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 $58. 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 $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Ouarzazate $46
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 $3.65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • Airport Transfers: $40
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
  • Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels: $55
  • Beyond Boundaries Tours and Transfers: $30
  • 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
  • Hotel, Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $45
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • Private transfer from Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou (round Trip): $81
  • Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $187
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $46
  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $108

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 $30
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:

  • Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100

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: $59
  • Private Moroccan Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate: $61

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:

  • Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
  • Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
  • Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
  • Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Nairobi History and Modern Culture Walking Tour: $22
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23
  • Cultural Discovery Tour of Unfiltered Mathare: $24

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 Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $118
  • 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $151
  • 3-Day Sahara Desert Adventure From Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga: $502
  • 7 night 8 day Casablanca morocco tour via merzouga: $2,048
  • Aït Ben Haddou Quad Ride – Desert Adventure & Kasbah Views: $60
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
  • Bike Tour in Skoura with Pottery Experience: $55
  • Casablanca: 6 Days Tour Blue City, Fes, Desert & Marrakech: $1,195
  • Desert Adventure in Skoura: $35
  • From 2-Day Erg Lihdoui and Mhamid Desert Tour: $385
  • From 3 Days tour though Merzouga & Dades: $410

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:

  • Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155


When comparing the travel costs between Nairobi and Ouarzazate, we can see that Nairobi 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 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.