Morocco offers excellent value for travellers of all budgets - you really can experience the country’s rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty without breaking the bank. While it's certainly possible to indulge in high-end accommodations and endless paid activities, the true essence of this North African gem can also be discovered through more modest means.
This article is all about helping you travel Morocco on a budget and make cost savings in areas that suit you. Perhaps you want to spend a little more on an atmospheric riad and save by eating at local restaurants. Or maybe you plan to utilise public transport so you can spend your hard-earned money in the souks.
Whatever your travel style, I hope these money-saving tips in Morocco help you discover this incredible country to the fullest and return home without the burden of credit card debt.
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Be card/cash savvy
The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency, meaning it can only be used within the country’s borders and you can’t obtain it or exchange it outside. If you're travelling Morocco on a budget, this means you should carefully plan your finances during your trip and avoid leaving the country with a wad of cash.
When you withdraw dirhams from ATMs in Morocco using an international card, you'll typically be charged a transaction fee of 25-30 MAD per withdrawal, regardless of the amount of money you're taking out. To avoid excessive fees, it's generally advisable to withdraw the largest amount of cash that you feel comfortable carrying, rather than making multiple smaller withdrawals.
Contactless payments with debit or credit cards are widely accepted at larger establishments in Morocco, so use your cards for purchases whenever possible. That being said, it’s crucial to keep some cash on hand for smaller purchases and tips, which are an integral part of Morocco’s service culture.
One of my top money saving tips in Morocco is to budget ahead and have a financial strategy in place. In that way, you can avoid losing excess money through ATM transactions or foreign currency exchange fees.
To help you plan, here is a breakdown of the average costs of travel in Morocco:
Bed in a hostel dorm: 100–250 MAD a night
Budget room in a riad: 300–600 MAD a night
Public bus ticket: 5 MAD
Coffee/mint tea: 10–30 MAD
Street snack: 30–50 MAD
Meal at a local restaurant: 200–300 MAD
Compare accommodation online
Accommodation in Morocco is remarkably affordable compared to the prices found in Europe, North America or Australia and the overall value for money is often much higher than what you might expect. There is a plentiful array of budget-friendly accommodation options available throughout the country, ranging from simple yet charming hostels to gorgeous riads that allow you to truly immerse yourself in the local culture.
Nowadays, the vast majority of Morocco's accommodation can be found and reserved through popular online booking platforms like booking.com and this a great place to head to compare options before you travel. Simply type in your destination and the maximum you want to pay per night, then browse the properties that match. You might even discover your budget stretches to something a little fancier than you first thought.
It's important to note that the most desirable and in-demand accommodations do tend to book up quickly, especially during the peak travel period during July and August. There’s also a peak in demand around the Easter and Christmas/New Year holidays when you should secure your bookings well in advance if you want to stay in the most desirable places. For those looking to travel Morocco on a budget and score discounted accommodation deals, look to visit outside of these periods.
Money saving tips in Morocco
Eat where the locals do
Moroccan cuisine is an integral part of the country's rich cultural heritage and there are so many ways you can experience it without breaking the bank. In most Moroccan towns and cities, you'll find an abundance of street food stalls serving up local specialties, such as skewered kebabs, hot sandwiches and deep-fried treats. Often, these are located around markets or public transport depots and the prices are cheap!
If you prefer a sit-down meal, head to restaurants frequented by locals, rather than tourist restaurants with menus in multiple languages. While they might not be as atmospheric, the prices are generally cheaper and the food is usually amazing! When we were living in Taghazout/Tamraght, we loved going for a tagine at Souk El Had in Agadir. It was like dining at a big, open-air restaurant where you could see the tagines cooking and just point at the one you wanted.
When it comes to snacks, you’ll find corner shops where you can pick up affordable treats, although most of these aren’t on the healthy side. Instead, look for local markets where you’ll find a huge array of fresh fruits, dates and nuts, all of which are affordably priced. Unlike supermarkets, the fruit at Moroccan markets is always highly seasonal and simply amazing!! Many of the vendors have samples for you to try too, so you know what you’re getting before you buy.
Simply experience everyday local life
In my experience, you don’t have to spend a lot to have an authentic cultural experience in Morocco and can soak up a lot just by wandering around the historic medinas. Allow yourself to get blissfully disoriented and you'll discover the true soul of these enchanting cities - in the daily rituals of the people going about their business, the casual camaraderie shared between neighbours and the children at play in the narrow alleyways.
Whether you’re getting lost in the ancient streets of Fes or being blown away by blue-hued Chefchaouen, there’s no need to spend a lot of money on sightseeing attractions to have an incredible time. Pause to watch artisans at work crafting metal goods, textiles and ceramics, then amble through the souks overflowing with colourful rugs, lamps and leather goods.
If you do want to visit some of the museums and historic properties dotted throughout Morocco’s cities, such as Palais Bahia in Marrakech or Dar Jamai in Meknes, the entrance costs are very reasonable. For those travelling Morocco on a budget, I’d recommend researching the ones that interest you the most, rather than ticking off attractions on a list of must-visit places and spending money unnecessarily.
Travel Morocco on a budget
Negotiate taxi prices
If you’re using taxis in Morocco, it's crucial to negotiate the fare before you step foot inside, especially in cities like Marrakech where the drivers don’t always use their meters (and some are known to try and rip off unsuspecting tourists). In some parts of the country, the use of meters is standard, so just ask the driver before committing to the ride.
To help you negotiate taxi prices and travel Morocco on a budget, it’s a good idea to do your research ahead of time and get a sense of the going rate for rides in the area. Speaking with the staff at your hotel or hostel is a great way to get a ballpark estimate of standard prices so you can negotiate accordingly when the driver quotes a fixed fare rate.
As a general guideline, a short trip within the city limits will usually cost around 20 Moroccan dirhams, but this can fluctuate based on several factors, including the number of people in your party. Smaller "petit taxis" that hold up to three passengers usually have different rates than the larger "grand taxis" that accommodate more people.
Utilise public transport
Morocco's extensive public transportation network makes it easy for both locals and visitors to get around the country efficiently and affordably. In the northern part of the country, an excellent rail system links the major cities, providing a comfortable and punctual service with low ticket prices. This includes Africa's first high-speed rail line, the Al Boraq, which can whisk passengers from Casablanca to Tangier in just two hours. The rail network is operated by ONCF, Morocco's national railway company, and tickets can be booked in advance on their website or purchased directly at the train stations.
For those looking to travel Morocco on a budget beyond the rail network, a reliable and extensive bus system operated by companies like Supratours and CTM connects most cities and towns across the country. Within the larger urban centres like Rabat and Casablanca, modern tramway systems provide an efficient and budget-friendly way to get around, with fares similar to the local bus services.
For short trips within cities, travellers can take advantage of petit taxis, which come in a variety of colours. These taxis operate on a metered system, so there's no need to haggle over the fare. For longer journeys between towns, grand taxis provide an alternative to public transport and leave once full. With grand taxis, you can either pay for an individual seat or reserve the entire vehicle for private use. Either way, agree on the price with the driver before setting off.
Travel Morocco on a budget
Research the best car hire deals
Renting a car in Morocco is a great way to explore off-the-beaten-track and driving in Morocco is not as difficult as it might seem. Always research car hire options via a trusted platform like Discover Cars, which compares deals from more than 700 suppliers to get you the best prices. If you're travelling Morocco in a couple or group, renting a car can be an economical means of getting around.
Generally speaking, the most cost-effective option is to pick up and drop off your vehicle at the same airport, with prices starting from as low as 300 Moroccan dirhams per day. The convenience of an airport pick-up and drop-off is unbeatable, as you can simply walk off your flight and into your rental car, then return it seamlessly at the end of your trip, without the hassle of navigating to a downtown office location.
Of course, driving in Morocco does come with a few additional considerations. The country's extensive network of autoroutes, or toll roads, will require you to pay a fee each time you use them. To save a bit of time at the toll booths, it's recommended to purchase a Jawaz Pass, a reloadable card that allows you to zip through the dedicated Jawaz lanes. You can conveniently top up the card online before your trip, then simply breeze through the tolls.
Embrace the neighbourhood hammam
While you can indulge at a private hammam for a spa-like experience (around 200 to 400 dirhams for an hour-long session), I’d highly recommend heading to a traditional neighbourhood hammam to bathe with the locals. These time-honoured bathhouses can be found throughout the country and the experience is all about the simple pleasures of cleansing and relaxation, rather than any sort of luxury ritual.
From the outside, these humble establishments may look more like public toilets or swimming pools than bathhouses, often tucked away down unassuming side streets without much in the way of clear signage. But step inside, and you'll be immersed in the steam-filled, communal atmosphere that has been a fixture of Moroccan culture for centuries.
There are separate entrances for men and women and the experience is very much about bathing alongside your fellow citizens, rather than retreating to a private room. The entrance cost - around 10-20 Moroccan dirhams - is also highly affordable and you’ll come out feeling squeaky clean.
If you’re unsure about throwing yourself into a hammam experience, I’ve put together an article explaining what you can expect at a Moroccan hammam to demystify it.
Travel Morocco on a budget
Haggle in the souks
Haggling is an integral part of the shopping experience in Morocco, particularly in the souks. My husband is a master haggler - I’m always amazed at the grace and respect with which he can talk people down to a price that works for both. Watching him in action, I’ve come to understand that it is an expected part of Morocco’s shopping culture (outside of fixed-price shops) and, when done respectfully, it is a really joyous interaction.
While it may seem daunting or uncomfortable for those unaccustomed to the practice, haggling is an essential skill to master if you hope to get the best deals and save money in Morocco. The general expectation is that prices are not set in stone, but rather serve as a starting point for negotiation. As a tourist, it's important to remember that the initial price quoted to you will almost always be inflated, sometimes dramatically so, as vendors anticipate that you will haggle.
A good rule of thumb is to offer around one-third of the original asking price and be prepared to meet somewhere in the middle through polite but firm negotiation. Don't be afraid to walk away if the vendor refuses to budge - more often than not, they will call you back and offer a more reasonable rate. If not, you were haggling too hard! Remember, respect is key. At the end of the day, the vendor is just trying to make a living for themselves and their family.
You can learn more about haggling and what to buy in my Ultimate Shopping Guide to Morocco.
Avoid drinking expensive alcohol
As a predominantly Islamic country, the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Morocco is generally frowned upon. That being said, there are locals who drink and most accept that it is part of other cultures. You can purchase alcohol within the country, either at select bars or the limited number of bottle shops found in bigger cities.
However, it's important to be aware that these establishments tend to be quite expensive, as the availability and acceptance of alcohol are not as commonplace in Morocco as in other parts of the world. I love having a glass of red wine at dinner but I found it difficult to find good quality red wine in Morocco that wasn’t wildly expensive, at least compared to what I would pay back home in Australia.
By abstaining from alcohol while in Morocco, you'll not only save a significant amount of money (that could be better spent exploring the country) but you'll also be demonstrating respect for the local customs. Just think of it as an opportunity to detox - travelling Morocco on a budget can also be great for your health!
Travel Morocco on a budget
Be vigilant against pickpockets
It's a sad reality that pickpocketing can be a common occurrence for travellers and Morocco is no exception. There’s nothing worse than trying to maintain a strict travel budget, only to have it blown by the actions of unscrupulous individuals. While I’ve never fallen victim to petty crime during my time in Morocco, I know that it does occur, particularly in the chaotic, sensory-overloading environments of Marrakech's Djemma el-Fna square and the narrow, winding alleyways of Fes' old medina.
To avoid becoming an easy target, it's essential that you stay vigilant when out and about and take proactive measures. Refrain from wearing showy jewellery or expensive watches that might draw unwanted attention, and keep your money securely on your person, preferably in an inside pocket or a travel money belt. If possible, leave your passport safely stowed away at your accommodation, rather than carrying it with you.
To learn more, this article details some of the most common scams in Morocco for travellers to be aware of.
The last of my money saving tips in Morocco is to take out a travel insurance policy that will cover you in case of theft, ensuring you can retrieve what was taken from you down the track. While a travel insurance policy for Morocco will cost you upfront, it could save you significantly more down the line. Most importantly, it will ensure you are reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical costs if a worst-case scenario eventuates.
VisitorsCoverage is a great resource for Morocco travel insurance as it compares policies from top providers like Allianz, AXA and Travel Guard. As such, it does a lot of the research work for you, allowing you to find the best deal for your travel plans.
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