A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tangier vs. Calais for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tangier or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tangier and Calais 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: Tangier or Calais?

Tangier

Welcome to the gateway to Africa. Sitting on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier, Morocco has historically served as the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Africa.

After World War II, this city became a destination for eccentric foreigners, artists, spies and hippies. After that, the city was neglected and gained a horrible reputation for the hustlers cheating visitors left and right.

In 1999 Morocco saw the beginning of a new monarch who was more progressive with his vision for tourism. This message lit a fire under Tangier, helping the people see the amazing potential in their great city. They built a new port, a new business district and revamped the airport. The beaches and streets have been cleaned up of trash and hustlers and there's a sudden surge in cultural activities.

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.


Which place is cheaper, Calais or Tangier?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tangier is $61, while the average daily cost in Calais is $149. 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 Tangier and Calais in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tangier $23
    Calais $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tangier $46
    Calais $166
Compare Hotels in Tangier and Calais

Looking for a hotel in Tangier or Calais? 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 Tangier


Hotels in Calais


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: Tangier Hotel Prices and Calais Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tangier $23
    Calais $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tangier

Also for Tangier, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Tangier Airport to Chefchaouen: $87
  • "Fez to Marrakech: Enjoy a Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $205
  • Airport Transfer to Tanger City : $26
  • Casablanca Airport Arrival To Tanger Private Transfer: $216
  • Door to door transfer from Tangier to Fes: $291
  • From Fes: Transfer to Tangier passing by Chefchaouen: $96
  • From Tangier : Private Luxury Transfer to Fes: $272
  • From Transfer to Fez via Chefchaouen and Volubilis: $245
  • Luxury transfer from Tangier to Tamuda bay or vice versa: $233
  • One Way transfer from Fes to Tanger passing by chefchaouen: $82
  • One-Way Transfer from Tanger to Fez: $154
  • One-way Luxury Tangier Airport or Port Transfer: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Tangier or Calais?

Prices for flights to both Calais and Tangier 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
    Tangier $20
    Calais $38
Typical Food Prices in Tangier

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tangier:


  • Fruit & Yogurt
    $1.69

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tangier

For Tangier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hour Private Moroccan Food Tour in Tanger : $49
  • Tanger Local Street food tours: $60
  • Tangier Private Cooking Class With a Local Family: $66
  • Tangier Food Tour with a certified local guide!: $67
  • Tangier food tour with Rababe: $71
  • Tangier food tour : $71
  • Tangier Food Tour with a certified guide!: $71
  • Morocco Food Cooking Class and Tangier City Tour: $71
  • Moroccan 3-in-1 Cooking Experience: $75
  • Moroccan 3 in 1 Cooking Experience: $76
  • The Food tour of Tangier: $76
  • Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tangier $20
    Calais $9.56

Tours and Activities in Tangier

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tangier.

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus: $14
  • Tangier City Tour Bus Hop On - Hop Off: $14
  • From Marrakesh: Discover Essaouira Full-Day Tour: $17
  • Tangier Stroll: Public Guided Tour: $17
  • Tangier walking tour: $17
  • Tangier Private Walking Tour with a Guide: $25
  • Tangier Private Walking Tour: $26
  • Tangier Guided Walking Experience: $26
  • Touristic guide: $28
  • 3 Hours Tangier walking Tour in Old Medina,Kasbah & berber market: $31
  • Walking Tour Tangier Medina: $31
  • Tangier Highlights Tour: Exploring the Cultural Gems: $31

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tangier $11
    Calais $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tangier and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. And not only is Tangier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tangier is in Africa and Calais 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 Tangier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tangier 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais than you might in Tangier.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tangier Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tangier or Calais?

Tangier has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Tangier and Calais, 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 Tangier or Calais?

Calais has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tangier experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Tangier or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tangier as well as Calais. Tangier attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tangier is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Tangier average around 24°C (74°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tangier this time of the year. In the summer, Tangier often gets more sunshine than Calais. Tangier gets 346 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Tangier usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Tangier gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tangier 24°C (74°F) 
    Calais 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Tangier or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Tangier are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tangier throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Tangier is much warmer than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tangier averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tangier. Tangier usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Tangier gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tangier usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Tangier gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tangier 20°C (68°F) 
    Calais 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Tangier or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Tangier during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tangier because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. In the winter, Tangier is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tangier in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Tangier often gets more sunshine than Calais. Tangier gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tangier. Tangier usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Tangier gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tangier 13°C (55°F) 
    Calais 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Tangier or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tangier and Calais. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tangier year-round. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In April, Tangier is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Tangier average around 15°C (60°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In Tangier, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tangier usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Tangier gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tangier usually receives more rain than Calais. Tangier gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tangier 15°C (60°F) 
    Calais 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Calais and Tangier

Tangier Calais
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 4°C (40°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 5°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 6°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 24°C (74°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 13°C (56°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)