Which place is cheaper, Marrakech 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 Marrakech?
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 Marrakech 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 Marrakech?
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.
Marrakech
Marrakech is on of the most popular travel destinations in Morocco. It is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat and is located near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains only a few hours from the Sahara Desert. It's a beautiful city that is often referred to as the "Pink City" because of the pale pink color of many of the city's buildings. These striking colors make the city particularly beautiful during the evening hours when the low sun creates a very dramatic lighting.
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 PricesMarrakech Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRabat $54Marrakech $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $54, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $95. 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 Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $28Marrakech $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $56Marrakech $108
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Marrakech? 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 Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.15Marrakech $13
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:
- Transfer to or from rabat city service Vip airport: $15
- Transfer Rabat to Safi: $199
- Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport: $23
- Transfer Rabat to Meknes: $107
- Transfer Rabat to Fes: $120
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $273
- Transfer Rabat to Casablanca: $79
- Transfer Rabat to Agadir: $250
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $241
- Transfer De Luxe Rabat Vers Chefchouen: $267
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $151
- Rabat/Sale Airport transfert to All Hotels & Airbnb: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luxury Private Transfer from Marrakech to Meknes: $290
- Private Marrakech Transfer to Merzouga On Time, Every Time: $285
- Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer: $285
- Agadir private transfer from Imlil to Agadir airport (AGA): $283
- Private Transfer From Marrakech To Tangier: $275
- Private Transfer Essaouira - Lmlil: $274
- Private Transfer from Marrakech Menara (RAK) Airport to Taroudant: $266
- Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech With Private Transfers: $262
- From Marrakech : Private Transfer to Fes: $252
- One Way transfer from Marrakech to Rabat: $250
- Day Trip to Essaouira with private transfers and guide: $250
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca (CMN) Airport: $248
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech 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 $22Marrakech $27
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 Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orange Juice on the Square$0.31
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Breakfast$1.22
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Dates$0.61
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Olives$0.92
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Sandwich$1.32
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Souvenir Spices$6.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agafay Desert Adventure from Sunset Camel Ride Dinner: $9.00
- Agafay Sunset, Moroccan Dinner & Live Entertainment: $11
- Magical Dinner in Agafay Desert with a Sunset Camel Ride: $11
- Agafay Desert sunset: Camel and quad bike+Dinner with fire show: $11
- Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $11
- Marrakech Berber dinner in Agafay, camel ride and fire show: $11
- Enjoy The Agafay Desert Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner with Fire Show: $11
- Marrakech Agafay Desert Dinner Under the Stars with Live Music: $13
- High Atlas Sunset and Authentic Berber Dinner from Marrakech: $14
- Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show with Camel Ride from Marrakech: $14
- Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
- Marrakech Agafay Desert Sunset with Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.90Marrakech $10
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets$2.04
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Golf at Atlas Golf$58
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Mogador Camel Expedition Ecotour | Private & Luxury: $188
- "Shop in Style: Guided Tour of Marrakesh's Markets": $46
- 1 Day Terres d’Amanar Adventure: $74
- 1 Hour Camel Ride Tour In Marrakech Palm Grove: $25
- 1-night Atlas Mountain Experience from Marrakech with Hike and Camel Ride: $130
- 10 Hours tour from marrakech to ouarzazate: $46
- 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech To Zagora Marrakech Desert Tours: $138
- 2 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains & Camel ride: $80
- 2 Day Mt Toubkal Small Group tours from Marrakech: $217
- 2 Day Mt. Toubkal Trekking Tour from Marrakech: $216
- 2 Day Zagora Desert Tour via Ait Benhaddou: $181
- 2 Day Zagora Tour from Marrakech Including the Atlas Mountains, Camel Trek and Desert Camp: $262
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -Marrakech $9.66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech 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 Marrakech would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marrakech 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 Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rabat or Marrakech?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Marrakech, 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.