A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merzouga vs. Portofino for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Merzouga or Portofino?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merzouga or Portofino, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Merzouga or Portofino?

Merzouga

Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.

Portofino

Located on the Italian Riviera coastline just southeast of Genoa, Portofino is known first and foremost as a resort town and popular yachting destination. The half-moon village sits in pastels, curving into a beautiful harbor of fishing boats and luxury yachts. A castle on a hill overlooks it all, while shops, restaurants, cafes, and luxury hotels make up the spread down below. Portofino also has opportunities for hiking, diving, and boating.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Portofino or Merzouga?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Merzouga is $17, while the average daily cost in Portofino is $349. 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 Merzouga and Portofino in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Merzouga $10
    Portofino $203
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Merzouga $20
    Portofino $406
Compare Hotels in Merzouga and Portofino

Looking for a hotel in Merzouga or Portofino? 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 Merzouga


Hotels in Portofino


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: Merzouga Hotel Prices and Portofino Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Merzouga -
    Portofino $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way transfer: $62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portofino

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portofino:

  • Private Transfer from Portofino Cruise Port to Genoa Airport(GOA): $49
  • Private Transfer from Portofino Cruise Port to Genoa city hotels: $49
  • Portofino hotels to Genoa Airport (GOA) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Private Transfer - Portofino Cruise Port to Florence Airport(FLR): $158
  • Private Transfer from Portofino Cruise Port to Florence hotels: $158
  • CAR 3 PAX TRANSFER TO AIRPORT MILANO MALPENSA: $876

Is it cheaper to fly into Merzouga or Portofino?

Prices for flights to both Portofino and Merzouga 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
    Merzouga $5.92
    Portofino $126

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.

  • One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $65
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $65
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $85
  • Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $87
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $98
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Overnight in Luxury Camp With camel Trek & Dinner: $107
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $124
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip w/Luxury Tent & Dinner: $127
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portofino

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portofino.

  • Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch: $246

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Merzouga -
    Portofino $29

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:

  • Camel Ride Experience: $27
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $38
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion - Sahara 4WD Adventure: $43
  • Merzouga ATV Quad Desert Tours: $43
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Tours & Excursions: $46
  • Extreme Adventure with Harness Zorbing in Merzouga dunes: $48
  • Merzouga one hour Adventure Tour: $55
  • Merzouga 4x4 tour - Excursion around dunes: $55
  • Merzouga Experience -1.5h Quad buggy : $55
  • Merzouga 4X4 Half-Day Tour with Lunch: $55
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $60
  • From Quad bike tour to the peak of Erg Chebbi dune: $62

Tours and Activities in Portofino

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portofino are as follows:

  • 1-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Paraggi Bay, Portofino: $42
  • Snorkel Tour in Paraggi Bay: $43
  • Portofino Stand Up Paddleboard Experience: $52
  • Easy Kayak Tour to Portofino with Optional Snorkeling: $52
  • Paddle Boarding Experience in Portofino: $54
  • Portofino Kayak Tour: $54
  • Coasteering Tour: $74
  • Portofino and San Fruttuoso Boat Experience: $107
  • Portofino Private Walking Tour: $267
  • White Boat Tour Tigullio Portofino: $449
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitif of Ligurian goods: $481
  • Private Tour of Genoa and Portofino from Genoa: $713

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Merzouga -
    Portofino $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merzouga and Portofino, we can see that Portofino is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merzouga is in Africa and Portofino is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Portofino would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portofino than you might in Merzouga.

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


Related Articles for Merzouga
Related Articles for Portofino