Which place is cheaper, Saint-Etienne or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rabat or Saint-Etienne?
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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?
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.
Saint-Etienne
Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRabat $44Saint-Etienne $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $44, while the average daily cost in Saint-Etienne is $115. 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 Saint-Etienne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $27Saint-Etienne $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $54Saint-Etienne $98
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Saint-Etienne
Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Saint-Etienne? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.10Saint-Etienne $47
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 Chefchaouen: $283
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Asilah: $272
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $268
- Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $262
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $254
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $230
- Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $206
- Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $206
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis : $196
- One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes : $196
- Private transfer from Rabat to Casablanca: $190
- Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Saint-Etienne?
Prices for flights to both Saint-Etienne 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 dayRabat $12Saint-Etienne $36
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.84Saint-Etienne $27
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -Saint-Etienne $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rabat or Saint-Etienne?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?
Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?
Both Saint-Etienne and Rabat are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Rabat is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rabat usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyRabat 23°C (73°F)Saint-Etienne 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?
Both Saint-Etienne and Rabat during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Rabat is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rabat in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Rabat. In the autumn, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.
Rabat usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRabat 20°C (67°F)Saint-Etienne 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Saint-Etienne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. In January, Rabat is generally much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 13°C (56°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rabat usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRabat 13°C (56°F)Saint-Etienne 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Saint-Etienne. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty.
Rabat is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In the spring, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.
Rabat usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint-Etienne. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilRabat 16°C (60°F)Saint-Etienne 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Rabat
| Rabat | Saint-Etienne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.