Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Moshi or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Essaouira, 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: Moshi or Essaouira?
Moshi
Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Moshi Prices
Tanzania PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $83Essaouira $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $83, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $60. 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 Moshi and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $36Essaouira $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $72Essaouira $56
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Essaouira? 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: Moshi Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Essaouira $2.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Moshi to Arusha or Arusha to Moshi Transfer (Intercity transfer): $93
- Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $82
- Tanzania Private Airport Transfer: $67
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Moshi or Arusha: $55
- Private Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to or from Tanzania: $55
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi: $49
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transferts Marrakech à Essaouira ou Essaouira à Marrakech: $99
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $126
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $141
- Transfer Airport Essaouira Mogador: $24
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech: $118
- Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira: $118
- Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $200
- Private transfer Essaouira Safi.: $110
- Private transfer Essaouira Ouarzazate.: $236
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $138
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $129
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Moshi 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 dayMoshi $34Essaouira $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
- Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
- Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $79
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $109
- Spice Picking with Zanzibar Cooking Class: $193
- 3 Days Chaga Culture: Cooking, NGO Projects, Banana Beer, Hiking: $204
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.50
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Breakfast Crepes$0.54
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Fish for Lunch$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agadir Cooking Class Experience with Local Market Visit: $31
- Cooking class: How To Be a Real Moroccan Chef: $41
- Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $48
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $53
- Essaouira Family Dinner Experience: $66
- Essaouira Street Food Tour: $69
- Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
- Relaxation Day at Iftan Beach & Fresh Fish Lunch/Dinner: $76
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $218
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $18Essaouira $13
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Best Tanzania Safari Tarangire Day tour Adventure: $200
- 1 Full Day to Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Chemka Hotspring: $95
- 1 Full-Day Safari Adventure in Tarangire National Park: $250
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Lake Chala with Lunch: $110
- Authentic Moshi experience coffee, markets & local life(7hr tour): $100
- Best 1# day Kilimanjaro trek Machame with Kilinge Adventure: $100
- Best Kilimanjaro hiking day trip tour From Arusha/Moshi: $100
- Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $60
- City tour and local food: $30
- Day Tour at Maasai Village In Tanzania: $156
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira desert: $33
- 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $208
- 1-Hour Scenic Quad Bike Tour: Discover Essaouira’s Coastline: $35
- 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $78
- 2 – Hours Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Desert with Moroccan Tea: $58
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $53
- 2-Hours Buggy Adventure in Essaouira desert (2 places per buggy): $98
- 2-hour quad adventure between beach and dunes: $59
- 2H Buggy Adventure in Essaouira beaches ́Dunes & Forest Ride: $159
- 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech: $200
- 3H Buggy Adventure – Dunes, Ocean & Sunset Ride: $234
- Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.35Essaouira $9.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Essaouira, we can see that Moshi is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Moshi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moshi than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moshi Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Essaouira?
Moshi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Moshi and Essaouira, 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.
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.