A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Udaipur vs. Merzouga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Udaipur or Merzouga?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Udaipur and Merzouga. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Udaipur or Merzouga?

Udaipur

Udaipur, also known as the "Venice of the East," is becoming increasingly popular as an Indian wedding destination as well as with travelers searching for a romantic and picturesque city, rich with history, scenic areas, and palaces.

The "City of Lakes" is located in south of Rajasthan. There are a total of ten lakes in the lake system, which are connected and sustain water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, which contributes to another reason for Udaipur's booming tourism: alcohol.

Udaipur has ideal climate and available water to support a liquor plant while a number of other Indian states ban the consumption of liquor altogether. Many local tourists, such as those from the neighboring dry state of Gujarat on the west, visit Udaipur specifically for this reason, especially considering that Gujarati alcohol prices are much higher and liquor must be purchased through the black market. It's no wonder why Udaipur is the destination for celebrations and vacation.

Udaipur has tropical weather and three main seasons, which are summer, monsoon, and winter. Winter, which takes place between September to March, is the most pleasant time to visit for sunny and warm days and cool nights.

Udaipur was also made famous in the James Bond film Octopussy. Several local hotels show the film nightly.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Udaipur?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Udaipur is $33, 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 Udaipur and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Udaipur $16
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Udaipur $32
    Merzouga $20
Compare Hotels in Udaipur and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Udaipur 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 Udaipur


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: Udaipur Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Udaipur $6.98
    Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Udaipur

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Udaipur:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Udaipur

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Udaipur:

  • Udaipur Airport : Private Transfer to/from Udaipur Hotels: $6.00
  • Private Transfer Udaipur Hotels To Maharana Pratap Airport UDR Drop: $6.14
  • Private Udaipur Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel/Accommodation: $6.14
  • Private Transfer From Hotel To Airport: $11
  • Udaipur Airport Pick up Transfer: $12
  • One Way Transfer Service From Udaipur Hotel To Airport: $13
  • One Way Transfer Service From Udaipur Airport To Hotel: $13
  • Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel: $14
  • Private Transfer From Udaipur Airport To Udaipur Hotel: $16
  • Private Transfer From Udaipur Hotel To Udaipur Airport: $17
  • Airport Transfer: Maharana Pratap Airport to Hotels in Udaipur: $22
  • Udaipur Airport to Hotel or Vice Versa Transfer: $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • 1 way transfer: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Udaipur or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Udaipur 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
    Udaipur $11
    Merzouga $5.92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Udaipur

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

  • Private Traditional Dinner with an Indian Family in Udaipur: $8.99
  • 4-Hour Indian Food Cooking Class with full Meals: $12
  • Enjoyable,homely & mom 's delicious cooking classes: $16
  • Durga Cooking Class: $17
  • mamta cooking class awarded by tripadvisor : $23
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Culinary Adventure: Make Pizza, Sip Wine At Royal Repast: $39
  • Secret Cooking Session with the bheel Tribe: $44
  • 3 Hours Indian Cooking Session at Local Home (Udaipur): $50
  • Private Rajasthani Cooking Class in an Udaipur Home: $51
  • Jodhpur to Osian camel safari / Dinner At Dhani: $60
  • Jodhpur, Osian camel ride &Dinner At Dhani (country side): $60

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: $65
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $65
  • 1-Night in the luxury camp: camel ride & Dinner: $74
  • Day Trip By Camels In Erg Chebbi Dunes, Lunch With Berber Pizza: $77
  • 5 Hour Sunset Tour with Camel Ride and Dinner In Desert: $82
  • Merzouga Orange Dunes ATV Sandsurf Camels with 5 Stars Dinner: $86
  • Camel trek with 1 Night in Luxury camp with Dinner+ Sundbording: $87
  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza : $98
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Overnight in Luxury Camp With camel Trek & Dinner: $108
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip w/Luxury Tent & Dinner: $121
  • From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner): $124

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Udaipur $10
    Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Udaipur

Here are a few typical costs in Udaipur for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Palace Entrance Fee
    $1.20
  • Lake Boat Tour
    $2.39

Tours and Activities in Udaipur

Here are a few actual costs in Udaipur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Udaipur Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk or Car with Driver: $7.99
  • Udaipur Half Day City Tour by Tuk Tuk: $9.60
  • Jaipur: Immerse yourself in a full day private tour by tuk-tuk: $9.83
  • Udaipur Night Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $9.83
  • Udaipur Walking Tour(2 Hours Guided Walk): $9.83
  • Experience Indian Food: Learn To Cook with Rekha with full meals: $11
  • Non Touristy Walk, old city & local market walking tour: $11
  • Local Market Walking Tour: $11
  • Udaipur Guided sightseeing Tour in Three wheeled Tuk Tuk : $12
  • Udapiur: Night Walking Tour: $13
  • Guided Night Walking Tour in Udaipur - Explore the best nightlife with a local: $13
  • Lake city loop countryside bike tours: $13

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

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

  • Camel Ride Experience: $28
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $38
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion - Sahara 4WD Adventure: $43
  • Merzouga ATV Quad Desert Tours: $43
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Tours & Excursions: $47
  • Extreme Adventure with Harness Zorbing in Merzouga dunes: $48
  • Merzouga one hour Adventure Tour: $55
  • Merzouga 4x4 tour - Excursion around dunes: $55
  • Merzouga Experience -1.5h Quad buggy : $55
  • Merzouga 4X4 Half-Day Tour with Lunch: $55
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $60
  • One Hour Sahara Desert Quad Biking tour: $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Udaipur $8.92
    Merzouga -

Sample the Local Flavors in Udaipur

Also in Udaipur, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Uaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $20
  • Pub Crawl Udaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $36
  • 3-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
  • Pub Crawl Udaipur: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Udaipur and Merzouga, we can see that Udaipur is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Udaipur is in Asia and Merzouga 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 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 Udaipur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Udaipur 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 Udaipur Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.