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

Should you visit Merzouga or Budva?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merzouga or Budva, 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 Budva?

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.

Budva

A coastal resort in Montenegro, Budva is probably the country's most popular tourist destination. Not only does it host a number of great beaches, but it is also home to a picturesque old town center located on a small peninsula. Some of its best features include narrow winding lanes, historic buildings, churches, and small squares.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Merzouga?

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 Merzouga is $24, while the average daily cost in Budva is $133. 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 Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Merzouga $11
    Budva $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Merzouga $22
    Budva $86
Compare Hotels in Merzouga and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Merzouga or Budva? 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 Merzouga


Hotels in Budva


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 Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Merzouga -
    Budva $24

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva

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


  • Daily Car Rental
    $76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:

  • Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $46
  • AIRPORT TRANSFER Montenegro Budva Tivat Podgorica Kotor Perast: $68
  • Tivat to Budva private one way transfer: $107
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat Airport (TIV): $111
  • Kotor to Budva one way transfer: $111
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $131
  • Private transfer Tivat/Kotor/Budva-Podgorica: $149
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $168

Is it cheaper to fly into Merzouga or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Merzouga $11
    Budva $63

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.
    Merzouga -
    Budva $26

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 Budva

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

  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $19
  • Tour Cetinje, Lovćen & Mausoleum: $24
  • Kayak & Hike Experience on Sveti Nikola Island: $53
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $53
  • Night Lights Kayaking Tour: $53
  • Budva Bay: Kayak & SUP Tour to Coastal Caves: $54
  • 2-Hour «Night Lights» Kayak Tour: $54
  • Small group kayaking tour from Budva to Sveti Nikola island caves: $60
  • Boka Bay: Kotor, Cave, Herceg Novi, & Lady of the Rocks Tour: $69
  • Full-Day Boka Bay Cruise Tour from Budva with Guide: $70
  • Great tour of coastal monasteries in Budva - Walking on the path of history!: $72
  • Budva Diving - Scuba Diving Experience: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Merzouga -
    Budva $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merzouga and Budva, we can see that Budva 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 Budva 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 Budva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budva 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 Budva Expensive?.