Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Varanasi or Marrakech?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Varanasi and Marrakech 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: Varanasi or Marrakech?
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
Marrakech
Marrakech is on of the most popular travel destinations in Morocco. It is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat and is located near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains only a few hours from the Sahara Desert. It's a beautiful city that is often referred to as the "Pink City" because of the pale pink color of many of the city's buildings. These striking colors make the city particularly beautiful during the evening hours when the low sun creates a very dramatic lighting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
-
Varanasi Prices
India PricesMarrakech Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Marrakech $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $101. 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 Varanasi and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Marrakech $58
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Marrakech $116
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi or Marrakech? 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: Varanasi Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.32Marrakech $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.84
-
Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $70
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $99
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $98
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer: $95
- private taxi transfer on arrival from Marrakech airport to medina: $7.00
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Marrakesh HTL-APT (RAK): $19
- Transfert de l'aéroport de Marrakech à la ville: $24
- Transfert Privé Marrakech - Essaouira ou Essaouira - Marrakech: $124
- Transfers from or to Marrakech Airport and Marrakech: $9.48
- Transfers between Menara Airport and Marrakesh: $8.29
- Transfer to or from Marrakech Menara Airport: $9.48
- Transfer privé depuis ou vers l'aéroport marrakech: $6.00
- Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca airport: $30
- Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca: $178
- Transfer from Marrakech city or Marrakech airport to Casablanca city: $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Varanasi 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 dayVaranasi $11Marrakech $29
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner In Town$3.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
- Ultimate 2 Days in Varanasi - Fully Guided Tour - Rooftop Dinner on Ganges: $114
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Orange Juice on the Square$0.32
-
Breakfast$1.30
-
Dates$0.65
-
Olives$0.97
-
Sandwich$1.40
-
Souvenir Spices$6.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Marrakech to Agafay Sunset Camel and Quad Combo with Dinner: $9.00
- Agafay Desert Camel Ride and Quad Bike with Dinner Show: $9.48
- Camel Ride at Marrakech Desert Agafy with Dinner: $11
- Excursion from Marrakech to Agafay desert Quad Camel dinner show: $12
- Marrakech desert tour dinner show & camel ride with sunset views: $12
- Agafay Desert Camel Ride and Quad bike & Dinner Show: $12
- Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
- Agafay desert quad &camel ride with dinner show: $14
- Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
- Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride with Dinner Show: $15
- Agafay desert dinner show camel ride with sunset: $15
- Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner, Fire Show, Music & Stargazing: $15
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.17Marrakech $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Boat Ride$0.73
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 03 Day Spiritual Tour: Kashi Vishwanath,Ganga Aarti Sarnath”: $271
- 08 Hours : Private - Full Day City Tour Of Delhi: $53
- 08 Hours : Private Full Day City Tour of Jaipur: $90
- 11 - Hours Agra Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal from Delhi.: $100
- 2 Day Private Bodhgaya Tour From Varanasi: $189
- 2 Day Private Mystical Varanasi Tour: $43
- 2 Day Varanasi Day Tour with Boating and English Speaking Guide: $300
- 2 Days Varanasi tour package for first timers: $135
- 2-Day Private Varanasi Tour Including Sunrise & Sunset Boat Ride: $188
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $120
- 3 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi Tour: $109
- 3 Days Spiritual Tour in Varanasi: $293
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Palace Tickets$2.16
-
Golf at Atlas Golf$61
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Terres d’Amanar Adventure: $77
- 1-Hour Horse Carriage Drawn Marrakech City Tour: $58
- 1-night Atlas Mountain Experience from Marrakech with Hike and Camel Ride: $130
- 1000 Years of History: A Self-Guided Marrakech Tour: $15
- 2 - Day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tour – Shared & Private Options: $124
- 2 Day Mt. Toubkal Trekking Tour from Marrakech: $224
- 2 Day Zagora Adventure from Marrakech Quad Biking and Camel Ride: $282
- 2 Day Zagora Desert Tour via Ait Benhaddou: $188
- 2 Day in Atlas Mountains Tour from Marrakech: $150
- 2 Days / 1 Night Zagora Desert Tour , Group & private: $114
- 2 Days 1 Night Amazing Zagora Desert Tour From Marrakech: $83
- 2 Days 1 Night Desert Tour from Marrakech to the desert of Tinfou Zagora: $296
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.86Marrakech $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:
- Marrakech Nightlife Pub Crawl with Hotel Pickup: $36
- Private Vineyard Day from Marrakech Wine Tasting and City Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Varanasi is in Asia and Marrakech 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 Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Marrakech would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marrakech than you might in Varanasi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varanasi Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Varanasi or Marrakech?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Varanasi and Marrakech, 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.
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.