Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Rabat or Essaouira?
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 Essaouira 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 Essaouira?
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.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.
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Rabat Prices
Morocco PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRabat $54Essaouira $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $54, while the average daily cost in Essaouira 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 Rabat and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $28Essaouira $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $56Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Essaouira? 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 Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.15Essaouira $2.04
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$3.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Fes: $284
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $273
- Transfer De Luxe Rabat Vers Chefchouen: $267
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $265
- Transfer Rabat to Agadir: $250
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $241
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis: $205
- One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes: $205
- Transfer Rabat to Safi: $199
- Private transfer from Rabat to Casablanca: $197
- Rabat to Marrakech Private Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfy Ride Now: $170
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Casablanca: $170
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- private transfer essaouira to casablanca or casablanca-essaouira: $278
- Private transfer Essaouira Ouarzazate.: $228
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Taroudant: $228
- Private transfer Essaouira Taroudant.: $193
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $136
- Private Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh Menara (RAK) Airport: $133
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Agadir: $125
- Private transfer Marrakech city to Essaouira city: $125
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $121
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech: $109
- Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira 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 $22Essaouira $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Food Tour of Rabat’s Old Medina by Green Taxi: $33
- Taste the Medina Like a Local Rabat Food Tour: $34
- Express Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Rabat: $40
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $51
- Rabat Eats Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Moroccan Cooking Class with Local Amazigh Family in Medina Rabat: $65
- Food Tour in Rabat with an Expert Guide Lunch or Dinner Include: $67
- Rabat Authentic Moroccan Cooking Class with Expert Chefs: $70
- Rabat Food Tour: $76
- Authentic Moroccan Cooking Class: $79
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.43
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Breakfast Crepes$0.51
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Fish for Lunch$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agadir Cooking Class Experience with Local Market Visit: $30
- Cooking class: How To Be a Real Moroccan Chef: $40
- Essaouira Sunset Tour: Sidi M’barek Waterfall,Coastal Walk&Dinner: $46
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $51
- Sidi Kaouki Sunset Walk and Berber Tent Dinner by Atlantic: $51
- Essaouira Cooking Class At Home: $51
- Essaouira Berber Cooking Class & Organic Farm Tour Al Aaila Farm: $54
- Cooking Class in Essaouira Countryside: $57
- Essaouira Family Dinner Experience: $64
- Essaouira Street Food Tour: $67
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $68
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $210
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.90Essaouira $12
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- Car tour in Rabat: $49
- Chefchaouen 1 Day Tour from Rabat Discover the Blue City: $180
- Day Trip from Rabat to Casablanca with Hassan II Mosque Ticket: $159
- Exclusive Rabat City Tour with Authorized Guide and VIP Vehicle: $74
- Experience Todra Gorge Hiking Adventure: $34
- Explore Rabat by Electric Tuk Tuk – Private City Highlights Tour: $34
- From Casablanca 6Day Private Morocco Tour By Imperial Cities: $1,550
- From Casablanca: 5-Day Private Desert Adventure to Marrakech: $1,540
- From Rabat : Fes Guided city tour: $195
- From Rabat To FEZ guided city tour: $195
- From Private Casablanca Tour With Hassan II Mosque Ticket: $148
- Full Day Private Tour from Rabat to Blue City of Chefchaouen: $270
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- 1 Day Horseback Riding Tour with Overnight Stay in Berber Tent: $284
- 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira desert: $32
- 1-Hour Scenic Quad Bike Tour: Discover Essaouira’s Coastline: $34
- 1-hour buggy tour in Essaouira desert (2 places/buggy): $136
- 2 - Hour Quad Biking and Sandboarding Experience in Essaouira: $42
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $51
- 2-Hours Buggy Adventure in Essaouira desert (2 places per buggy): $94
- 2H Buggy Adventure in Essaouira beaches ́Dunes & Forest Ride: $153
- 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech: $193
- 3H Buggy Adventure – Dunes, Ocean & Sunset Ride: $226
- Beginners surf experience in Essaouira: $33
- Discovery Tour around Essaouira by Electric Motorcycle: $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -Essaouira $9.36
When comparing the travel costs between Rabat and Essaouira, we can see that Essaouira 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 Rabat Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rabat or Essaouira?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Essaouira, 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.