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

Should you visit Dahab or Merzouga?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Merzouga can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Dahab or Merzouga?

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Dahab?

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 Dahab is $26, 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 Dahab and Merzouga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $9.31
    Merzouga $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $19
    Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Merzouga

Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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 Dahab


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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $3.10
    Merzouga -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Dahab Hotel to Sharm ElSheikh Airport : $32
  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42
  • Private Transfer Between Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $60
  • Private Transfer To/From Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $68
  • Saint paul and saint anthony monastery​ private transfer: $69
  • Private Pickup Transfers from Dahab to Taba: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Merzouga?

Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Dahab 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
    Dahab $13
    Merzouga $11
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $2.00
  • Juice
    $0.11
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $36
  • Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $39
  • Dahab Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner: $95

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.
    Dahab $6.56
    Merzouga -

Tours and Activities in Dahab

For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Jeep Safari to Canyon Salama Day Tour from Dahab: $15
  • Dahab's Kept Secrets 5 Adventures in 1 Tour: $25
  • Saint Catherine's Monastery And Half Day Tour From Dahab : $30
  • Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $33
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Hurghada to Cairo tour Small group HurghadaToGo: $42
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $43
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $49
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $50
  • Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50
  • St. Catherine Tour from Sharm : $55

Tours and Activities in Merzouga

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

  • 3 hour Jeep Tour in Merzouga Desert : $119
  • Overnight Sahara Tours luxury camp : $72
  • Private Desert Tour and Visit to Nomadic Families: $108
  • 1 Hour Merzouga Buggy Desert Tour: $143
  • 1 Hour Merzouga Desert Buggy Experience: $153
  • 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $66
  • 1 hour Quad in the Sahara: Merzouga Off Roading Experience: Nature & Wildlife: $82
  • 2 days tour in Merzouga Erg Chabbi with 4WD Jeep and Camel Treck : $179
  • 2 hours Merzouga Dunes ATV Rental - Desert Quad Biking Tour: $116
  • 2-Days Merzouga tour from Errachidia: $200
  • 2-Night Desert Camp Experience with Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $140
  • 3 Days Tour From Marrakech To Sahara Desert Of Merzouga: $118

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $3.89
    Merzouga -


When comparing the travel costs between Dahab and Merzouga, we can see that Dahab is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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