A Travel Price Comparison for Morocco Meknes vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Meknes or Marrakech?

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 Marrakech 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 Marrakech?

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.

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Meknes?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Meknes is $60, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $86. 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 Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Meknes $27
    Marrakech $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Meknes $54
    Marrakech $88
Compare Hotels in Meknes and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Meknes or Marrakech? 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 Marrakech


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 Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Meknes $1.54
    Marrakech $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Meknes

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

  • Private Transfer from fez to Rabat or from Rabat to Fes: $151
  • One Way Transfer from Fes To Chefchaouen Via Volubilis: $123

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakech:One way transfer from Marrakech to Fes: $505
  • Private Marrakech Transfer to Merzouga On Time, Every Time: $293
  • Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech With Private Transfers: $271
  • "Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer": $270
  • Private Transfer From Marrakech To Agadir Or Agadir To Marrakech : $268
  • Marrakesh to Essaouira airport transfer: $262
  • "Marrakech to Fes: Your Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $260
  • From Marrakech : Private Transfer to Fes : $259
  • Fes to Marrakesh Transfer (Private): $250
  • Asni private transfer from Asni city to Agadir airport (AGA): $249
  • Marrakech To Fez Private Transfer : $243
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Marrakech to Fes: $239

Is it cheaper to fly into Meknes or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech 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 $26
    Marrakech $28
Typical Food Prices in Meknes

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


  • Popcorn
    $0.21
  • Spices
    $2.63

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: $104

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.32
  • Breakfast
    $1.26
  • Dates
    $0.63
  • Olives
    $0.95
  • Sandwich
    $1.36
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Chez Ali & Fantasia Folklore Show with Moroccan Dinner -Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Moroccan Journey, Cooking Class learn & lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Chez Ali Fantasia folklore Show & Oriental Dinner - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Agafay Camel Ride & Romantic Dinner with Transfer - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Amazing Sunset in Agafay Desert with Camels & Dinner - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Enjoy ATV Quad in Agafay Desert, Sunset Camel & Dinner-Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Day Trip to Essaouira City with Cooking Class & Lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Agafay Desert Sunset & Romantic Dinner with Transfer – Marrakech: $5.00
  • Essaouira City Tour with Cooking Class and Lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Agafay Desert Sunset & Romantic Dinner with Transfers - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Full-Day Essaouira City Tour, Cooking Class & Lunch - Marrakesh: $5.00
  • Chez Ali Fantasia Folklore Show With Oriental Dinner – Marrakesh: $5.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Meknes $3.74
    Marrakech $10

Tours and Activities in Meknes

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

  • Fes to Volubilis via Meknes and Moulay Idriss Day Tour: $43
  • From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
  • From Fez Guided Day Trip All Inclusive Tickets: $112
  • From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $280
  • Guided Tour with Entrance Fees: $51
  • Guided city Tour: $51

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.10
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $59

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Experience and Camel Trekking: $129
  • Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $22
  • Agafay desert half-day Sightseeing tour by Buggy: $164
  • Atlas Mountains Day Trip, Imlil Valley & Waterfall Tours: $16
  • Berber Experience Atlas and Sahara: $210
  • Experience Spa Hammam Massage and Camel tour: $111
  • From Marrakech 3 Days Tour To Merzouga Sahara Desert: $117
  • Full day tour Ourika Valley And Atlas Mountains : $65
  • Full-Day Atlas Mountains & Imlil Valley Adventure from Marrakech: $16
  • Half-Day Quad Bike Experience in Marrakech: $45
  • Historical and Cultural Marrakech Tours.: $29
  • Hot Air Balloon Adventure over Marrakesh and Atlas Mountains: $211

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Meknes $2.76
    Marrakech $9.96
Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $4.82


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Meknes and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech 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 Marrakech would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marrakech 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 Marrakech Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Meknes or Marrakech?

Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Meknes. When comparing the sizes of Meknes and Marrakech, 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.