What budget do you need to visit Morocco?
Change euros to dirhams to have coins for your souvenir purchases and more …
Money is always at the center of any trip and more so when it comes to calculating the possible expenses of a trip to the Maghreb : between transport, food and accommodation, the bill goes up like foam. For this reason, we have decided to give you below some indications of average prices, so that you can get an idea.
Regarding transportation, you should consider: What budget do you need to visit Morocco?
Your plane tickets to Morocco.
Transport around cities (including public transport).
Your trips in the city (taxis).
Perhaps other means of transport during your trip, such as bicycle rental.
In cities, getting around by taxi is cheaper as long as the rates are known. Always ask the driver to activate the counter. If he refuses, don’t get on. Taxis are official and must respect the current rate , which is generally 2 dirhams as soon as you get on (3 if it is at night or they pick you up at your accommodation) and between 4 and 8 dirhams per kilometer traveled .
Make sure you have money so you can pay the correct price. In case you have a problem, do not hesitate to write down the license plate of the taxi and indicate that you will go to the tourist police, you will see how the conflict will be resolved as if by magic!
It is not advisable to rent a car in Morocco , although practically all the main rental companies are present in the country. Insurance contracts have quite a few loopholes and driving is complicated, although it all depends on what you want.
Also, if you prefer to organize everything yourself, keep in mind that the bus network is well connected throughout Morocco as it connects the main cities and the most remote corners.
There are three large companies that offer the most services:
CTM
Supratours
SATAS
In terms of accommodation, the price of hotels in Morocco varies depending on their location, their rating and the period of stay in the country. Large hotel chains such as Ibis or Sofitel are present, but you will find many hotels available throughout the country at all possible prices. For example, the Swani hotel in Meknes costs only € 5 per night in a double room. In Casablanca, the average price is around € 50 per night and in Tangier you can find a double room for € 40 per night .
If you want to stay with a family in Morocco , you can turn to Airbnb and choose to stay in a private room with a Moroccan family. Calculate between € 30 and € 70 per night in a private room.
If you don’t have enough money, you can also consider backpacking or Coachsurfing.
Not counting air tickets, a backpacker couple can spend less than € 300 for a week in Morocco.
On average, for two, calculate:
€ 27 per night for accommodation.
€ 10 per day for lunch.
€ 4 per day for transport.
Give priority to free activities.
This budget fits most cities in Morocco, but you will have to forego the visit to southern Morocco with a desert excursion.
How is the accommodation in Morocco?
Are you more of a hotel or would you like to try a stay in a typical Moroccan Riad?
Speaking of expenses, did you know that accommodation usually corresponds to 30% of the total spent during any trip? Therefore, it is better to choose according to where you want to stay : do you prefer to prioritize comfort or do you prefer to reserve your money for authentic experiences?
The advantage of Morocco is that it is a country with many options, where it is possible to experience both the “European way”, with conventional hotel chains, and the “unusual way”, in a Berber camp in the desert. Original, right? Here is a summary of the accommodations available in Morocco :
Moroccan camps.
Youth hostels.
Hotel rooms.
Private apartments, including the famous ‘riads’.
Accommodation with a Moroccan family.
It is very easy to camp in Morocco . There are many campsites available throughout the country. In Arabic, you can use the word moukhayyem which means “to camp” if you want to camp in more remote parts of Morocco. A camp usually costs between 10 and 20 dirhams per person , to which you will have to add about 10-20 dirhams (less than € 2) for the pitch where you will put the tent .
The hostels are not widespread in Morocco. There are some officers that appear on the Hostelling International network . They are found in the main cities: Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Meknes, Essaouira, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tetouan, Asni, Azrou, Chefchaouen and Laayoune. Rates range from € 6 to € 15 for a bed in a shared room .
Traveling to Morocco is also possible through tourist hotels or simpler hotels. You will find all the rates according to the range of hotels you choose. Generally, hotels will require your passport or visa number on arrival registration. You may also be asked for a tourist promotion tax and a community tourist tax, both of which rarely exceed 35 dirhams (around € 3.30).
Staying with a family in Morocco is also a very popular option: with rates ranging from € 24 to € 43 per day and per person . Depending on the level of comfort chosen and the number of people staying, it can be an economical and ideal option for a road trip, for example.
