How Much Does it Cost to go to Morocco?

Do you want to know how much does it cost to go to Morocco? Exploring the busy medinas in ancient cities, sunsets in the Sahara Desert, and trekking in the Atlas Mountains doesn’t need to cost you a fortune, but you need to budget. Morocco is one of the trendiest travel destinations of late and to fully enjoy yourself. You need to prepare for the costs.

I’ve based this article on a two-week trip to Morocco (14 days and 13 nights). Please note that this guide is based on the costs for a single person. If you are travelling as a couple, make sure to double these estimates (except for hotels).

Morocco trip cost

	Estimated cost
Airfare	$650
Accommodations	$1,300
Local transportation	$150
Attractions	$450
Food and drink	$350
Random spending	$200
Total	$3,100 USD

The above estimate is in American dollars, so please use xe.com to find the average costs in your home country.

If you’re Canadian, you may want to consider applying for one of the best travel credit cards in Canada to help offset your costs by collecting points. For example, the American Express Platinum Card gives you a generous welcome bonus that’s often worth more than $900 (potentially more if you transfer your points to Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy). There’s also the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card that has no foreign transaction fees, and it comes with airport lounge access.   

Airfare

Located on the northwest coast of Africa, Morocco can actually be surprisingly affordable to get to. Especially if you are travelling from the east coast of North America where you can get direct flights on multiple airlines from major cities like Montreal, New York, and Washington DC to Casablanca.

Flight prices will vary depending on how early you book, your starting destination, and the time of year (and day of the week) that you fly, however you should be able to find roundtrip flights for about $650 USD per person. Note that getting to Morocco if you’re in Europe can be rather inexpensive so consider dropping down if you’re there.

Note that you can also get to Morocco (Tangier) via a ferry from Spain if you happen to be there.

Accommodations

When it comes to finding accommodations in Morocco, you can find something in every price range. Morocco is best known for its riads, which are multi-level buildings that have gardens on the inside and the windows face the gardens. These are traditional Muslim designs with private rooms and popular accommodation options for everything from backpacker-type hotels to luxury hotels. There are also more traditional hotels and, especially in the Sahara, camping options.

Looking for some accommodation options? Here are some great options in Marrakech:

Hostels: Mosaic Hostel or The Madrassa

Mid-range: Hotel & Spa Riad El Walaa or Riad Farhan

Luxury: Riad Ambre Et Epices or Riad Kniza

For the purpose of creating this estimate, I’ve averaged the nightly cost based on the price of a night at a mid-range hotel which is approximately $100/night. There are plenty of options both above and below this estimate.

If you have the right credit card, you can save a fair amount of money on hotels. Americans should strongly consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card since you can earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and $300 back at U.S. restaurants as a welcome bonus.

Canadians should consider the Marriott Bonvoy American Express, which gives you up to 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. That’s enough points for a few free nights at some hotels, which could easily have a value of over $500.

Local transportation

Getting around Morocco is actually pretty easy, though depending on where you want to go, you can expect some long journeys.

Renting a car in Morocco is possible, but most people choose to use public transit instead. Morocco has both a bus and a train network that are easy to use.

Trains are the most comfortable, though not as well connected. Train tickets can be purchased at the stations ahead of time, or a couple of hours before you travel. There are first class and second class options, first-class is recommended to tourists as it is roomier and more comfortable and tickets are still very reasonably priced. For example, the train from Casablanca to Fez is about 4.5-5 hours and a first-class ticket costs approximately US$17.

Buses are better linked, though slower and not quite as comfortable. That being said, they are easy and safe to use for tourists. Buses should be booked online 72 hours in advance. If you do not meet this cutoff, you will need to go to the station to get your ticket in person a day before. It’s not recommended to leave getting your ticket until the day of as seats are limited and they tend to sell out.

You should be able to travel by public transit through Morocco for about $100. I’d then add in an extra $50 or so for taxi rides as some of the bus and train stations are located quite far from the Old Town which is where most people choose to stay.

Attractions

Morocco has no shortage of things to see and do, though the amount you need to budget really depends on your interests. Things like visiting palaces and Madrassas are quite cheap, while some day trips can be more on the expensive side.

That being said, Morocco isn’t a destination that you want to cheap out on when it comes to tours. Especially if you are going to the Sahara Desert or the high atlas mountains. Even if you can’t afford the luxury glamping options, it’s still better to pay a bit more and make sure you get proper guides and drivers who have safe vehicles and speak English, as well as decent desert accommodation. Travellers should also be aware that booking these types of tours in advance is highly recommended, as tour operators will overcharge you once you arrive. To give you a general idea, a good quality 3-day tour will cost around $275 USD.

It’s also worth doing a day tour when in Marrakech or doing a day trip to Essaouira or Agadir.

In terms of spending for attractions, you can expect to pay about $450 which includes the Sahara Desert tour.

Food and drink

Like in every other destination, the costs of food and drink can vary a lot in Morocco. As a Muslim country, alcohol is not readily available in Morocco and can usually only be found in hotels or restaurants that offer western food and cater to tourists. It is also important to note that you cannot drink the tap water in Morocco, and therefore need to buy it bottled. Prices for large bottles range from 5 Moroccan dirhams a bottle to 25 depending on where you are buying it from. That’s only $.50-$2.50 USD so it’s not that expensive but you’ll need to buy a lot over two weeks.

Food prices differ a lot as well depending on where you eat. Local eateries will be significantly cheaper than tourist spots.

The good news is, the majority of hotels and hostels in Morocco include breakfast in the price and Moroccan breakfasts are often very generous.

If you plan on sticking to mostly Moroccan dishes at local/ inexpensive restaurants, you can expect to budget the following for daily food and drink:

• Breakfast – Included in accommodations
• Lunch – $7
• Dinner – $15
• Extra drinking water – $3

That equals about $25 per day which is very reasonable. You can easily cut this cost (or increase it) depending on where and what you choose to eat. A common Moroccon meal consists of lamb/chicken tagine (stew) on top of couscous and served with mint tea.

Random spending

When it comes to random spending in Morocco, you’ll want to make sure you have a little extra cash. For several reasons.

First off, Morocco is a popular shopping destination. Fez is known for its leather and handicrafts while the medina of Marrakech is sure to have a few things to catch your eye. Remember to barter and start your offer at 50% of what they originally ask.

Secondly, you’ll need some extra money for tipping. Tipping is expected in Morocco- everywhere and often when you don’t plan on it. Morocco has a reputation for scammers and, sadly, it happens. Many locals will offer to lead lost tourists to their hotel or destination then expect payment in return (even if they originally tell you they don’t want it). Often, they will create a scene and problem if you say no, so it’s easier to give them a couple of dinars and be on your way if you get stuck in this situation.

Morocco trip cost

So, how much does it cost to go to Morocco? Based on my estimate, you can expect to pay approximately $3,100 in expenses for a two-week trip. Morocco is a beautiful country with plenty to see and do. It can also be very affordable for travellers on a budget. That being said, it should also be noted that many women have a difficult time exploring Morocco on their own, and even men can find it a bit overwhelming. Given that Morocco is such an affordable destination, you may want to consider a group tour to ensure that you get the best experience. Especially if you aren’t a seasoned traveller. Check out my travel guides on Dubai, Jordan, Israel, Croatia, Laos and Tokyo for more inspiration.

Is travelling to Morocco expensive?

Morocco is a pretty affordable travel destination. Yes, there are luxury hotels and desert camps if you are looking for a high-end experience, but that’s not the norm. The majority of Morocco’s accommodation, tours, and restaurants are all quite affordable. It’s not as cheap as say, Thailand or Vietnam, but it is an affordable destination. If you are worried about the cost of Morocco, you can definitely explore this country on a budget.

What Morocco is famous for?

Morocco is known for several things. The souks and shopping, especially for things like rugs and leather. Sahara desert tours, including camel rides, sunsets on sand dunes, and camping under the stars. As well as the Hassan II Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in the world. Here’s a one-week Morocco itinerary if you’re interested.

What is the most beautiful city in Morocco?

Most people would say that the most beautiful city in Morocco is Chefchaouen. It’s also known as Morocco’s blue city because all the houses and buildings are different shades of blue. It’s a small town so you don’t need to spend long here, but it is very picturesque and popular among photographers and Instagrammers. Some people also like Rabat since it’s on the coast. Meknes is also popular for its imperial past and arches with mosaic tiling. 

Is travel to Morocco safe?

I wouldn’t say Morocco is a dangerous destination but I would say it is somewhere you do need to be a little warier as a traveller. There are a lot of scams and pickpockets in the cities so you do need to be on guard a little more here than in some other destinations.

I would also caution women to read up on solo female travel experiences in Morocco before they plan a trip on their own. I went with a friend and we had a really hard time with sexual harassment everywhere we went. Morocco was the most difficult destination I have travelled to as a woman and based on my experience, I would not recommend solo female travel here. It is a beautiful country, but I think many women would be more comfortable and enjoy it more if they joined a group tour rather than exploring independently.

What should I avoid in Morocco?

As I mentioned above, Morocco does have some well-known scams so do a bit of research ahead of time so you know what to look for (there are a number of popular souvenir scams too- make sure to read up on those before you shop). Please also be mindful of the culture and dress appropriately. Beachwear is only acceptable at the beach.