Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rabat or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rabat and Barcelona 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: Rabat or Barcelona?
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRabat $44Barcelona $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $44, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $167. 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 Rabat and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $27Barcelona $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $54Barcelona $206
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Barcelona? 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 and Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.10Barcelona $20
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:
- Private Transfer from Rabat to Rabat Salé Airport: $22
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat Medina : $25
- Private Transfer from or to Salé and Rabat: $26
- 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $31
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $41
- Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $44
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Private transfer: from Casablanca to Rabat: $59
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport : Private Transfer: $59
- Rabat to Casablanca Private Transfer: $64
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket$8.36
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Airport Bus$5.36
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Metro$2.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Private Transfer Barcelona - Benidorm: $524
- Private Transfer from Barcelona city to Harbor up to 15 people: $300
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Figueres: $293
- Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to PortAventura hotels: $290
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $285
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Girona City (or vice versa): $284
- Private Transfer Tarragona Port to Barcelona/Hotels: $283
- Montserrat RoundTrip Transfer with lunch: $282
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tarragona Cruise Terminal: $281
- Barcelona to Andorra Private Transfer: $272
- Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar/ Lloret de Mar: $262
- Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Port Aventura: $262
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Rabat 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 dayRabat $12Barcelona $35
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 in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro$4.45
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Sandwich$1.82
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Baguette & Horchata$4.07
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Tapas on the beach$8.88
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Gelatto$2.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.84Barcelona $36
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- Guided Bike Tour: $1.55
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
- Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $44
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
- Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $65
- Private Guided Tour in Rabat City: $76
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass$45
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Souvenir Gaudi Book$9.16
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Admission to Museo Picasso$6.43
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
- Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $117
- Dali Museum, Besalu & Girona Tour from Barcelona by Fast Train : $120
- Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $16
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $261
- Private Guides Barcelona Tour with Skip The Line in Cathedral: $217
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Sagrada Familia "Fast Track" Guided Tour in Barcelona: $106
- Sagrada Familia Bike Tour in Small Group: $86
- Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -Barcelona $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
- Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rabat is in Africa and Barcelona is in Europe, 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 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Rabat Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rabat or Barcelona?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Barcelona. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Barcelona, 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.
When is the best time to visit Rabat or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rabat or Barcelona in the Summer?
Both Barcelona and Rabat during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In July, Rabat is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 23°C (73°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rabat. In the summer, Rabat often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Rabat usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRabat 23°C (73°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Barcelona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Barcelona. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Rabat is a little warmer than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rabat usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRabat 20°C (67°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Barcelona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Barcelona. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Barcelona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Rabat is a little warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rabat in January average around 13°C (56°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
Rabat usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRabat 13°C (56°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Barcelona in the Spring?
Both Barcelona and Rabat are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Rabat is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 16°C (60°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rabat usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRabat 16°C (60°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Rabat
| Rabat | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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.