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 $62Marrakech $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $62, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $71. 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 $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Marrakech $96
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 $6.50
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$9.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $86
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private Airport transfer in Nairobi to Hotels: $40
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Nairobi: $30
- Private Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $40
- Private Airport Transfers To and From Nairobi Airports.: $25
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- Nairobi:Airport Transfers,Private Transfers.: $70
- Stopover, Layover & Transit Tour with Transfers.: $110
- Private Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta or Wilson Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from Airport to Accommodation: $22
- Private Kibera Slum Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- airport transfer from Casablanca to Marrakech : $135
- Transfert privé vers ou depuis RAK aéroport: $6.38
- Transfert de l'aéroport de Marrakech à la ville: $23
- Transfert Privée Aéroport Marrakech vers Essaouira : $102
- Transfer from and to Marrakech Menara airoport: $20
- Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca airport: $28
- Transfer from Marrakech city or Marrakech Airport to Essaouira: $96
- Transfer from Marrakech airport to city: $15
- Transfer Marrakech to Rabat: $172
- Transfer Marrakech to Mohammedia: $149
- Transfer Marrakech to El Jadida: $119
- Transfer Marrakech to Casablanca Airport: $106
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 $7.53Marrakech $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$5.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi: $40
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Delicious food: $40
- Cooking Class with Local Organic Market Visit: $40
- Experience the Taste of Nairobi:A Hands-On Cooking Adventure: $44
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi.: $47
- Traditional Cuisines Cooking Experience And Class.: $50
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $55
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $68
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$0.31
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Breakfast$1.23
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Dates$0.62
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Olives$0.93
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Sandwich$1.33
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Souvenir Spices$6.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner from Marrakech: $15
- Online Moroccan Cooking Class: $17
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $19
- Dinner in Agafay desert from Marrakech & camel riding: $19
- Agafay Desert Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $20
- From Agafay Desert Sunset at Dinner And Fireshow: $21
- From Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner with Live Show: $21
- Desert Quad Bike with Dinner, Show, & Live Music: $21
- From Agafay Sunset Camel Tour with Dinner & Show: $21
- Agafay Camel Ride Sunset and Dinner with Show: $21
- Marrakech : Moroccan Cooking Class with our Executive Chef: $21
- From Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride, and Dinner: $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Marrakech $7.23
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:
- 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
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Nairobi Museum Snake Park Giraffe Center and Beads Center Tour: $95
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private Half Day Tour in Giraffe Center, Bomas and Masai Market : $125
- Private Tour to Karunguru Coffee Farm : $140
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- Tour Hells gate National park day tour: $150
- 1 Day Hell's Gate Bicycle Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $280
- 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$2.06
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Golf at Atlas Golf$58
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Tour - Marrakech To Fez via Sahara Desert Erg chebbi: $213
- Agafay Desert: Three Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $21
- Atlas Mountains Tour & three valleys with camel ride : $40
- Atlas Mountains and Berber villages & Waterfalls Day Tour from Marrakech : $20
- Berber Experience Atlas and Sahara: $202
- Desert Agafay & Berber Villages Day Tour From Marrakech including Camel Ride: $51
- Desert Agafay and Atlas Mountains Day Tour & Camel ride From Marrakech: $18
- Desert tour small group with luxury tent: $102
- Experience Moroccan Hammam and Massage: $73
- Full Day Guided Tour in Ouzoud Waterfalls : $30
- Full day tour Ourika Valley And Atlas Mountains : $62
- Full-Day Tour in Atlas Mountain from Marrakech with Lunch: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Marrakech $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:
- Moroccan Wine tasting from Marrakech at Atlas Mountains & Desert and Camel ride: $113
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.