Je penses à visiter un pays de l'Afrique du Nord pour 1 semaine de vacances avec ma famille, peut-être le Maroc, la Tunisie ou l'Algérie, mais j'aurais aimé savoir si le français est une "langue courante" dans ces pays... pas selon les "statistiques officielles" mais selon les constats "sur le terrain" des voyageurs qui s'y sont déjà rendus.
Rassure toi oui, ils sont bilingues de meme que les journaux et telés locales! Peut etre que dans certaines contrées pas très touristiques et encore il y aura toujours là bas quelqu'un pour te répondre en français sans aucun souci! Mefie toi de ton accent canadien par contre 😉
En Tunisie ( je me réfère à Zarzis), dans les hôtels et autres lieux touristiques, oui, ils parlent français. Par contre, au souk ou chez les gens, non, à moins qu'ils aient bossé dans le tourisme, sinon ils ne le parlent pas ou vraiment très vaguement.
Je pense que ça dépend vraiment des lieux (villes ou petits bleds) et surtout du tourisme qu'il y a autour, ou non.
🙂aucun probleme en TUNISIE car ils apprennent le français a l, ecole, de plus ils sont tres doues pour les langues, en plus ceux qui travaillent avec les touristes reconnaissent nos differents accents ils savent te dire de quel pays tu viens et meme la region, les panneaux de rues sont aussi en français, pas de souci et bon sejour dans ce merveilleux pays 😎
Je ne crois pas que vous aurez des problèmes au Maroc non plus. J'entends souvent les vendeurs au souk parler français, anglais plus d'autres langues... Je parle bien des vendeurs qui sont en général presque analphabètes.
Je suis d'accord que les Tunisiens (travaillant dans le tourisme) sont "doués" pour les langues, c'est vrai.
Cependant, si on va dans des familles, souvent les hommes parlent un peu, mais de dire " aucun problème car ils apprennent le français à l'école ", je ne suis pas tout à fait d'accord. Les femmes, selon les endroits, le milieu, n'ont pas forcément appris le français à l'école ou à peine parce qu'elles n'y sont vraiment pas restées longtemps.
Et ce n'est pas avec 2-3 ans d'apprentissage du français au mieux, si après elles n'ont pas eu l'occasion de le pratiquer, restant à la maison avec leur ribambelle d'enfants, qu'elles le parlent !
En Tunisie, l'apprentissage du Français est obligatoire dès l'école primaire.
La scolarité est obligatoire jusqu'a 14 ans ou 16 ans.
Résultat Tous les tunisiens (H ouF) parlent le français.
Ils le parlent même très bien, en faisant moins de fautes ou d'anglicisme que de nombreux Français.
Tous les panneaux et indications sont également en français.
Pour l'Algérie, les choses évoluent et l'apprentissage du français se perd à l'école, les traductions en français deviennent de plus en plus rare.
Les personnes agées de plus de 40 ans le parlent très bien.
C'est un peu la même chose au Maroc, mais pour les zones touristiques du maroc, le Fançais est compris sans aucun problème.
Peut-être l'apprentissage est-il obligatoire dès l'école primaire et jusqu'à l'âge de 14 ou 16 ans, ça je ne savais pas, j'ai dit 2 ou 3 ans tout à fait au bol.
Maintenant, il existe souvent un décalage entre la théorie et la réalité, d'une part. D'autre part, ce n'est pas parce qu'on apprend une langue, seulement à l'école, pendant 8 voire même 10 ans qu'on la parle bien si on n'a pas l'occasion de la pratiquer par la suite.
De mon expérience "sur le terrain", à Zarzis, " Tous les Tunisiens (h ou f ) parlent le français " est absolument faux. J'habitais chez ma copine, en face de chez sa belle-famille, je suis allée à des mariages, boire le thé chez des gens etc., et bien ils parlaient arabe. Les 4 neveux et nièces de ma copine (entre 8 et 14 ans) ne parlaient quasi rien ; sa belle-soeur parlait assez bien ; la belle-mère, pas un mot.
Les femmes, qui ne travaillent pas, qui se marient jeunes et ont plein d'enfants, dont elles s'occupent, n'ont de ce fait pas de contacts avec des étrangers et, de mon expérience, sont loin de parler toutes le français.
C'est effectivement bizarre, mais je ne souhaite pas de polémiques.
Je suis allé dans tous les régions de Tunisie et il m'est arrivé de rencontrer des gens qui ne parlaient que l'arabe, mais c'étaient des immigrés (Lybiens et Algériens).
DE toutes les manières pour le séjour touristique de notre amie du Canada, il n'y aura aucun problème.
De plus en cas de soucis, les médecins, pharmaciens, et autres parlent tous le français.
J'apporte juste une précision pour l'Algérie. Je tiens quand même à informer qu'on parle le français presque partout d'une façon générale, plus ou moins bien, c'est vrai....et pas tout le monde, mais en dehors des grandes villes, on trovue facilement des personnes ravie de pouvoir parler en français !
Les enfants apprennent le français dès le primaire (7 ans dès cette année) et dans les universités, le français est souvent la langue d'enseignement !
Je suis souvent dans le sud, loin des grandes villes et tout se passe bien !
Bon voyage !
Il n'y a personne qui soit née sous une mauvaise étoile, il n'y a que des gens qui ne savent pas lire le ciel. (Dalaï Lama)
mais rien ni personne ne vient à bout de ceux qui défendent une cause juste... (Mano Dayak)
Au Maroc, tous les gens en contact avec les touristes, et tous les gens habitant dans les villes sont capables de comprendre et de se faire comprendre en français. Dans les villages plus reculés, c'est plus problématique, mais il n'y a rien d'insurmontable.
Les Marocains parlent en général un très bon Français, sans accent, en particulier dans l'hôtellerie et le tourisme. Dans la rue, tu as de tout....En Tunisie, c'est pareil, mais avec un petit accent en plus, et une tendance parfois à rouler les r, ce qui est rarement le cas au Maroc. Sur le fond, tu devrais très bien te faire comprendre dans ces deux pays. N'oublions pas que ces deux pays étaient longtemps sous souveraineté française et que le Français est encore enseigné dans leurs écoles.
"Les voyages forment la jeunesse" - Alphonse Allais
Au Maroc, ou je fréquente pas mal d'assoc de soutien scolaire, et que je parcours en profondeur
Ou il y a des touristes,
Ou l'on traite des affaires,
L'usage du Francais est courant, mais seulement dans le milieu "tourisme" et "affaires".
Ailleurs il ne faut surtout pas généraliser, bien qu'il soit enseigné, il l'est souvent en 3eme langue, après le berbere, langue maternelle non enseignée pour certains, puis l'arabe, première langue étrangère pour les memes, la plupart des gamins en région rurale et meme dans les quartiers populaires des grandes villes, ont déserté l'école avant les premiers rudiments utiles de francais.
salut:
et bien oui je suis marocain, et le francais est notre 2eme langue et plus de la moitier des marocain le parle parce que nous l'apprenon a l'école depuis a l'age de 9 ans
D'abord, un gros merci à tous ceux qui ont pris le temps de me répondre, je l'apprécie beaucoup!
Je dois encore évaluer différentes destinations au chapitre des coûts mais comme je penche pour un "voyage de repos" dans un "resort", je suis rassuré de savoir que les employés y parlent un bon français.
Ceci dit, certaines réponses laissent entendre qu'il n'y a pas que dans les destinations touristiques qu'on parle le français et l'aventurier qui sommeille en moi a envie d'aller un peu plus loin "parmi les gens" pour vraiment vivre la culture locale... ou du moins, un peu plus qu'en restant dans un complexe hôtelier.
N'ayez aucune crainte.
Le français est bien sur parlé en dehors des hotels, dans les souks, dans les "sites historiques", et autres...
Vous aurez seulement un peu plus de mal à la frontière Lybienne et si vous vous enfoncez dans la Tunisie très rurale.
N'ayez pas d'idées préconcues sur la Tunisie, c'est très "confortable" comme pays et assez proche de l'Europe comme style de vie dans les grandes villes.
Il faut surtout sortir des hotels et vous baladez, visitez, à pieds, en taxis, en trains, en voiture de location, ect...
Acheter un bon guide et préparez votre voyage.
en effet tu trouveras toujours quelqu'un qui parle français meme dans les contrees les plus lointaines...
mieux que ça...tu croiseras des gamins qui parlent français allemand italien espagnol et hollandais :-)
Serait-il possible de me traduire la conversation suivante svp? Je vous remercie bcp par avance. " A: Cvn M: Hamdllh wenti Hani noklot A: Fache noklot M: Fi…
Est-ce que quel qu'un pourrait me traduire ces mots et phrases suivants? je suis vraiment desole si quelques phrases ou mots sont blessants et aussi je pense…
Hello,
I’m traveling to Algeria from October 27 to November 16, 2026.
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through the process about the accommodation attestation required for the visa application:
- Does it need to cover the entire duration of the trip?
- Is this document mandatory for a hotel to rent a room?
- Is it checked during inspections?
- Is a hotel booking (e.g., via Booking.com) sufficient for the visa?
- If so, does it need to be paid in advance?
I plan to visit several cities and do one or more treks with a guide or agency.
If you have any contacts you’d recommend, I’d be grateful!
Also, I’d love to share this trip with a companion who’s already done some traveling.
We’d organize the journey together, of course.
Thanks for your feedback!
Safe travels to all,
Dom, Dijon, 64 years old
This autumn’s trip should be in Morocco—barring any geopolitical issues between now and then.
After many trips to the south of Fès, I’m giving the north a try.
My plan is roughly to do a road trip loop from Rabat back to Rabat, passing through Asilah, Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Akchour, Fès, Meknès, and Volubilis.
That’s a lot of cities.
Probably a bit too many for our taste—we usually prefer more isolated spots...
So I’m looking for tips on little backroads, secluded beaches, half-day hikes, and offbeat places.
If you’ve also got recommendations for accommodation... (We’re open to splurging over 100 € if it’s a real favorite.)
Feel free to think outside the box—this is an open-ended plan! !😉
I’m leaving for Tunisia in five weeks for a full 15-day trip. I’ll be arriving in Monastir and departing from there as well.
I’d like to do a route that’s a bit different from my first stay, which was more focused on cities and culture (Tunis, Sousse, Kairouan, El Jem).
I’ll be getting around by public transport.
I’d like to head south toward Tozeur, and I saw that you can take a *louage* from Monastir to Sbeitla (2h30). I imagine it’s not too complicated to get to Tozeur from there afterward? The issue is the return trip to Monastir and safety in Sbeitla.
If this route seems too complicated, I might opt for Djerba instead, which looks simpler.
Hello,
I’m looking for testimonials from Pieds-Noirs who have recently returned to Algeria.
There can’t be many left after 65 years of the country’s independence.
I’m planning to go back myself soon to reconnect with my roots... before I pass away...
I’ve started making a few pre-bookings for hotels and apartments to rent in Algiers. At first, I received friendly and welcoming responses. Then, when I mentioned I wanted to stay for two or three weeks—maybe even a month—explaining that my trip wouldn’t be strictly touristy but more of a pilgrimage to the places of my childhood, and that it would likely be a very emotional journey, I expected a positive and warm reaction to my approach. Instead, I suddenly stopped getting replies from the three or four people I’d contacted. So now I’m wondering about the reception former Pieds-Noirs can expect...
Anyone here who can share their experience of returning? I specified “recently” because it seems that right now, diplomatic relations between the two governments are extremely tense, not to say hostile... even if Macron claims otherwise...
I’m heading to Morocco in September 2026, and part of my trip takes me through Merzouga. I’m looking for a 4x4 driver-guide to explore the area with my partner and me.
Even though I come to Morocco four times a year, it’s been a long time since I’ve made the trip by car. I need to refresh my knowledge! I’ll be traveling in early October. I have a car that’s about 20 years old. The plan is to cross via Algeciras/Ceuta.
A few questions:
1) Does this crossing still exist? If so, do I need to buy the ticket in advance or on the spot? From whom? Any advice is welcome!
2) What documents are required for the car?
3) If anyone is making the trip around the same time, it could be fun to drive together 😊
Hi there,
I’m looking for some friendly recommendations for places to stay in Marrakech for 3 nights in June 2026.
In the meantime, have a great day, everyone! Thanks so much in advance.
I’m reaching out to gather your thoughts on an itinerary (10 days... or more?) I’d like to do at the beginning of June 🙂.
Just so you know, I’m planning to do this trip solo (25 years old), using only public transport and just a backpack. I’ve already been to Marrakech and climbed Mount Toubkal two years ago...
I’ll be arriving in Tangier.
Day 1-2: Explore the city center, hike around Cap Spartel...
Day 3: Stop in Tetouan
Day 4-5-6: Chefchaouen and a day hike in the Rif Mountains
Day 6-7: Discover the city of Fes (I’ve heard so many great things!!)
Day 8: Stop in Meknes and possibly visit the historic site of Volubilis
Day 9-10: Rabat (I’ve heard mixed things... some good, some bad)
After that, I have the choice of heading back to Tangier for my return flight... or going down to Agadir (also a possible return flight) and extending my trip by 5 days :)
From what I can tell, everything is well connected by bus (CTM) or train (ONCF).
Another question: Is the vibe in Moroccan youth hostels for meeting people the same as what you’d find in Western Europe?
Thanks in advance for your replies and your kindness! 😊
Tickets for entry to Majorelle Garden are only issued online via an official site
(though there are fraudulent sites out there). On the official site, they ask for legitimate info
(name, nationality, etc.). What made me go "hmm" was the request for both an email address
AND a password (with confirmation). Is this normal?
Thanks for your replies.
Hi there, a group of girlfriends and I are heading to Tunisia. We’d love to know how much cash we should bring for 6 days, considering everything’s already paid for at the hotel. Thanks for your tips!
I’m finalizing the loop I’d like to do in May over 13 days, starting and ending in Essaouira.
We’re planning to rent a vehicle and are pretty active—we’re not really into crowds (that’s why I’ve decided to skip Marrakech).
Here’s my proposed itinerary:
Trip Proposal Summary:
From May 13 (morning arrival) to May 26 (morning departure)
Arrival and departure: Essaouira
Day 1 (May 13): Arrival in Essaouira – Settling in / Exploring / Rest
Day 2 (May 14): Essaouira – Water activities
Day 3 (May 15): Essaouira to Tafraoute (~5h30) – route via Agadir – arrival and first exploration; Question: Is a detour to Taroudant worth considering?
Day 4 (May 16): Tafraoute – Hike in the granite rocks – wild bivouac
Day 5 (May 17): Tafraoute – Aït Mansour gorges – oasis – night in a hostel
Day 6 (May 18): Tafraoute → Foum Zguid (~5h) – transition route – simple overnight or bivouac
Day 7 (May 19): Foum Zguid → Zagora (~3h) – Draa Valley – desert prep
Day 8 (May 20): Zagora → M'Hamid El Ghizlane → Erg Chigaga – departure with 4x4 guide – entering the dunes – bivouac
Day 9 (May 21): Erg Chigaga – full desert day – walking, exploring – bivouac
Day 10 (May 22): Desert → Ouarzazate (~5–6h) – leaving the desert – rest
Day 11 (May 23): Aït Benhaddou – early visit – short hike – overnight stay
Day 12 (May 24): Aït Benhaddou → Telouet – route toward the Atlas – start of trek – bivouac
Day 13 (May 25): Atlas → Essaouira (~5–6h) – end of trek – return to Essaouira (overnight)
Day 14 (May 26): Essaouira – free time + return flight
What do you think?
I aimed for an excursion to the Chigaga desert from M’Hamid because it seems less touristy and allows for a more compact loop. Is that a good idea? Is the drive to M’Hamid maybe too tedious?
Open to your great tips if there’s room for optimization!
A lot of people find it important to stick to their budget when traveling—not to skimp, but to visit as many places as possible since traveling is their hobby.
In this post, I want to share some tips for those coming to Morocco who want their trip to be budget-friendly.
1. Prebook everything: hotels or riads, car rentals, or tours. If you book these in advance, it’ll make your life easier. You won’t have to deal with hagglers or people trying to overcharge you for services that are available online for free. Use platforms like Booking, Expedia, carsrental.ma, Airbnb, and other booking services to get this done properly.
2. Exchange your money to Moroccan dirhams as soon as you land. 1 € is always a little over 10 dirhams, but many people get charged as if it were exactly 10 dirhams per euro.
3. When visiting an old site or the old medina, avoid talking to vendors and shop owners—they’re really good at getting your attention and making you overpay for things.
4. Ask your tour guide to buy things for you. Yes, they do get a commission, but you’ll probably pay way more if you buy something yourself that they can get cheaply.
5. Walk everywhere. You don’t need a taxi for every little trip. Pick a good location and walk—most Moroccan cities are safe during normal hours.
6. Buy your food, drinks, etc., from supermarkets at normal prices. They can’t overcharge you since they scan every product.
Hi everyone! 😊
We’re traveling as a family to Marrakech from April 19 to 24, and there’ll be 15 of us (all ages), staying in the Targa neighborhood (El Idrissi Street).
I’d love your advice on a few things! 🙏
🚗 Vehicle rental
We’re thinking of renting 3 cars. We’ve seen really low prices online, but often without insurance.
👉 Do you have any reliable contacts or personal experiences to share?
👉 Would you recommend getting specific “tourist” insurance?
🏛️ Visits – Bahia Palace & Saadian Tombs
We’d like to visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, but:
We can’t find single tickets online
We only see guided tours with fixed times (like 9:30 AM / 4-hour tours)
👉 Do you know if it’s possible to book without a guide?
👉 Or do we have to buy tickets on-site? (We’re a little worried about crowds and lines, especially with older folks in the group.)
🍽️ Restaurants / meals
We’ve spotted the Grand Bazaar Marrakech for a meal.
👉 Any thoughts?
👉 Could you recommend other restaurants in the same budget? (We’re a big group, so it needs to stay reasonable.)
For lunch/snacks, we’ve seen:
Snack Toubkal
Goûter Saveur
👉 If anyone’s been, I’d love your feedback! 😊
🛒 Practical info – Targa neighborhood
We’ll be in Targa (El Idrissi Street).
👉 Are there shops nearby for quick groceries (breakfast, water, etc.)?
If you’ve got any great tips, contacts, or little tricks, I’d love to hear them! 😍
Thanks so much for your help! 💖
We’re heading to Morocco as a family from April 22 to May 8. It’s a bit short to explore such a beautiful and vast country, but school and work commitments, you know how it is...
My partner is a musician and absolutely loves Gnawa music.
Unfortunately, we won’t have time to visit Essaouira, as we’re heading south toward the Valley of the Roses...
Do you know of any places around Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or Kelaat M’Gouna where we might have the chance to meet Gnawa musicians?
We’ll also be staying a few days in Aït Benhaddou and Skoura during our trip toward the Dadès Valley.
If you have any good spots to buy a guembri along the way, I’d love to hear about them too! :)
Mid-May: arriving alone (so, a "petit taxi"?) at Marrakech airport around 4:30 PM,
is it advisable to take a taxi at the airport (cost?) or is it wiser to book one through the hotel before departure (which would cost me 20 €)?
I think I’ve seen lower fares elsewhere (12 €?).
Destination: Riad Sijane near Djemaa El Fna square. Thanks!
I’m planning my next trip outside Europe for next year, but unfortunately, I don’t have a choice with the dates—it’s late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was constantly 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.
For Egypt, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but I’m thinking that by the sea, it might be manageable. Otherwise, I’ll consider another destination.
Day 1: Arrival in Hurghada in the evening
Day 2, 3, 4: Hurghada
Day 5: Hurghada, then drive to Luxor in the early afternoon
Day 6: Luxor
Day 7: Luxor, then drive back to Hurghada in the late afternoon
Day 8, 9, 10, 11: Hurghada
Day 12: Return flight
For the Hurghada trip, either rent a car or—easier—a private car/van.
Is it worth adding an extra day in Luxor?
During the stay, we’re planning activities like camel rides, quad biking, jeep tours, snorkeling, and jet skiing.
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to Morocco in September-October in our Fiat camper van, which isn’t a 4x4 but has already handled quite a bit of rough travel. While reading up on southern Morocco, we’ve been drawn to the Aguinane oasis but I’m having trouble locating it on the map. Is it possible to get there without a 4x4?
Thanks for your help
Hi there,
Can anyone tell me if it's possible to travel from the Dades Gorges (Msemrir) to the Todra Gorges (Tamtatouche) on a paved road? Thanks in advance for any answers.
Hello,
We’d like to hire a French-speaking guide (agency, professional, or volunteer) to show us around Cairo over three days.
Trip planned for November 22, 23, and 24, 2026—four veteran French travelers.
We’re open to any leads, contact info, or suggestions.
Best regards,
Jacques
Hi there,
I have a layover in Algeria.
I won’t be leaving the airport.
The two tickets aren’t with the same airline.
Do I need a transit visa?
Thanks for any details and your help!
Hi there,
I live in Casablanca and my parents, who are 80, will be joining me in Marrakech at the beginning of May for a few days.
We’ll be renting a car to get around.
Do you have any suggestions for things to see or visit within a 2-3 hour drive max from Marrakech that aren’t too touristy?
My parents can walk a bit, but at 80, no climbing Mount Toubkal!
Thanks so much in advance for your ideas!
Hi everyone, just back from the 8-day Marrakech-Merzouga loop by car, and I’d love to share my feedback in case it helps some of you. Big thanks to all the forum members who kindly answered my questions!
Trip from Friday the 20th to Saturday the 28th, flying out of Marseille with Ryanair
- Landed late around 8 PM local time, exchanged some currency, and the rental agency (Magdaz Car, which I highly recommend) delivered the car straight to the airport with some great route tips (don’t blindly trust Maps.me). The night drive was a bit intense—lots of people out and about due to Ramadan. Stayed at Riad Midhou (really nice) on the outskirts of the city, which made it easy to hit the road the next morning.
- Day 1: Marrakech to Skoura. The drive was smooth, roads are great, but watch out for roundabout priority—it’s different from France. Beautiful route. Quick stop in Ouarzazate for lunch, Ait Benhaddou for the view (stunning), and the Fint Oasis (meh...). Spent the night at Taloute Ecolodge in Skoura, overlooking the palm grove (super cozy).
- Day 2: Skoura to Todgha Gorges via the Valley of Roses and Dades Gorges.
Adventure-packed day! We crossed the Valley of Roses (pretty, but not as amazing as I’d hoped) and took a "shortcut" recommended by the *Routard* guide to reach the Dades Gorges without backtracking. After asking locals, they said, "It’s doable." Turns out it was a narrow, rocky cliffside track—no way to turn around! A stressful moment, with a nice scratch on the bumper and a good sweat. Fine in an SUV or 4x4, but not in a Logan... Then the Dades Gorges (nice) and a detour through the north to reach Todgha from above. Gorgeous mountain road and a quick stop on some snow patches—touching African snow! Spent the night at *Les Gorges de Todgha*—great place, except for the bathroom. The Todgha Gorges themselves are stunning!
Day 3: Todgha to Merzouga. Beautiful drive, and the view of the erg (sand dunes) on arrival is breathtaking! Totally worth the trip. Explored the desert and stayed at *Café du Sud* hotel just outside Merzouga—absolutely gorgeous.
Day 4: Merzouga. Desert exploration and chilling by the hotel pool (with a bonus sunburn). Lunch in Merzouga—I recommend *Dakar*—their lemon tajine was amazing. Spent the night in the hotel’s luxury camp, including a camel ride. The camp was beautiful, but I was disappointed we weren’t deeper in the desert given the price (100 € per person, including dinner, breakfast, and camel ride).
Day 5: Merzouga to Tamnougalt. Gorgeous route. First fine (a supposed stop sign...) but the officer was super nice—only 150 MAD. Stayed at *Kasbah Maktob*, right in the middle of ruins—really unique and beautiful!
Day 6: Tamnougalt to Marrakech. Another beautiful drive, and a second fine (minor speeding), same amount. Crossed a windy mountain pass during a big storm—traffic was blocked in the opposite direction (not sure why), causing massive jams for those coming from Marrakech. A few downed cables, but nothing serious. Arriving in Marrakech was tricky—hard to find the rental agency, and the traffic was intense (watch out for GPS trying to send you through the medina). Ask the rental company to meet you somewhere quiet. They didn’t even notice the damaged bumper... Stayed at *Riad Zifamo* in the heart of the medina. Big change of pace—so many people and so much hustle!
Day 7: Marrakech. Lots of wandering through the souk and a quick trip to Gueliz (not essential). A few tips for the medina: watch out for scooters weaving too fast, always negotiate prices (aim for at least 1/3 off what they ask, unless it’s a small amount), don’t buy spices—more expensive than in France! Head to the *Carrefour Market* in Gueliz for better prices. In the end, not many truly unique items—you’ll find more or less the same things everywhere.
Day 8: Early morning flight. We’d booked a car to the airport from the riad, but a taxi would’ve been fine—plenty available even at 7 AM. Security wasn’t an issue (we had lighters and liquids over 100 ml).
A few extra notes: Pleasantly surprised by the road quality—just a few potholes here and there, but overall very drivable. Watch out for the police—they’re everywhere! The car cost me 30 € per day (with the *Routard* discount) and about 90 € in gas. No safety concerns, no harassment, and no stomach issues, despite the ice in Marrakech. Breakfasts at the hotels were usually hearty—take advantage! The timing (end of February) was perfect—pleasant daytime temps and cool nights. Since it was Ramadan, nothing unusual to report, except it was hard to find food outside Marrakech at lunchtime.
If I did it again, Merzouga is a must, but I’d spend a night in a real desert bivouac, deeper in the dunes. My stops (no more than 300 km a day) were well-paced, and with so few cars on the road, it wasn’t tiring—even though I’m not usually a fan of driving...
Happy to answer any questions!
Hi there,
I’m traveling solo to Egypt. Could you give me a rough idea of the budget for:
meals
hotels
taxis including tips
visits...
Just an estimate, of course.
For 15 days, what would the price range be, considering there’s an overnight train and a Nile cruise?
I’d like to compare with a travel agency. Is it more worthwhile to go through an agency despite the downsides of group travel?
Otherwise, if a travel buddy is interested in this country, why not?
Thanks a lot!
