Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Thessaloniki or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rabat? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Thessaloniki or Rabat?
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Rabat €41
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Rabat is €41. 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 Thessaloniki and Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Rabat €25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Rabat €50
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Rabat? 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: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Rabat €1.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
- Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
- Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
- Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
-
Taxi to Sale€3.27
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat and Thessaloniki 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 dayThessaloniki €42Rabat €12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
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.Thessaloniki €26Rabat €2.66
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Thessaloniki Jewish Heritage Private Guided Tour: $207
- Archery Odyssey Traditional Archery Experience: $65
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $218
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $192
- Charming pearls of Thessaloniki – Romantic Tour: $153
- City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Daily Cruise:Discover Thessaloniki in a different way: $1,069
- Daily Sailing Cruise Olympus Riviera Highlights: $122
- Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $93
- Dion and Palaios Panteleimon Myth and History Tour: $153
- Dion-Olympus Private Tour from Thessaloniki: $96
- Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $76
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 dayThessaloniki €15Rabat -
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Rabat, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Thessaloniki is in Europe and Rabat is in Africa, 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Rabat, 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 Thessaloniki or Rabat?
Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Rabat in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Rabat. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Rabat in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rabat during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Rabat. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rabat in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Rabat. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
In the autumn, Thessaloniki is cooler than Rabat. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Rabat averages at about 20°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rabat. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rabat in the Winter?
Both Rabat and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Rabat. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Rabat. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rabat in the Spring?
Both Rabat and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
Thessaloniki is cooler than Rabat in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Rabat fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Rabat. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 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.