Which place is cheaper, Marrakech or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar or Marrakech?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesMarrakech Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Marrakech $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, 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 Zanzibar and Marrakech in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Marrakech $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Marrakech $118
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Marrakech
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Marrakech Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Marrakech $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
- Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kendwa: $65
- Jozani Forest Guided Tour, Red Colobus and transfer: $67
- Zanzibar transfers and Taxi: $35
- Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Michamvi Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Kendwa Beach to the Airport: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marrakech
Also for Marrakech, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Agadir to Marrakech transfer One Way Private Transfer: $163
- Airport Marrakech Transfer one way: $24
- Hammam Massage Transfers Included: $83
- Hammam and Massage Experience with Transfers: $83
- Marrakech Airport Private Transfer: $30
- Marrakech Private Transfer to Hotels & Moroccan Cities: $159
- Private Horse carriages Experience & hotel transfer : $30
- Private Transfer Agadir airport - Marrakech: $238
- Private Transfer From Marrakech To Fez: $226
- Transfers from or to Marrakech Airport and Marrakech: $12
- private transfer to or from Marrakech and Taroudant one trip: $107
- "Marrakech to Chefchaouen: Your Exclusive Private Transfer": $270
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Marrakech?
Prices for flights to both Marrakech and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $30Marrakech $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
- Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
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 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Marrakech $11
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dolphin tour,See food lunch ,Aquarium ,Nunqwi beach,Sunset cruse: $145
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
- Mnemba Island, Nungwi Village & Sea Turtle Experience: $160
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $120
- Stone Town Historical tour: $26
- Stone town historical walking tour with Mohamed: $30
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $25
- 3h-Zanzibar Archipelago Shared ATV Experience: $79
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
- Group shared day tour to Ourika valley & Atlas Mountains: $11
- Atlas Mountains ourika valley Guided Tour: $11
- Atlas Mountains Ourika Valley Guided Tour From Marrakech : $11
- Full-Day Tour from Marrakech to the Imlil & Toubkal Valley: $11
- Marrakech Culture Tour Guided Half Day Exploration of Medina: $12
- Medina Walking Tour with Souk Shopping in Marrakech: $12
- Shopping tour Marrakech Souks: $12
- Marrakech Airport to Hotel – Your Premium Arrival Experience: $12
- Marrakech Cultural Tour Madrasa Ben Youssef and Secret Garden: $12
- Atlas Mountain Full Day Tour with Three Valleys and Waterfalls: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Marrakech $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 Zanzibar and Marrakech, we can see that Marrakech is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Marrakech Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Marrakech?
Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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.