The Cost of Travel in Morocco: A Real Budget Guide for Australians

When I first started planning my trip from Australia to North Africa, the very first hurdle was the flights. But the immediate second question I asked myself was: “Is Morocco actually going to be expensive once I get there?”

The short answer is no. Honestly, by Australian standards, traveling in Morocco is incredibly affordable. However, what surprised me is how wildly your budget can swing depending on how you travel. You can eat a phenomenal street-food feast for $5 AUD and sleep in a $20 dorm, but you can also easily drop $400 AUD a night on a luxury riad in Marrakech without even trying.

In this guide, I’m breaking down the real cost of travel in Morocco for Australians based on what I actually spent—from the pain of booking the flights down to the joy of $2 orange juice in the medina.

(Note: All prices below are estimates in Australian Dollars (AUD) to make budgeting easier, but local transactions are done in Moroccan Dirham - MAD. $1 AUD is roughly 6.5 MAD).

1. The Big Hit: Flights from Australia

Let’s get the painful part out of the way first. Getting from Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth to Casablanca (CMN) or Marrakech (RAK) is a massively long, multi-leg journey.

I’ve found you typically fly via the Middle East (Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai) or through Europe.

• Economy Return: $1,800 - $2,600 AUD (Book 4-6 months in advance for the lower end, trust me).
• Premium Economy: $3,500 - $5,000 AUD.
• Business Class: $8,000 - $12,000+ AUD.

My money-saving tip: Sometimes it is actually cheaper to book a return flight to a major European hub (like London, Paris, or Madrid) and grab a cheap Ryanair or easyJet flight across to Marrakech. I saved over $400 doing this once!

2. Accommodation Costs (Hostels to Palaces)

Morocco has some of the most spectacular accommodation in the world, and it caters to literally every budget.

Budget: Hostels & Basic Guesthouses ($15 - $40 AUD / night)

Morocco has a booming hostel scene, particularly in surf towns like Taghazout and the medinas of Marrakech and Fes. They are clean, safe, and often feature incredible rooftop terraces. Perfect if you’re traveling solo and want to meet people.

Mid-Range: Traditional Riads ($70 - $150 AUD / night)

This is the absolute sweet spot for most Australians. A Riad is a traditional Moroccan home built around an internal courtyard, often featuring a plunge pool and stunning tilework. You get a private room with an ensuite and an incredible Moroccan breakfast included. The value for money here blew me away.

Luxury: High-End Riads & Resorts ($250 - $1000+ AUD / night)

If you want to feel like absolute royalty, you can. Places like La Mamounia or luxury boutique riads offer unparalleled service, private hammams, and world-class dining.

3. Food and Drink (Eating Like a Local)

Moroccan food is exceptional, and it’s generally very cheap—if you eat where the locals eat.

• Street Food & Local Cafes: $3 - $8 AUD. A bowl of Harira soup, a fresh msemen (pancake) with honey, or a basic chicken tagine at a local spot.
• Mid-Range Tourist Restaurants: $15 - $30 AUD. A nice sit-down dinner in the medina with a substantial tagine or couscous, salads, and tea. This was my usual go-to.
• Fine Dining (Alcohol included): $50 - $100+ AUD. High-end restaurants in modern areas (Gueliz in Marrakech) serving international fusion or gourmet Moroccan fare.
• Fresh Orange Juice: $1 - $2 AUD (Do not miss the juice carts in Jemaa el-Fnaa. I drank three a day).
• Mint Tea: $1.50 - $3 AUD.

A quick note on alcohol: Morocco is an Islamic country. While alcohol is available in licensed hotels, bars, and tourist restaurants, it is heavily taxed. Expect to pay Sydney prices ($8-$12 AUD) for a local beer (Casablanca or Flag Speciale) or a glass of wine.

4. Transport within Morocco

Getting around was surprisingly easy and cheap, which was a huge relief.

• CTM / Supratours Bus: The best way to travel between cities. A 3-hour modern, air-conditioned bus ride from Marrakech to Essaouira only costs roughly $15 AUD.
• Trains (ONCF): Morocco has an excellent rail network in the north, including the Al Boraq high-speed train (Africa’s first!). Tangier to Casablanca takes just over 2 hours and costs about $25-$40 AUD.
• Petit Taxis (Inner city): Small cars for city trips. Always insist they use the meter. A 10-minute ride should cost $2 - $5 AUD.
• Grand Taxis (Intercity): Shared old Mercedes or minivans. Super cheap but cramped. You pay for a seat (usually a few dollars for a short intercity hop).

5. Tours and Activities

• 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour (Group): $150 - $250 AUD. (Includes basic transport, camel ride, and mediocre food/accommodation. Fine for tight budgets).
• 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour (Private/Luxury): $500 - $900+ AUD. (I highly recommend this if you can afford it. Better vehicles, luxury camps with hot showers, and great food).
• Traditional Hammam & Massage: $30 - $80+ AUD depending on the luxury level of the spa. A must-do experience.
• Museums & Palaces: Most historical sites (like Bahia Palace or Majorelle Garden) charge between $10 and $25 AUD entry.

My Estimated Daily Budgets for Australians

Excluding flights, here is realistically what you can expect to spend per person, per day.

The Backpacker Budget: $50 - $70 AUD / day

Staying in hostel dorms, eating exclusively street food, taking local buses, and doing free walking tours. It’s tight, but totally doable.

The Comfortable Mid-Range: $120 - $180 AUD / day

This is where I landed. Staying in a beautiful traditional Riad, taking CTM buses, eating street food for lunch and a nice restaurant for dinner, plus paying for entrance fees and the occasional taxi.

The Luxury Traveler: $350+ AUD / day

Staying in high-end boutique riads, taking private transfers between cities, eating at top-tier restaurants (with wine), and booking private tours and luxury hammam treatments.

Final Thoughts

Compared to traveling through Europe or North America, your Australian Dollar stretches incredibly far in Morocco. The real key to managing your budget is deciding where to splurge (I always vote for a luxury desert camp) and where to save (eating local street tagines instead of tourist-trap pizza).

Pack your bags, hit the ATM when you land, and get ready to practice your haggling skills!