Which place is cheaper, Marseille or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rabat or Marseille?
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 Marseille 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 Marseille?
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.
Marseille
Marseille is the second largest city in France and is the largest Mediterranean port in the region. For visitors, Marseille offers an authentic glimpse at France. It has many colorful markets, natural beauty such as the Calanques with its large, beautiful cliffs, and the old harbor area, which offers a glimpse at the areas working class history.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRabat $44Marseille $158
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $44, while the average daily cost in Marseille is $158. 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 Marseille in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $27Marseille $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $54Marseille $152
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Marseille
Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Marseille? 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 Marseille Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.10Marseille $30
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$3.49
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:
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Metro Pass$3.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille
Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Between Marseille Airport and Nice Airport: $1,176
- Private Transfer from Nice to Marseille: $738
- Cannes Private Transfer to Marseille Airport: $642
- Marseille or Aix ⟷Transfer to Nice 7 pax: $534
- Marseille Airport private Transfer to Cannes: $448
- Marseille Airport Transfer From/to Avignon: $356
- Private transfer from Marseille Airport to Cavaillon: $279
- Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Avignon: $273
- Marseille Provence Airport transfer ↔ Avignon: $267
- Marseille Airport: VIP transfer to Baumaniere: $251
- Marseille Provence One Way Airport transfer to Gordes: $251
- Private Transfer Marseille to Saint Tropez With 2h Stop in Toulon: $241
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Marseille?
Prices for flights to both Marseille 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 $12Marseille $45
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 Marseille
For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orangina$2.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille
For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Web-cooking workshop / French cuisine or French pastry: $35
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Marseille! (Cours Julien): $63
- Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $74
- Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
- Sunset Boat Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
- Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $93
- Sunset Apéro Food tour: $95
- Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $97
- Marseille Sunset Apéro Food tour: $97
- Evening Food Tour with Tastings: $102
- Sunset Sailing Dinner in the Frioul Archipelago: $102
- Marseille Miam Miam Food tour: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.84Marseille $41
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 Marseille
For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Old Marseille" district tour and treasure hunt: $29
- 2H: City-Tour Marseille: $274
- 3h Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park: $67
- A Day in Provence Small Group Tour from Marseille: $180
- Aix-en-Provence: Half-Day Shore Excursion Tour: $642
- All Inclusive Food & History Tour of Marseille with Local Guide: $144
- Beer tasting experience in Marseille: $43
- Bookbinding experience in the Vieux Port: $93
- Calanques National Park Guided Hiking Tour: $50
- Calanques National Park Kayak Day Tour: $112
- Calanques Trilogy Electric Bike Tour from Marseille: $65
- Canyoning Half Day Tour from La Ciotat : $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -Marseille $29
Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:
- Marseille Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $21
- Marseille Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $22
- Marseille Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $43
- New Year's Eve Bar Crawl Marseille France: $96
- Delicious Food and Wine Tour: $117
- Bandol and Cassis: Full Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
- Luberon: Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
- Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $146
- Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $146
- Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $164
- Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $164
- Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $164
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Marseille, we can see that Marseille 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 Marseille 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 Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rabat or Marseille?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Marseille, 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 Marseille?
Marseille 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 Marseille in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Marseille. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rabat is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rabat in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rabat usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rabat usually receives less rain than Marseille. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRabat 23°C (73°F)Marseille 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Marseille in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Marseille. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.
In October, Rabat is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 20°C (67°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In the autumn, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.
Rabat usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRabat 20°C (67°F)Marseille 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Marseille in the Winter?
Both Marseille 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, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Rabat is much warmer than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 13°C (56°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during winter. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rabat usually receives more rain than Marseille. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRabat 13°C (56°F)Marseille 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Marseille in the Spring?
Both Marseille 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Rabat is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rabat in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).
In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rabat. In the spring, Rabat often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.
Rabat usually gets more rain in April than Marseille. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRabat 16°C (60°F)Marseille 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Marseille and Rabat
| Rabat | Marseille | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
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.