Morocco Travel Costs: How Expensive Is a Vacation in Morocco?

How Expensive Is a Vacation in Morocco?

How much your Morocco trip will cost ultimately depends on your travel style, where you sleep, and what activities you do.

For a quick overview, here are a few key prices to know.

• Flights: from $30 to $200
• Accommodations: nice mid-range hotels start from $60 to $120
• Rental car: $120 to $160 per week
• Taxis: 20 to 30 cents per kilometer
• Buses & trains: from $2 to $20 per ticket, depending on the route
• Food: $7 to $10 for a good lunch, dinner around $15
• Activities: admission to the Bahia Palace in Marrakech approx. $10, multi-day desert tour from $120, cooking class from $45
• Internet: SIM card from $2 to $5, 10 GB for 30 days around $9

Currency in Morocco

Morocco’s currency is called the dirham, abbreviated as MAD. The exchange rate changes constantly, of course — but as a rough rule of thumb, 10 dirhams is about 1 euro (usually a few cents less).

You get money in Morocco as banknotes — 20s, 50s, 100s, and 200s — as well as 10-dirham coins and a few smaller denominations.

What’s the best way to pay in Morocco?

The best way to pay in Morocco is with cash. Many restaurants, smaller accommodations, and market vendors don’t have card readers and only accept cash.

That’s why we strongly recommend always having enough cash on you — especially if you’re on a road trip and traveling outside the larger cities like Marrakech, Fès, or Rabat.

That said, some places in Morocco now accept cards — for example, larger accommodations in Marrakech and the bigger hotels in Fès.

Many bars and tourist-oriented restaurants and souvenir shops (not in the markets) in major cities also take cards. Most gas stations accept card payments too.

For activities and public transportation, we always recommend booking online in advance whenever possible — you can pay easily with a credit card or via PayPal. We’ll tell you exactly where we book things throughout this article.

How do I get cash in Morocco?

The best way to get cash is at an ATM. All you need is a good travel credit card that lets you withdraw money fee-free.

“Free” with any credit card only means your home bank doesn’t charge a fee. The Moroccan bank where you withdraw can still charge its own fee.

That fee is often between 20 and 50 MAD (about 2 to 5 euros) per withdrawal. In our experience, Umnia Bank in Morocco doesn’t charge one.

How Much Do Flights to Morocco Cost?

Flight prices to Morocco vary a lot depending on the time of year. Morocco is particularly affordable as a winter destination.

From January through March, you can find cheap direct flights for as little as 30 euros round-trip — a great escape from the cold.

And the best part: March actually falls within the best time to visit Morocco. We did our road trip through the south in March, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous!

In spring and fall — also among the best times to go — you can find flights from around 100 euros, so Morocco travel costs stay very manageable.

In December, prices start at around 120 euros, and in summer, flights run from about 180 euros. Honestly, it’s too hot then anyway.

Booking early is always a smart move. That said, especially for the winter months, you can still find last-minute deals.

Compare flights on Skyscanner

Accommodation Costs in Morocco

Where you stay makes a big difference to your Morocco budget. Accommodations in the major cities — especially Marrakech — are pricier than in smaller towns like Essaouira, Chefchaouen, or Meknès.

For example, you can get a double room in a really lovely riad in Essaouira for around 50 to 60 euros. Prices for riads in Fès or Marrakech run higher.

We paid around 115 euros for our riad in Marrakech, the Monriad. That’s about what you should expect for a nice place. But you can also find more affordable riads for around 70 euros.

In the Atlas Mountains and at Morocco’s most beautiful beaches — like in Taghazout — budget 50 to 100 euros per night, depending on location and comfort level.

If you want a bit more luxury in the cities or at the beach, plan on spending from 180 euros for a double room — usually more.

Our tip: During the off-season or Ramadan, you can sometimes snag a real bargain. That said, booking early is worth it no matter the time of year.

Rental Car Costs in Morocco

If you want to drive yourself around Morocco, you’ll need to factor in the cost of a rental car. Prices vary by season. A rental car is most expensive in high summer — plan on around 250 euros per week.

During the best travel months in spring and fall, rental car prices in Morocco drop significantly — budget around 120 to 160 euros per week.

You can get an even better deal in the winter months at the start of the year. We recommend booking your rental car as early as possible.

We book through Discovercars, where you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before pickup. In Morocco, we’ve had great experiences with Enterprise car rental.

Compare rental car deals on Discovercars
Our tip: When booking, make sure you get solid insurance coverage — that’s the best way to stay protected while traveling in Morocco. We always go for zero deductible with premium coverage.

Public Transportation Costs

Getting around Morocco by taxi, bus, or train is really affordable compared to most Western countries.

Taxi prices in Morocco

Taxi fares in Morocco vary by city, time of day, and type of taxi. There are petit taxis (which operate within city limits) and grand taxis (larger taxis for longer distances).

In most cities, petit taxi fares start at around 5 to 7 MAD (about 50 to 70 cents) during the day and 8 to 10 MAD (about 80 cents to 1 euro) in the evening. The per-kilometer rate is around 2 to 3 MAD (about 20 to 30 cents).

Note: Petit taxi drivers are normally required to use the meter. In practice, though — especially with tourists — drivers often want to agree on an inflated flat rate. You can either find a different taxi or negotiate a flat rate you’re happy with.

Grand taxi prices depend on the route, and you pay per person. Popular routes, such as between Marrakech and Essaouira, cost around 70 to 100 MAD (about 7 to 10 euros) per person.

You can also hire grand taxis for private trips — just negotiate the price in advance. Depending on the route and distance, expect to pay 300 to 800 MAD (30 to 80 euros).

Long-distance bus prices in Morocco

Long-distance buses in Morocco are affordable, comfortable, and — based on our experience — very punctual. From Essaouira to Marrakech, we paid around 12 euros each way.

For the roughly 550 kilometers from Marrakech to Fès, tickets are available from 16 euros. For shorter trips — like from Fès to Meknès — you can find tickets from as little as 2 euros.

Note: For short distances within cities, we recommend taking a taxi rather than local buses — even if buses are cheaper. We never really figured out the local bus schedules, and you have to track down the nearest stop first.
Train prices in Morocco

Train tickets in Morocco are generally a bit higher than long-distance buses. Still, it’s a great experience.

We took the train from Rabat to Fès, for example, and paid around 15 euros in second class. First class costs only a little more.

For the second-class route from Marrakech to Fès, you’ll pay around 30 euros.

Where we book our long-distance buses and trains in Morocco

We prefer to book tickets for long-distance buses and trains in advance online through 12Go. On this platform, you can compare all available buses, trains, and even (semi-)private minivans.

The cool part: It doesn’t matter whether you book a day ahead or a month in advance — in Morocco, prices stay the same.

That said, to secure your preferred departure time, we recommend booking at least two to three days in advance.

Compare buses and trains on 12Go

Food and Drink Prices in Morocco

Eating out in Morocco is unfortunately no longer as cheap as it was when we first visited in 2018. But it’s still cheaper than most European countries.

Restaurant and café prices are fairly consistent across Morocco — we didn’t notice much regional variation. Many riads also charge similar prices for a dinner menu.

Here’s a simple overview of what to expect at restaurants:

• Moroccan tagine: 8 euros
• Moroccan couscous: 9 euros
• Brochette with fries: 7 euros
• Fish plate at a simple restaurant: 10 euros
• Salad as a starter: 4 euros
• Moroccan tea at a café: 1.50 euros
• Café au lait: 2 euros
• Fresh juice at a café: 4 euros
• Small portion of street food at Djemaa El Fna: 5 euros
• Dinner menu at a riad for two: 30 euros

Activity and Excursion Prices

Prices for activities and excursions in Morocco vary quite a bit. Admission fees for Marrakech’s top sights have risen significantly in recent years.

On the other hand, we find guided desert tours to the Erg Chebbi departing from Marrakech to be seriously good value for money.

Here’s a full overview of the most popular things to do in Morocco and the best excursions from Marrakech, with prices:

• Admission to the Bahia Palace in Marrakech: approx. 10 euros
• Admission to the Medersa Ben Youssef Koranic school in Marrakech: approx. 5 euros
• Admission to the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech: 15 euros
• Admission to most museums: 3 to 7 euros
• Multi-day desert tour in Morocco: from 100 euros
• Day trip to the Agafay Desert: from 50 euros
• Cooking class in Marrakech: from 45 euros
• Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate: 8 euros
• Quad tour: from 40 euros
• Beginner surf lesson in Taghazout: from 40 euros
• Excursion to the Ouzoud Waterfalls: from 16 euros

Clothing and Souvenir Prices in Morocco

Souvenir and clothing prices in Morocco vary quite a bit — it all depends on where you shop and what you’re looking for.

In general, prices in the souks (markets) are lower than in regular stores. Keep in mind, though, that many souvenirs in Morocco are cheap imports from China.

If you want something genuinely Moroccan — like quality argan oil, real leather, handwoven rugs, or authentic ceramics — make sure to buy from certified vendors.

Look for places called cooperatives, which are government-supported. In larger cities, you’ll also find what are known as artisanat (craft centers), where prices are fixed.

You can identify genuine Moroccan ceramics by turning them over — they’re signed with “Fes” on the bottom. Authentic pieces also tend to have more muted colors.

Especially in Marrakech and Fès, many goods in the souks — including imported items — are sold to tourists at inflated prices.

You’ll find better deals on simple clothing, ceramics, lamps, and the like outside the popular tourist hotspots — for example, in smaller towns like Essaouira or Meknès.

Or stop at roadside shops in the Atlas Mountains selling ceramics — you can’t miss them. Prices there are genuinely lower for many things.

At popular highlights in Morocco like Ait-Ben-Haddou, the Todra Gorge, the Dades Gorge, or other tourist spots, prices will of course go up again.

Here’s a quick overview of what we paid for our souvenirs (mostly in Moroccan souks and after bargaining):

• Small woven rug: 15 euros
• Small (imported) bowl: 3 euros
• Medium (imported) bowl: 8 euros
• Small Fès bowl: 15 euros
• Small Moroccan teapot: 4 euros
• Soap dish: 3 euros
• Argan oil: 4 euros
• Small mosaic lamp: 17 euros
• Simple T-shirt: 4 euros
• Cotton scarf: 6 euros

Our tip: Always haggle! Vendors will always quote you a high opening price. Make a low — but not completely unreasonable — counteroffer, aiming to pay no more than half the asking price, or ideally around 40 percent. That’s a good deal!

Note: Especially in the souks of Marrakech, we found that many vendors simply wouldn’t negotiate — there are apparently plenty of tourists willing to pay the inflated prices. Don’t play along; just shop somewhere else.

Tipping in Morocco

Tipping is very common in Morocco and expected by many waiters, hotel staff, and tour guides. That said, it is not obligatory.

At regular restaurants and cafés, 5 to 10 percent is standard; for smaller bills, you can also leave 5 to 10 MAD (about 0.50 to 1 euro). At upscale restaurants, 10 to 15 percent is the norm.

For room cleaning, leaving around 10 to 20 MAD (about 1 to 2 euros) per day is appreciated. If staff carry your luggage, 10 to 20 MAD per bag is standard.

If you take a guided tour, you should also tip your guide.

50 to 100 MAD (about 5 to 10 euros) per person is generally appropriate. You could also give a separate driver around 50 MAD, though it’s not required.

If you want to photograph or film street performers, always tip them — it’s often their only source of income. 5 to 10 MAD (0.50 to 1 euro) is plenty.

Petit taxi drivers don’t expect a tip, but as a gesture of appreciation you can round up the fare. For grand taxis, 10 to 20 MAD is a nice touch.

Frequently Asked Questions