A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mumbai vs. Essaouira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mumbai or Essaouira?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai 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: Mumbai or Essaouira?

Mumbai

Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.

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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Mumbai?

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 Mumbai is $77, 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 Mumbai and Essaouira in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mumbai $30
    Essaouira $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mumbai $60
    Essaouira $56
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Essaouira

Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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.

Hotels in Mumbai


Hotels in Essaouira


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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mumbai $6.51
    Essaouira $2.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

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

  • Airport Transfer: Mumbai to Mumbai Airport BOM by Van: $110
  • Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $99
  • Arrival Transfer: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai by Luxury Van: $99
  • Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time: $65
  • Mumbai Airport Transfers : Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Business Car: $64
  • Airport Transfer: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai by Business Car: $64
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $58
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $58
  • Private Arrival Departure Airport Transfers Mumbai: $54
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai to Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport: $42
  • Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai: $42
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Airport (BOM): $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira

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

  • private transfer essaouira to casablanca or casablanca-essaouira: $287
  • Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $199
  • Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $137
  • Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $137
  • Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $129
  • Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $125
  • Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira: $117
  • Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech: $114
  • Transfert Marrakech to Essaouira Or Essaouira to Marrakech: $112
  • Private transfer Essaouira Safi.: $110
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
  • Transferts Marrakech à Essaouira ou Essaouira à Marrakech: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Essaouira?

Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Mumbai 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
    Mumbai $39
    Essaouira $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

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

  • Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $20
  • Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
  • Lights, Flavour, Action- A Story-Driven Food Tour: $31
  • Mumbai's Curry Cooking Class: Veg, Non-Veg: $33
  • Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
  • Flavors of Mumbai Food Tour: $38
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour: $39
  • Mumbai Authentic Street Food Tour: $42
  • Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45

Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

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


  • Baklava
    $1.52
  • Breakfast Crepes
    $0.54
  • 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: $30
  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
  • Cooking class: How To Be a Real Moroccan Chef: $41
  • Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $48
  • Moroccan cooking class in Essaouira city: $53
  • Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $53
  • Essaouira Cooking Class At Home: $53
  • Al Aaila Farm Moroccan Natural And Healthy Cooking Experience: $59
  • Essaouira Street Food Tour: $69
  • Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
  • l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $70
  • 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $214

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mumbai $2.36
    Essaouira $13

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

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

  • " Dash Of Mumbai " Sightseeing & Experiences-by Goi Licensed Guide Ragini Doshi: $288
  • "Mumbai - Dharavi Slum Tour": $8.69
  • "Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $43
  • 2-Hour Guided Tour of Dharavi: $22
  • 3 Hours Early Morning in South Mumbai Heritage Bicycle Tour: $35
  • 3-Day Mumbai to Nashik, Ajanta and Ellora Tour with Car and Guide: $151
  • 3-Hour Private Guided Tour in Bollywood from Mumbai: $220
  • All in one Combo of City ,Slum,Dhobighat & Dabbawala tour: $77
  • All-Inclusive Mumbai to Alibaug Coastal Villages RoPax Ferry Tour: $299
  • All-Inclusive Private Full-Day Mumbai Sights & Local Experiences: $163
  • Asia Largest Dharavi Slum Guided Tour: $16
  • Audio Guided Tour – Mumbai Cricket Walk by HopOn India: $5.34

Tours and Activities in Essaouira

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

  • 1 Day Horseback Riding Tour with Overnight Stay in Berber Tent: $293
  • 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira desert: $32
  • 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $207
  • 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $77
  • 2 – Hours Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Desert with Moroccan Tea: $54
  • 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $53
  • 2-Hours Buggy Adventure in Essaouira desert (2 places per buggy): $92
  • 2H Buggy Adventure in Essaouira beaches ́Dunes & Forest Ride: $158
  • 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech: $199
  • 3H Buggy Adventure – Dunes, Ocean & Sunset Ride: $233
  • Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $34
  • Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mumbai $3.27
    Essaouira $9.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:

  • Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Essaouira, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mumbai is in Asia and Essaouira 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 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai 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 Mumbai Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Essaouira?

Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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.