How I Traveled Morocco for 45 Days on a Budget
Salam friends! I'm excited to share my recent adventure - 45 days traveling across Morocco on a budget. After four visits to this beautiful country, I've learned how to explore Morocco without spending too much money. In this post, I'll break down exactly how much I spent, where I stayed, what I ate, and how I moved around this amazing country.
Morocco is special because it combines the best of many worlds - it has beaches, mountains, deserts, cities, and villages. You can find religious sites, cultural experiences, beaches, mountains, forests, rivers, waterfalls, and so much more. No matter what kind of traveler you are, Morocco has something for you.
Let me share how I managed to see 22 different cities and villages across Morocco for just 24,000 dirhams (about $2,400 USD).
Current Exchange Rates
Before we dive into costs, let's talk about money. As of June 2024:
- 1 US dollar = about 10 Moroccan dirhams
- 1 Euro = about 10 Moroccan dirhams (with small differences)
These rates will help you calculate costs in your own currency.
First Things First: Getting a SIM Card
When you first arrive in Morocco, I recommend getting a SIM card immediately. At the main airports (Casablanca, Tangier, or Marrakech), you can get a free SIM card by showing your passport.
Based on my experience trying all three major companies, I recommend Maroc Telecom (Itissalat). They have the best coverage (about 95% of Morocco), especially in remote mountain and desert areas.
If you arrive at smaller airports like Oujda or Tetouan, you'll need to buy a SIM card from a small shop. A SIM card costs about 20 dirhams, and I added 100 dirhams of internet data. Total: 120 dirhams.
You can recharge your phone at any small local shop (called "hanut") with either call minutes or internet data.
Accommodation Costs in Morocco
I stayed in many different types of places during my 45 days:
- Riads (traditional Moroccan houses)
- Furnished apartments
- Hotels
- Hostels
- Friends' homes
- Guesthouses
Prices vary depending on when you visit. Summer season (especially in coastal cities) is much more expensive - prices can double! I visited in May, which is the end of spring and beginning of summer, so I caught some regular prices and some higher seasonal prices.
The average cost per night was about 150 dirhams (about $15 USD). Some places cost as little as 60 dirhams (hostels), while others were up to 300 dirhams for nicer accommodations.
Some of my favorite places I stayed:
- Chefchaouen: A beautiful hostel in the center of the city for only 60 dirhams per night
- Tetouan: A gorgeous riad for 300 dirhams per night including traditional Moroccan breakfast
- Keta village: A peaceful house with mountain views for 105 dirhams
- Azrou: A hotel room with amazing views for 200 dirhams
- Rabat: One of the nicest hostels I've ever stayed in (not just in Morocco but anywhere) for 120 dirhams
- Meknes: A traditional riad in the old medina for 250 dirhams
Total accommodation cost for 45 days: approximately 6,500 dirhams ($650 USD)
Food Costs in Morocco
Food in Morocco is delicious and diverse! You can choose between:
- Street food (very affordable)
- Restaurants (various price ranges)
- Home-cooked meals in small family restaurants
- Beachside seafood (especially good in coastal cities)
My advice: if you're staying for more than 10 days, stick with street food and local "beldi" (traditional) restaurants. They're clean, delicious, and very affordable. In coastal cities, definitely try the seafood, especially grilled sardines - they're amazing!
Daily food costs ranged between 20-80 dirhams per day, depending on where and what I ate. Some days I spent very little, like in Sefrou where I had a delicious sandwich called "ma'aqouda" for only 9 dirhams that filled me up after not eating all day.
I was also invited to eat with friends many times, which helped reduce costs.
Average daily food cost: 50-60 dirhamsTotal food cost for 45 days: approximately 2,500-3,000 dirhams ($250-300 USD)
Transportation: The Biggest Expense
The biggest expense during my trip was renting a car. While many visitors use public transportation, I needed a car because I was visiting many remote places that are difficult to reach by bus or taxi.
Rental car prices in Morocco vary based on:
- Season (summer is more expensive)
- Company
- City
- Manual vs. automatic transmission
Important tip: Always rent a diesel car in Morocco! It's much cheaper than gasoline, and a liter of diesel will take you about 25km (compared to 10-12km for gasoline).
Car rental prices range from 80 dirhams to 300 dirhams per day for regular cars (not luxury vehicles). During my trip, I rented twice - once in Oujda for 200 dirhams per day and once in Tetouan for 240 dirhams per day.
Total car rental cost: approximately 7,500 dirhams ($750 USD)
Fuel and Toll Roads
I drove about 4,000 km during my trip. I refueled the car completely three times (450 dirhams each) and once partially (200 dirhams). Morocco has toll roads between major cities, but most local and mountain roads are free. I spent about 60-70 dirhams total on tolls.
Total fuel and tolls: approximately 1,700 dirhams ($170 USD)
Public Transportation
For travelers who don't rent a car, Morocco has an excellent transportation network with:
- Buses (CTM and other companies)
- Trains (very comfortable)
- Domestic flights between cities
- Shared taxis (called "grand taxis")
All of these options are reasonably priced and accessible to everyone.
Other Expenses
Shopping
Shopping is very personal - some travelers buy many souvenirs while others buy nothing. During my 45 days, I spent very little on shopping - maybe 200-300 dirhams total on small gifts for friends.
Tourist Attractions
Many tourist attractions in Morocco are free - about 90% of them! Some popular sites like Bahia Palace and Al Badi Palace in Marrakech, the Kasbah in Chefchaouen, or the cable car in Agadir do charge entrance fees. These usually range from 30-70 dirhams, with different prices for Moroccan citizens versus foreign visitors.
During this trip, I didn't visit any paid attractions, focusing instead on natural sites which are all free.
Important note: ALL beaches in Morocco are free and open 24 hours a day! You can visit any time, day or night. The only exceptions are a few beaches in border areas like near Nador (close to Badis Island) or near Ceuta for security reasons.
Activities
One special activity I did was taking a boat trip in Al Jebha (on the northern coast) to see the beautiful secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat. The entire boat rental cost 200 dirhams, regardless of how many people join you.
Flight and Visa Costs
My flight path was a bit unusual this time. Instead of flying direct from Cairo to Casablanca, I flew from Cairo to Orly Airport in France, then to Oujda, Morocco. My return flight is booked from Casablanca directly to Cairo.
Total flight cost: $418 USD (booked 3-4 months in advance for better prices)
For the visa, there are two types for Morocco:
- Single-entry visa: about 100 dirhams
- Multiple-entry visa: about 250 dirhams (what I got)
Total Cost Breakdown for 45 Days in Morocco
- SIM card and internet: 120 dirhams
- Accommodation: 6,500 dirhams
- Food: 2,500-3,000 dirhams
- Car rental: 7,500 dirhams
- Fuel and tolls: 1,700 dirhams
- Shopping: 200-300 dirhams
- Activities: 200 dirhams
- Flights: 4,180 dirhams (418 USD)
- Visa: 250 dirhams
Total cost for 45 days: approximately 24,000 dirhams ($2,400 USD)Average daily cost: about 530 dirhams ($53 USD)
Tips for Planning Your Morocco Budget Trip
- Visit in the off-season (autumn or winter) for cheaper accommodation
- Get a SIM card at the airport for free internet access
- Try local street food instead of tourist restaurants
- Consider hostels or riads outside city centers for better prices
- Rent a diesel car if you plan to travel extensively
- Book flights months in advance for better prices
- Focus on free natural attractions rather than paid tourist sites
- Use public transportation between major cities if you're comfortable with it
- Stay longer in fewer places to reduce transportation costs
- Make friends with locals who can show you affordable places to eat and
Frequently Asked Questions About Budget Travel in Morocco
A: No, Morocco is quite affordable compared to many countries. You can travel comfortably on $50-60 per day, or even less if you're more budget-conscious.
A: Shared taxis (grand taxis) and public buses are the most affordable options. Trains are slightly more expensive but very comfortable for longer journeys.
A: Not many! Tourist sites clearly list their entrance fees, and beaches are free. Just be aware that prices increase significantly during summer, especially in beach towns.
I hope this breakdown of my 45-day journey helps you plan your own adventure in Morocco! The country offers so much beauty and culture at very reasonable prices. Whether you have a week or a month, you can create amazing memories without spending too much.
Have you been to Morocco? Planning a trip? Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about traveling Morocco on a budget!