Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Petra?
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 Petra or Merzouga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Merzouga can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Merzouga?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Petra Prices
Jordan PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $153Merzouga $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $23. 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 Petra and Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Merzouga $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Petra and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Merzouga -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfer from Petra to Aqaba Cruise Port: $71
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $94
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
- Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Comfort VIP Private Transfer: Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels: $140
- Private Transfer from Petra to Madaba – Safe & Comfortable Ride: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Petra 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 dayPetra $66Merzouga $11
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Berber Pizza Cooking Class: $35
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $51
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $59
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $64
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Merzouga Desert Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour: $140
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
- Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $44
- Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
- Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
- Private 3-Hour Petra Tour: The Treasury & Main Ancient Highlights: $75
- Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- Merzouga 1 hour Quad bikes experience: $2.81
- Safari Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $2.81
- Quad Biking Desert Tour in Erg Chebbi Dunes: $3.51
- Merzouga Sunset Adventure: Camel, Quad, Buggy or 4WD: $23
- Merzouga dunes quad biking & Sandboarding Experience: $33
- ATV Quad bikes in sahara dunes experience & sandboarding: $34
- Desert 4×4 Tour Around Merzouga: $37
- 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $39
- Overnight desert camp experience : camel ride & Sandboarding: $41
- 2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard: $44
- Ultimate 2-Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding.: $45
- Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Merzouga -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Merzouga, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Merzouga is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra 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.