of Casablanca with Lunch and Wine Tasting in Benslimane Vineyard:
$170
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Organic Wine Tour And Premium Lunch In Casablanca Valley:
$188
When comparing the travel costs between Marrakech and Casablanca, we can see that Casablanca is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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