Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Ouarzazate?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ouarzazate or Merzouga?
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 Merzouga 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 Merzouga?
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.
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
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.
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Ouarzazate Prices
Morocco PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOuarzazate $54Merzouga $22
The average daily cost (per person) in Ouarzazate is $54, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $22. 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 Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOuarzazate $21Merzouga $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOuarzazate $42Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Ouarzazate and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Ouarzazate or Merzouga? 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.
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 Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ouarzazate $3.40Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:
- Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $23
- Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
- Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $42
- "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
- Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $163
- Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $314
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:
- 1 way Errachidia airport transfer: $63
- Transfer Service From Merzouga to Marrakesh: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Ouarzazate or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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
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Food Meals for one dayOuarzazate $28Merzouga $10
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $59
- Moroccan Berber Pizza Cooking Class in Khamelia: $68
- 1-Night in the luxury camp. camel ride & Dinner: $74
- Overnight in Luxury camp with camels dinner: $85
- 1-Night In Royal Camp With Air Condition & Dinner: $94
- From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $102
- Merzouga Desert Tour, Quad Sandboarding Camel Ride & Dinner: $146
- Quad Biking, Sandboarding, Camel & Sunset Dinner: $146
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ouarzazate $11Merzouga -
Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate
Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $21
- Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $21
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
- Ouarzazate Quad Tour: Discover Aït Ben Haddou’s Wonders: $52
- Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $59
- Marrakech: 2-Day Zagora Desert and Atlas Mountains Tour: $75
- 2-Day Zagora Desert Tour Ending in Marrakech: $77
- Marrakech:2-Day group tour to Zagora Desert&Atlas Mountains: $82
- 3 Days Sahara Desert Tour to Merzouga From Marrakech: $84
- 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $95
- Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $107
- 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $107
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- Merzouga : Adventure Quad Bike Safari, & Sandboarding: $32
- Erg Chebbi Dunes Quad Biking Tour: $32
- Merzouga Excursions 4×4 desert tour : $32
- Merzouga ATV Quad Desert Tours: $42
- Private Quad Bike Adventure at Merzouga with Guide: $43
- Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $43
- Sahara ATv Experience -1.H Quad OR buggy : $43
- Sanding Ball in Experience the sand dunes on a zorbing activity: $48
- Extreme Adventure with Harness Zorbing in Merzouga dunes: $49
- Overnight in Desert Camp Berber Experience in Merzouga Desert & Camel Ride: $51
- Merzouga : Adventure Quad Bike Safari, & Sandboarding: $51
- Erg Chebbi Dunes Quad Biking Tour: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOuarzazate -Merzouga -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ouarzazate and Merzouga, we can see that Ouarzazate is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Ouarzazate would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ouarzazate than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ouarzazate Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.