CTM Bus Morocco: The Complete Guide to Long-Distance Bus Travel in 2026
For travelers moving between Morocco’s cities on routes not served by train, or looking for a more affordable alternative to private transfers, the CTM bus is the most reliable, comfortable, and well-organized long-distance bus service in the country. Understanding how the CTM bus Morocco network operates — how to book, what to expect on board, which routes it serves, and how it compares to the alternatives — makes a significant difference to the quality and efficiency of your travel across the country.
This guide covers everything you need to know about CTM bus Morocco travel in 2026 — from booking your first ticket to arriving at your destination.
What is CTM?
CTM (Compagnie de Transports au Maroc) is Morocco’s premium long-distance bus operator, a semi-public company that has been operating since 1919 and today serves the most comprehensive network of intercity bus routes in the country. CTM buses are air-conditioned, equipped with reclining seats, and operate on fixed schedules with a level of reliability that significantly exceeds the informal grand taxi and local bus alternatives.
CTM is not the only long-distance bus operator in Morocco — Supratours (operated by ONCF, the national railway company) is its main competitor — but it is generally considered the most reliable, the most comprehensive in terms of route coverage, and the most comfortable for the price.
CTM Bus Morocco Network: Key Routes and Prices
The CTM bus Morocco network covers virtually every significant city and town in the country, including many destinations not served by the ONCF train network. Key routes and approximate prices:
Marrakech to Casablanca: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 3.5–4 hours. Price approximately 100–130 MAD. Note: the train is faster and generally preferable for this route.
Marrakech to Fes (direct): One of CTM’s most useful routes — a direct connection between two cities that requires a train change via Casablanca. Journey time approximately 8–9 hours. Price approximately 160–200 MAD. For the complete comparison of all options, read our Marrakech to Fes transport guide.
Marrakech to Agadir: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 3 hours. Price approximately 80–100 MAD.
Marrakech to Essaouira: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 3 hours. Price approximately 80–100 MAD.
Casablanca to Tangier: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 5–6 hours. Price approximately 120–150 MAD. Note: the Al Boraq high-speed train covers this route in 2 hours 10 minutes and is strongly preferable.
Casablanca to Agadir: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 6–7 hours. Price approximately 130–160 MAD.
Fes to Chefchaouen: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 4–5 hours. Price approximately 70–100 MAD.
Fes to Oujda: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 5 hours. Price approximately 110–140 MAD.
Marrakech to Ouarzazate: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 4 hours. Price approximately 90–110 MAD.
Agadir to Tiznit: Multiple departures daily. Journey time approximately 1.5 hours. Price approximately 40–60 MAD.
Night buses are available on many CTM bus Morocco routes, particularly the longer intercity connections. Night buses typically depart between 9 PM and midnight and arrive at their destination in the early morning, allowing you to save accommodation costs while covering significant distances.
How to Book CTM Bus Morocco Tickets
Online Booking (ctm.ma)
The CTM website (ctm.ma) allows online booking of tickets for all routes. The site is available in French and Arabic — English is less well supported but most booking processes are navigable with browser translation tools.
To book online:
- Enter your departure city, destination, and travel date
- Select your preferred departure time from the available options
- Choose your seat from the seat map (window seats on the left side going south from Casablanca offer the best views)
- Pay by international credit or debit card
- Receive your ticket by email — print or save to your phone
Online booking is strongly recommended for popular routes during peak periods (Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, public holidays, and the Eid periods) when buses can sell out several days in advance.
At CTM Bus Stations
Tickets can also be purchased at the CTM bus station (gare routière CTM) in any city. CTM stations are separate from the main ONCF train stations in most cities — check the location of your departure station in advance, as the two are sometimes confused.
At the station, approach the ticket window, state your destination and preferred departure time, and pay by cash (always carry cash to CTM stations — card payment is not universally available at all windows). Collect your printed ticket and check the platform number.
For same-day travel on less popular routes, buying at the station is generally fine. For popular routes or peak periods, book in advance.
Through Travel Agents
Many travel agencies in Morocco’s tourist areas sell CTM bus Morocco tickets and can assist with route planning. A small commission is typically charged. This option is useful if you are struggling with the website or language barrier at the station.
What to Expect on a CTM Bus
The Buses
CTM operates a fleet of modern, well-maintained coaches — typically Volvo, Mercedes, or MAN vehicles with air conditioning, reclining seats, and luggage storage in the hold beneath the bus. Most long-distance CTM buses are double-deck, with the upper deck offering better views and slightly less engine noise.
Seat width and legroom on CTM buses is comparable to a good European coach — comfortable for journeys of up to 4–5 hours, manageable for longer routes with the rest stops factored in.
Luggage
Main luggage goes in the hold beneath the bus. You will receive a tag for your luggage when it is loaded — keep this tag as you may need to show it to retrieve your bag at the destination. Small bags and daypacks can be kept with you on board.
There is no strict weight limit enforced on most CTM bus Morocco services, but excessively large or heavy luggage may incur a small surcharge. One main bag and one cabin bag is standard.
Rest Stops
Long-distance CTM bus Morocco journeys include rest stops at service areas along the route — typically one stop for journeys of 3–5 hours, two stops for journeys of 6–9 hours. Rest stops last approximately 15–20 minutes and include toilets, a café, and sometimes a small shop. Use the toilet at rest stops rather than relying on the on-board toilet, which varies in cleanliness.
On-Board Services
Most long-distance CTM buses have WiFi (reliability varies), USB charging points at some seats, and an on-board toilet. The WiFi is useful for basic browsing but not reliable enough for video streaming or video calls. Bring your own entertainment for longer journeys.
Food and Drink
CTM buses do not serve food on board. Bring your own snacks and water — a 1.5 liter bottle of water is the minimum for any journey over 2 hours. The service area stops allow for coffee and light food purchases.
CTM Bus Morocco vs. Supratours
Supratours, operated by ONCF (the national railway), is the main competitor to CTM on many long-distance routes. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right operator for your journey.
Route coverage: Both operators cover similar major routes. CTM has a slightly more extensive network overall, particularly to smaller towns and southern destinations.
Price: Supratours tickets are typically 10–20 percent cheaper than equivalent CTM bus Morocco tickets for the same route. For budget travelers, this difference is worth checking before booking.
Comfort: Both operators use similar modern coach fleets. CTM buses are generally considered marginally more comfortable and more reliably maintained, though the difference is not dramatic.
Booking: Supratours tickets can be booked at ONCF train stations and online at oncf-voyages.ma, making them convenient to combine with train bookings. CTM tickets are booked through ctm.ma or at dedicated CTM stations.
Punctuality: Both operators are considerably more punctual than informal transport alternatives. CTM has a slight edge for reliability on the busiest routes.
Recommendation: For most travelers, CTM bus Morocco is the slightly preferable choice for comfort and reliability. For budget travelers or on routes where Supratours is significantly cheaper, Supratours is an entirely acceptable alternative.
CTM Bus Morocco vs. Train
For routes served by both CTM buses and ONCF trains, the train is almost always preferable — faster, more comfortable, more scenic, and with better station locations in city centers. The main advantages of CTM bus Morocco over the train are:
Direct connections: CTM runs direct buses between cities that require a train change — Marrakech to Fes being the most significant example. The direct CTM journey (8–9 hours) is often more convenient than the train connection via Casablanca (6.5–7.5 hours with a change), particularly for travelers with heavy luggage.
Destinations not on the rail network: CTM serves cities and towns that the ONCF train does not reach — Agadir, Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Ouarzazate, Zagora, and many others. For these destinations, CTM bus Morocco is the main public transport option.
Price: CTM fares are sometimes lower than equivalent train fares, particularly in second class on shorter routes.
For the complete guide to Morocco’s train network, read our Morocco train travel guide.
CTM Bus Stations: Locations in Major Cities
Knowing where to find the CTM bus station in each city saves significant time and confusion on travel days.
Marrakech: The CTM station is located just outside the medina walls near Bab Doukkala, approximately 1.5 kilometers from Djemaa el-Fna. Petit taxis connect the station to the medina for 15–20 MAD.
Casablanca: The main CTM station is at Rue Léon l’Africain in the city center, close to the central railway stations. Multiple CTM stations serve different routes — confirm which station your bus departs from when booking.
Fes: The CTM station is near the train station, approximately 3 kilometers from the medina. Petit taxis connect the two for 20–30 MAD.
Rabat: The CTM station is on Avenue Hassan II in the city center, within walking distance of the medina and the train station.
Tangier: The CTM station is in the city center near the port area. The Al Boraq train station (Tangier Ville) is more conveniently located for most travelers.
Chefchaouen: The CTM station is at the edge of town below the medina, a short walk from the main square.
Agadir: The CTM station is in the city center, convenient for most hotels and accommodation.
Practical Tips for CTM Bus Morocco Travel
Book in advance for popular routes. Friday afternoon departures from Casablanca toward Marrakech, Fes, and Agadir sell out regularly. Book at least 24–48 hours ahead for weekend travel.
Arrive early. CTM buses depart on time and do not wait for late passengers. Arrive at the station at least 20–30 minutes before departure to allow time for luggage loading and finding your seat.
Carry your ticket. Keep your ticket accessible — the conductor will check tickets either before boarding or during the journey.
Dress in layers. CTM buses can be very cold — the air conditioning is often set significantly lower than the outside temperature, even in summer. A light jacket or layer is essential.
Sit on the correct side. For scenic routes — the Marrakech to Essaouira coastal road, the Marrakech to Agadir mountain road — choose your seat side carefully. Ask at the ticket window which side offers the better views for your specific route.
Use the luggage tag system. When your main bag goes into the hold, take the tag and keep it safe. You will need to show it to the handler at the destination to retrieve your luggage.
Final Thoughts
The CTM bus Morocco network is one of the country’s most useful travel resources — particularly for reaching destinations that trains do not serve and for making direct connections between cities that require inconvenient train changes. It is not as fast or as comfortable as the train on routes where both operate, but it is reliable, affordable, and significantly better than the informal transport alternatives for long-distance travel.
For most Morocco itineraries, the ideal transport strategy combines trains for the main intercity connections (Casablanca-Marrakech, Casablanca-Fes, Casablanca-Rabat, Tangier-Casablanca via Al Boraq) with CTM bus Morocco services for destinations beyond the rail network.
For more Morocco transport planning, read our Morocco train travel guide, our Morocco taxi guide, and our complete Morocco trip cost breakdown. For official CTM schedules and booking, visit CTM Morocco.
