A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Meknes vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Meknes or Diani?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Meknes and Diani can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Meknes or Diani?

Meknes

So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.

Diani

Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Diani or Meknes?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Meknes is $46, while the average daily cost in Diani is $55. 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 Meknes and Diani in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Meknes $26
    Diani $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Meknes $52
    Diani $48
Compare Hotels in Meknes and Diani

Looking for a hotel in Meknes or Diani? 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 Meknes


Hotels in Diani


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: Meknes Hotel Prices and Diani Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Meknes $1.46
    Diani $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

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

  • Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $71
  • From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Meknes or Diani?

Prices for flights to both Diani and Meknes 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
    Meknes $14
    Diani $20
Typical Food Prices in Meknes

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:


  • Popcorn
    $0.20
  • Spices
    $2.49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes

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

  • Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Meknes $3.55
    Diani $15

Tours and Activities in Meknes

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.

  • Fes Volubilis Tour: $45
  • From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
  • From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $256

Tours and Activities in Diani

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

  • 1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185
  • 3 nights Vipingo Golf Safari & Flight Tour: $1,575
  • 7 Days Safari Kenya Classic with Beach Tour Package: $4,595
  • Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
  • Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $22
  • Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $36
  • Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $30
  • Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $57
  • Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $25
  • Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
  • Duruma Traditional Wedding Demo, Village Tour and Dance Show: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Meknes $2.62
    Diani $9.04
Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $4.58

Sample the Local Flavors in Diani

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

  • Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $43


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

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