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

Should you visit Ouarzazate or Meknes?

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 Meknes 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 Meknes?

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.

Meknes

So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.

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, Meknes 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 $54, while the average daily cost in Meknes 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 Ouarzazate and Meknes in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ouarzazate $21
    Meknes $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ouarzazate $42
    Meknes $52
Compare Hotels in Ouarzazate and Meknes

Looking for a hotel in Ouarzazate or Meknes? 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 Meknes


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 Meknes Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ouarzazate $3.40
    Meknes $1.46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $314
  • Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $163
  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
  • Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $42
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Meknes

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

  • One Way Transfer from Fes To Chefchaouen Via Volubilis: $115
  • Private Transfer From Fez To Meknes: $97
  • Private Transfer From Meknes to Fez: $97
  • Private Transfer from fez to Rabat or from Rabat to Fes: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Ouarzazate or Meknes?

Prices for flights to both Meknes 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 $28
    Meknes $25
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.

  • Marrakech: Agafay Desert Quad & Camel Rides and Dinner Show: $41
  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $43
  • Oases Fint Tour With Dinner: $64
  • Zagora 2 Days Sahara Desert Tour with Dinner and Desert Camp: $78

Typical Food Prices in Meknes

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:


  • Popcorn
    $0.20
  • Spices
    $2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes

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

  • Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ouarzazate $11
    Meknes $3.56

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
  • 2 Night Tour From Fes To Marrakech Via Merzouga " Sahara": $402
  • 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $107
  • 3 Days Sahara Desert Tour to Merzouga From Marrakech: $84
  • 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $95
  • 4 day Fantastic Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakech via desert: $400
  • 4 days desert tour from Casablanca via Marrakech: $732
  • 4 days desert tour from marrakech to merzouga dunes: $230
  • 4-Day Private Desert Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech: $1,032
  • 5-Day Morocco Desert Tour From Marrakech: $564
  • 5-Day Tour from Casablanca-Desert and Marrakech casablanca: $2,194
  • 6 Days Tour From Casablanca To Fes, Via Marrakech & Desert: $941

Tours and Activities in Meknes

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.

  • From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $16
  • Fes to Volubilis via Meknes and Moulay Idriss Day Tour: $17
  • Guided city Tour: $48
  • From Fez Guided Day Trip All Inclusive Tickets: $68
  • Guided Tour with Entrance Fees: $95
  • From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $261

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ouarzazate -
    Meknes $2.63

Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $4.60


When comparing the travel costs between Ouarzazate and Meknes, we can see that Meknes 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 Ouarzazate Expensive? and Is Meknes Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ouarzazate or Meknes?

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