Budget travel in Morocco — the complete route and real costs.

Flight into Marrakech: direct from London with Ryanair/easyJet from $50-100 return. From further away, connecting via Madrid or Lisbon adds cost.

Marrakech (3 days): staying in a riad in the medina costs $18-35/night for a basic room. The medina is disorienting and intentionally maze-like — give yourself a day to fail at navigation before it becomes intuitive. The souks require negotiation. The Djemaa el-Fna square is free entertainment with snake charmers, storytellers, and food stalls in the evening. Budget: $45/day.

Essaouira (2 days): Atlantic coast city, cooler in summer than Marrakech. CTM bus from Marrakech 3 hours, $10. The old medina is a UNESCO site. Good fish from the port markets. Budget: $35/day.

Fes (3 days): the most complex medina in Morocco, older and less touristy than Marrakech. The tanneries are the famous sight — viewable from leather goods shop terraces for free (they'll try to sell you leather). The medina has better craft workshops and artisans than Marrakech. Budget: $38/day.

Chefchaouen (2 days): the blue mountain city. Beautiful for photography. Smaller and more relaxed than Marrakech or Fes. Bus from Fes 4 hours. Budget: $30/day.

Bus transport throughout: CTM (national bus company) is reliable and covers all major cities. Supratours is the secondary option. Avoid unofficial private operators for inter-city routes at night.

Total for 10 days: approximately $380 excluding flights.