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

Should you visit Rabat or Caen?

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 Caen 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 Caen?

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.

Caen

Caen is a city in France on the coast in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there. The town was destroyed almost completely in 1944 during WWII and it is a remarkable achievement that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve afterwards. In recent years the town has made further significant efforts and Caen now has an attractive, carefully restored, historic center. The city has also preserved the memory of its past by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. The city is often considered the archetype of Normandy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Caen or Rabat?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $44, while the average daily cost in Caen is $132. 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 Caen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rabat $27
    Caen $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rabat $54
    Caen $130
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Caen

Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Caen? 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 Rabat


Hotels in Caen


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 Caen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rabat $2.10
    Caen $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

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


  • 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 Salé: $22
  • Transfer Rabat to Meknes: $102
  • Transfer Rabat to Fes: $115
  • Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $262
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $230
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $268
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $185
  • Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $206
  • Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $206
  • Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $175
  • Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $138

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Caen

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

  • Private Transfer Round-Trip from Caen Airport (CFR) to Caen: $63
  • Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) to Caen - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Caen to Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) - Departure Private Transfer: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Caen?

Prices for flights to both Caen 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rabat $12
    Caen $43

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rabat $2.84
    Caen $20

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

Tours and Activities in Caen

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

  • Caen Like a Local: Customized Guided Walking Tour: $51
  • Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket: $127
  • Memorial Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $307
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $160
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $59
  • D-Day private tour Juno Beach departing Caen with audio guide. 2Pers. minimum: $268
  • D-Day private tour Omaha Beach from Caen with audio guide.: $268
  • From Caen or Bayeux: Normandy History Private Full-Day Tour: $1,283
  • Guided Tour in an Old Convertible Car on the Côte de Nacre: $93
  • Guided Tour of the Landing Sites and the Memorial of Caen: $191
  • Mémorial de Caen Museum Admission and Guided Tour of D-Day Sites: $133

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rabat -
    Caen $18


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


Which is Bigger, Rabat or Caen?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Caen, 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 Caen?

Caen 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 Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Caen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Rabat is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 23°C (73°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rabat usually receives less rain than Caen. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rabat 23°C (73°F) 
    Caen 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Caen. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Caen in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.

Rabat is much warmer than Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In the autumn, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Caen. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Rabat usually gets less rain in October than Caen. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rabat 20°C (67°F) 
    Caen 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Rabat are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Caen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Rabat is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rabat in January average around 13°C (56°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rabat usually receives more rain than Caen. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rabat 13°C (56°F) 
    Caen 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Rabat during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Caen because of the activities around the city.

In April, Rabat is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 16°C (60°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Rabat. In the spring, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Caen. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Rabat usually gets more rain in April than Caen. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rabat 16°C (60°F) 
    Caen 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Caen and Rabat

Rabat Caen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in) 13°C (55°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 16°C (62°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 102 mm (4 in) 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)


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