Last updated: June 2026
There is no train to Chefchaouen. There has never been a train to Chefchaouen. Every travel article that says “take a train to Chefchaouen” is wrong - and I want to save you the confusion I had on my first trip in 2017 when I showed up at Fes train station asking which platform. The blue city sits in the Rif Mountains, and the rail network simply does not reach it. You are taking a bus or a taxi, or booking a private transfer. Here is exactly how each option works.
The Honest Overview
Chefchaouen is accessible but not effortless. The most common routes are from Fes (4 to 4.5 hours by CTM bus), from Tangier (2.5 to 3 hours by bus or grand taxi), and from Tetouan (the closest major hub - about 1 to 1.5 hours by grand taxi). From Marrakech or Casablanca, you are looking at a long day or an overnight stop in Fes. The journey is worth it. Just plan properly.
One thing that catches people out: the bus station in Chefchaouen is not at the medina entrance. It is at the bottom of the hill, and you have a 15 to 20 minute uphill walk - or a short petit taxi ride - to reach Bab El Ain, the main gate into the blue streets. More on that below.
For guided options that include transport, have a look at our Chefchaouen tours - they handle logistics so you do not need to.
From Fes: The Most Popular Route
Fes is the most common starting point for reaching Chefchaouen, and for good reason - it works well as a two or three-city Morocco loop (Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen) or as a standalone leg if you are flying into or out of Fes-Saiss airport.
CTM Bus (Recommended)
CTM is the national coach company. It is reliable, air-conditioned, and the seats are assigned - no scramble for space. The Fes to Chefchaouen route takes 4 to 4.5 hours depending on the driver and mountain traffic.
Current fares (2025-2026): Around 110 to 140 MAD per person (roughly £9 to £11). Book online at ctm.ma or through third-party booking sites - the 11am departure especially fills up fast in summer and at weekends.
Departure times from Fes: Approximately 8:00am, 11:00am, 12:45pm, and 4:15pm. Times do shift seasonally, so check the CTM website or the booking platform for current schedules before you travel.
Important: The CTM station in Fes is in the Ville Nouvelle, not the medina. If you are staying in Fes el-Bali, allow 30 minutes to get there by petit taxi (15 to 25 MAD by meter). Do not leave it to the last minute.
I always book the 11am departure when I go from Fes. You arrive in Chefchaouen in mid-afternoon with enough light to get settled and walk the medina before dark. The 4:15pm bus gets you in after sunset - fine if you know where you are going, more stressful if it is your first time.
For full detail on this specific leg, see our Fes to Chefchaouen day trip guide.
Supratours Bus
Supratours (the ONCF rail company’s coach arm) also runs Fes to Chefchaouen. Fares are similar - 75 to 110 MAD - and journey time is comparable. CTM tends to have more departure slots on this route, so if you cannot get a CTM seat, Supratours is a solid backup. You can book at markoub.ma or checkmybus.
Grand Taxi from Fes
You can take a grand taxi from Fes to Chefchaouen, but it is not the straightforward option most sources make it sound. Grand taxis typically run fixed shared routes between nearby towns. For the longer Fes to Chefchaouen distance, you would usually need to negotiate a private hire of the whole vehicle - expect 500 to 700 MAD for the car (not per person). Shared grand taxis on this route change at intermediate points. Unless you have a group of four to six splitting the cost, the CTM bus is better value.
From Tangier: Shorter but Trickier to Navigate
Tangier is closer to Chefchaouen than Fes - roughly 115km versus 200km - and the journey takes 2.5 to 3 hours by direct bus. The route winds through the Rif foothills and it is genuinely scenic.
See our full breakdown on the Tangier to Chefchaouen route for detailed options.
CTM from Tangier
CTM runs direct services from Tangier to Chefchaouen. Current fares: approximately 50 to 65 MAD (£4 to £5). There are typically two daily departures - around 12:15pm and 3:15pm - though schedules vary by season. The Tangier CTM station is in the city centre, not at Tangier Med port (the big ferry terminal outside the city). If you are arriving by ferry, get into the city first.
Grand Taxi via Tetouan
The grand taxi route from Tangier typically involves a change in Tetouan. You take a grand taxi from Tangier to Tetouan (around 40 to 50 MAD per seat, 45 minutes), then another from Tetouan to Chefchaouen (around 30 to 40 MAD per seat, 1 hour). It is cheaper than a direct private transfer and runs throughout the day, but involves two legs and some waiting at Tetouan’s taxi stand. Shared grand taxi seats from Tangier tend to be around 70 MAD total for the whole Tangier to Chefchaouen journey when routed via Tetouan - some sources quote this as a fixed per-seat price for a through route, but in practice you change vehicles.
If you have heavy luggage, budget an extra 10 to 20 MAD for the bag.
From Tetouan: The Closest Hub
Tetouan is the closest major city to Chefchaouen - just 60km - and grand taxis run directly between them throughout the day. This is the quickest option if you happen to be in Tetouan or arriving at a point closer to the coast.
Grand taxi fare Tetouan to Chefchaouen: Approximately 30 to 40 MAD per seat. Journey time is 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the road and how quickly the taxi fills. Grand taxis depart from Tetouan’s main taxi stand (Gare Routière area) when they have six passengers - you may wait 15 to 30 minutes for the taxi to fill, or pay for extra seats if you want to leave immediately.
This is the most local, least touristy way to arrive. The drivers are used to the mountain road and the scenery on approach is excellent.
From Marrakech or Casablanca: Plan for a Full Day
Neither Marrakech nor Casablanca has a direct bus to Chefchaouen. The practical route is to go via Fes.
From Casablanca to Fes by CTM or train takes 4 to 5 hours. Add the Fes to Chefchaouen leg and you are looking at a 9 to 10 hour travel day if you chain it. Most people do this over two days, spending a night in Fes. From Marrakech, Fes is 8 hours by bus or train - so the journey to Chefchaouen becomes a genuine two-day transit.
If your priority is Chefchaouen and you are not interested in Fes, a private transfer from Casablanca or Marrakech is an option - expensive (500 to 900 MAD or significantly more depending on the operator), but it handles everything in one go.
For help planning the wider trip, our Morocco trip planning guide covers itinerary options across all the major circuits.
Arriving: The Bus Station and the Walk to the Medina
This is something most transport guides gloss over, and it catches people every time.
Chefchaouen’s main bus station (Gare Routière) is at the bottom of the hill, at the far end of Avenue Mohammed V - about 1.5km from the medina entrance at Bab El Ain. It is uphill. With luggage, it takes 20 to 25 minutes on foot, and the road is not especially interesting.
The smarter move: take a blue petit taxi from outside the station to Bab El Ain. It costs 10 to 20 MAD (under £1.50) and takes 5 minutes. You can often negotiate this at the taxi stand outside arrivals. Drivers know exactly where you are going.
CTM buses drop off at the main Gare Routière. Grand taxis from Tetouan and Tangier also use this area, or a nearby stop on the same road. The walk into town is always the same regardless of how you arrived.
Once you are through Bab El Ain, the medina is easy to navigate. The blue streets are compact - you can walk corner to corner in about 20 minutes.
Booking CTM in Advance
For popular routes (especially Fes departures in summer and at weekends), book CTM tickets at least two days ahead. The 11am Fes departure is the most in-demand and sells out. You can book at:
- ctm.ma - the official site, works well but the interface is in French/Arabic
- markoub.ma - English-language Moroccan booking aggregator, reliable
- bookaway.com - accepts international cards easily, slightly higher fees
If you book online, your ticket comes by email - show it on your phone at the station. There is no need to print it. The CTM station in Fes has a counter where you can also buy on the day, but for the early and midday departures in peak season, do not rely on walk-up availability.
Private Transfers
If you are travelling with a group, have a lot of luggage, or simply want the door-to-door convenience, a private transfer makes sense. Prices from Fes run roughly 500 to 700 MAD for a shared minivan or private car (the whole vehicle, not per person). From Tangier, expect 400 to 600 MAD. These are negotiable, and many riads in both cities can arrange one for you - ask at reception the day before.
The journey from Fes by private car takes about 3.5 hours if the driver knows the route well. You stop where you want, no luggage hassle at the station, and you are dropped at your riad door rather than the bus station at the bottom of the hill.
If you want to combine transport with a small group tour, browse the Explora Morocco tours - several of our Chefchaouen departures from Fes include transport as part of the package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a train to Chefchaouen?
No. There is no train service to Chefchaouen. The railway network in Morocco does not extend into the Rif Mountains. The closest train stations are in Fes, Tangier, or Tetouan - from any of these you continue by bus or grand taxi.
How long does the bus from Fes to Chefchaouen take?
The CTM bus from Fes takes 4 to 4.5 hours. The road climbs through the Rif Mountains after the plains around Fes, and the pace slows on the mountain section. Do not plan the same-day connection too tightly if you have an onward commitment.
Can I do Chefchaouen as a day trip from Fes?
Technically yes, but it is a long day. You would need the earliest bus, arrive around noon, have about 3 to 4 hours in the medina, and take the afternoon return bus - arriving back in Fes late evening. Many people find this rushed. An overnight stay gives you the blue streets early morning before the crowds arrive, which is the best time. See our Fes to Chefchaouen day trip guide for how to make a day visit work.
How far is Chefchaouen from the bus station to the medina?
The Gare Routière is about 1.5km from the medina entrance at Bab El Ain, almost entirely uphill. On foot with luggage, allow 20 to 25 minutes. The easier option is a blue petit taxi from the station - 10 to 20 MAD, takes 5 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get to Chefchaouen from Tangier?
The cheapest option is the grand taxi route via Tetouan - roughly 70 to 90 MAD total for a shared seat across both legs (Tangier to Tetouan, then Tetouan to Chefchaouen). The CTM direct bus from Tangier is slightly more (50 to 65 MAD) but involves no change and is faster. For most travellers the CTM bus is the better value when you factor in convenience.
Do I need to book ahead or can I just turn up?
For CTM from Fes, book at least two days ahead, especially for the 11am departure and any weekend or summer travel. For grand taxis from Tangier or Tetouan, you just turn up at the taxi stand - no booking needed, you wait for the taxi to fill. For the return journey from Chefchaouen, the same applies: CTM has a counter in town and you can book on arrival for your departure day.
For more on what to do once you arrive, our full Chefchaouen travel guide covers the medina, where to eat, and what to expect beyond the Instagram photos.
