Morocco on a budget
For backpackers and anyone who wants a long trip on a small budget. The short answer: beds, street food and coaches are cheap, and Morocco rewards slow travel. The costs that catch people out are ATM fees, airport taxis and tourist tax.
What a day costs in Marrakech
Riads or hostels
A dorm bed costs about 100 to 250 dirhams a night across Morocco, and 150 to 200 in Marrakech. A simple riad double runs about 500 to 800 dirhams in Marrakech, so two people sharing a riad pay little more each than two dorm beds.
Hostels win for meeting people and sharing day trips. Riads win for a quiet courtyard, breakfast and a host who can sort out transfers. Marrakech has hundreds of riads, which keeps prices down; book direct for the best rate. July and August are low season, with some hotels offering around 20% off.
Trains or coaches
| Train (ONCF) | Coach (CTM, Supratours) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | The north and centre: Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech | Most cities and towns, north and south, including Agadir, Essaouira, Chefchaouen |
| Example fare | Fes to Marrakech, 7 hours direct: from 200 dirhams in second class | Tangier to Chefchaouen: about 2.5 hours |
| Night option | Tangier to Marrakech sleeper, couchette about 370 dirhams | Overnight coach Fes to Merzouga, about 12 hours |
| Book | oncf-voyages.ma | ctm.ma or at the station |
On Al Boraq, first class is sometimes only 5 to 10% more than second, so check both. The Casablanca airport train into the city is 60 dirhams in second class and takes 60 minutes, much cheaper than a taxi.
A trip shape: two weeks on a small budget
Tangier → Chefchaouen → Fes → Marrakech → Essaouira · 14
Coach to Chefchaouen, train from Fes to Marrakech, coach to Essaouira.
- Days 1–2Tangier. Cheap ferry or flight in; kasbah and medina on foot.
- Days 3–5Chefchaouen by CTM coach. Dorm beds from 100 dirhams; free walks to the Spanish Mosque and Akchour by grand taxi.
- Days 6–8Fes by coach. Get lost in the medina; Volubilis Roman ruins as a day trip, 100 dirhams entry.
- Days 9–12Marrakech by the direct train. Street food in the square, gardens, a public hammam.
- Days 13–14Essaouira by coach. Fish at the port, a walk on the ramparts.
Where budgets leak
ATM fees. Moroccan ATMs usually charge international cards about 30 dirhams per withdrawal, whatever the amount, so take out larger sums less often. The dirham is a closed currency; you can only get it in Morocco.
Airport taxis. From Marrakech airport, the set petit taxi fare is 80 dirhams, or 120 at night. The L19 shuttle bus to Jemaa el-Fna costs 30.
Tourist tax. 15 to 30 dirhams per person per night in Marrakech, paid in cash at check-out.
Small change. Keep 10 dirham coins for tips and 20, 50 and 100 notes for small purchases.
What budget travellers ask
How much does a day in Morocco cost?
Build it from sourced prices: a dorm bed at 100 to 250 dirhams, two or three meals at around 50 dirhams each, mint tea at 6 to 12 and a site or two at 20 to 70. Coaches and trains come on top.
Is a riad more expensive than a hostel?
A simple riad double in Marrakech costs about 500 to 800 dirhams; a dorm bed 150 to 200. For two people sharing, the gap is small.
Train or bus?
Trains are comfortable and run where the rail network goes, mainly in the north and centre. CTM and Supratours coaches reach almost everywhere else, including Agadir, Essaouira and Chefchaouen.
Should I change money before I go?
You can't: the dirham is a closed currency. Use ATMs in Morocco and take out larger amounts to limit the fee of about 30 dirhams per withdrawal.
How do I get from Marrakech airport cheaply?
The L19 bus to Jemaa el-Fna costs 30 dirhams. A petit taxi is a set 80, or 120 at night.
When is it cheapest?
July and August are low season in Marrakech, with some hotels offering around 20% off. It is also very hot, so look for a pool or shade.
Is there a cheap night train?
The Tangier to Marrakech sleeper saves a night's room; a couchette costs about 370 dirhams. Book it at a station ticket office.
Is car hire worth it?
Around 500 dirhams a day, so it pays off only when you share it or go where coaches don't.
Cities for this trip
Next step
Sources · checked 2026-11-14
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