A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Ouarzazate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ephesus or Ouarzazate?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Ouarzazate, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Ephesus or Ouarzazate?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Ephesus?

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 Ephesus is $131, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $60. 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 Ephesus and Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $55
    Ouarzazate $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $110
    Ouarzazate $48
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Ouarzazate? 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 Ephesus


Hotels in Ouarzazate


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $40
    Ouarzazate $3.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $180
  • Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $126
  • Ephesus Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $80
  • From-to Izmir AirPort to-from Kusadası Private Airport Transfer: $90
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $96
  • Kusadasi Boat Tour Lunch and Transfer Included: $38
  • Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Kusadasi Boat trip with BBQ Lunch & Roundtrip Transfer : $54
  • Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Kusadasi Horse Riding Beach and Forest options with Transfer : $65
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $185

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $45
    Ouarzazate $31
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.12
  • Dessert
    $0.13
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.46
  • Snacks
    $0.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

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

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

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

  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $46
    Ouarzazate $12

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

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

  • SKIP-THE-LINE: Group & Private Ephesus Tour ENTRY FEE & LUNCH: $7.00
  • Skip-the-Line Ephesus Tour with Lunch: $7.21
  • Kusadasi Legacy of the Ottomans: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.51
  • SKIP-THE-LINE: BEST-SELLER PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR for Cruise Guests: $9.52
  • Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour For Cruisers: $9.90
  • Mini Group Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour (Max. 10 guests): $9.90
  • Ephesus Cruiser Private or Small Group Tour, TICKET and LUNCH Opt: $9.94
  • PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR: SKIP-THE-LINE & ON-TIME Return to Cruise: $10
  • Special Discounted Ephesus Tour For Cruise Passengers: $10
  • "private Ephesus tours "" wholesaler Shop Tours ""from cruise port Kusadasi ": $10
  • Private Biblical Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi Cruise Port: $10
  • For Cruise Guests: Best of Ephesus Tour: $11

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

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

  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $119
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
  • Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
  • Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
  • Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
  • Ouarzazate ‘Hollywood of Morocco’ Private Full-Day Tour with Ait Ben Haddou: $227
  • Ouzoud Waterfall Day Tour from Marrakech: $32
  • Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
  • Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $12
    Ouarzazate -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • PRIVATE & GROUP: SKIP-THE-LINE EPHESUS with Wine Tasting & Lunch: $12
  • SKIP-THE-LINE Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $18
  • POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
  • Wine Tasting-Village Shore Excursion from Kusadasi Port: $50
  • Ephesus Shore Excursion with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $64
  • Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus & Şirince Village with Lunch& Wine Tasting (Fixed Price): $100
  • Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting and Traditional Turkish Lunch: $130
  • Private Ephesus Tour & Wine Tasting & Mediterrranean Lunch: $159


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

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


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Ouarzazate?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Ouarzazate, 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.