Daily costs per person in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD 10 ≈ $1). Tangier is one of Morocco's most affordable cities with easy access from Spain — a full day costs well under $30 on a budget.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD) (MAD 10 ≈ $1 USD; EUR widely accepted)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | MAD 80–150 | MAD 400–900 | — | |
| Food | MAD 80–150 | MAD 200–400 | — | |
| Transport | MAD 50–120 | MAD 150–300 | — | |
| Activities | MAD 30–80 | MAD 100–200 | — | |
| Drinks | MAD 20–50 | MAD 80–200 | — | |
| Daily Total | MAD 260–550 | MAD 930–2,000 | — |
Money-saving tips
Tangier is inexpensive by Moroccan standards
Tangier is significantly cheaper than Marrakech for accommodation and food. Budget hostel: MAD 80–150 ($8–15). Street food: harira soup MAD 5, msemen pancakes MAD 5–8, kefta sandwich MAD 20. Full restaurant dinner with wine: MAD 200–300 ($20–30).
Ferries from Spain are easy and affordable
FRS ferry from Tarifa (Spain) to Tangier: €22–35 each way, 35 minutes. Baleária ferry from Algeciras: €25–40, 1.5 hours. Book online at frs.es or balearia.com. Arrive 30 minutes early for passport control. The ferry terminal is the new Tangier Med — 40km from the city centre (taxi MAD 250–300).
Negotiate taxis before entering
Petit taxis (red) are metered in theory but many don't use meters for tourists. Agree on the price before entering: medina to Cape Spartel MAD 60–80, port to medina MAD 50–70. Grands taxis for intercity (Tangier to Chefchaouen: MAD 60/seat shared, 3 hours) are good value.
Day-trip to Chefchaouen is worth it
The Blue City of Chefchaouen is 3 hours from Tangier by grand taxi or CTM bus (MAD 60–80 one way). If you have 2 days in Tangier, spend the second day in Chefchaouen — it's among Morocco's most photogenic towns. The blue-painted medina lanes and mountain backdrop are justifiably famous.
