Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Marrakech?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Johannesburg and Marrakech 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: Johannesburg or Marrakech?
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3 million people. Most of the population is made up of South Africa's black residents, who predominately reside in the Soweto area. There are approximately half a million white residents and 300,000 residents of other descent. Half of the population live in the Soweto area as well as the nearby suburbs.
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 Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesMarrakech Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $115Marrakech $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $115, 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 Johannesburg and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $58Marrakech $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $116Marrakech $118
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg 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.
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: Johannesburg Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $17Marrakech $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
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Taxi Ride$3.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg HTL-APT (JNB): $38
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg APT-HTL (JNB): $38
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $209
- Tour operator. airport and hotels transfers chauffeur and safari tours services.: $32
- Suncity Transfer: $206
- Shuttle and Transfers to Johannesburg and Pretoria: $74
- Private Van Airport Transfers : Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria: $48
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg by Sedan Car: $77
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg by Luxury Car: $118
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Sedan Car: $76
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $83
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Car: $113
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Horse Riding in Palmeraie Grove 2 hour ride & transfer- Marrakech: $5.00
- Private Transfer Marrakech Menara Airport RAK to City Hotels: $5.00
- Marrakech Airport Transfer: $5.01
- Marrakech Airport Transfer (ONE WAY pick-up OR/OU ONE WAY drop-off): $7.14
- Marrakech Airport Transfer (ONE WAY pick-up OR/OU ONE WAY drop-off): $7.14
- Marrakech Airport Transfer ( ONE WAY pick-up OR/OU ONE WAY drop-off): $7.14
- Marrakech Airport Transfer : $8.93
- Private Transfer To/From Marrakech Airport: $9.52
- Marrakech Airport Transfer: $9.52
- Marrakech Menara Airport to City Transfer: $9.52
- Private transfer from airport Menara Marrakech To Riad/Hotel or Opposite way: $9.52
- Marrakech Airport Transfer : $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Johannesburg 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
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Food Meals for one dayJohannesburg $31Marrakech $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $60
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $105
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner : $106
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $107
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $110
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience : $130
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $132
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $144
Typical Food Prices in Marrakech
For Marrakech, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Orange Juice on the Square$0.33
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Breakfast$1.33
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Dates$0.66
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Olives$1.00
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Sandwich$1.43
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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: Camel ride, dinner and fire show: $12
- Marrakech Agafay Camel ride,Dinner , Fire Show: $12
- Camel Ride in the Agafay Desert, Dinner and Fire Show: $12
- Agafay Desert Quad & Camel Rides with Dinner Show: $12
- Agafay Desert Dinner, Camel Ride & Quad Biking.: $12
- Agafay Desert Sunset Dinner Show – From Marra: $12
- Morocco's Top Cooking Classes For Authentic berber Cuisine in the Atlas Mountain: $13
- Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride and Dinner Experience: $13
- Agafay Desert Sunset Camel Ride with Dinner in Camp: $13
- Camel Ride at Marrakech Desert Agafy with Dinner: $13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $23Marrakech $11
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Golf Tour, Sun City , Gary Player Course - Rated the Best: $242
- Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $130
- Private Full Day Johannesburg apartheid museum and Soweto Tour : $118
- Private soweto half day tour: $80
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $56
- 1 Day Pilanesberg Safari with Tour Guide: $271
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $1,063
- 5 Days 4 Nights Safari Tour In Madikwe And Pilanersbeg: $2,386
- Aerial cableway Hartebeespoort Halfday tour: $153
- African Food Tasting Tour: $65
- Amapiano & Afrobeats Nightlife Experience in Johannesburg: $109
- Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria: $198
Typical Entertainment Prices in Marrakech
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Marrakech's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Palace Tickets$2.21
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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:
- Luxury Full-Day Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert Tour: $9.52
- Small group to Atlas Mountains 4valleys;Waterfulls and camel Ride experience : $11
- Atlas Mountains ourika valley Guided Tour: $11
- Full-Day Tour from Marrakech to the Imlil & Toubkal Valley: $11
- Group shared day tour to Ourika valley & Atlas Mountains: $11
- Atlas Mountains Ourika Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $11
- Marrakech Culture Tour Guided Half Day Exploration of Medina: $12
- Atlas Mountain Full Day Tour with Three Valleys and Waterfalls: $12
- Medina Walking Tour with Souk Shopping in Marrakech: $12
- Marrakech Cultural Tour Madrasa Ben Youssef and Secret Garden: $12
- Shopping tour Marrakech Souks: $12
- Marrakech Airport to Hotel – Your Premium Arrival Experience: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $5.05Marrakech $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Johannesburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $8.85
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
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 comparing the travel costs between Johannesburg and Marrakech, we can see that Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Marrakech?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marrakech. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.