Vast deserts, World Heritage sites, the photogenic blue town of Chefchaouen, beautiful interiors and crafts: Morocco is packed with attractions and is especially popular with travelling friends. This article explains local prices and what a trip to Morocco costs, for first-time visitors, along with ways to save while still enjoying yourself. Figures below are those published in our Japanese edition in late 2023.
What currency is used in Morocco?
The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), usually written “DH” locally (1 MAD = 1 DH). In November 2023, 1 MAD was worth about 14.7 Japanese yen.
Dirhams cannot be bought in Japan, so you will need to either exchange cash at a bank or hotel in Morocco, or withdraw dirhams from an ATM with a credit card.
Being close to Europe, many places in Morocco also accept euros, typically at 1 euro = 10 DH. If you arrive late and cannot exchange money the same day, having some euros is reassuring.
Is Morocco expensive?
Prices are generally lower than in Japan. Fruit and vegetables are especially cheap — depending on the season and region, vegetables often cost the equivalent of a few dozen yen per kilo and fruit under 200 yen per kilo. Imported goods, on the other hand, can be more expensive than in Japan.
Prices differ greatly between places used by locals and those aimed at tourists: neighbourhood shops and eateries are very cheap, while tourist hotels and restaurants cost about the same as in Japan.
What does a 10-day trip cost?
Around ten days, including travel time, is a good length to enjoy Morocco. From Japan, a 10-day trip is said to cost at least about 250,000 yen. Here is the breakdown.
Flights between Japan and Morocco
Flights are the largest expense, and prices vary widely with the season, airline and journey time. Favouring price over speed, expect roughly 200,000–300,000 yen return; prices rise sharply in Golden Week and the summer holidays, as the examples below show.
| Outbound | Return | Lowest fare | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 25 Nov 2023, Tokyo → Casablanca | Sun 3 Dec 2023, Casablanca → Tokyo | ¥174,200 | 28 h 55 min |
| Sat 27 Apr 2024, Tokyo → Casablanca | Sun 5 May 2024, Casablanca → Tokyo | ¥276,870 | 20 h 50 min |
Source: Trip.com, searched 23 November 2023. As of November 2023 there were no direct flights from Japan, so one or two connections are needed.
Accommodation
A double room starts at around 5,000 yen per night. Standard hotels cost 10,000–20,000 yen and luxury hotels around 50,000 yen. We also recommend staying in a riad, a traditional townhouse converted into a stylish guesthouse.
Food
Eating out is cheaper than in Japan. At street stalls and local eateries, about 1,000 yen a day will fill you up; if you prefer tourist restaurants and cafés, allow about 3,000 yen a day.
- Mineral water: about 40 yen
- Tajine: about 600–1,000 yen
- Couscous: about 700–1,600 yen
As Morocco is a Muslim country, alcohol is fairly expensive and only sold in certain places, so budget more if you want to drink.
Transport
Taxis are cheap for short trips: a few kilometres costs about 200–300 yen. Trains and long-distance buses between cities cost only 1,000–2,000 yen, but we do not really recommend them for a holiday: they can be delayed, waits are long, some run very early or late, and on public holidays they are crowded with no extra services. To travel freely, a tour with a private car is the better choice.
How to save money without missing out
Travel in the off-season
Since flights are the biggest cost, avoid the New Year, Golden Week and Obon holidays. Morocco’s off-season runs from about January to March, when you can travel for less.
Use fee-free ATMs
Carrying lots of cash is risky anywhere, so withdraw only what you need. Most Moroccan ATMs charge about 600 yen per withdrawal, but Al Barid Bank ATMs, located with Poste Maroc post offices, are free. You will find them in tourist cities such as Marrakech and Fez and at airports.
Travel with friends or family
On a private tour, the cost of the car and fuel is shared, so travelling with two or three people lowers the price per person — and sharing a room saves even more.
Travel Morocco your way with Morocco Travel Destinations
If you want to keep costs under control and still travel freely, Morocco Travel Destinations designs original private tours with far more flexibility than large tour companies: climb a mountain, ride a camel, take your time choosing crafts or stop at a shop on a whim. A private car and a driver-guide mean no waiting for buses. Contact us to plan your trip.