Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar or Marrakech?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
-
Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesMarrakech Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Marrakech $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $94. 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 Zanzibar and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Marrakech $54
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Marrakech $108
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Marrakech $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
- Airport Transfer: $90
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $16
- Zanzibar Private Transfer from Michamvi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $34
- Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $121
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Bwejuu Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach: $60
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $60
- Zanzibar Private Airport Transfer to Paje Beach Hotels: $50
- Zanzibar Must-see Sights with Lunch and Transfers: $249
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- "Marrakech to Fes: Your Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $263
- Aéroport transfer: $17
- Agadir private transfer from Imlil to Agadir airport (AGA): $284
- Agadir private transfer from Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane to Agadir airport (AGA): $110
- Agadir private transfer from Marrakech to Agadir airport (AGA): $172
- Agafay Camel Ride, Pool & Lunch with Hotel Transfers: $23
- Agafay Desert 2H Quad Adventure Tea and Marrakech Transfer: $39
- Agafay Desert Luxury Private Lunch with 4x4 Transfer: $172
- Agafay Desert Pool Day with Camel Ride, Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $33
- Agafay Desert Pool Day, Moroccan Lunch & Transfers from Marrakech: $29
- Agafay Desert, 2H of Quad Biking, tea & transfer from Marrakech: $33
- Airport Transfer Ride: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $28Marrakech $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class and Spice Farm: $59
- Spice Farm Zanzibar Cooking Class Authentic Cultural Experience: $65
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Cooking Class Tour: $75
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
- Zanzibar Spice and Night Market Cooking and Street Food Tour: $80
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $97
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- half day tours spice Farm with Cooking Class: $130
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Orange Juice on the Square$0.30
-
Breakfast$1.21
-
Dates$0.61
-
Olives$0.91
-
Sandwich$1.31
-
Souvenir Spices$6.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Shared 3 Days Trips From Marrakech To Merzouga+2dinner+2breakfast: $3.44
- Marrakech special food tour: $5.73
- Agafay desert Adventure: Camel Ride, Dinner and Show: $9.16
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride, and Dinner Show: $10
- Marrakech to Agafay: Sunset, Quad. Camel & Dinner. Fire Show: $10
- Excursion from Marrakech to Agafay desert Quad Camel dinner show: $11
- Agafya Desert Quad bike Camel Ride and dinner show: $11
- Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $11
- Agafay desert quad &camel ride with dinner show: $14
- Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
- Marrakech : Agafay desert ; Quad Biking, Camel Ride and Dinner: $14
- Agafay Desert Quad Biking & Camel Ride & Dinner & Show: $14
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Marrakech $9.93
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $26
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Full Day Safari Blue Tour And Blue Lagoon: $140
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
- A Half Day Private Tour to Spice Farm: $80
- A Private Full Day Tour To Stone Town & Spice Farm: $90
- Authentic Stone Town Walking Tour With The Local Zanzibar Cuisine: $67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Palace Tickets$2.02
-
Golf at Atlas Golf$57
Tours and Activities in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 days desert tours from marrakech & back: $3.44
- Berber Culture Experience & Atlas Mountains Tour: $5.73
- Taxi Marrakech tours: $9.16
- Small group to Atlas Mountains 4valleys;Waterfulls and camel Ride experience: $10
- Full-Day Tour from Marrakech to the Imlil & Toubkal Valley: $10
- Berber Rugs Marrakech Shopping Tour with Shipping Available: $11
- High Atlas Adventure: Discover Ourika Valley and Berber Culture: $11
- Discover Marrakech's Souks Handicrafts Markets Cultural Tour: $11
- TOP Marrakech : Private guided tour with your mobile: $11
- Marrakech Cultural Tour Madrasa Ben Youssef and Secret Garden: $11
- Atlas Mountains and Berber Villages & Waterfalls Tour: $12
- Marrakech to Essaouira Mogador: A Scenic Day Tour: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.76Marrakech $9.56
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: $23
- Private Vineyard Day from Marrakech Wine Tasting and City Tour: $126
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Marrakech?
Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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.