Morocco can be done comfortably without spending a fortune. From riads and street food to trains and shared excursions, here is an honest guide to travelling Morocco on a budget — and where it is worth paying a little more.
In this guide
Where the money goes
Your biggest costs are accommodation, transport between cities and the Sahara, and guided excursions. Food, local transport and medina shopping can be very cheap. Setting a daily rhythm of simple lunches and one nicer dinner keeps costs predictable.
Sleeping for less
Riads span the full range; budget and mid-range riads in the medina offer character at modest prices, especially outside the two peak seasons. Guesthouses (dar and gîte) in smaller towns and the mountains are cheaper still and often include breakfast.
Getting around affordably
Trains (ONCF) between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Fes are comfortable and inexpensive, and the Al Boraq high-speed line links Tangier and Casablanca quickly. CTM and Supratours coaches reach the towns trains do not. Shared grands taxis cover shorter hops cheaply if you are flexible.
- Book train tickets in advance for the best fares and a guaranteed seat.
- Agree petit-taxi fares first or insist on the meter in cities.
- For the Sahara, a shared group tour is the cheapest way; a private trip costs more but flexes to you.
Eating and shopping smart
Street food and local cafes — tagine, harira soup, grilled fish, sandwiches — are delicious and cheap. In the souks, prices are negotiable; browse, compare and haggle politely, and you will pay a fraction of the first quote. A few splurges (a rooftop dinner, a hammam) are worth it without breaking a budget.
Where it is worth paying more
A licensed guide for a day in Fes, a reputable desert camp, and safe, comfortable transport for long days are the things most travellers are glad they did not cut. Spend less on rooms and shopping, and a little more on experiences and safety.
Frequently asked
Is Morocco expensive to visit?
Morocco can be very affordable. Food, local transport and medina shopping are cheap, while accommodation, intercity transport and guided desert trips are the main costs. With budget riads, trains and street food, it is one of the better-value destinations in the region.
How can I save money in Morocco?
Travel by train and shared taxi, stay in budget or mid-range riads and guesthouses, eat street food and local cafes, haggle politely in the souks, and visit just outside the spring and autumn peaks for lower room rates.
What is worth paying more for in Morocco?
Most travellers are glad they spent a little more on a licensed guide for the big medinas, a reputable Sahara camp, and safe, comfortable transport for long driving days — saving instead on rooms and shopping.
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Planning
Morocco Travel Costs & Budget
Morocco can be done on almost any budget. Mid-range travellers spend roughly US$80–150 per person per day; private, riad-based trips with a driver-guide typically run US$200–400+ per day depending on season and style.
Practical
Getting Around Morocco
Morocco has good trains between the main northern cities, comfortable intercity buses, and — for the south, the mountains and the desert — private drivers. The right mix depends on your route and pace.
Planning
First Time in Morocco: Everything You Need to Know
A first trip to Morocco is easier than many expect: a stable, welcoming country set up for tourism. This guide covers where to go, how long to stay, what to expect and the handful of practical things that make a first visit go smoothly.