Sticking to an affordable budget when you visit Marrakesh is easy, as long as you learn some basic ground rules. In this post, I will teach you everything you need to know about being cost effective on your trip. From average pricing & budget calculations to haggling methods and currency exchange, just scroll down to learn it all!
Morocco Budget Calculator
1 Moroccan Dirham = 0.10 USD (Updated 2020)
| Marrakesh Average | Pricing (USD) |
| Luxury Riad | $160/night |
| Riad | $75/night |
| Splurge Dinner | $50/night |
| Dinner | $25/night |
| Lunch/Breakfast | $10/night |
| Night Out | $50/night |
| Short Taxi | $5/ride |
| Long Taxi | $15/ride |
| Jardin Majorelle | $7 |
| Camel Tour | $28 |
| YSL Museum | $10 |
| Bahia Palace | $7 |
| Shopping Money | $100 minimum |
| Tipping Money | $80 minimum |
Exchanging Money in Marrakesh
Many places in Marrakesh will not accept card, so it is important to make sure you always have some Dirhams on you. Many places will also accept Euros as a form of currency. If you need money to get your cab from the airport, the currency exchange at the airport has a decent rate. However, in order to save the most, I recommend only taking enough out until you get to the Medina, where you can go to Hotel Ali, the best known place to exchange your money for a good rate in Marrakesh.
Haggling in Marrakesh
It is absolutely vital that you learn how to properly negotiate before your trip to Marrakesh. Negotiation will be most important when you find yourself trying to get taxis, and when you are shopping in the Medina (The Old Town Market)
Here are 12 of the best tips I learned about haggling in Marrakesh:
- When choosing a taxi, ask them what the cost is to go to a certain destination, and get a flat rate. Never just get in and let them charge you by time or distance, this is where they can control the price and rip you off.
- The general rule of thumb when haggling with taxis is to try and get the original price down to 25-50 percent less. If the driver does not agree, do not be afraid to walk on to the next.
- ALWAYS have Dirhams or Euros on you for change, merchants and drivers will often say they don’t have any smaller bills to give you any.
- Communicate with your travel partners before going to negotiate. Make sure you are all on the same page and use them to your advantage when you can with bundle deals if you both want one of the same thing.
- Always have cash to physically take out and show the merchant for your final offer, the visual will often tempt them to take the cash out of your hand and accept your offer.
- The general rule of thumb when haggling in markets is to offer 10% of their first offer, then negotiate from there until you can meet somewhere in the middle.
- NEVER accept their first offer.
- Don’t be afraid to point out if an item they are trying to sell you is damaged or tainted in any way, and use this to your advantage to get the price down.
- Don’t be afraid to walk out if you are unhappy with their final offer, they typically won’t call your bluff and will chase you if they know they can give you a better deal.
- Show them you are knowledgable about items so they know they aren’t dealing with naive tourists. For example, if you are purchasing leather, say that you know yellow leather is more expensive because it is colored with saffron. Let them know you aren’t naive to the market and what locals pay for the same items.
- Be aggressive, but remain respectful of the craft. Keep in mind that most merchants craft the items themselves, and don’t knock their hard work by suggesting an item is worth less than unless you are sure of it’s quality.
- Be kind, and greet them with some native language. Instead of hello, say “Salam Alikum!” When I did this, many merchants assumed I was arabic and took more of a liking to me, and it made the process of negotiating much more fun and light hearted, as it should be.
