Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Rabat

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget riads in the medina, shared bathroom facilities

Food & Dining

$8-20 per day

Street food, local markets, small neighborhood cafes, tagines from local stalls, mint tea at traditional spots

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses, shared taxis (grand taxis), walking, occasional petit taxi for short distances

Activities

$5-15 per day

Free walking tours, exploring medina and kasbah, visiting public beaches, occasional museum entry

Eat at local markets and neighborhood cafes instead of tourist areas (typically 50-70% cheaper)

Use public buses and shared grand taxis instead of private petit taxis (usually 60-80% savings)

Stay in the medina at local guesthouses rather than modern city hotels (generally 30-50% less expensive)

Book accommodation directly with properties to avoid booking platform fees (typically 10-15% savings)

Visit free attractions like the Kasbah of the Udayas and Hassan Tower before paying for guided tours

Shop for souvenirs in local markets rather than tourist shops (usually 40-60% cheaper with bargaining)

Take advantage of set lunch menus at restaurants (typically 30-40% less than dinner prices)

Taking petit taxis everywhere instead of using public transport (typically 3-5x more expensive)

Eating only in the Ville Nouvelle tourist areas instead of exploring medina food stalls (usually 100-200% markup)

Booking last-minute accommodation during peak season without comparing options (can cost 50-100% more)

Not bargaining in markets and accepting first prices (typically paying 200-300% more than necessary)