Tangier can be done on almost any budget, and a day-trip from Spain barely dents the wallet. Mid-range travellers spend roughly US$70–130 per person per day; private, guided days with a driver typically run US$180–350+ depending on season and style.
In this guide
Currency and payments
The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), a closed currency you can't easily get before you arrive — withdraw from ATMs in the city, or exchange euros at the port or in the Grand Socco area. Plenty of arrivals from Spain still have euros, and many Tangier traders will accept them, though you'll get a better rate paying in dirhams. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but the medina stalls, petit taxis and tips run on cash. Carry small notes.
What things cost
Rough, real-world ranges to set expectations (they vary by season and by how touristy the spot is):
- Mint tea on a Petit Socco terrace: 15–25 MAD; a grilled-fish lunch near the port: 70–140 MAD.
- A good riad or boutique hotel room in the medina: US$50–180+ per night.
- A licensed half-day private city guide for the kasbah and medina: roughly US$50–100.
- Foot-passenger fast ferry from Tarifa: from around €40–55 one way.
- A private day trip to Chefchaouen or Asilah by car: from around US$120+ per car.
Where the money goes — and how to save
On a Tangier-based trip the biggest line items are accommodation and any private driver for day trips; both scale with season and standard. Travelling in the shoulder months, walking the medina and kasbah self-guided for part of the time, and sharing a private car (the same price for two as for four) all stretch the budget. Day-trippers from Spain can see the highlights on a tight budget by walking and using petit taxis.
Frequently asked
How much does a few days in Tangier cost?
A comfortable mid-range long weekend runs roughly US$300–600 per person excluding international transport. A fully private, guided trip with a Chefchaouen day trip typically lands between US$700 and US$1,500+ per person, depending on season and standard.
Should I bring cash or use cards in Tangier?
Both. Use cards for hotels and bigger restaurants, but carry dirham cash for the medina, petit taxis, tips and small cafés. Arriving from Spain, you can spend some euros, but dirhams give a better rate.
Is Tangier expensive?
Not especially. Street food, mint tea and guesthouses make it very affordable; boutique riads, private guides and full-day excursions push a trip into more premium territory.
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Planning
Morocco Visa & Entry Requirements
Most travellers — including US, Canadian, UK, EU/Schengen, Australian, New Zealand and Japanese passport holders — enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days, whether you arrive by air at Tangier or by ferry from Spain. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival.
Practical
Getting Around Tangier & Northern Morocco
Tangier is Morocco's northern gateway — the ferry terminals from Spain, Ibn Battouta Airport and the high-speed train all meet here. Within the city you'll walk and use petit taxis; for the Rif day trips you'll want a private driver or an intercity bus.
Planning
The Best Time to Visit Tangier & Northern Morocco
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the best all-round times for Tangier — warm but not heavy, the Strait breeze still gentle, and ideal conditions for the kasbah, the beaches and day trips to Chefchaouen, Asilah and Tetouan.