Wondering whether Morocco is cheap or expensive to travel to? How much does it cost to visit Morocco? Of course, the answer to these questions depends on your preferences and budget.
Accommodation, food, transport, and activities in Morocco can range from very cheap to expensive.
You can backpack through Morocco for anywhere between $20-30 USD per day, or you can spend way more if you opt for luxurious hotels or eating out at high-end restaurants.
In this blog post, I will break down the average cost of traveling in Morocco to help you plan your budget and get the most out of your trip.
This guide includes:
- Cost of all types of accommodation in Morocco
- Cost of getting around Morocco using public and private transport
- Cost of eating in Morocco (street food and luxury dining)
- Cost of tours and activities
Note: The prices in this guide are listed in USD and based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 10.69 MAD (Moroccan Dirham). Also, travel costs are estimates and are subject to change.
Average cost of 1 week trip in Morocco
Before we jump into the breakdown of all the costs, I want to give you an idea of the average expenses for a 1 week trip in Morocco.
| Expenses | Daily Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Average Airfare | N/A | $200 – $1600 |
| Accommodation | $10 – $100 | $70 – $600 |
| Transportation | $0 – $50 | $0 – $350 |
| Food | $5 – $30 | $35 – $210 |
| Drink | $0 – $25 | $0 – $175 |
| Attractions | $0 – $25 | $0 – $175 |
| Total (excluding airfare) | $19 – $210 | $133 – $1470 |
Cost of flights to Morocco
ESTIMATED COST: $200 – $1500 USD for a return flight
The first thing you’ll need to consider is the cost of getting to Morocco.
Flights from most major cities in the world to Casablanca or Marrakech airports can easily cost from $100 to 2000$. That’s why you need to choose your time carefully.
Generally, April- May are considered the cheapest months to fly to Morocco. Here is an average flight cost from several international cities.
- London to Casablanca ($180 to $800)
- New York to Casablanca ($760 to $1400)
- Berlin to Casablanca ($200 to $1000)
- Mumbai to Casablanca ($880 to $1580)
- Dubai to Casablanca ($640 to $1200)
- Vancouver to Casablanca ($1200 to $5300)
As you can see the price of flights varies greatly. You can get really cheap flights if you add more stops to your itinerary or choose to fly from other cheap destinations.
flights from Europe to Moroccan can get really cheap. Sometimes less than $100 for a return flight with airline deals.
Keep in mind that flights to Marrakech are usually more expensive than flights to Casablanca.
If you don’t find a direct flight to Marrakech, don’t worry. It won’t cost you a lot to get to Marrakech from Casablanca. We will get there in a minute.
Also, For cheap flights to Morocco, keep a peeled eye on Skyscanner for the best deals.
Cost of accommodation in Morocco
ESTIMATED COST: $10 – $100 USD per night
1. Cost of staying in a Moroccan Riad
Moroccan Riads are one of the most popular types of accommodation in the country. Riads can be found only in Meknes, Fez, and Marrakech.
These little traditional houses with indoor courtyards and gardens offer an intimate stay experience in Morocco.
While many think that Riads are a luxury in Morocco, they are not. You can find riads that cost as little as $30 a night especially if you are visiting Morocco out of season.
Of course, there are plenty of very expensive Riads that can cost up to $1000 a night but there are budget-friendly and mid-range Riads that you can easily find and book through booking.com
A good mid-range Riad will cost you around $100 or so.
- Budget-friendly Riads in Morocco
- Mid-range Riads in Morocco
- Luxury Riads in Morocco
2. Cost of staying in Hotels in Morocco
Many people choose to stay in hotels in Morocco instead of Riads. Hotels can be found everywhere in Morocco and in all price ranges.
A basic hotel room in a budget hotel can cost as little as $10 per night, while a luxury hotel can cost up to $500 per night or more. The most expensive hotel in Morocco costs up to $40000 a night.
Another way to save money while traveling in Morocco is to stay in cheap Hostels.
Hostels are usually located in big cities like Casablanca and Tangier but you try your luck in small towns and villages too.
Hostel prices in Morocco range from $5-$30 per night depending on the location, the rooms, and the amenities provided.
3. Cost of staying in a Guesthouse in Morocco
If you can’t afford to stay in nice Riads, a Moroccan guesthouse is another popular form of accommodation in Morocco.
Guesthouses in Morocco are usually run by local families and they offer an authentic stay experience.
The prices of guesthouses vary depending on the location and the type of room you choose.
Some guesthouses in popular tourist areas such as Imlil charge insane prices. But generally, a room in a simple guesthouse can set you back around $20 to $30 per night or even cheaper.
4. Cost of staying in an Airbnb in Morocco
Airbnb is something that I don’t usually recommend for people visiting Morocco.
There were so many stories of people being disappointed with their Airbnb to stay in Morocco that I just don’t recommend it.
But if you think that Airbnb is the best option for you, then you should know that prices vary depending on the location and type of accommodation.
For example, a room in a simple Airbnb in Morocco can cost around $25 per night, while a luxury villa or apartment can easily set you back more than $200 per night.
Also, Airbnbs are only found in touristy cities in Morocco. If you are visiting a less popular destination you may not find one at all.
5. Cost of renting apartments/studios in Morocco
If you are staying in Morocco for a longer period of time, you may consider renting an apartment. This is usually more cost-effective than staying in hotels or Riads.
You can pay as little as $400 a month for a furnished studio (1 bedroom apartment) in the city center even less than that if the studio is not in the city center.
An apartment with more bedrooms will obviously cost a little more. And of course, the nicer your apartment is, the more you should expect to pay.
The easy way to find apartment rentals is through Facebook groups. You just need to get a grip on Facebook’s translation feature.
Facebook groups to find cheap apartments in Tangier
- Location Colocation Tanger
- Location Colocation Tanger au Maroc
- Location Appartements Tanger/ Renting Appartements Tangier/Morocco
- Wanted Logement, colocation & Sous location (appartement …) sur Tanger
- Tanger Colocation & Location (Calloc.ma)
- Tanger location et collocation / Flat rent and flatshare in Tangier
Facebook groups to find cheap apartments in Marrakesh:
- Locations longue durée à Marrakech
- Location Colocation vente Casablanca-Marrakech
- Marrakech location et colocation / Marrakech flat rent and flat share
- Location & Colocation à Marrakech
Facebook groups to find cheap apartments in Casablanca:
- Casablanca location et colocation / Flat rent and flatshare in Casablanca
- Colocation / Flatsharing – Casablanca
- Location Appartement Casablanca
You can also join the Expat in Morocco group and ask away for recommendations for good apartments in Morocco.
If you know french or Arabic you can try real estate agencies to help you find an apartment. But keep in mind that they will charge you two months’ rent in commission.
Good luck finding your ideal accommodation in Morocco!
Cost of transport in Morocco
ESTIMATED COST: $1 – $100 USD per day
1. Cost of hiring a car in Morocco
Hiring a car in Morocco is convenient but not cheap. Hiring a car in Morocco will cost you from $50 to $100 per day with international companies.
Also, you will have to pay extra for the full insurance and petrol which is around $1.4 per liter.
There are local car hire companies that offer cheaper prices (half the price of international companies), but I don’t recommend them as they often ask for a safety deposit of around $2000.
2. Cost of taking Public transport in Morocco
Public transport is by far the cheapest way to get around Morocco. There are multiple options to choose from and it’s pretty easy to navigate public transport in Morocco.
I have explained all options and how to use them in a recent blog post about public transport in Morocco.
Cost of traveling by bus in Morocco
Local buses like CTM and Suprotour run regularly between almost all cities in Morocco and they usually cost just a few dollars per trip.
These are CTM prices for their tickets. Other companies have similar prices as well and tickets can be bought online or in their offices.
- Casablanca to Marrakech (Approx $10)
- Casabalnca to Fez (Approx $11)
- Casablanca to Agadir (Approx $30)
- Fez to Marrakech (Approx $18)
Cost of traveling by train in Morocco
The Train is also a good way to explore Morocco, but it’s not as expanded as the bus network. The train can only take you to major cities such as Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier.
There is one train network in Morocco ONCF and it is very affordable and comfortable. A ticket in first class to Marrakech costs around $30.
And if you are planning to visit Tangier, you can take the high-speed train “Al Boraq” which takes only two hours from Casablanca to Tangier and it costs around $20.
Check the ONCF website to learn more about their prices and to book your ticket.
Cost of traveling by taxis in Morocco
Taxis in Morocco are quite cheap to use and you can find them everywhere. Prices vary from city to city but usually, the fare for a short ride within the same city should be around $2- $5.
For longer distances, you can negotiate the price with the driver before getting in.
Cost of food in Morocco
ESTIMATED COST: $5-$30 USD per day
Food in Morocco is relatively cheap and you can get a decent meal for just a few dollars. Especially street food.
You can get a small Moroccan tagine, a salad, and bread for around $7 or less.
Moroccan cuisine is very delicious and diverse with so many vegetarian dishes available in most places. You just have to ask.
If you are into fancy dining, Morocco has that as well. You can find nice places serving local and international cuisine, but it is more expensive than the traditional local restaurant food.
A 1-person Tagine or Couscous dish in an expensive restaurant would cost around $20. If you add a drink and a salad maybe you will pay $30 or more.
Morocco is still a great cheap destination to try the best food if you are on a budget and there are many options for eating out without breaking the bank.
Cost of tours and activities in Morocco
ESTIMATED COST: $0 – $200 USD per day
Activities and tours are going to slightly increase your Morocco budget, but they are worth the money and can be quite cheap if you know where to look.
A guided tour in a major city like Marrakech or Fez can cost around $25 for a half day and up to around $50 for a full day.
Another example is a day trip to the Sahara Desert with a camel ride that costs between $80-$100 per person.
Entry tickets to sites and attractions will also cost you around $7 per site. For example, if you choose to visit both Saadiyin Tombs and Medrasa ben Yousef sites in Marrakech, you will end up paying 14$.
Fortunately, not all attraction entries in Morocco are paid, many are free like the Souks and main squares.
Cost of souvenir shopping in Morocco
ESTIMATED COST: $0 – $1000 USD per day
If you come to Morocco, you have to buy a souvenir. There are so many unique and beautiful things that can be found in Morocco.
You can find anything from handmade carpets, pottery, leather goods, jewelry, and spices. Prices vary depending on the quality and where you are buying it from.
You can usually find great deals in the souks, so it is always worth bargaining and checking out a few places before making your purchase.
To get an idea about Moroccan product prices, here is a list of popular souvenirs people buy and their prices. These prices are estimates only and the actual price will depend on the size, quality, and how well you bargained with the seller.
- Moroccan handmade rugs: $200 to $1000
- Moroccan cosmetic Argan oil: $2 to $10
- Moroccan leather poufs: $25 to $40
- Moroccan traditional shoes: $10 to $30
- Moroccan black spices: $1 to $5
- Moroccan chandeliers & lights: $20 to $50
Tips on having a cheap vacation in Morocco
This is a round-up of the best takeaways from our Morocco cheap travel guide. If you follow these final tips, I’m sure you will save money while enjoying Morocco.
- Visit Morocco out of season: High season in Morocco is always busy and comes with double prices. The cold months in Morocco (November to February) are usually the cheapest to travel.
- Look for deals: Keep checking Booking.com, Skyscanner, and other travel websites for cheap deals. It’s the best way to save money.
- Avoid eating at fancy restaurants: There are plenty of local cafes and budget-friendly restaurants in the market or the Medina neighborhoods. Also, avoid spending more money on drinks and vars in Morocco. This will save you a lot.
- Haggle in the Souk: In Morocco, you will be overcharged if you don’t negotiate the price. That’s all I have to say.
- Go for budget accommodation: As mentioned earlier Morocco doesn’t lack well-priced accommodation options. To enjoy a good stay in Morocco, don’t go for the super cheap hotels unless you are a broke backpacker.
- Don’t book extra activities and tours: You can enjoy what Morocco has to offer without purchasing tours and activities. No hot air balloon and fancy Hammam spa, hit the Souks instead, and visit a local Hammam for literally $2 for the whole day.
Wrap up
Overall, Morocco is a great destination for budget travelers and there are plenty of opportunities to save money while still having a great time.
Budgeting around $50-$60 (not including accommodation) per day should be enough for most travelers, but again you can explore Morocco on less than that you just need to plan your trip ahead.
