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Budget Guide
Morocco on a Budget
World-class experiences from $25/day: how much Morocco actually costs, city-by-city price breakdowns, and the money-saving tips that make the difference.
Daily Budget Overview
Shoestring
200–300 MAD ($20–30)
Hostel dorms, street food only, shared transport, free activities. Possible but basic.
Budget
350–500 MAD ($35–50)
Budget riad, mix of street food and restaurants, trains, occasional paid activities. Comfortable and recommended.
Mid-Range
700–1,200 MAD ($70–120)
Charming riad, restaurant meals, guided tours, some shopping. The sweet spot for most visitors.
Comfort
1,500–3,000 MAD ($150–300)
Boutique riad, fine dining, private guides, spa hammams, quality shopping. Excellent value for luxury.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Accommodation
Budget: 150–350 MAD ($15–35)/dayMid-range: 400–1,000 MAD ($40–100)/day
| Hostel dorm bed | 80–150 MAD ($8–15) |
| Budget riad (double room) | 200–400 MAD ($20–40) |
| Mid-range riad (double) | 500–1,000 MAD ($50–100) |
| Budget hotel | 150–300 MAD ($15–30) |
| Airbnb apartment | 250–500 MAD ($25–50) |
| Desert camp (basic) | 300–500 MAD ($30–50) |
Money-Saving Tips
- * Book riads directly (not via Booking.com) for 10–20% off
- * Shoulder season (March–May, September–November) has lowest prices
- * Meknes and Rabat riads are 30–50% cheaper than Marrakech equivalents
Food & Drink
Budget: 60–120 MAD ($6–12)/dayMid-range: 150–350 MAD ($15–35)/day
| Harira (soup) | 3–5 MAD ($0.30–0.50) |
| Msemen (flatbread) | 1–3 MAD ($0.10–0.30) |
| Bocadillo sandwich | 10–20 MAD ($1–2) |
| Tagine (local restaurant) | 25–50 MAD ($2.50–5) |
| Fresh orange juice | 4–8 MAD ($0.40–0.80) |
| Mint tea | 5–10 MAD ($0.50–1) |
| Restaurant tagine (tourist area) | 50–100 MAD ($5–10) |
| Water (1.5L bottle) | 5–7 MAD ($0.50–0.70) |
Money-Saving Tips
- * Eat where locals eat — the medina streets behind the tourist lanes
- * Street food is safe, fresh, and costs a fraction of restaurant prices
- * Avoid Jemaa el-Fnaa food stalls in Marrakech — the most expensive street food in Morocco
Transport
Budget: 50–150 MAD ($5–15)/dayMid-range: 100–300 MAD ($10–30)/day
| Train: Marrakech–Fes | 145–215 MAD ($15–22) |
| Train: Casablanca–Rabat | 55–75 MAD ($5.50–7.50) |
| CTM bus: Marrakech–Essaouira | 75–90 MAD ($7.50–9) |
| Grand taxi (shared) | 30–80 MAD ($3–8) |
| City petit taxi | 10–30 MAD ($1–3) |
| Tram (Rabat/Casablanca) | 6–8 MAD ($0.60–0.80) |
Money-Saving Tips
- * Second-class train is perfectly comfortable and half the price of first class
- * Shared grand taxis are the cheapest intercity transport — fixed routes, fixed prices
- * Always agree taxi prices before getting in, or insist on the meter
Activities & Sightseeing
Budget: 0–100 MAD ($0–10)/dayMid-range: 100–500 MAD ($10–50)/day
| Medina walking (self-guided) | Free |
| Museum entry | 10–70 MAD ($1–7) |
| Hassan II Mosque tour | 130 MAD ($13) |
| Hammam (public/local) | 10–20 MAD ($1–2) |
| Hammam (tourist/spa) | 150–400 MAD ($15–40) |
| Half-day guided tour | 300–600 MAD ($30–60) |
| Sahara desert overnight | 500–1,500 MAD ($50–150) |
Money-Saving Tips
- * The best experiences in Morocco are free: walking medinas, watching sunsets, exploring souks
- * Use the local public hammam instead of the tourist spa version — 90% cheaper and more authentic
- * Self-guided walking tours (available on this site) save guide fees
Shopping
Budget: Variable/dayMid-range: Variable/day
| Leather bag (medina) | 100–400 MAD ($10–40) |
| Moroccan slippers (babouches) | 50–200 MAD ($5–20) |
| Argan oil (1L, culinary) | 150–300 MAD ($15–30) |
| Ras el hanout spice mix (100g) | 20–50 MAD ($2–5) |
| Ceramic tagine pot | 50–200 MAD ($5–20) |
| Berber rug | 500–5,000+ MAD ($50–500+) |
Money-Saving Tips
- * Start bargaining at 30–40% of the first quoted price and aim for 50–60%
- * The Ensemble Artisanal (government-run) in each city shows fair prices — use as a benchmark
- * Buy spices from the souk, not from tourist shops near attractions — 3x price difference
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City-Specific Budget Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to travel in Morocco per day?
Morocco daily costs vary by travel style. Budget travellers: 250–400 MAD ($25–40) per day — hostel dorm, street food, local transport. Mid-range travellers: 600–1,200 MAD ($60–120) per day — riad, restaurant meals, some guided tours. Luxury travellers: 2,000+ MAD ($200+) per day — boutique riad, fine dining, private guides. Morocco is one of the best-value travel destinations in the world — you can eat well for $3 and stay in beautiful riads for $40–80.
What is the cheapest city in Morocco?
The cheapest cities in Morocco for travellers: Meknes (cheapest imperial city — tagines from 20 MAD, rooms from 150 MAD), Chefchaouen (very cheap food and guesthouses, though accommodation is rising), Ouarzazate (desert prices are low), and Rabat (capital city but cheaper than Marrakech). The most expensive cities are Marrakech (tourist inflation), Casablanca (business travellers), and Essaouira (seasonal prices). Interior cities are always cheaper than the coast.
Is Morocco cheap for tourists?
Yes — Morocco is very affordable for tourists, especially compared to Europe. A full street food meal costs $2–4. A riad room starts at $30–50. Train tickets between major cities cost $5–15. A guided day tour costs $30–60. Morocco is cheaper than most Mediterranean destinations while offering world-class cultural and culinary experiences. The main budget trap is Marrakech's medina (inflated prices in the souks) — shop with confidence and you'll find Morocco excellent value.