A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Ouarzazate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Ouarzazate?

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 Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate?

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.

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Nairobi?

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 Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $57. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Ouarzazate $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Ouarzazate $44
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Ouarzazate? 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 Nairobi


Hotels in Ouarzazate


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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Ouarzazate $3.57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
  • Airport Transfers within Nairobi: $30
  • Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels : $55
  • Airport transfers: $180
  • Airport/hotel/transfers In Van/bus/sedan Car Within Nairobi: $80
  • From JKIA Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax max): $35
  • From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
  • JKIA Airport and Hotel Private Vehicle Transfer: $35
  • Jomo Kenyatta international airport Nairobi transfer: $550
  • Masai Mara from Nairobi Transfer: $70
  • NBO:Jomo Kenyatta Airport Arrivals Private Transfer: $16

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $184
  • Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $335
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $45
  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nairobi $13
    Ouarzazate $29
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

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

  • Nairobi, Kenya : Universal Cooking Classes: $34
  • Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $35
  • Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi.: $48
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $50
  • Kibera Slum Bomas of Kenya and Dinner at Carnivore Nairobi: $55
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
  • Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.

  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Ouarzazate $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
  • Nairobi City Walking and Historic Tours: $18
  • Downtown Walking Tour with Local Guide: $18
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour : $20
  • Nairobi Downtown walks and Experiences: $20
  • Kibera Slum storytelling tour with a Local: $23
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour: $25
  • vibrant kibera slum tour: $25
  • Giving Back and Donation Kibera Tour: $25
  • Ancient Nairobi and Modern City Tour: $25
  • Experience Nairobi Night Life Partying in the City and Beyond: $25
  • Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • 3 Days - 2 Nights Desert Tour From Marrakech with Camel Ride: $86
  • 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $116
  • 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $85
  • 4 day Fantastic Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakech via desert: $503
  • 7 night 8 day Casablanca morocco tour via merzouga: $2,012
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $23
  • Casablanca: 6 Days Tour Blue City, Fes, Desert & Marrakech: $1,174
  • Fes: 3-Day Desert Tour to Merzouga,Ouarzazate and Marrakech: $221
  • From Agadir : 4-Day Private Desert Tour To Zagora & Merzouga: $600
  • From Fes 3 Days & 2 Nights Shared Desert Tour: $313
  • From Fes Magical 3 Days Tour to Marrakech via Desert: $614

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Ouarzazate -

Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:

  • Nairobi bar crawl:Drink and Mingle: $17
  • Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Ouarzazate, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi than you might in Ouarzazate.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Ouarzazate?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Ouarzazate, 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.