Last updated: June 2026
Getting to Fes is straightforward from most Moroccan cities - the train is your best bet from Casablanca or Rabat, the bus works fine if the timing suits you, and flying in from Europe is a genuine option. What nobody tells you upfront: once you arrive, you still have a 10-15 minute taxi ride to get to the medina itself, and your riad is probably down a lane too narrow for wheels.
Here is everything I have learnt across six trips, including the bits travel sites tend to smooth over.
By ONCF Train (the best option from most cities)
The national rail network (ONCF) is the most reliable way to reach Fes from Casablanca, Rabat, or Tangier. Trains run on time more often than not, the seats are comfortable, and the prices are fixed - no negotiating, no driver deciding you look like you can afford more.
From Casablanca (Casa Voyageurs station)
This is the busiest route to Fes. Journey time is 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes depending on the service and number of stops. There are multiple departures throughout the day from roughly 07:00 to 21:00. Second class (Économique) fares are around 130 - 160 MAD; first class sits at roughly 200 - 210 MAD. Both classes have air conditioning and assigned seats on reserved services.
The train leaves from Casa Voyageurs, not Casa Port. If you are coming from the Mohammed V airport by train, you change at Ain Sebaa or Casa Voyageurs.
From Rabat
Rabat Ville to Fes takes around 2 hours 30 minutes. Fares are lower - expect to pay 80 - 100 MAD in second class. There are frequent departures as Rabat sits on the main Casablanca - Fes line, so you can often board a through-service from Casablanca that stops at Rabat.
From Marrakech
This is where people get caught out. There is no direct train - you either change in Casablanca (adding time and a connection), or you book a through-ticket that involves the same change but is priced as one journey. Total travel time is typically 7 to 8 hours by train. Second class fares from Marrakech to Fes run from around 180 - 250 MAD; first class from 280 - 320 MAD depending on demand and time of year.
Honestly, if you are coming from Marrakech, consider whether the CTM night bus or a private transfer might suit you better. Eight hours in a train seat is a long day.
A note on the Al Boraq high-speed train
The Al Boraq (Morocco’s TGV equivalent) does not serve Fes. As of 2026, the high-speed line runs only between Tangier and Casablanca via Kenitra. Plans to extend it toward Fes and Meknes exist, but no completion date is confirmed. Do not book thinking you will zip to Fes at 320km/h - you will be on the conventional network.
Booking ONCF tickets
You can book at any station ticket window. The official website is oncf.ma, and while it works, it is easier to buy in person if you are already in Morocco. For popular weekend departures or public holiday travel, buy a day or two ahead to guarantee your seat class. Turning up on a quiet Tuesday morning you will almost certainly get on without a reservation.
By CTM or Supratours Bus
If the train does not work for your schedule or you are coming from a city without a direct rail connection, the bus is a solid fallback.
CTM (the main national bus company) runs around 20 services daily between Casablanca and Fes. Journey time is 3.5 to 5 hours. Fares start from around 110 - 125 MAD. The buses are air-conditioned and relatively comfortable, though road conditions and traffic can add time unpredictably.
Supratours (ONCF’s own bus arm) runs a comparable service. If you hold a train ticket to a destination not served by rail, you can sometimes use Supratours buses on the same ticket.
CTM’s main Fes terminal is on Avenue Mohammed V, close to the train station. You can book at ctm.ma or at the terminal window.
For longer hauls - coming from the deep south like Marrakech or Agadir - the overnight CTM bus is genuinely useful. You leave late, sleep (or try to), and arrive in Fes in the morning. It is not luxury, but it saves a night’s accommodation cost.
By Grand Taxi
Grand taxis are shared long-distance taxis that fill to six passengers before departing. They are faster than buses on many routes and depart as soon as they are full rather than on a fixed schedule.
For Fes, the most useful grand taxi connection is from Meknes (about 1 hour, 25 - 35 MAD per person) or from nearby towns. Grand taxis do not typically do the Casablanca to Fes run in one shot - you would need to change in Meknes or another mid-point. For medium distances they are brilliant; for the full Casablanca to Fes haul, the train wins.
See the full breakdown of how these work in how to get around Morocco.
Flying Into Fes-Saiss Airport (FEZ)
Fes has its own international airport - Fes-Saiss (IATA code: FEZ) - about 15 kilometres south of the city. Several European carriers fly direct, including Ryanair from Dublin, Manchester, and other UK and Irish airports; easyJet from various UK and French cities; and Royal Air Maroc from multiple hubs.
Fares vary enormously by season and how far ahead you book. Spring and autumn are peak travel times for Morocco, so book early if you are coming in March - May or September - November.
The airport itself is small and manageable. Arrivals, baggage claim, and the taxi rank are all on the same level. There is no rail connection to the city.
Airport taxi to the medina
From FEZ airport to the Fes medina (Fes el-Bali) is around a 30-minute drive. The official petit taxi fare from the airport is fixed at approximately 120 - 150 MAD during the day; expect a 25% surcharge after 20:00. Confirm the fare before you get in, or ask the driver to use the meter. There are often drivers loitering beyond the official rank who will quote higher - walk to the marked taxi area.
If you pre-book a private transfer through your riad, expect to pay 200 - 300 MAD, but you will have someone holding a sign with your name and no negotiation required after a long flight.
Getting from Fes Train Station to the Medina
The main Fes train station (Gare de Fès) is in the Ville Nouvelle, the modern part of the city. The medina (Fes el-Bali) is around 3 kilometres away.
A petit taxi from the station to Bab Boujeloud (the main entrance to the old medina) costs around 20 - 25 MAD with the meter running. The rides are short. Insist on the meter - say “compteur, s’il vous plaît” - or agree the price before you get in. Do not use the taxis waiting immediately outside the station entrance; walk 50 metres and flag one moving on the street instead. You will usually pay less and avoid the minor theatre of being overcharged.
Riad porters once you arrive
Your riad is almost certainly down a lane too narrow for a car. The driver will drop you at the nearest accessible gate. Most riads will arrange for a porter to meet you at Bab Boujeloud or Bab Guissa - confirm this when you book. Porters typically charge 20 - 50 MAD for carrying your bags through the medina to the door. Have small notes ready.
If you have not arranged a porter and you are lost (you will be, the first time), stand near Bab Boujeloud and call your riad. Almost every riad owner is used to receiving confused guests at the gate.
Driving to Fes
Morocco’s motorway network is good and well-maintained. The A2 autoroute connects Casablanca to Fes via Rabat in about 4 hours in normal traffic. Petrol stations are frequent.
Driving is straightforward on the motorways, though city driving in Fes requires patience. The Ville Nouvelle is manageable; the medina itself is completely off-limits to cars. You will need to park in the Ville Nouvelle or near one of the medina gates and walk or take a petit taxi from there.
Toll charges on the Casablanca - Fes motorway add up to roughly 120 - 150 MAD one way. Car hire in Morocco starts from around 250 - 350 MAD per day for a basic car booked in advance.
If this is your first time driving in Morocco, the medina traffic and local driving style can be confronting. Coming in by train or bus for Fes and picking up a car elsewhere is a reasonable approach.
We put together a broader Morocco trip planning guide if you are still working out your route.
Getting to Meknes and Chefchaouen from Fes
Meknes is 60 kilometres west of Fes - close enough to be a day trip, easy enough to reach independently. Trains run hourly (roughly 1 hour, 20 - 25 MAD); grand taxis from outside the Fes train station do the same journey in about an hour for 25 - 35 MAD per person.
Chefchaouen requires a little more planning. There is no direct train. CTM buses depart from Fes multiple times daily (7:30, 11:30, 15:30 are common departure slots); the journey takes 3.5 to 4 hours and costs 40 - 60 MAD. Alternatively, you can take a grand taxi from Fes to Ouezzane (change point) and connect to another grand taxi to Chefchaouen - faster if it works out, more complicated to arrange.
For context on what to do once you get to the blue city, see the Chefchaouen travel guide.
For a full Fes itinerary and things to do once you arrive, the Fes travel guide covers the medina, the tanneries, and what to book ahead.
If you want to take a guided trip rather than arrange transport yourself, browse our Morocco tours to see what is available around Fes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the train the best way to get to Fes from Casablanca?
Yes, in most cases. The ONCF train from Casa Voyageurs takes 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes, runs several times a day, and costs 130 - 160 MAD in second class. It is reliable, comfortable, and the price is fixed. The bus is a reasonable alternative if the train schedule does not work for you, but the train wins on comfort and consistency.
Does the Al Boraq high-speed train go to Fes?
No. As of 2026, the Al Boraq only runs between Tangier and Casablanca. There are plans to extend high-speed rail toward Fes and Meknes, but these are not yet operational. All trains to Fes run on the conventional ONCF network.
How long does it take to get from Marrakech to Fes?
By train with a connection in Casablanca, plan for 7 to 8 hours minimum. By bus (CTM direct or near-direct), around 8 to 9 hours, sometimes overnight. Private transfer by car takes 6 to 7 hours via the motorway. It is a long journey however you do it, which is why many travellers choose to break the route with a night in Meknes or build in a stop.
How much is a taxi from Fes airport to the medina?
The official daytime fare is around 120 - 150 MAD for the roughly 30-minute drive. After 20:00, there is a night surcharge of around 25%. Always confirm the fare or insist on the meter before getting in. If your riad offers an airport pickup service, it typically costs 200 - 300 MAD but removes all the hassle.
Can I walk from Fes train station to the medina?
Technically yes - it is about 3 kilometres. In practice, if you have luggage, it is not an enjoyable walk, especially in summer heat. Take a petit taxi (20 - 25 MAD with the meter) and save yourself the effort.
How do I get from Fes to Chefchaouen?
The easiest option is the CTM bus, which departs multiple times daily and takes 3.5 to 4 hours for around 40 - 60 MAD. Grand taxis are faster but require a change in Ouezzane, which adds complexity. A private transfer (300 - 500 MAD) is the most hassle-free choice if you are a group of two or more and can split the cost.
