A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pretoria vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pretoria or Marrakech?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Pretoria or Marrakech? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Pretoria or Marrakech?

Pretoria

Located in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa, making it home to many government buildings and three universities. It is actually one of three capital cities, being home to the executive branch, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Within South Africa, Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" due to the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets, parks, and gardens.

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 Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Pretoria?

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 Pretoria is $69, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $102. 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 Pretoria and Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pretoria $28
    Marrakech $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pretoria $56
    Marrakech $116
Compare Hotels in Pretoria and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Pretoria 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 Pretoria


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: Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pretoria $13
    Marrakech $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria

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

  • Sun City Private Transfer: $246
  • Private Oneway Transfer from Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport: $35
  • Private Airport Transfers to Sandton & Joburg CBD: $25
  • Pretoria to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
  • Airport transfers,door to door shuttle: $53
  • Airport Transfers and Private Tours: $44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • transfer: $94
  • airport transfers: $24
  • VIP Transfer Luxury Mercedes limo from Marrakech Airport Hotels: $58
  • VIP Moroccan Hammam & Relaxing Massage with Transfer - Marrakech: $116
  • VIP Luxury Private Car Marrakech Airport ,City Transfer: $15
  • Transfert Aéroport (RAK) vers Centre ville Free Waiting Time: $8.79
  • Transfers from or to Marrakech Airport and Marrakech: $9.43
  • Transfers between Menara Airport and Marrakesh: $8.25
  • Transfers Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira to Marrakech: $71
  • Transfer to or from Marrakech Menara Airport: $9.43
  • Transfer privé depuis ou vers l'aéroport marrakech: $5.30
  • Transfer from Marrakech to Imlil: Airport Transfer to Imlil - Taxi to Imlil: $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Pretoria or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Pretoria 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
    Pretoria $29
    Marrakech $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria

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

  • Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $113
  • Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $135

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
    $1.31
  • Dates
    $0.65
  • Olives
    $0.98
  • Sandwich
    $1.41
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Magical Dinner in Agafay Desert with a Sunset Camel Ride: $7.08
  • Marrakech Cooking Class in Ourika Valley: Garden Lunch & Pool: $9.60
  • Agafay Desert Marrakech Quad dinner and show DE feu: $11
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner with Camel Ride & Moroccan Live Show: $12
  • Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
  • Agafay Desert Camel Ride Sunset Dinner and Live Moroccan Show: $13
  • Agafay Desert Dinner with Camel Ride from Marrakech Sunset Tour: $13
  • Desert Agafay Marrakech Sunset Camel Ride, Dinner Sw Hotel Pickup: $14
  • Marrakech Agafay Desert Camel Ride, Dinner and Fire Show: $14
  • Best Agafay Desert Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Dinner Show: $14
  • Agafay Desert, Camel Ride, Dinner & Fire Show: $14
  • Agafay Desert Quad Biking & Camel Ride & Dinner & Show: $15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pretoria $16
    Marrakech $11

Tours and Activities in Pretoria

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

  • 1Day Pilanesburg Big 5 safari experience: $76
  • 2-Day Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria Guided Tour: $198
  • 3 tours/ cradle human kind caves and Lesedi Cultural village: $164
  • 3-Day Private Tour Johannesburg - See everything: $245
  • Aerial Cableway Private Tour from Johannesburg: $142
  • Aha Lesedi Cultural Village tour: $179
  • Apartheid History of South Africa (Full day Experience with lunch: $116
  • Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg from Pretoria, every FRIDAY afternoon: $72
  • Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg: $93
  • Bicycle or Tuk Tuk Soweto Guided Experience: $106
  • City Tour of Pretoria: $157
  • Constitutional Hill and Apartheid Museum Half-Day Tour from ZAR R1 100 Private: $75

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.18
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $62

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • "Mogador Camel Expedition Ecotour | Private & Luxury: $195
  • 1-day private tour from Marrakech to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou & Telouet: $142
  • 1-night Atlas Mountain Experience from Marrakech with Hike and Camel Ride: $130
  • 1/2 Day: Quad tour in the palm grove of Marrakech: $34
  • 2 - Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour Camel Trek & Overnight Camp: $130
  • 2 Day Check-out Tour from Marrakech to Zagora: $80
  • 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech To Zagora Marrakech Desert Tours: $149
  • 2 Day Tour from Marrakech to Essaouira and Taghazout Agadir Coast: $300
  • 2 Day Zagora Adventure from Marrakech Quad Biking and Camel Ride: $281
  • 2 Day Zagora Tour from Marrakech Including the Atlas Mountains, Camel Trek and Desert Camp: $271
  • 2 Day in Atlas Mountains Tour from Marrakech: $150
  • 2 Days / 1 Night Zagora Desert Tour , Group & private: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pretoria $35
    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: $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pretoria and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Pretoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pretoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pretoria 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 Pretoria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pretoria Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pretoria or Marrakech?

Pretoria has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Pretoria 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.