"Hollywood's desert of choice is in Europe"
World Famous
Sahara Desert
Morocco
Endless golden dunes, camel treks, and starlit nights in the world's largest hot desert.
“Good enough for Lawrence of Arabia, good enough for you”
European Alternative
Tabernas Desert
Spain
Europe's only true desert! Filmed as a stand-in for the Sahara, Wild West, and even Mars. Sergio Leone shot his spaghetti westerns here. Wild, empty, and surreal.
Why These Two?
Both offer vast, arid desert landscapes with golden-brown terrain stretching to the horizon. Hollywood agrees - they used Tabernas as the Sahara.
Sahara Desert
Tabernas Desert
Photo · Unsplash
Photo · Unsplash
The True Cost
Average prices from London
World
Sahara Desert
flight
Europe
Tabernas Desert
train
€0
True price saved
True price reflects hidden social and ecological costs such as CO₂ and air pollution.
666kg
Less CO₂
94%
Emission reduction
Prices are market averages, not lowest fares. Hidden costs based on CE Delft external-cost factors.
Ready to go?
Estimates from London, adjusted for current fuel prices
Sahara Desert
by flight · 3,822km
Tabernas Desert
by train · 1,617km
from €210
Save 666kg CO₂ vs flying
Search trains & buses →via Trainline
Or travel further on one pass
Interrail Pass from €283 youth / €369 adult
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