A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Port Elizabeth vs. Merzouga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth 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: Port Elizabeth or Merzouga?

Port Elizabeth

Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.

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 2-Week Tours in South Africa, The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Port Elizabeth?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Port Elizabeth is $44, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $17. 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 Port Elizabeth and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Port Elizabeth $23
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Port Elizabeth $46
    Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Port Elizabeth and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Port Elizabeth 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.

Hotels in Port Elizabeth


Hotels in Merzouga


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: Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Port Elizabeth $9.56
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way transfer: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Port Elizabeth or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Port Elizabeth 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
    Port Elizabeth $14
    Merzouga $5.92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

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

  • One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $65
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $65
  • Day Trip By Camels In Erg Chebbi Dunes, Lunch With Berber Pizza: $76
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $85
  • Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $87
  • 5 Hour Sunset Tour with Camel Ride and Dinner In Desert: $87
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $104
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Overnight in Luxury Camp With camel Trek & Dinner: $107
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip w/Luxury Tent & Dinner: $115
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $123
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Port Elizabeth $9.37
    Merzouga -

Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth

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

  • Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $44
  • Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $70
  • Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $127
  • Cape Recife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $140
  • Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $175
  • From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $543
  • 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,543

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

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

  • Camel Ride Experience: $27
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $38
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion - Sahara 4WD Adventure: $43
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Tours & Excursions: $46
  • Extreme Adventure with Harness Zorbing in Merzouga dunes: $48
  • Merzouga one hour Adventure Tour: $54
  • Merzouga 4x4 tour - Excursion around dunes: $54
  • Merzouga Experience -1.5h Quad buggy : $55
  • Merzouga 4X4 Half-Day Tour with Lunch: $55
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $60
  • One Hour Sahara Desert ATV Quad Biking Tour: $61
  • From Quad bike tour to the peak of Erg Chebbi dune: $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Port Elizabeth $2.58
    Merzouga -


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