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

Should you visit Rabat or Lyon?

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 Lyon 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 Lyon?

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.

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

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 from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lyon 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 Lyon is $134. 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 Lyon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rabat $27
    Lyon $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rabat $54
    Lyon $114
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Lyon

Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Lyon? 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 Lyon


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 Lyon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rabat $2.10
    Lyon $18
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:

  • 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 Lyon

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


  • Funiculaire
    $5.57
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Superior Private Transfer From Lyon City to Geneva City: $295
  • Private Direct Transfer from Lyon to Geneva: $274
  • Private Transfer Grenoble Airport GNB - Grenoble Ski Resort: $229
  • Lyon Saint Exupery Airport to Morzine Avoriaz Round Trip Transfer: $185
  • Lyon Saint Exupery Airport to Meribel - Arrival Private Transfer: $180
  • Lyon St Exupery Airport to Courchevel/Les Arcs - Arrival Transfer: $180
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Lyon (hotel OR airport pick-up): $177
  • Lyon Saint Exupery Airport(LYS) to Alpe d'Huez - Arrival Transfer: $164
  • Lyon Exupery Airport to Les Deux La Clusaz Round Trip Transfer: $142
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon Airport (LYS) to City centre: $131
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon city centre to Lyon (LYS) Airport: $131
  • Private Transfer: (LYS) Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon: $124

Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Lyon?

Prices for flights to both Lyon 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
    Lyon $44

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 Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.

  • Street Food Tour: $64
  • Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $64
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $76
  • Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $80
  • Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
  • Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
  • Old Town Food Tour: $96
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
  • Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
  • Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Food Tour in Lyon - Do Eat Better Experience: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rabat $2.84
    Lyon $22

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 Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $48

Tours and Activities in Lyon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:

  • 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab tour of Lyon: $27
  • 1-hour tourist walk with guide: $38
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $8.72
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.72
  • Alternative Tour: Murals and Hidden Frescoes of Lyon: $46
  • An unusual city tour with sketches: $64
  • Audio-Guided Tour of the United States Quarter and Painted Walls: $11
  • Audio-guided tour of Old Lyon: $11
  • Audio-guided tour of the Fourvière and the Sacred Hill: $11
  • Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon: $136
  • Beaujolais Wines & Castles - Private Tour - Half Day: $268
  • Best Intro Tour of Lyon with a Local: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rabat -
    Lyon $25

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.29
  • Bottle of Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $96
  • Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $98
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
  • Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $106
  • Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $106
  • From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $106
  • Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $106
  • From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $106
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $108
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $108
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $108


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


Which is Bigger, Rabat or Lyon?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

Lyon 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 Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon 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 summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Rabat is around the same temperature as Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rabat. In the summer, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Rabat usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rabat 23°C (73°F) 
    Lyon 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In the autumn, Rabat is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rabat in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rabat usually receives less rain than Lyon. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rabat 20°C (67°F) 
    Lyon 14°C (56°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Lyon. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. In January, Rabat is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 13°C (56°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Rabat usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rabat 13°C (56°F) 
    Lyon 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon 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, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Rabat is a little warmer than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rabat usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lyon. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rabat 16°C (60°F) 
    Lyon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lyon and Rabat

Rabat Lyon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in) 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 16°C (62°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 102 mm (4 in) 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)