How To Travel to Morocco Without Breaking the Bank

As travel becomes increasingly expensive, it’s becoming harder to stick to a budget on vacation. But it’s still possible to do so in certain destinations, such as Morocco, a beautiful country in North Africa.

Morocco’s affordable riads (small guesthouses typically built around a charming courtyard), walkable cities, and cheap eats mean you can easily explore the country without breaking the bank. And with more direct flights from the U.S. to Morocco available, getting there is easier than ever before.

Here’s everything you need to know about traveling to Morocco on a budget.

Know the Local Currency

Before you begin organizing your trip to Morocco, just know that the Moroccan dirham is a closed currency. This means you can’t get it outside the country.

Once you’re there, you can take dirhams out of ATMs or exchange other currencies for dirhams. While you can pay with a credit card at many establishments, it’s best to have cash on hand for smaller purchases, tipping, and bartered goods at the souks. At the time of writing, $1 is equivalent to 9.61 dirhams.

Average Daily Costs in Morocco

Typically, the low season is May to September because it’s very hot. I looked at prices for restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, riads, and apartments in May in popular tourist hubs like Tangier, Marrakech, and Casablanca. If you’re visiting smaller areas, like Essaouira, things may be even cheaper.

I used sites like Booking.com, Airbnb, and photos from Google and Tripadvisor to understand more about food and drink costs. I also reviewed costs for several of my own trips to Morocco — I’ve visited 5 times over the past 15 years.

Based on my research, here is an average list of prices you can expect to spend on your trip to Morocco. Remember, this can vary by destination, season of travel, and what you choose to see and do during your trip.

Using this table, if you stayed at a riad that included breakfast and paid the average price for dinner, with a coffee and snack midday, you’d probably spend around $130 per couple ($65 per person) per day, not including activities or transportation. However, you could do this more expensively or cheaper, depending on your accommodation budget.

Expert Tips on Saving Money When Traveling in Morocco

There are ways to save money when traveling in Morocco. Here are some ways you can limit spending if you want to visit Morocco on a budget.

1. Use Points and Miles For Travel Costs

Instead of buying a pricey plane ticket in cash, use your points and miles to get to Morocco. You could redeem Alaska Airlines miles or American Airlines AAdvantage miles to fly Royal Air Maroc between U.S. hubs like New York City (JFK) or Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Casablanca (CMN). We’ve found tickets as low as 45,000 miles one-way in business class to Morocco.

You could also fly Delta Air Lines on its brand-new Atlanta (ATL) to Marrakech (RAK) route launching this fall, with economy one-way tickets available for as few as 33,000 Flying Blue miles.

Finally, there’s United Airlines, which flies between Newark (EWR) and Marrakech. This route launched in 2024, and we found tickets as low as 45,000 United MileagePlus miles one-way.

Likewise, there are many hotels in Morocco where you can use your points and miles. Upgraded Points’ top picks are the 5-star Park Hyatt Marrakech, where rates start at 25,000 to 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night, and the St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, which starts at 73,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Remember, holding elite status with some of these top hotel brands means you get additional perks that can save you money, like free breakfast or lounge access.

2. Take Affordable Domestic Flights on Ryanair

You may not know that Ryanair flies several domestic routes within Morocco, making it one of the cheapest and easiest ways to get around the country.

You can fly Ryanair between hubs like Agadir (AGA), Errachidia (ERH), Essaouira (ESU), Fez (FEZ), Marrakesh, Ouarzazate (OZZ), Oujda (OUD), Tangiern (TNG), and Tetouan (TTU) — and at extremely affordable rates. For example, you can fly from Fez to Marrakech for $24 or Marrakech to Tangier for $20.

3. Get an e-Sim or Local SIM Card

Stop at the airport and pick up a local SIM card from a provider like Orange for as low as a couple of dollars. Or opt for an e-SIM. Rates on Airalo start at $8 for 1GB of data, valid for a week, and go up from there. This can save you a lot of money on roaming charges.

4. Stay in a Riad With Breakfast Included

Riads offer some of the best values for accommodations in Morocco, especially in cities like Marrakech, where there’s a lot of competition. Often family-run or locally owned, these guesthouses feel more like boutique hotels or charming B&Bs.

They’re often large mansions, where rooms surround a charming interior courtyard. They often look like nothing special on the outside but are filled with local charm on the inside, with traditional Moroccan decor, water features like small pools or fountains, and blooming flowers. Many also feature rooftops that overlook the winding city streets.

Carefully select your riad to fit your travel style and budget, as they will vary in size and shape but often provide excellent value for your money. For example, if you’re on a limited budget and are traveling alone, you might stay in a small single room with a shared bathroom down the hall (more of a hostel-style experience). Couples may prefer an affordable suite with a private bathroom.

Breakfast is often included at riads, but read the fine print and inclusions and exclusions before traveling.

Hot Tip:

You can actually filter Booking.com results by “riad,” “hotel,” or “apartment.” Then filter the results by the lowest prices first, which can help you find the exact type of accommodations you’re searching for within your budget.

5. Do Affordable or Free Activities

Several cities in Morocco offer free walking tours, and you’ll also find many free (or affordable) museums. Just Google “free walking tours” and the city you’re visiting, and results should appear.

Wandering through the souks in many Moroccan cities is a cheap way to see how things operate. Just make sure to barter for goods so you get the most affordable price.

It’s best to skip camel riding. It’s often expensive, the animals are poorly treated, and the experience can be hot and disappointing.

6. Plan Ahead

Start thinking about and organizing your trip at least 6 to 8 months in advance to get the best rates. However, if you plan to book your trip with points and miles, you might find last-minute open award availability.

7. Travel During the Low Season

The nice part about Morocco’s low season is that it coincides with the period that many U.S. travelers want to take a vacation: summer. That said, be ready for hot temperatures if you travel during the low season.

However, Moroccan summers are dry and not humid, and in many areas, the heat usually isn’t any more extreme than you’d find in other areas of the Mediterranean, such as Spain, Italy, or Greece.

8. Consider the Train

Morocco’s high-speed bullet train connects Casablanca and Tangier in just over 2 hours. It costs around $38 each way and travels at nearly 200 miles per hour.

9. Skip Alcohol

Although drinking alcohol in Morocco isn’t illegal for tourists, not every restaurant serves it. Many shops and restaurants that do sell it have more restricted sales during Ramadan. Tea is the national drink of Morocco, so if you’re looking for a sober-curious vacation, skipping alcohol in Morocco can save you money and the hassle of figuring out where to buy it.

That said, if it’s not a vacation without a cocktail or a glass of wine, know that most hotels will serve alcohol without issue.

10. Beware of Scams

Certain tourist scams in Morocco can definitely throw off your budget. Make sure to review your bills at restaurants and clearly settle on taxi prices before getting into a vehicle (or request that drivers turn on a meter, if available).

Avoiding eye contact and walking away can help you avoid scams from pushy vendors. Stay away from anyone who offers you hashish or drugs, and know that if anyone offers to “help” or “guide” you, they will expect a tip.

Don’t let anyone put a live animal on you and offer to take your photo — they’ll often threaten to take your phone or camera if you don’t pay a high fee for this). Stay away from anyone offering henna, and beware of false products (things like saffron or argan) in the souks.

Finally, avoid buying carpets in Morocco, an industry rife with scams that can really mess with your budget. If you really want a reputable Moroccan carpet, buy one imported from Morocco back home.

Hot Tip:

Pickpockets can also make a dent in your carefully curated budget — you definitely don’t want to deal with your phone or cash getting stolen, especially while on vacation. Leave your passport and large amounts of money in the hotel safe and carry only what’s necessary along with you. Guard your belongings carefully, especially in busy squares or tourist areas.

Final Thoughts

Morocco is an affordable country. On average, a traveler can expect to spend around $65 per day (based on double occupancy), though it is possible to spend significantly less or significantly more. Much of this depends on your accommodation and plans.

If you spend a lot on dining, activities, guides, or tours, you’ll have to amp up that budget. Likewise, if you can find a solid deal on a riad or use your points and miles to stay, you might be able to lower those costs significantly, especially if you’re prepared for a more bare-bones experience.