Marrakech to Fes is one of Morocco's most-travelled routes — and one of its most misunderstood. There is no direct train. The journey is roughly 600 km depending on route and takes between 8 and 12 hours one-way. This guide covers every realistic option with current prices, schedules and honest recommendations.
Options Covered
Option 1: Train via Casablanca — Best for Comfort
Total time: 8–9 hours. Cost: 200–280 MAD (2nd class), 300–420 MAD (1st class). Transfers: 1 (at Casablanca Casa-Voyageurs).
There is no direct Marrakech–Fes train, but the train with one transfer in Casablanca is comfortable, punctual and the best option for most independent travellers. ONCF (Morocco's national rail company) runs both segments with modern rolling stock.
The journey step-by-step
- Marrakech → Casablanca Casa-Voyageurs: ~3 hours. Multiple departures from 5:30am. Seats are comfortable, scenery transitions from southern plains to the Atlantic coastal plain.
- Transfer at Casa-Voyageurs: 20–60 minutes depending on connections. The station is large and well-signed. Luggage storage is available if you need a Casablanca layover.
- Casablanca → Fes: ~4 hours. Less frequent departures — check timetables at oncf.ma and plan your connection carefully. Direct trains run ~6 times daily.
Book online: oncf.ma or the ONCF app (available in English). Book at least 2–3 days ahead in high season. First class (confort) costs ~50% more and is worth it for 8+ hours of travel — wider seats and less crowded.
Day trains recommended
The 6:00am train from Marrakech reaches Casablanca by 9:00am and Fes by 1:00–2:00pm — a full afternoon left to explore. The 8:30am departure arrives in Fes by late afternoon. Avoid the evening connection as arrivals after 9pm in an unfamiliar medina are stressful.
Option 2: CTM Direct Bus — Best Value
Total time: 8–9 hours direct. Cost: 180–220 MAD. Transfers: None (on the direct route).
CTM (ctm.ma) runs several daily Marrakech–Fes direct buses. The overnight bus (departing around 10pm, arriving Fes at 6am) is popular with budget travellers as it saves a night's accommodation. Supratours also runs this route on some days.
Practical details
- Book at ctm.ma at least a day ahead in high season. Departure from Marrakech's Gare Routière (near Bab Doukkala, a 15-minute taxi from the medina).
- Seats are numbered and assigned — book a seat on the left side (north-facing windows) for Atlas Mountain views on the Aït Melloul road section.
- Luggage: goes under the bus, claim your ticket. Bring food and water — there's a rest stop ~halfway but you may not want to risk leaving the bus.
- Arrival: CTM Fes station is in the Ville Nouvelle, about 2 km from the medina — take a petit taxi to your riad (~25 MAD).
Overnight bus reality check: The bus is cold (drivers blast AC regardless of season), often plays loud Moroccan TV, and makes rest stops at 2am. Bring a warm layer and ear plugs. Arrive at the riad at 6am fully refreshed, with no hotel cost for the night — or arrive exhausted. Depends on your sleep type.
Option 3: Private Driver or Car Rental
Total time: 6.5–7 hours driving (direct). Cost: 800–1,400 MAD (private driver), 400–600 MAD/day (car rental). Best for: Flexibility, photography stops, travelling with a group.
Private driver
Your riad can arrange a licensed private driver for around 1,000–1,400 MAD for the one-way trip (they return empty, so you're paying both directions). The driver picks you up, handles luggage and drops you at your Fes riad. Comfortable, no transfers, and you can stop anywhere. Best if split between 2–3 people.
Car rental
Marrakech has Hertz, Avis, Budget and local operators at the airport and in the Ville Nouvelle. Rates from 300–500 MAD/day for a small car. Key consideration: one-way rentals (pick up Marrakech, drop Fes) have a significant surcharge (~500–800 MAD extra). Budget for it. International driving licence required.
Option 4: The Scenic Road Trip Route
This is the best option if you have 2–3 days and any interest in the Moroccan interior.
The direct N8/A3 route via Casablanca and Rabat is the fastest road option but passes through industrial coastal Morocco. The real road trip route goes through the Atlas heartland:
Marrakech → Midelt → Fes (2 days)
- Day 1: Marrakech → Beni Mellal (2h, N8) → Azilal → Ouzoud Waterfalls (lunch stop, 2h visit) → Khenifra → Midelt (overnight — 6h driving total). Midelt is famous for apple orchards and fossils; stay at Hôtel Kasbah Asmaa (~300–400 MAD).
- Day 2: Midelt → Ifrane (the "Switzerland of Morocco" — a surreal French-colonial hill station with cedars and Barbary macaques) → Fes (1.5h). Total 2.5h driving.
Alternative 3-day route adds Zaouiet Ahansal (wild canyon country), the Aït Bou Guemez valley (the "Happy Valley") or Ifrane National Park cedar forest. Any of these make the Marrakech–Fes journey a highlight of the trip rather than a transit to endure.
Option 5: Fly — Fastest but Least Rewarding
Total time: 1h flight + 2h airport time + transfers = 4–5 hours total. Cost: 300–800 MAD. Best for: Very short trips, business travel, people on tight schedules.
Royal Air Maroc runs 1–2 daily flights between Marrakech (RAK) and Fes (FEZ), typically 50 minutes airborne. Price varies wildly — book on royalairmaroc.com or through Booking.com. The route is not always available (seasonal) and the time saved versus the train rarely justifies the cost unless the price is under 400 MAD.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Time | Cost (pp) | Comfort | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train (via Casa) | 8–9h | 200–420 MAD | ★★★★☆ | ✅ Best overall |
| CTM direct bus | 8–9h | 180–220 MAD | ★★★☆☆ | ✅ Best budget |
| Private driver | 7h | 350–700 MAD shared | ★★★★★ | ✅ Best with group |
| Road trip (2 days) | 2 days | 600–900 MAD (rental) | ★★★★★ | ✅ Best experience |
| Flight | 4–5h total | 300–800 MAD | ★★★☆☆ | ⚠️ Only if urgent |
Heading to Fes?
The Fes City Guide has 3-day itineraries, the best riads, restaurant picks and tannery visit logistics — all you need for one of the world's great medieval cities.
Read the Fes Guide