A Travel Price Comparison for Morocco Tangier vs. Merzouga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tangier 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 Tangier 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: Tangier or Merzouga?

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.

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 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga 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 Merzouga is $17. 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 Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tangier $23
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tangier $46
    Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Tangier and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Tangier 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.

Hotels in Tangier


Hotels in Merzouga


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 Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tangier $23
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tangier

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

  • One-way Luxury Tangier Airport or Port Transfer: $12
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Tangier City or Vice Versa: $19
  • Private Transfer From Ferry Port to Tangier or Vice Versa: $19
  • Transfer from Tangier airport to Tangier: $22
  • Tangier Airport Transfers: $23
  • Tangier Private Transfers: $24
  • Airport Transfer to Tanger City : $27
  • Transfers from - to Tangier airport: $28
  • Private Transfer: Tangier Airport (TNG): $28
  • Private Transfer : Tangier Airport (TNG) ⇆ Tangier City: $28
  • Vip Private Transfer From Airport / Port to Tangier or Vice Versa: $35
  • Transfer from Ibn Battuta airport to Tangier center: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • From Fes: Transfert one way To Merzouga desert: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Tangier or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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
    Merzouga $5.91
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:

  • Tangier food tour with Rababe: $72
  • Tangier Food Tour with a certified guide!: $72
  • The Food tour of Tangier: $77
  • Tangier Cooking Class With a Local Family: $83
  • 3 Hour Private Moroccan Food Tour in Tanger : $83
  • Tangier Food Tour | Tangier Food Cultural Tour: $89
  • Tangier Cooking Class: $98
  • Moroccan cuisine : memorable private cooking class in Tangier : $110
  • Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $120

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.

  • One Night in Private Camp in the Sahara Desert in Merzouga with Dinner: $66
  • 5 Hour Sunset Tour with Camel Ride and Dinner In Desert: $79
  • Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $88
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tangier $20
    Merzouga -

Tours and Activities in Tangier

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

  • Tangier City Tour Bus Hop On - Hop Off: $14
  • Private Tangier Shopping Tour with Local Guide: $15
  • Tangier walking tour: $17
  • Tangier Private Walking Tour: $26
  • Tangier Old Town Walking Tour (Minimum 4 people): $28
  • Touristic guide: $28
  • Tangier Walking Tour: Discover the City on Foot: $30
  • Private Mountain Bike Tours in Tangier : $33
  • Private Walking Tour in Tangier Medina and Souks: $35
  • Hercules caves, Cap spartel tour of Tangier: $43
  • A private walking tour : $44
  • Walking Adventures in Tangier Medina : $44

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:

  • Berber Experience Private Sahara Desert Day Trip: $82
  • Private Adventure to Merzouga Risani from Erfoud : $143
  • Private Desert Tour and Visit to Nomadic Families: $99
  • 1 Hour Merzouga Desert Buggy Experience: $141
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $61
  • 2 hours Merzouga ATV Rental - Desert Quad Biking Tour: $127
  • 2-Day Desert Tour with Return to Marrakech: $185
  • 3 Days Tour From Marrakech To Sahara Desert Of Merzouga: $109
  • 3 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga with Luxury Camp: $237
  • 3-Day Best Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech via Merzouga: $276
  • Desert Safari with Quad Bike Tour in Merzouga Desert: $65
  • Fez to fez : the luxury 2 days 1 night desert tour: $391

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tangier $11
    Merzouga -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tangier and Merzouga, we can see that Tangier 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 Tangier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tangier 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 Tangier Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.