Which place is cheaper, Diani or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rabat or Diani?
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 Diani 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 Diani?
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.
Diani
Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRabat $45Diani $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $45, while the average daily cost in Diani is $55. 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 Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $28Diani $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $56Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Diani? 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 Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.18Diani $15
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$3.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Rabat to Tetouan: $149
- Transfer Rabat to Tangier: $148
- Transfer Rabat to Salé: $23
- Transfer Rabat to Meknes: $105
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $236
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $275
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $106
- Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $213
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $142
- Guided City Tour with Hotel Transfers: $98
- 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $32
- Rabat to Fes Transfer(Private): $106
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $72
- Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65
- airport hotel transfer: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani 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 $13Diani $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $50
- Walking Food Tour: $76
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $77
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $77
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $81
- Night Tour River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner: $98
- Rabat Night Tour with River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner : $100
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani
For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Diani Beach: Special Dinner with a Local: $50
- A ROMANTIC BEACH BONFIRE DINNER SET UP: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.94Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- private Tour between the monuments of Rabat City : $45
- 9-Day Moroccan Adventure: Imperial Cities to Atlas Mountains: $1,979
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Exclusive Luxe Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $72
- Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
- From Casablanca: 15-Day Guided Tour of Morocco: $2,080
- From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,980
- From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $106
- From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $741
- From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $108
- Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
- Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,437
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185
- 3 nights Vipingo Golf Safari & Flight Tour: $1,575
- Chale Island: Dolphin Sighting Adventure: $399
- DAY TOUR TO KISITE NATIONAL PARK & WASINI ISLAND FROM DIANI: $173
- DAY TOUR TO TSAVO EAST FROM MOMBASA/DIANI: $277
- Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
- Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $28
- Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $42
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
- Diani Beach: Private Boat Cruise Charter: $200
- Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -Diani $8.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Diani
Also in Diani, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Diani, we can see that Diani 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 Diani would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Diani 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 Diani Expensive?.
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.