The open road. Coastal views. Mountains. Delicious flavours. Sumptuous cuisine. Not breaking the bank.
A road trip is an unforgettable way to see a new country and sample the best food along the way. And if you can stick within your budget, what a way to explore. Pack your bags for two weeks, as we’ve found the most affordable road trips that both your wallet and your stomach will thank you for. Let’s go.
Experience True Morocco Road Trip
And the winner is in. The cheapest foodie road trip is Morocco, and here’s what you can see.
With the likes of Marrakech and Casablanca being mainstays for tourists for decades, this is a new way to see the best of the country. Our scenic route starts in Tangier with its whitewashed hillside Medina. Then make your way to the Blue City of Chefchaouen – 112km away but always worth the journey. Next jump in your rental car and travel the 197km to Fes for culture and wonderful food. Then travel 537km to the majestic Dades Valley for the road trip of your life.
You’ll then journey 140km to experience the Hollywood-famous Ouarzazate, before the 193km trip to Marrakech for sublime street food and bustling city scenes. Get out of the hectic streets and head to Settat (170km away), then on to world-renowned Casablanca (84km away) before arriving in the capital, Rabat (87km away). You’ll then finish once again in Tangier with a final drive of 245km.
To give you a flavour of what food experiences you can expect – here’s Amelia from the Social Team here at Skyscanner to talk you through the five best restaurants she visited on her travels around Morocco.
Top tips for driving in Morocco:
Keep your tank at least half full: Petrol stations are everywhere in towns and cities, but you’ll be lucky to find one out in the country.
Use the toll roads for long distances: Yes, they can be more expensive, but they will be much quieter.
Don’t drive in a Medina: The streets are tightly packed, and traffic is everywhere. Park outside the Medina and continue on foot.
The most affordable foodie road trip destinations
We dug into the data and did some research to find the top five most affordable road trip destinations. First, we started with car hire costs (essential for a road trip!) using our own Skyscanner data. We looked at all the countries where average car rental costs per day came in at under AED 235.
Next, came the extra costs. We conducted extensive research using Numbeo to find the average costs of all your essentials on a foodie road trip. We’re talking fuel costs and the average costs of food and drink along the way – including water, coffee, and soft drinks, as well as mid-tier three course meals and street food snacks. We also looked at the average costs of hotels across a two-week road trip.
And we found that it is possible. You can go on an epic road trip and save your budget – the holiday of a lifetime really is within your grasp. But where to go?
For anyone planning a road trip in 2024, these are the top five cheapest destinations.
The top 5 cheapest road trip destinations for foodies
Planning an unforgettable road trip this year? Want to keep within your budget and explore some of the best countries in the world? Here are the top five.
Morocco
With around 3,500km of coastline, the Sahara Desert, magical Marrakech and one of the world’s best drives in the Dades Valley, Morocco is made for a road trip. Our True Morocco road trip takes in the coast, desert, cityscapes and more. And the food along the way will blow your mind. We’re talking tagines, sweet and savoury pastries, and sumptuous street food.
Look out for:
- Maakouda is the most popular street food
- Couscous is the national dish of Morocco
- The Sefrou Cherry Festival is dedicated to cherries and takes place every June
Thailand
With incredible cities, centuries-old ruins, culture around every corner and some of the best food in the world, Thailand is off-the-chart road trip territory. Our Sukhothai Historical Park from Bangkok road trip starts in the capital and takes in temples, ruins, UNESCO World Heritage sites, night markets and street markets. With green curry, noodle soup, ice cream and papaya salad to sample along the way, it’s the trip of a lifetime.
Look out for:
- Pad Thai is the national dish of Thailand
- Thai people eat family style, with meals in Thailand all about sharing
- Northern Thailand is famous for Khao soi, Kaeng Pa and Sai ua
Mauritius
Yes, it might be small but there’s so much to see and do in Mauritius. Explore this Indian Ocean island to take in its beautiful beaches, hike the Black River Gorges and dive or snorkel in its crystal clear waters. And the food. Such incredible food, featuring Indian, Chinese, Franco-Mauritian and Creole influences. The Gateaux piment (chilli fritters) are delightful. Don’t miss the Mauritian cari (curry) either.
Look out for:
- Dholl puri (split pea pancake filled with bean curry and spicy tomato sauce) is the national dish of Mauritius
- Gateaux piment is the most popular street food snack in Mauritius
- Mauritian cuisine is a blend of African, Chinese, European and Indian influences
Jordan
Take the short trip to Jordan for an incredible road trip featuring ancient monuments, deserts, seaside resorts and nature reserves. A must-see on your trip to Jordan is the world-famous archaeological site of Petra. Dating to around 300 BC, the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom features tombs and temples carved into the pink sandstone cliffs. No wonder it’s called the “Rose City”. On your road trip in Jordan make sure you sample the local Mansaf.
Look out for:
- Jordan’s national dish is Mansaf
- Jordanian cuisine is a Levantine cuisine
- Jordan Food Week is held annually in July
Portugal
Portugal has 1,794km of coastline to discover and some of Europe’s top cities. Start your road trip in Lisbon with its famous Castelo de S. Jorge, Belem Tower, and Oceanarium. Don’t miss a pastel de nata and a trip to the Time Out market for foodie fun. Enjoy the food in Porto, the beach in Cascais and the forested terrain and historic buildings of Sintra. Be sure to try local specialities along the way including Figos Cheios, Cataplana, and Francesinha.
Look out for:
- Bacalhau (dried and salted codfish) is the national dish of Portugal
- Food festival, Festa de São João, held in Porto each June has been going since the 14th century
- Prego (beef sandwich) is a must-try street food dish in Lisbon
Car hire tip:
It’s usually cheaper to drop your hire car off in the same place you picked it up. This is because the supplier will need to get it back to its original location. That means it’s more cost-effective to plan your road trip as a round trip beginning and starting in the same location. Here’s another tip – don’t forget your car insurance – you’ll need it!
What a way to see a new country. Two weeks on the open road. Some of the best food in the world. Awe-inspiring sights. And all without blowing your budget. A road trip is the essential way to spend your summer in 2024.
Thinking of going on a roadtrip? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car rental deals for your next trip.
