How to Get from Marrakech to Fes: Train, Bus, and Private Transfer Guide

The journey from Marrakech to Fes is one of the most traveled routes in Morocco, and for good reason. These two imperial cities represent the twin poles of Moroccan culture — Marrakech, the dramatic, sun-baked gateway to the south; Fes, the ancient, labyrinthine spiritual capital of the north. Getting from one to the other is an adventure in itself, and how you choose to make the journey will significantly shape your experience.

This guide covers every option for traveling from Marrakech to Fes — by train, bus, private transfer, and shared taxi — with honest information about costs, journey times, comfort levels, and which option is right for which kind of traveler.

The Distance from Marrakech to Fes

The straight-line distance from Marrakech to Fes is approximately 450 kilometers, but the actual road distance is closer to 560 kilometers depending on the route. There is no direct train connection between the two cities, which means every Marrakech to Fes journey involves at least one change or a combination of transport modes.

This is important to understand before you start planning. Unlike many European city pairs of similar distance, Marrakech to Fes cannot be done in two or three hours — most options take between six and ten hours. The journey is long, but the landscapes you pass through — the Middle Atlas mountains, cedar forests, and fertile plains — make it rewarding.

Option 1: Train from Marrakech to Fes

The train is the most comfortable and reliable option for the Marrakech to Fes journey, and ONCF (the Moroccan national railway) operates an excellent network that connects the two cities with one change.

The Route: Marrakech → Casablanca (direct, approximately 3 hours) → Fes (direct, approximately 3.5 hours). Total journey time: 6.5 to 7.5 hours including the connection time in Casablanca.

Where to Change: Most travelers change at Casablanca Voyageurs station, which is the main hub of the ONCF network. The connection is usually straightforward, though you should allow at least 30 minutes between trains to account for any delays.

Cost: A second-class ticket from Marrakech to Casablanca costs approximately 100–130 MAD. A second-class ticket from Casablanca to Fes costs approximately 100–120 MAD. First-class tickets cost around 50 percent more and offer wider seats, air conditioning, and a slightly quieter environment.

Booking: You can book ONCF tickets online at oncf-voyages.ma, at any train station in Morocco, or through travel agents in Marrakech. Booking in advance is strongly recommended for Friday and Sunday travel, when the trains between Marrakech and Casablanca are extremely busy.

Pros: Comfortable, reliable, scenic, easy to navigate even for first-time visitors to Morocco.

Cons: No direct train — you must change in Casablanca. The total journey time of 7+ hours is long, and if your connection is missed, the next train may not depart for several hours.

Option 2: Bus from Marrakech to Fes

Two main bus companies operate the Marrakech to Fes route: CTM and Supratours. Both are reliable, comfortable, and significantly cheaper than private transfers.

CTM: CTM is Morocco’s premium long-distance bus operator and the most reliable choice for the Marrakech to Fes route. CTM operates direct services from Marrakech to Fes with journey times of approximately 8 to 9 hours. Buses are air-conditioned, equipped with reclining seats, and stop at a service area midway for a break. Tickets cost approximately 160–200 MAD and can be booked online at ctm.ma or at the CTM station in Marrakech, located just outside the medina walls.

Supratours: Supratours, operated by ONCF, offers an alternative bus service on the Marrakech to Fes route. Journey times and comfort levels are similar to CTM. Tickets are slightly cheaper, typically 130–170 MAD. Supratours buses depart from near the Marrakech train station.

Night Bus: Both CTM and Supratours operate overnight buses on the Marrakech to Fes route, departing in the late evening and arriving early the following morning. For budget travelers, this is an excellent option — you save a night’s accommodation and wake up in Fes ready to explore. Night buses cost slightly more than daytime services.

Pros: Direct service, no changes required, comfortable, affordable, night bus option saves accommodation costs.

Cons: Longer journey time than the train, less scenic (motorway for much of the route), departure times may not suit all itineraries.

Option 3: Private Transfer from Marrakech to Fes

A private transfer is the most expensive option for the Marrakech to Fes journey but offers complete flexibility, door-to-door service, and the opportunity to stop at sights along the way — which transforms a transit journey into a genuine experience.

What is Included: A private driver picks you up from your riad or hotel in Marrakech and drives you directly to your accommodation in Fes. The journey takes approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours driving time, but most drivers offer stops at highlights along the route.

The Scenic Route: Many travelers choose to make the Marrakech to Fes private transfer a one or two day journey, stopping at Beni Mellal, the Bin el Ouidane reservoir, the cedar forests of Azrou (where wild Barbary macaques come to greet passing vehicles), and the imperial city of Meknes before arriving in Fes. This turns a transit into a highlight of the trip.

Cost: A private transfer directly from Marrakech to Fes (one day, no stops) costs approximately 1,200–2,000 MAD depending on the vehicle and operator. A two-day private transfer with stops and one night of accommodation costs 2,500–4,500 MAD. These prices are per vehicle, not per person, making private transfers good value for groups of three or four.

Booking: Private transfers can be arranged through your riad, through reputable tour operators in Marrakech, or through platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator. Always confirm what is included — fuel, tolls, driver accommodation on overnight transfers — before booking.

Pros: Door-to-door service, flexible departure time, option to stop at sights, comfortable for groups, can turn the journey into an experience.

Cons: Expensive for solo travelers, quality varies significantly between operators.

Option 4: Shared Grand Taxi from Marrakech to Fes

The shared grand taxi is Morocco’s most authentic form of inter-city transport and, for adventurous travelers comfortable with uncertainty, one of the most interesting ways to experience local life on the Marrakech to Fes route.

Grand taxis are large Mercedes sedans (typically the legendary W123 or W124 models, often with hundreds of thousands of kilometers on the clock) that depart when full — usually six passengers. They operate fixed routes between towns and cities, departing from designated taxi stands.

The Marrakech to Fes journey by grand taxi is not a single ride but a series of connections — Marrakech to Beni Mellal, Beni Mellal to Khenifra, Khenifra to Fes, for example — each taken in a separate taxi that departs when it has enough passengers.

Cost: The total cost for the Marrakech to Fes grand taxi route is approximately 100–150 MAD if you take a normal shared seat. You can also pay for two seats to have more space, or occasionally negotiate a full taxi for private use.

Journey Time: The total journey time from Marrakech to Fes by shared grand taxi is unpredictable — anywhere from 7 to 12 hours depending on waiting times at each connection point.

Pros: Authentic local experience, cheapest option, flexible.

Cons: Uncomfortable for long journeys, unpredictable journey times, requires navigating multiple taxi stands, language barrier can be challenging.

Which Option is Right for You?

Choose the train if: You value comfort and reliability, you don’t mind changing in Casablanca, and you want to arrive in Fes reasonably fresh and on time.

Choose CTM or Supratours bus if: You want a direct journey without changes, you are traveling on a budget, or you want to take the overnight service to save accommodation costs.

Choose a private transfer if: You are traveling as a group of three or more, you want flexibility and door-to-door service, or you want to turn the Marrakech to Fes journey into a scenic experience with stops along the way.

Choose grand taxi if: You are an experienced Morocco traveler, comfortable with uncertainty and local transport, traveling on an extremely tight budget, or simply want the most authentic experience possible.

Practical Tips for the Marrakech to Fes Journey

• Book train and CTM bus tickets at least 24 hours in advance, and further ahead for weekend travel
• Bring snacks and water for any Marrakech to Fes journey — the train has a buffet car but it is often crowded
• Dress in layers — air conditioning on Moroccan trains and buses can be very cold, even in summer
• Keep your main luggage accessible if traveling by bus, as bags go in the hold beneath the bus
• If traveling by private transfer, confirm the pick-up time the evening before with your driver
• Arriving in Fes by train puts you at Gare de Fes, approximately 2 kilometers from the medina — take a petit taxi for 20–30 MAD to your riad

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For more Morocco travel planning, read our Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech guide and our essential Morocco travel tips for first-time visitors. For train timetables and bookings, visit ONCF.