cost breakdown on how i travelled for two amazing weeks in morocco under $1200 (excluding shopping)

The night market at Jemaa El Fna.

I recently visited Fes, Meknes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate and Marrakech in Morocco over a two week period. This was a budget trip and technically I did carry a backpack, but I wouldn’t label it as a backpacking trip. True backpackers would be offended, I think. I stayed in very centrally located and comfortable bed and breakfast lodgings where I (and my travel companion, sazy rock) had a private room and bathroom. We didn’t skimp on other comforts or conveniences when warranted. Although we bought food from street food vendors, we also ate at pricier tourist spots (for access to their bathrooms and willingness to let us linger and rest). Also, while we walked a lot, we didn't shy away from hiring private taxis and guides. We did inter-city travel via Supratours bus, a luxury coach service connecting areas between train routes, because internal travel in Morocco is convenient and affordable.

I was surprised myself how little I spent. I don’t think my experience would have been significantly better had I spent a few thousand more. Unless you want or can afford an ultra-luxury option, I highly recommend this budget and itinerary. Proper credit is due to sazy rock who did the trip planning.

	COST 8dh=$1	TIPS
AIRFARE	subtotal $324
LAX-CDG; MAD-LAX on united	$88 for taxes, fees & travel insurance	used 48,000 miles on united.com for round trip to & from Europe
CDG-FEZ on easyjet	$166	only direct route from European connection hub to Fes
MAK-MAD on ryanair	$40 plus $30 for extra luggage	many direct routes to other major airports from Marrakech but I wanted to visit Madrid

TRANSPORTATION (Supratours Bus)	subtotal $56.25
Fes to Merzouga	180dh=$22.50	12 hr overnite bus ride  go to the back and take a row to sleep on
Merzouga to Ouarzazate	180dh=$22.50	8 hr ride (8am to 4pm)
Ouarzazate to Marrakech	90dh=$11.25	4 hr ride (4-8pm) sit on right side for amazing views

Supratours Bus Leaving Merzouga.

LODGINGS	per person subtotal=$408	based on double occupancy
Dar Hafsa- Fes	160E=$216	4 nites inside old medina arrange for taxi pickup or arrange for meetup at Blue Gate
Le Petite Prince- Merzouga	1000dh=$125 for 2 nites camping pp 400dh=$50 for 1 nite for d.o.	2 nites in sahara desert, 1 nite in auberge food & guide included
Hotel Ibis- Ouarzazate	$44	1 nite
Riad Alamir- Marrakech	$300	3 nites inside old medina arrange for taxi pickup and escort to riad

Riad Alamir in Marrakech.

MISC. COST	subtotal $900 ($400, if exclude shopping)
Food	80dh-300dh per day appx total 1600dh=$200	pre-fixe 3 course meal at touristy spots 60-80dh  street foods 20-40dh most expensive meal was 250dh hardy breakfast was included at all lodgings except Ibis
Shopping	4000dh=$500	crazy amount of stuff: carpet, poufs, tea kettle, jewelry etc
Tour guide/taxi	1600dh=$200	most expensive - 8hr taxi guide to Volubilis & Meknes 800dh (cost split by 2)

Street vendor in Meknes.

I hope the sample budget is helpful. We found Morocco beautiful and extremely affordable. If you have previously been to Morocco, please share your budget experience in the comment box below. If you would like more details on how I booked air travel, please leave a comment.