So you’ve got Morocco in your sights? Good choice. With bright and busy souks, epic Sahara sunsets, and food that’ll make you want to marry a tajine, it’s no wonder everyone is going. But the pressing question, of course: How much is this little adventure gonna set us back?

The short answer: it depends. Morocco can seem like Europe on some days (price-wise), or a backpacker’s paradise on others. The trick is knowing when to splurge and when to save. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

Morocco Travel Budget: When to Go & What Money Looks Like. 

First things first—timing is everything. April–May or September–October is that sweet spot: good weather, fewer tourists, lower hotel rates—basically, Goldilocks season.

And money: Morocco operates on the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). You can’t buy it outside the country (yeah, it’s a “closed” currency), so just take out some local cash at the A.T.M. when you arrive. Al Barid Bank is a popular one as they don’t charge crazy fees.

Pro tip: Morocco is also still quite cash-based. Cards can be hit or miss, so always have some small bills on you — good for taxis, street food, and that fresh orange juice stand that absolutely will not take Visa.

Where Your Morocco Travel Budget Goes.

Splurge: Riads & Fancy Hotels

Want to feel like royalty? Stay in a riad in Marrakech. (PERTINENT) They are drop-dead gorgeous — courtyards, fountains, tiled walls — the whole Moroccan fairytale vibe. But expect to pay $150 to $500+ a night. Ouch, but hey, at least you’ll have epic Instagram pictures.

Mid-Range Magic

You’ll find charming little riads or hotels for $50-$150, that are authentic and aren’t a huge drain on your wallet. Bonus: Many of them offer free breakfast too so you’re pretty much saving money (and being fed like a king).

Budget-Friendly Beds

On a shoestring Morocco travel budget? Hostels and guesthouses are everywhere, some starting at just $10 a night. You will encounter fellow travelers, perhaps share a camel ride, perhaps simply exchange WiFi passwords. Whichever is the case, it’s a cheap and cheerful.

Long-Stay Hack

(If you’re a digital nomad or hanging out for longer, Airbnb and Facebook expat groups are gold.) Think $80 to $100 a night or less if you book for a month at a time.

Feeding Your Morocco Travel Budget.

And here’s the best part—Moroccan food is delicious AND cheap.

Fancy Nights Out

If you seek fine dining, you’ll pay for it. Plan on spending $20–100 per ninja person in fancier locations. Dinner for two in Marrakech can cost you $75 to $150. Worth it on date night, or when you just can’t stomach another serving of couscous.

Everyday Eating

Street food and local cafes are that it:

• Crepes: ~20 MAD ($2)
• Meat sandwiches: ~15 MAD
• Giant fucking steamy tajine: generally less than $5–10

Rule of thumb: If it’s packed with locals and smells delicious, you’re in the right spot.

DIY Eats

Markets are fun, and dirt cheap: bread for $0.12, bananas for $1 a kilo, water for a few dirhams. Cook a meal or two if you’re staying in an apartment and you can stretch the Morocco travel budget big time

Drinks

Mint tea = life. The coffee is good too (8–15 MAD). Fresh juice under 20 MAD. Booze? Not overly budget friendly—a beer will run you about 30 MAD a pop. Honestly, most of the locals don’t drink, so if you give up booze, you’ll save a fortune.

 

How To Get Around on Your Morocco Travel Budget.

 

Splurge-Worthy Rides

Day hires of a private driver will run $150-300, you can expect to pay $50-200 on a domestic flight such as Marrakech to Fes between two cities. A nice convenience if you find yourself in a rush, but not an essential accommodation if you’re ballin’ on a budget.

Budget Travel Wins

• The buses are stupid cheap ($1–5).
• Trains are cushy and a bargain: Marrakech–Casablanca, around $9.
• Shared taxis (Grand Taxis): inexpensive but have to wait for it to fill up. Patience required.

Car Rentals

About $20–50 per day. Useful if you’re trekking up mountains or across a desert. But city driving is … oh, let’s call it “character-building.”

What to do with your Morocco travel budget.

 

Splurge

Private palace tours or deluxe desert camps can cost $200–$500+. Amazing, but definitely a splurge.

Budget-Friendly Fun

• Wander Marrakech’s souks = free.
• Wander the medina in Fez = free (and unavoidable).
• Soak up the beach in Essaouira = free (just be mindful of seagulls trying to swipe your food).
• Admission to historic sites = $2–5.

Desert Adventures

• Backpacker tours (camel rides, overnight stay): $30-100.
• Sahara Luxury camps: $150–500 a night.

Cultural Musts

• Old-fashioned hammam: 10 MAD if you use the local, 300+ if you use the spa.
• Cooking class: $25–75.
• Surf camp: around 5000 MAD a week.

Sample Morocco Travel Budgets.

Luxury Week

     $3,000–5,000 per person. Think personal drivers, fine dining and Champagne under the desert stars.

Mid-Range Week

     $400–800 per person. Combination: Riads, street food and desert tour. Comfortable, authentic, and still affordable.

Backpacker Week

    $30–45 per day. Hostels, street eats, buses and plenty of looking at stuff and holding hands with the person next to you. Truly one of the best ways to experience Morocco.

Stretching Your Morocco Travel Budget.

 

• Eat where the locals eat (if the menu has pictures and six languages, go down the street).
• Haggle over taxi rates before entering the vehicle.
• Book trains and CTM buses ahead whenever you can.
• Bring a reusable water bottle with a filter — cost-effective and eco-friendly.
• Longer stays = cheaper rooms. Bargain politely.
• Learn a couple of Arabic or French phrases — it comes in handy when haggling.

And sure, tipping is a thing here:

• Guides: 50–100 MAD/day.
• Restaurants: 10-20 MAD (or around 10%).
• Hotel staff: pocket change, they will love you for it.

 

Your Travel Budget for Morocco: Final Thoughts

Morocco suits any wallet, whether you’re into luxury or shoestring backpacking. You just have to know where to skimp and where to spend.

So pack your backpack (or your snazzy wheeled suitcase, if that’s your preference), set your sights on reasonable expectations and hold on for your life as you are transported on a rainbow power shakedown of a journey of a lifetime of colors, spices, and let’s face it, just maybe some random camel selfies.

Your Morocco Travel Budget doesn’t have to ruin your trip — it can actually make it a lot more interesting.