A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durban vs. Marrakech for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Durban or Marrakech?

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 Durban and Marrakech. 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: Durban or Marrakech?

Durban

The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.

Marrakech

Marrakech is on of the most popular travel destinations in Morocco. It is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat and is located near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains only a few hours from the Sahara Desert. It's a beautiful city that is often referred to as the "Pink City" because of the pale pink color of many of the city's buildings. These striking colors make the city particularly beautiful during the evening hours when the low sun creates a very dramatic lighting.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Durban?

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 Durban is $69, while the average daily cost in Marrakech is $103. 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 Durban and Marrakech in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durban $27
    Marrakech $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durban $54
    Marrakech $118
Compare Hotels in Durban and Marrakech

Looking for a hotel in Durban or Marrakech? 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 Durban


Hotels in Marrakech


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: Durban Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durban $14
    Marrakech $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

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

  • Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $47
  • Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $51
  • Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $66
  • Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
  • Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $51
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech

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

  • Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech With Private Transfers: $274
  • "Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer": $270
  • From Marrakech : Private Transfer to Fes : $263
  • "Marrakech to Fes: Your Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $260
  • Asni private transfer from Asni city to Agadir airport (AGA): $252
  • Private transfer from marrakech to casablanca airport or center city: $249
  • Marrakech To Fez Private Transfer : $247
  • Private Comfortable Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira: $238
  • Private Transfer Agadir airport - Marrakech: $238
  • Private Transfer: Marrakech to Agadir// or Agadir to Marrakech: $238
  • Private & Comfortable Transfer from Marrakech city To Essaouira (6 persons): $238
  • Private Transfer From Marrakech To Fez: $226

Is it cheaper to fly into Durban or Marrakech?

Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Durban 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
    Durban $30
    Marrakech $29

Typical Food Prices in Marrakech

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


  • Orange Juice on the Square
    $0.33
  • Breakfast
    $1.33
  • Dates
    $0.66
  • Olives
    $1.00
  • Sandwich
    $1.43
  • Souvenir Spices
    $6.86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marrakech

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

  • Marrakesh: Agafay Desert Sunset, Camel Ride, Dinner and Show: $9.00
  • Sunset Dinner in the Agafay Desert: $10
  • Agafay Desert Dinner, Camel Ride & Quad Biking.: $12
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show – From Marra: $12
  • Agafay Desert Quad & Camel Rides with Dinner Show: $12
  • Marrakech Agafay Camel ride,Dinner , Fire Show: $12
  • Camel Ride in the Agafay Desert, Dinner and Fire Show: $12
  • Agafay Desert: Camel ride, dinner and fire show: $12
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride with Dinner in Camp: $13
  • Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
  • Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride and Dinner Experience: $13
  • Camel Ride at Marrakech Desert Agafy with Dinner: $13

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Durban $18
    Marrakech $11

Tours and Activities in Durban

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.

  • Half Day Tour with Hiking Drakensberg Mountains from Durban: $197
  • Sani Pass Lesotho 4x4 Tour from Durban : $231
  • 1 Day Safari Isimangaliso Boat Cruise & Game Safari From Durban : $205
  • 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $144
  • 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $181
  • 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $190
  • 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $191
  • 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $191
  • 5-Day Zululand Tour of Drakensberg, Hluhluwe & Isimangaliso: $1,731
  • A Full Day Safari Tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve: $202
  • Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, 1 Day Tour from Durban: $267
  • Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $65

Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Palace Tickets
    $2.21
  • Golf at Atlas Golf
    $63

Tours and Activities in Marrakech

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

  • 3-Day Berber Experience & Hiking in the High Atlas Mountains: $268
  • 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Experience and Camel Trekking: $131
  • 7-Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech: $69
  • Agafay Desert Adventure Quad Camel Ride and Magical Evening: $60
  • Best Private Shopping Tour In the Souks of Marrakech: $48
  • Experience Moroccan Hammam and Massage: $119
  • Experience Spa Hammam Massage and Camel tour: $113
  • Experience the desert nomads in Marrakech!: $30
  • From Ouzoud Waterfalls Guided Tour & Boat Ride: $28
  • Full Day Guided Tour in Ouzoud Waterfalls : $30
  • Half-Day Quad Bike Experience in Marrakech: $45
  • Hot Air Balloon Adventure over Marrakesh and Atlas Mountains: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Durban $14
    Marrakech $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Marrakech

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marrakech:

  • Marrakech Nightlife Adventure: The Ultimate Pub Crawl: $26


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durban and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Marrakech would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marrakech than you might in Durban.

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


Which is Bigger, Durban or Marrakech?

Durban has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Durban and Marrakech, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.