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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Udaipur is $36, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $22. 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 $14
    Merzouga $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Udaipur $28
    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 $6.22
    Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Udaipur

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Udaipur

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Udaipur:

  • Udaipur Airport to Hotel One-Way Private Transfer in AC Vehicle: $6.51
  • Udaipur Hotel to Airport One-Way Private Transfer in AC Vehicle: $6.51
  • Udaipur Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $8.14
  • Private Transfer From Udaipur Hotel To Udaipur Airport: $14
  • Udaipur Airport to Udaipur Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $15
  • Round Trip Transfers to Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace with tickets: $22
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Udaipur Airport: $23
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Udaipur Airport to Hotel: $23
  • Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace Tour with Transfers: $25
  • Udaipur Airport Transfers: $27
  • Udaipur Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport Private Transfer: $33
  • Udaipur to Ahmedabad private transfers: $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merzouga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Merzouga:

  • Merzouga Luxury Camp & With Transfer included: $74

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 $17
    Merzouga $10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Udaipur

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

  • Durga Cooking Class: $15
  • Durga Cooking Class: $16
  • Heritage Walking & Food Tour: $16
  • Indian Cooking Class - Art, Antiques & Storytelling: $16
  • Old city Tuk Tuk Ride & Food Tour with Female guide: $19
  • Breakfast Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $20
  • Private Cooking Experience with pick up & drop off: $26
  • Old city Tuk Tuk Ride & Food Tour with Female guide: $26
  • Authentic Home Cooking Class at Honey’s Kitchen: $26
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $27
  • Home-Style Vegetarian Rajasthani Cooking Class & Meal in Udaipur: $30
  • Culinary Experience: Food Tour or Cooking Class by Locals: $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

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

  • Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza: $3.41
  • Authentic Merzouga Desert Camp with Camel Ride, 4x4 & Dinner: $45
  • Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $50
  • Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
  • Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $57
  • Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $57
  • Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $62
  • Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $68
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • Erfoud Desert Tour, Sunset, Dinner, Camel Ride, Visit the Nomads: $148
  • From 2-Nights In Luxury Camp with Camel Trek & Dinner.: $170
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Udaipur $6.31
    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
    $1.05
  • Lake Boat Tour
    $2.11

Tours and Activities in Udaipur

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

  • Private Udaipur in Same Day – Tour by Car & Guide and Lunch: $2.64
  • Udaipur Full or Half Day City Sightseeing Guided Tour: $2.90
  • Explore Udaipur in One Day – Private Tour by Car With Guide: $5.28
  • Monsoon Palace Sunset Tour with Hotel Pickup: $5.29
  • Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with a Tour Guide: $5.82
  • Udaipur City Tour with City Palace & Lake Pichola: $5.82
  • Udaipur Hidden Shopping Tour with Local Artisans: $6.33
  • Hidden Gems of Udaipur, Old city Heritage Walking tour: $6.75
  • Private Half-Day Tour by Tuk-Tuk or Car: $7.40
  • Half Day Udaipur City Tour by Tuk Tuk or Car: $7.60
  • Udaipur Heritage City and Local Market Walking tour: $8.00
  • Royal Romance of Palaces, Lakes & Hidden Gems Tour: $8.46

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

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

  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp: $3.41
  • Merzouga Desert Excursion - Sahara 4x4 Adventure: $3.41
  • Quad Biking Desert Tour in Erg Chebbi Dunes & Sandboarding: $3.41
  • Merzouga Sunset Adventure: Camel, Quad, Buggy or 4WD: $23
  • Camel Ride Experience: $28
  • Merzouga Quad Biking Experience: $32
  • ATV Quad bikes in sahara dunes experience & sandboarding: $33
  • Jeep Tour in Sahara Desert Merzouga, Morocco: $34
  • Adventure in Merzouga with Quads, Jeep Tours, Camel Ride camping: $34
  • 4×4 Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $34
  • Desert 4×4 Tour Around Merzouga: $34
  • 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Udaipur $7.85
    Merzouga -


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?.