A Travel Price Comparison for Morocco Ouarzazate vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate 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: Ouarzazate or Marrakech?

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.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Ouarzazate?

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 Ouarzazate is $60, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $103. 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 Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ouarzazate $24
    Marrakech $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ouarzazate $48
    Marrakech $118
Compare Hotels in Ouarzazate and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Ouarzazate 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.

Hotels in Ouarzazate


Hotels in Marrakech


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 Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ouarzazate $3.76
    Marrakech $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • Agadir to Marrakech transfer One Way Private Transfer: $163
  • Airport Marrakech Transfer one way: $24
  • Hammam Massage Transfers Included: $83
  • Hammam and Massage Experience with Transfers: $83
  • Marrakech Airport Private Transfer: $30
  • Marrakech Private Transfer to Hotels & Moroccan Cities: $159
  • Private Horse carriages Experience & hotel transfer : $30
  • Private Transfer Agadir airport - Marrakech: $238
  • Private Transfer From Marrakech To Fez: $226
  • Transfers from or to Marrakech Airport and Marrakech: $12
  • private transfer to or from Marrakech and Taroudant one trip: $107
  • "Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer": $270

Is it cheaper to fly into Ouarzazate or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech 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 $31
    Marrakech $29
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: $48

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.33
  • Breakfast
    $1.33
  • Dates
    $0.66
  • Olives
    $1.00
  • Sandwich
    $1.43
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakesh: Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride, Dinner and Show: $9.00
  • Sunset Dinner in the Agafay Desert: $10
  • Agafay Desert Dinner, Camel Ride & Quad Biking.: $12
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show – From Marra: $12
  • Agafay Desert Quad & Camel Rides with Dinner Show: $12
  • Marrakech Agafay Camel ride,Dinner , Fire Show: $12
  • Camel Ride in the Agafay Desert, Dinner and Fire Show: $12
  • Agafay Desert: Camel ride, dinner and fire show: $12
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride with Dinner in Camp: $13
  • Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride and Dinner Experience: $13
  • Camel Ride at Marrakech Desert Agafy with Dinner: $13

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ouarzazate $12
    Marrakech $11

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: $119
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
  • Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
  • Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
  • Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
  • Ouarzazate ‘Hollywood of Morocco’ Private Full-Day Tour with Ait Ben Haddou: $227
  • Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
  • Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33
  • Private tour Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate. Lunch included.: $178

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.21
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $63

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • Luxury Full-Day Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert Tour: $9.52
  • Full-Day Tour from Marrakech to the Imlil & Toubkal Valley: $11
  • Group shared day tour to Ourika valley & Atlas Mountains: $11
  • Atlas Mountains ourika valley Guided Tour: $11
  • Atlas Mountains Ourika Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $11
  • Small group to Atlas Mountains 4valleys;Waterfulls and camel Ride experience : $11
  • Atlas Mountain Full Day Tour with Three Valleys and Waterfalls: $12
  • Marrakech Culture Tour Guided Half Day Exploration of Medina: $12
  • Marrakech Airport to Hotel – Your Premium Arrival Experience: $12
  • Shopping tour Marrakech Souks: $12
  • Medina Walking Tour with Souk Shopping in Marrakech: $12
  • Marrakech Cultural Tour Madrasa Ben Youssef and Secret Garden: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ouarzazate -
    Marrakech $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakech Nightlife Adventure: The Ultimate Pub Crawl: $26


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


Which is Bigger, Ouarzazate or Marrakech?

Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Ouarzazate 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.