How to Get from Fes to Chefchaouen: The 2026 Transport Guide
Traveling from Fes to Chefchaouen (the famous “Blue City”) is the most popular route in northern Morocco. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen does not have a train station or an airport. Getting there requires traveling by road.
You have three main options: the comfortable and reliable CTM bus, the adventurous shared grand taxi, or the direct convenience of a private transfer.
This guide breaks down exactly how much each option costs in 2026, how to book them, and the common mistakes travelers make (including why you should reconsider doing this as a day trip).
Quick Comparison: The 3 Transport Options
| Feature | Option 1: CTM Bus | Option 2: Grand Taxi (Shared) | Option 3: Private Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Budget travelers, solo travelers, planners | Last-minute travelers, the adventurous | Families, groups, those wanting comfort |
| Cost | 75–185 MAD (~$7.50–$18) | 80–100 MAD (~$8–$10) per seat | 800–1,400+ MAD per vehicle |
| Duration | 4 – 4.5 hours | 3.5 – 4 hours | 3.5 – 4 hours |
| Comfort | High (A/C, assigned seats) | Low (Cramped, no guaranteed A/C) | Very High (A/C, door-to-door) |
| Booking | Book online in advance | Turn up and wait | Book via Riad or agency |
Option 1: The CTM Bus (Best for Most Travelers)
For the vast majority of visitors, the CTM bus is the best way to travel from Fes to Chefchaouen. CTM is Morocco’s premium national bus company. Their buses are modern, air-conditioned, and drive safely through the winding mountain roads.
- Price: Tickets range from 75 MAD to 185 MAD depending on the specific service level (Standard vs. Premium).
- Duration: Typically 4 hours to 4 hours and 30 minutes, including a 20-minute rest stop halfway.
- Schedule: There are usually 3 to 5 departures per day. Morning departures (around 8:00 AM) and afternoon departures (around 4:00 PM) are the most popular.
How to Book CTM Tickets
Do not wait until the day of travel to buy your ticket. This route sells out days in advance, especially in the spring and autumn high seasons. You can book online via the official website: CTM.ma. The site accepts international credit cards. You can show the e-ticket on your phone.
The Luggage Fee (Important Nuance)
Many tourists are confused by the CTM luggage system. Your ticket covers your seat, but you must pay a separate fee for large bags stored under the bus. When you arrive at the station, go to the baggage counter (bagages). They will weigh your bag and charge you a small fee — usually 5 MAD per bag. You will receive a luggage tag sticker. Do this at least 30 minutes before departure.
Option 2: Shared Grand Taxi (For the Adventurous)
Grand Taxis are the backbone of Moroccan intercity transport. These are shared vehicles (usually older Mercedes sedans or newer minivans) that travel fixed routes between cities.
- Price: Around 80 to 100 MAD per seat.
- Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours.
- How it works: A Grand Taxi does not operate on a schedule. It departs only when all 6 seats are full. You show up at the Grand Taxi rank in Fes, find a car heading north, and wait for other passengers to arrive.
The “Buy All Seats” Strategy
If you arrive and there are no other passengers, you might wait two hours. Alternatively, if you want to leave immediately, you can simply pay for the remaining empty seats. For example, if two of you are traveling, you can pay for all 6 seats (~500-600 MAD total) and the driver will leave immediately, effectively giving you a private transfer at a discount.
The Transfer in Ouazzane
Be aware that many Grand Taxis from Fes do not go directly to Chefchaouen. They go to the town of Ouazzane. From Ouazzane, you will immediately be transferred into a different Grand Taxi waiting to complete the final leg to Chefchaouen. The drivers coordinate this among themselves, but it can be confusing if you aren’t expecting it.
Option 3: Private Transfer (Best for Groups or Comfort)
If you are traveling as a family, a group of friends, or simply prefer comfort over budget, a private transfer is the most convenient option.
- Price: Expect to pay between 800 MAD and 1,400 MAD ($80–$140) for a standard 4-passenger vehicle, depending on who you book through.
- Duration: Around 3.5 hours.
- The Advantages: It is door-to-door. The driver will pick you up at the nearest medina gate to your Fes riad and drop you at the nearest gate to your Chefchaouen riad. You travel on your own schedule and can ask the driver to stop for photos at the scenic viewpoints overlooking the Sidi Chahed reservoir and the Rif Mountains.
How to book: The most reliable way is simply to ask your Riad in Fes to arrange it. They all have trusted drivers on call.
Can You Do a Day Trip from Fes to Chefchaouen?
The Honest Answer: Technically yes, but you really shouldn’t.
Many tour companies sell “Chefchaouen Day Trips” from Fes. Here is the reality of that itinerary:
- The drive takes nearly 4 hours each way.
- You will spend 8 hours sitting in a vehicle in a single day.
- You will arrive in Chefchaouen at midday — exactly when the narrow blue streets are most packed with day-trippers and the light is harshest for photography.
- You will have about 3 or 4 hours to rush through the town before you have to drive back to Fes.
Chefchaouen is spectacular, but its magic happens in the early morning and late evening when the day-trippers leave. Plan to spend at least one night there. If you only have one day available in Fes, use it to visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis instead (a much more manageable 90-minute drive).
Practical Tips for the Journey
1. Motion Sickness Warning
The first half of the journey from Fes is relatively flat. The second half climbs into the Rif Mountains. The roads are paved and in good condition, but they are incredibly winding. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before you leave and try to secure a seat near the front of the bus.
2. Which Fes Station?
Fes has a main public bus station (Gare Routière) and a dedicated CTM station in the Ville Nouvelle (New City). CTM buses generally depart from their own station, though some stop at both. Always check your ticket to confirm your departure point. Tell your petit taxi driver: “Gare CTM, s’il vous plaît.”
3. Arriving in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is built on the side of a mountain. The bus station is at the bottom of the hill, about a 15-minute steep walk up to the medina. When you get off the bus, there will be blue “petit taxis” waiting. Pay the 15-20 MAD to let them drive you and your luggage up the hill to the medina gates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a train from Fes to Chefchaouen?
No. The Moroccan rail network (ONCF) does not extend into the Rif Mountains. The closest train stations to Chefchaouen are in Tangier and Souk El Arbaa, both hours away by road. From Fes, you must travel by road.
How much is a taxi from Fes to Chefchaouen?
A single seat in a shared Grand Taxi costs roughly 80 to 100 MAD. If you want to hire a private taxi (a private transfer) for just yourself or your group, the cost will be between 800 and 1,400 MAD for the vehicle.
Which is the best bus company in Morocco?
CTM is widely considered the best and most reliable national bus company in Morocco. Supratours (owned by the national railway) is also excellent, but CTM generally has better coverage and more frequent departures for the Fes to Chefchaouen route.
Conclusion
Getting from Fes to Chefchaouen is straightforward once you know the options. If you want to save money and travel comfortably, book a CTM bus ticket a few days in advance. If you have a larger budget or are traveling with a group, a private transfer is worth the extra cost for the door-to-door convenience.
Whatever you do, try to stay at least one night in the Blue City — you will appreciate it far more once the day-trip crowds have gone home.
(Still finalizing your time in Fes? Read our complete Fes Travel Guide before you leave).
