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

Should you visit Ouarzazate or Hermanus?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ouarzazate and Hermanus 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: Ouarzazate or Hermanus?

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.

Hermanus

Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!

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


Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Ouarzazate?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ouarzazate is $42, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $67. 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 Ouarzazate and Hermanus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ouarzazate $21
    Hermanus $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ouarzazate $42
    Hermanus $50
Compare Hotels in Ouarzazate and Hermanus

Looking for a hotel in Ouarzazate or Hermanus? 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 Ouarzazate


Hotels in Hermanus


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: Ouarzazate Hotel Prices and Hermanus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ouarzazate $3.39
    Hermanus $8.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • Ouarzazate Airport transfer: $22
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $23
  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $41
  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $107
  • Private Transfer from Marrakech to Dades Gorges: $187
  • Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $307

Is it cheaper to fly into Ouarzazate or Hermanus?

Prices for flights to both Hermanus and Ouarzazate 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
    Ouarzazate $16
    Hermanus $38
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

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

  • Oases Fint Tour With Dinner: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ouarzazate $11
    Hermanus -

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

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

  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $22
  • Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $22
  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $57
  • Marrakech day tour to Ouzoud falls: $73
  • From Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour to Merzouga: $96
  • 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $100
  • From Marrakech : Merzouga 3 day desert tour with camel ride: $102
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $109
  • From Marrakech: 3 Days Desert Tour To Erg Chebbi Merzouga: $115
  • Private tour Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate. Lunch included.: $118
  • 3 days group tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert: $125

Tours and Activities in Hermanus

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:

  • Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $24
  • Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $54
  • Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $69
  • Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $71
  • Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $73
  • Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $134
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $268

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ouarzazate -
    Hermanus -

Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus

Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $24
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $80
  • Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $146
  • Whale Watching Boat Trip and Wine tasting ,Penguin: $162


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ouarzazate and Hermanus, we can see that Hermanus 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 Hermanus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hermanus 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 Ouarzazate Expensive? and Is Hermanus Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ouarzazate or Hermanus?

Ouarzazate has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Ouarzazate and Hermanus, 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.

Related Articles for Ouarzazate