Backpacking Morocco on a Budget: What it Costs
Morocco is a fascinating destination for backpackers, full of vibrant markets, stunning landscapes, and rich culture. But how much do you actually need to budget for a backpacking trip in Morocco?
In this article, I’ll break down all my expenses during a 2.5-week trip. From the cost of flights to everyday expenses like bus tickets and meals, I’ll give you a detailed overview of what I spent. This guide will help you understand the typical costs for a Morocco Backpacking Adventure and decide how much money to set aside for an unforgettable journey through Morocco.
Overview
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Food & Drinks
- Activities
- Others
- Flight
- Total
- Cost Overview
- How much should you budget?
Accommodations
Overall, I spent 175€ on hostels in Morocco. A good hostel typically costs between 10 – 15€ per night. Most of the time, breakfast is included in this price.
Transportation
My total transportation expenses in Morocco amounted to 165€. This includes everything from buses, taxis, and luggage fees. When traveling by bus in Morocco, you usually have to pay an additional luggage fee of 1 – 2€ per bag on top of your ticket.
Taxi prices are negotiable. If you’re good at bargaining, you can save a lot of money. I didn’t always manage to get the best deal, so my taxi fares ranged between 1 – 5€ per ride.
Bus prices vary depending on the duration and distance of the trip, typically costs are between 5 – 40€. If you choose a budget bus company, prices are generally quite low.
Food & Drinks
During my stay in Morocco, I spent a total of 115€ on food and drinks. This mainly includes local meals at cheap restaurants (maximum 5€ per meal), snacks from supermarkets, coffee at cafés, and bottled water. Breakfast was usually included in the hostel price. I didn’t drink any alcohol during my time in Morocco.
Activities
I spent a total of 120€ on activities and entrance fees to museums. This includes a three-day desert tour with meals and accommodation for 97€, a visit to the Ouzoud Falls for 12€, and entry to various mosques. Entrance fees for mosques and other attractions usually range from 2€ to 5€ if they’re on the cheaper side. I skipped more expensive attractions like visiting palaces in Marrakech.
Others
On other things I spent 40€. This included a SIM card, a scarf for the desert, and the use of public toilets. Entry into Morocco is free of charge, you don’t need a visa.
Flight
I flew from Cologne to Marrakech with Ryanair. The outbound flight cost me 87€ and the return flight 80€. I should mention that I booked both flights only two weeks before departure. I also paid 50€ per flight for checked baggage, which brings my total flight cost to 267€. If you book weeks or months in advance and safe on lugagge you can definitely get a cheaper flight.
Total
In total, I spent 615€ over 2.5 weeks in Morocco on accommodations, food and drinks, activities, transportation, and other things. Including the flight from Cologne, I spent 882€ altogether.
I was traveling as a budget backpacker: I stayed in dorm rooms at hostels, didn’t drink any alcohol, and mostly ate local food. It’s definitely possible to travel even cheaper if you set different priorities, skip some activities, or visit fewer places. I tried to do and see as much as possible in two weeks and explored many different areas.
Cost Overview
Hostels: 175€
Transportation: 165€
Food & Drinks: 115€
Activities: 120€
Others: 40€
Flight: 267€
Total: 882€
How much should you budget?
Backpacking Morocco turned out to be a bit more expensive than I originally expected. On average, I spent around 35€ per day and that’s also a good amount to plan for if you’re doing a budget backpacking trip.
However, your travel budget should always depend on your personal priorities and how long you plan to stay in Morocco. If you’re planning a 2–3 week backpacking trip, I’d recommend budgeting around 1000€. You probably won’t end up spending the entire amount, but it’s always better to have some extra money for emergencies or unexpected expenses.