Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Messina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Messina or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Messina and Rabat 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: Messina or Rabat?
Messina
Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMessina €118Rabat €41
The average daily cost (per person) in Messina is €118, while the average daily cost in Rabat is €41. 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 Messina and Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMessina €65Rabat €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMessina €130Rabat €50
Compare Hotels in Messina and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Messina or Rabat? 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: Messina Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Messina €22Rabat €1.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:
- From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale€3.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Rabat To Fez: $109
- One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes : $196
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez : $154
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis : $196
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Asilah: $272
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Bouznika: $87
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Kenitra: $109
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $254
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Skhirat: $76
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $65
- Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Messina or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat and Messina 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 dayMessina €37Rabat €12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Messina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.
- Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
- Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Messina €21Rabat €2.66
Tours and Activities in Messina
Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
- Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
- 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Messina: $271
- 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Messina: $152
- Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
- Etna Taormina and Castelmola The best excursion for cruise passengers from Messina: $208
- Etna and Taormina Private Tour from Giardini Naxos: $240
- From Private Guided Day Tour of Savoca and Taormina: $642
- From Private Tour of Etna & Taormina with Pickup: $684
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- Guided Bike Tour: $1.55
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
- Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $44
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
- Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $65
- Private Guided Tour in Rabat City: $76
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMessina €18Rabat -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Messina and Rabat, we can see that Messina is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Messina is in Europe and Rabat is in Africa, 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 Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Messina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Messina than you might in Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Messina Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Messina or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Rabat, 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.
When is the best time to visit Messina or Rabat?
Messina has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Messina or Rabat in the Summer?
Both Rabat and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Rabat. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Rabat averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rabat. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun.
Messina usually gets more rain in July than Rabat. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMessina 27°C (80°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Messina or Rabat in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Rabat. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Rabat. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. Messina usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Messina usually receives more rain than Rabat. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMessina 21°C (69°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Messina or Rabat in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Rabat. Many travelers come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
Messina is around the same temperature as Rabat in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the winter, Messina often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun.
Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Rabat. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMessina 13°C (55°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Messina or Rabat in the Spring?
Both Rabat and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Messina in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Messina is around the same temperature as Rabat. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Rabat averages at about 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Rabat. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Messina usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rabat. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMessina 16°C (60°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Messina
| Messina | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
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.