Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Varanasi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Varanasi 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 Varanasi 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: Varanasi or Merzouga?
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.
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 Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Varanasi Prices
India PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVaranasi $31Merzouga $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Varanasi is $31, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $23. 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 Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVaranasi $14Merzouga $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVaranasi $28Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Varanasi and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Varanasi 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.
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 Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varanasi $4.32Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $11
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer to Hotel / To Airport: $13
- Varanasi Airport : Transfer To Hotel / To Airport: $21
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
- Airport Pickup/Drop Transfer Service: $53
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Private transfer from Varanasi to Allahabad: $67
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $70
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including transfers: $77
- Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk with transfers: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Varanasi or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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
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Food Meals for one dayVaranasi $11Merzouga $11
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Food Tour: Highlights Tour with Tasting &Sunset in Varanasi: $14
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- Night Boat Ride, Aarti Ceremony and Dinner: $29
- Ganga Aarti with Street Food Tour of Varanasi: $40
- Varanasi Cooking Classes with Shobha: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Traditional Indian Cooking Class with Dinner: $42
- Private Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings & Pickup: $44
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $44
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
- Indian Cooking Class with Hotel Pickup: $52
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $52
- Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $59
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $59
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $65
- Overnight At Luxury Desert Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $89
- Visit The Nomads, Gnawa Music, Rally In Dunes, Berber Pizza: $89
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Merzouga 1 Night in the Luxury Camp with Camel Ride and Dinner: $107
- Merzouga Desert Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour: $142
- From 2-Nights In Luxury Camp with Camel Trek & Dinner.: $178
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varanasi $9.17Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- Sunrise Boat Tour: $3.17
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Photo tour in holy Varanasi: $7.40
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $11
- Private Customizable Walking Tour with Local Guide: $11
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Exploring Varanasi Markets: Guided Tour with Local Guide: $12
- Explore the Old Varanasi City: Guided Walking Tour on foot: $12
- Varanasi Spiritual Trails: Guided Tour by Foot with a Local: $12
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: $65
- 1 hour tour Quad biking experience: $100
- 2 Hour Merzouga Buggy Adventure in the Sahara Dunes: $207
- 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $37
- 2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard: $45
- 2-Night Desert Camp Experience with Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $154
- 3 Day Sahara Desert Tour from Errachidia to Merzouga Camp: $200
- 3 Days Marrakech to Sahara Adventure Merzouga Dunes & Camel Trek: $117
- 3 hour Jeep Tour in Merzouga Desert: $65
- 3-Day Best Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech via Merzouga: $296
- 4x4 tours in Merzouga: $38
- ATV Desert Adventure – 1-Hour Quad or Buggy Ride in Merzouga: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVaranasi $6.86Merzouga -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varanasi and Merzouga, we can see that Varanasi is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Varanasi 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 Varanasi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varanasi 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 Varanasi Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.
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.