How to travel in Marrakesh on a budget

25.11.2023 - 11:41 / lonelyplanet.com

Marrakesh is known for being a budget friendly travel destination accessible to all types of travelers, from backpackers to luxury lovers. Whether you're traveling cheaply or want to indulge without breaking the bank, this article will help you find value as you explore the Red City. 

Marrakesh is synonymous with charming architecture and warm hospitality and, thankfully, this can be found in all price categories, whether you sleep on a local's sofa through Couchsurfing or rent a room via AirBnb. 

The city also has excellent hostels, with spots like Equity Point and Central House Hostel offering high standards of accommodation in both dorms and private rooms. Plus, they're great for mingling with like-minded travelers. 

If you dream of staying in a traditional riad, you're in luck: there are hundreds, and the sheer volume keeps prices down. 

For more luxurious touches, Dar Attajmil offers a personalized experience emphasizing coziness, elegance and the art of slowing down. Double rooms start from Dh990 per day for two people and include breakfast; stay five nights and receive a 10% discount.

Book directly with most hotels for the best prices. Avoid the very high season – around 24 December to 4 January – when rates are hiked by at least 15%. Note city taxes of Dh30 per person per night are to be paid in cash at the end of your stay, so keep some cash on you for when you check out.

The weather in Marrakesh is perfect for being in or by a swimming pool. Save money by choosing accommodation without a pool and opting for day passes. There are heaps of passes granting access to the cities' top hotel pools and spas, so you can take advantage of the amenities without having to fork over extra money for every night of your stay. Prices generally range from Dh150-1,000 per day.

Alsa bus 19 is the cheapest option, costing about Dh30 round trip; bring some money with you as you'll pay cash on the bus, which runs every 20 minutes and makes several stops in the city.

A new airport arrivals taxi system came into operation in 2023. Buy your ticket with the taxi registration number at a kiosk in the terminal. The set fare for "Petit Taxi" is Dh80 (or Dh120 at night time). A "Grand Taxi" is slightly more expensive. 

Check if your hotel includes complimentary airport transfers, especially if it's in a hard-to-access area of the Medina.

Book a riad in the area of the city you are most interested in, pack comfortable shoes and enjoy the freedom of exploring on foot. The city center is compact and mostly pedestrianized, though it can get a bit confusing to navigate; download Google Maps or Maps.me, as it can be handy to have an offline map.

If you tire of walking, hail a taxi or take a bus. If you're staying in a luxury hotel,