Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Pretoria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pretoria or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Pretoria or Rabat? 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 Rabat?
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.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPretoria $49Rabat $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Pretoria is $49, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $44. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPretoria $25Rabat $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPretoria $50Rabat $54
Compare Hotels in Pretoria and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Pretoria or Rabat? 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: Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pretoria $12Rabat $2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria
Also for Pretoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sun City Private Transfer: $250
- Gauteng, South Africa: Airport transfers, shuttle services: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Rabat to Tetouan: $145
- Transfer Rabat to Tangier: $144
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Safi: $166
- Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Mohammedia: $59
- Transfer Rabat to Kenitra: $51
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $115
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $261
- Transfer Rabat to El Jadida: $115
- Transfer Rabat to Casablanca: $76
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Pretoria or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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
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Food Meals for one dayPretoria $15Rabat $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Feisty Food Tour : $73
- Pan African Cooking Class & Organic food experience: $195
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pretoria $14Rabat $2.84
Tours and Activities in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pilanesberg National Park Full Day Guided Tour( Safari Experience) : $178
- Soweto and Apartheid Museum Day Tour private from Johannesburg Private: $92
- 2 Hours Bicycle Tour in Soweto(Johannesburg): $89
- 4-Hours Pretoria Private History Tour : $81
- Aerial Cableway Private Tour from Johannesburg : $81
- Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Half-Day Tour from Johannesburg: $195
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg, every FRIDAY afternoon: $50
- Cheer on the Cheetah Run for Conservation Adventure: $190
- City Tour of Pretoria: $135
- Constitutional Hill Highlight Tour: $100
- Cradle of Human Kind & Lion & Rhino Park Tour Full day Tour Private : $184
- Cradle of Humankind Half Day Tour with Lunch : $107
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- 9-Day Tour to Imperial Cities and Desert: $1,400
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
- Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $131
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,916
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $103
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $717
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $105
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,391
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPretoria $31Rabat -
When comparing the travel costs between Pretoria and Rabat, we can see that Pretoria 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 Pretoria Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pretoria or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Pretoria. When comparing the sizes of Pretoria and Rabat, 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.
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.