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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Rabat 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 Rabat is $57. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pretoria $28
    Rabat $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pretoria $56
    Rabat $58
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.

Hotels in Pretoria


Hotels in Rabat


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pretoria $13
    Rabat $2.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria

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

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    $3.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

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

  • Transfer to or from rabat city service Vip airport: $15
  • Transfer Rabat to Salé: $27
  • Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport: $27
  • Transfer Rabat to El Jadida: $133
  • Transfer Rabat to Casablanca: $98
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $249
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $200
  • Transfer De Luxe Rabat Vers Chefchouen: $118
  • Safe and Comfortable Transfer: Rabat to Casablanca: $100
  • Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $151
  • Rabat/Sale Airport transfert to All Hotels & Airbnb: $65
  • Rabat to Marrakech Private Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfy Ride Now: $146

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pretoria $29
    Rabat $23

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat

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

  • Taste the Medina Like a Local Rabat Food Tour: $35
  • Express Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Rabat: $40
  • Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $53
  • Rabat Eats Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Rabat Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Moroccan Cooking Class with Local Amazigh Family in Medina Rabat: $64
  • Rabat Authentic Moroccan Cooking Class with Expert Chefs: $65
  • Rabat Restaurant Cooking Class: $70
  • cooking classe near the medina of rabat with local chefs: $71
  • Rabat Food Tour: $79
  • Rabat Night Tour with balade Sunset views & Moroccan Dinner: $105
  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pretoria $16
    Rabat $3.10

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

Tours and Activities in Rabat

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.

  • “Unveiling Immersive walking Tour await’s ”: $71
  • Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
  • Car tour in Rabat: $44
  • Day Trip from Rabat to Casablanca with Hassan II Mosque Ticket: $142
  • Exclusive Rabat City Tour with Authorized Guide and VIP Vehicle: $77
  • Experience Todra Gorge Hiking Adventure: $35
  • Explore Rabat Highlights by Premium Car – Private City Tour: $29
  • Explore Rabat by Electric Tuk Tuk – Private City Highlights Tour: $34
  • Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $71
  • Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup: $236
  • From Casablanca 6Day Private Morocco Tour By Imperial Cities: $1,550
  • From Casablanca: 5-Day Private Desert Adventure to Marrakech: $1,540

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pretoria $35
    Rabat -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pretoria and Rabat, we can see that Pretoria is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Pretoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pretoria than you might in Rabat.

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.