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.
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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.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesMarrakech Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Marrakech $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $100. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Marrakech $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Marrakech $114
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
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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 ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
- Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Bwejuu Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Jambiani Beach: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer From Airport To Nungwi Beach Hotels: $50
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": $270
- "Marrakech to Rabat: Enjoy a Private Transfer with Ease": $146
- Agafay Camel Ride, Pool & Lunch with Hotel Transfers: $24
- Agafay Desert Pool Day Pass with Lunch & Transfers from Marrakech: $123
- Agafay Desert Pool Day with Camel Ride, Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $33
- Agafay Desert, 2H of Quad Biking, tea & transfer from Marrakech: $34
- Airport Transfer Ride: $21
- Airport Transfers: $24
- Airport Transfert: $14
- Arrival Private Transfer: Marrakech Menara Airport RAK to Marrakech in Van: $52
- Day Trip to Essaouira with private transfers and guide: $257
- ESSAOUIRA Day Trip from Marrakech with Transfers: $32
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
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $28Marrakech $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orange Juice on the Square$0.32
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Breakfast$1.29
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Dates$0.64
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Olives$0.97
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Sandwich$1.39
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Souvenir Spices$6.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Camel Ride and Sunset & Dinner Show in Agafay Desert: $12
- Agafay Desert Dinner & Live Show: $12
- Ourika Valley Cooking Class, Garden Lunch & Pool from Marrakech: $12
- Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
- Agafay Desert Quad Bike Camel Ride and Dinner Show: $14
- Agafay Desert Quad and Camel Ride, Dinner & Show: $15
- Agafay Desert Quad Biking & Camel Ride & Dinner & Show: $15
- Cooking Class in the hearth of the Atlas Mountain from Marrakech With locals: $15
- Agafay desert dinner show camel ride with sunset: $15
- Agafay Desert Sunset and Camel Ride with Dinner from Marrakech: $15
- Agafay Desert: Dinner + Show with Quad Bike & Sunset Camel Ride: $18
- Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride, and Dinner Show: $18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Marrakech $11
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- 8 Days Zanzibar Discovery Adventure: $220
- 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
- A Stone Town Private Tour Experience in Zanzibar: $35
- Baraka Aquarium and Dolphin Sightseeing with Sunset Cruise: $115
- Baraka Aquarium; Jozani Forest Tour; Kuza Cave; Paje Beach; The Rock Restaurant: $150
- Baraka Aquarium; The Island Pongwe; Spice Tour; The Secret Garden; The Rock: $130
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets$2.15
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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:
- Agadir: Souk El Had Market & Tree-Climbing Goats Morning Tour: $4.80
- 3 Days Merzouga Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes: $5.00
- Berber Culture Experience & Atlas Mountains Tour: $5.88
- Guided Medina Walking Tour Monuments and Souks: $10
- Small group to Atlas Mountains 4valleys;Waterfulls and camel Ride experience: $11
- Ourika Valley Waterfalls Hike & Berber Villages Tour + Lunch: $11
- TOP Marrakech : Private guided tour with your mobile: $12
- Shared Sightseeing Tour Visit to Marrakech with Licensed Guide: $12
- Discover Marrakech's Souks Handicrafts Markets Cultural Tour: $12
- Atlas Mountains and Berber Villages & Waterfalls Tour: $12
- Agafay Desert & Atlas Mountains Tour With Camel Ride: $12
- Berber Life Experience in the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Marrakech $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:
- Private Vineyard Day from Marrakech Wine Tasting and City Tour: $129
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.