Is Morocco Good for Backpackers?
Quick answer
Yes — Morocco is a fantastic, affordable backpacking destination: cheap food and beds, good trains and buses, sociable hostels, and huge variety (cities, desert, mountains, coast) close to Europe. Budget travellers can get by on roughly 350–550 MAD a day. Just expect souk hustle and travel with normal street smarts.
Morocco is a backpacker favourite for good reason — it’s exotic yet accessible, packed with experiences, and easy on the wallet. With a little savvy it’s a brilliant, rewarding trip on a budget.
Here’s the honest backpacker picture.
Why it works for backpackers
Costs are low: hostel dorms and basic guesthouses are cheap, street food and local eateries are excellent value (a tagine 40–80 MAD), and trains and CTM/Supratours buses connect the country affordably. A budget traveller can manage on roughly 350–550 MAD (around £28–44 / $35–55) a day.
The variety is unbeatable for the price — medinas, the Sahara, Atlas trekking, blue Chefchaouen and Atlantic surf towns — and short, cheap flights from Europe make it easy to reach. Sociable hostels in Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira and Chefchaouen make meeting fellow travellers and sharing desert tours easy.
Getting around on a budget
Trains (ONCF) are comfortable and cheap on the main corridors; for routes they don’t cover, CTM and Supratours buses are reliable and inexpensive (book popular routes ahead). Shared grand taxis fill the gaps for short intercity hops. Within cities, petit taxis are cheap — insist on the meter.
Shared group desert tours from Marrakech or Fes are the budget way to reach the dunes; splitting a private tour between a few hostel friends is also affordable.
Honest tips and safety
Expect souk hustling, faux guides and overcharging — manage it with confidence, firm “la shukran,” agreed prices and haggling. Petty theft in crowds is the main risk, so keep valuables secure; violent crime against tourists is rare. Carry dirham cash (much is cash-only), dress modestly in towns, and stick to busy lanes at night.
Travel in spring or autumn for the best weather, eat where locals eat, haggle in souks, and use hostels and group tours to cut costs and meet people. Solo and female backpackers do well with the usual precautions.
Key takeaways
- Yes — cheap, varied and well-connected, ideal for backpackers.
- Budget ~350–550 MAD/day; trains and buses are great value.
- Sociable hostels make meeting people and sharing tours easy.
- Manage souk hustle and petty theft; carry cash, dress modestly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need to backpack Morocco?
Roughly 350–550 MAD a day (around £28–44 / $35–55) for hostels/basic guesthouses, street food and local eateries, and trains/buses. Less if you’re frugal; more with paid tours.
Are there hostels in Morocco?
Yes — sociable hostels are common in Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Chefchaouen and other hubs, great for meeting travellers and sharing desert tours.
Is backpacking Morocco safe?
Generally yes — the main issues are souk hustle, faux guides and petty theft rather than violent crime. Keep valuables secure, agree prices, dress modestly in towns, and use normal street smarts.
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