Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi 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 Nairobi 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: Nairobi or Marrakech?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $63Marrakech $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $69. 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 Nairobi and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Marrakech $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Marrakech $92
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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.
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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Marrakech $6.30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
- Train tickets and transfer from Nairobi to mombasa: $67
- Safe and Executive Airport transfer in Nairobi: $40
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $170
- Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $82
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $82
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Lake Nakuru with Transfer Included: $189
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfers from Marrakech to Fez Airport or city: $229
- transfers from Marrakech to Fez (Airport or city/Door to Door): $229
- transfer from Marrakech to Fez Airport or city: $229
- Transfert privé vers ou depuis RAK aéroport: $13
- Transfert Privée Aéroport Marrakech vers Essaouira : $98
- Transfert Departure Marrakech City to Casablanca Airport: $265
- Transfers from Marrakech airport to the city and the medina: $16
- Transfers from Marrakech airport: $9.26
- Transfers Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira to Marrakech: $66
- Transfer from Marrakech to Casa-Airport or Casa-Airport to Marrakech: $150
- Transfer from Marrakech city or Marrakech airport to Casablanca city: $167
- Transfer from Marrakech city or Marrakech Airport to Essaouira: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $7.63Marrakech $13
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $53
- Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $53
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $54
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
- The Carnivore Restaurant Experience in Lunch or Dinner: $78
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
- Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
- The Carnivore Restaurant Experience: Lunch Or Dinner: $84
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orange Juice on the Square$0.30
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Breakfast$1.20
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Dates$0.60
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Olives$0.90
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Sandwich$1.29
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Souvenir Spices$6.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Magical dinner in agafay desert with camel ride: $19
- Marrakech desert: Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show: $21
- Restaurant Dinner Experience with Hotel Pickup: $21
- All-inclusive Dinner and camel ride experience in Agafay desert : $22
- Dinner Show in Agafay Desert with Quad Bike & Camels: $22
- Typical Moroccan Dinner at the inhabitant in Marrakech: $22
- Sunset in Agafay: Dinner, Camel, Quad-Book Adventure with Viator: $22
- Desert Dinner, Camel Ride, Sunset & Show: $23
- Dinner in Desert Marrakech and Camel ride at Sunset: $23
- Moroccan Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $24
- From Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner with Live Show: $25
- From Camel Ride Sunset Dinner and Show Desert: $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Marrakech $7.01
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$16
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days 2 Nights in Maasai Mara Safari Tour: $220
- Coffee Farm tour from Nairobi: $90
- Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Hells Gate Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride Day tour: $150
- Private Tour Nairobi national park & Giraffe Centre: $120
- Tour Giraffe Centre, David Shedrick, Karen Blixen & city tour.: $110
- half Day TOURS/NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK/ELEPHANT & GIRAFFE CENTRE: $90
- "Nairobi's Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Adventure: $40
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha : $130
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets$1.99
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Golf at Atlas Golf$56
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Day Private Desert Tour From Marrakech To Merzouga Dunes With Camel Trek: $271
- 3 Days Tour - Marrakech To Fez via Sahara Desert Erg chebbi: $205
- Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $21
- Atlas Mountains, Berber Villages & Waterfall Tour: $25
- Best Marrakech Private walking tour: $29
- Biking Tour in atlas Mountain day trip form Marrakech : $140
- City Tour Marrakech with guide 1/2 day: $20
- Desert Agafay & Berber Villages Day Tour From Marrakech including Camel Ride: $49
- Food Tasting Tour in Marrakech medina : $70
- Full Day Desert Agafay & Atlas Mountains Tour With Camel Ride : $48
- Full Day Guided Tour in Ouzoud Waterfalls : $29
- Full day tour Ourika Valley And Atlas Mountains : $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Marrakech $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $28
- Moroccan wine tasting workshop in Marrakech: $70
When comparing the travel costs between Nairobi and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Marrakech?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.
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.