Morocco can be done on almost any budget. Mid-range travellers spend roughly US$80–150 per person per day; private, riad-based trips with a driver-guide typically run US$200–400+ per day depending on season and style.
In this guide
Currency and payments
The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), a closed currency you can't easily get before you arrive — your first withdrawal is usually from the bank ATMs in the Casablanca (CMN) arrivals hall, which give better rates than the airport bureau de change. Cards are accepted in Casablanca's hotels, the Morocco Mall, riads and larger restaurants, but the souks, the Habous quarter stalls, taxis, tips and rural stops run on cash. Carry small notes.
What things cost
Rough, real-world ranges to set expectations (they vary by city and season):
- Mint tea or coffee on a Casablanca terrace: 15–30 MAD; a casual tagine or grilled-fish lunch at the Central Market: 60–120 MAD.
- A good Casablanca business hotel or medina riad room: US$60–200+ per night; luxury riads and desert camps far higher.
- Hassan II Mosque guided tour: around 170 MAD (US$17) per adult; a licensed half-day private city guide: roughly US$60–120.
- Airport transfer CMN–city: US$20–40; private intercity transfer (e.g. Casablanca–Marrakech or Marrakech–Fes): from around US$120–200+ per car.
- A luxury Sahara camp night: US$150–400+ per person, all-in.
Where the money goes — and how to save
The biggest line items on a private trip are accommodation and the driver-guide; both scale with season and standard. Travelling in the shoulder months, mixing a few self-guided city days with guided excursions, and keeping group sizes efficient (a private car costs the same for two as for four) all stretch the budget without cutting the experience.
Frequently asked
How much does a week in Morocco cost?
A comfortable mid-range week runs roughly US$600–1,100 per person excluding international flights. A fully private, riad-and-driver trip with a Sahara night typically lands between US$1,400 and US$3,000+ per person for the week, depending on season and standard.
Should I bring cash or use cards in Morocco?
Both. Use cards in Casablanca's hotels, malls and bigger restaurants, but carry dirham cash for souks, the Habous quarter, taxis, tips, rural stops and the desert, where cards aren't accepted. Withdraw your first cash from an ATM in the CMN arrivals hall.
Is Morocco expensive?
It can be as cheap or as luxurious as you like. Street food and guesthouses make it very affordable; private guiding, top riads and desert camps push it firmly into premium territory.
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Morocco Visa & Entry Requirements
Most travellers — including US, Canadian, UK, EU/Schengen, Australian, New Zealand and Japanese passport holders — enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival.
Practical
Getting Around Morocco
Morocco's rail network radiates from Casablanca, the country's transport hub: fast trains link the main northern cities, comfortable intercity buses fill the gaps, and — for the south, the mountains and the desert — private drivers take over. The right mix depends on your route and pace.
Planning
The Best Time to Visit Morocco
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best all-round times to visit Morocco — warm days, cool evenings and ideal conditions for the medinas, mountains, coast and desert alike. Most visitors land at Casablanca (CMN), the country's main international gateway, where Atlantic air keeps the seasons milder than the interior.