A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ankara vs. Merzouga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ankara or Merzouga?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Merzouga. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Ankara or Merzouga?

Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.

Merzouga

Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Ankara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $110, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $24. 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 Ankara and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $45
    Merzouga $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $90
    Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Merzouga? 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.

Hotels in Ankara


Hotels in Merzouga


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: Ankara Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $29
    Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.03
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $42
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
  • Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers : $48
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $54
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $54
  • Turkey Ankara Airport Private VIP Transfer Service ESB: $69
  • Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $114
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $114
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Ankara 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ankara $44
    Merzouga $11
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.

  • Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $49
  • Baklava Cooking Class: $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.

  • Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $47
  • From 1 Night in the luxury camp. Camel ride and dinner: $60
  • Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $60
  • Merzouga Luxury AC Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $66
  • Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $66
  • Private Trip By Jeep In Merzouga Desert, Lunch with Berber Pizza: $90
  • Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
  • 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $27
    Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Underground City
    $0.19

Tours and Activities in Ankara

Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $36
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
  • 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
  • Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $235
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $240
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $249
  • Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:

  • Merzouga Quad and Buggy Desert Tour: $40
  • ATV Quad bikes experience & sandboarding : $41
  • Merzouga Jeep Tour with or without local lunch: $42
  • Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion - Sahara 4WD Adventure: $45
  • 4WD Desert tour Adventure Experience: $45
  • Merzouga 4x4 Tour Excursion Around Erg Chebbi Dunes: $47
  • Ultimate Desert Adventure – Quads, Buggies, Motorcycles & Camels!: $47
  • Merzouga Explorer Tour: Desert Life, Nomads and Gnawa Music: $48
  • Merzouga Desert Excursion - Sahara 4x4 Adventure: $48
  • Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $48
  • Sahara Desert Quad & Buggy Adventure in Merzouga: $48
  • Sanding Ball in Experience the sand dunes on a zorbing activity: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $12
    Merzouga -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Merzouga, we can see that Ankara is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ankara is in Europe and Merzouga is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Ankara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ankara than you might in Merzouga.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.


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