Should you visit Rabat or Merzouga?
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 Merzouga 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 Merzouga?
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.
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
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.
Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $54, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $22. 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 Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Merzouga? 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
Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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
-
Private Transfer to or from Rabat-Salé Airport:
$16
-
Private Transfer from Rabat Airport to Rabat City:
$16
-
Private Transfer from Rabat Airport to Rabat City:
$18
-
Private Airport Transfer from Rabat to Salé Airport:
$20
-
Private transfer Rabat Salé to or from Rabat:
$20
-
Rabat–Salé Airport to Private Transfer:
$22
-
Private Transfer from Rabat to Rabat Salé Airport:
$23
-
Transfer Rabat to Rabat Airport:
$23
-
Luxury airport transfer to downtown Rabat:
$24
-
Private Airport Transfer Rabat Airport to Rabat city:
$25
-
One Way Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat Medina:
$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:
-
Merzouga Luxury Camp & With Transfer included:
$74
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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 $22
Merzouga $10
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
-
Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza:
$3.41
-
Authentic Merzouga Desert Camp with Camel Ride, 4x4 & Dinner:
$45
-
Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner:
$50
-
Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast:
$50
-
Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza:
$57
-
Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand:
$57
-
Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast:
$62
-
Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner:
$68
-
Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp:
$105
-
Erfoud Desert Tour, Sunset, Dinner, Camel Ride, Visit the Nomads:
$148
-
From 2-Nights In Luxury Camp with Camel Trek & Dinner.:
$170
-
2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride:
$200
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
-
SUP Adventure Rabat Kayaking:
$16
-
Rabat Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems:
$30
-
Rabat Walking Tour, City of lights by night:
$31
-
Private TukTuk Tour of Medina, Chellah, Hassan Tower,Udaya:
$32
-
Savory Home-Cooked Meal and Experience Moroccan Hospitality:
$32
-
Rabat Tuk-Tuk Eco Tours:
$32
-
Private Half-Day Exploration Tour of Rabat in a Green Taxi:
$32
-
Rabat City Tour by Tuk Tuk – Private Experience:
$32
-
Rabat tuktuk tour:
$32
-
Explore Rabat by Electric Tuk Tuk – Private City Highlights Tour:
$34
-
Private Premium Rabat City Tour expérience:
$34
-
Rabat Kasbah of the Udayas and Pirate History Tour:
$34
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
-
1 Hour Merzouga Buggy Desert Tour:
$114
-
1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp:
$3.41
-
1 hour Quad in the Sahara: Merzouga Off Roading Experience: Nature & Wildlife:
$78
-
2 Hour Merzouga Buggy Adventure in the Sahara Dunes:
$199
-
2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding:
$37
-
2-Days Merzouga tour from Errachidia:
$200
-
2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard:
$43
-
3 Days Marrakech to Sahara Adventure Merzouga Dunes & Camel Trek:
$112
-
3 Days Merzouga Tours From Marrakech & back Group & Private:
$159
-
3-Day Best Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech via Merzouga:
$284
-
4×4 Jeep Tour in Merzouga:
$34
-
4x4 tours in Merzouga:
$45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Merzouga, we can see that Rabat is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Rabat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rabat than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rabat Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.
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