Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Merzouga?
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 Merzouga or Bilbao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merzouga or Bilbao, 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: Merzouga or Bilbao?
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.
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Merzouga Prices
Morocco PricesBilbao Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerzouga $24Bilbao $200
The average daily cost (per person) in Merzouga is $24, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is $200. 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 Merzouga and Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerzouga $11Bilbao $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerzouga $22Bilbao $170
Compare Hotels in Merzouga and Bilbao
Looking for a hotel in Merzouga or Bilbao? 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: Merzouga Hotel Prices and Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merzouga -Bilbao $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Private One way Transfer from Bilbao to Bilbao Airport: $36
- Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $52
- Bilbao Airport Private Departure Transfer: $52
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
- Departure Private Transfer Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Business Car: $60
- Departure Transfer: Bilbao to Bilbao Airport BIO by Luxury Van: $67
- Bilbao city to Bilbao Airport (BIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $71
- Bilbao Private Transfer from Bilbao city centre to Bilbao Airport: $80
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $85
- Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao City Hotels: $94
Is it cheaper to fly into Merzouga or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao and Merzouga 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 dayMerzouga $11Bilbao $91
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local: $105
- Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $107
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $112
- Basque Food Tour and Wine Tasting with Guide: $112
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class: $112
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $119
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $120
- The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $125
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $148
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $149
- Immersive Basque Cooking Class: $165
- Private Guided Street Food Tour of Bilbao: $182
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merzouga -Bilbao $34
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
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bilbao Year of Love: Romantic Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
- Bilbao (Monumental) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $10
- Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $12
- Walking Tour on the Origins of Football in Bilbao and Biscay: $12
- 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $17
- San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $19
- I am a tour guide who shows the history of the town of Bilbao.: $20
- Bilbao Walking Tour and cable car in spanish: $22
- Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $22
- Bilbao old town walking tour: $23
- Bilbao Historical Tour in small group: $23
- Self Guided Bike Tour in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao's Seaside): $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerzouga -Bilbao $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unique Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier - In Bilbao: $53
- Basque Wine Tasting with Sommelier (Bilbao): $54
- Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika, & Wine Tour: $70
- From La Rioja Wineries Day Trip with Wine Tastings: $75
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $100
- The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local: $118
- Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $119
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $195
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $198
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $207
- Boutique Rioja Wine Tour with Charming Lunch (From Bilbao): $266
- La Rioja Boutique Wine Tour & Charming Lunch (From Bilbao): $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merzouga and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merzouga is in Africa and Bilbao is in Europe, 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Merzouga Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.
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.