Casablanca to Fes by Train

The direct ONCF service takes between 3 hours 20 minutes and 3 hours 50 minutes depending on whether the train is an express (rapide) or makes extra stops at smaller stations. The scheduled journey time on most departures is around 3 hours 35 minutes. In practice you will arrive roughly on time — ONCF's intercity network is considered among the most punctual in Africa. Budget 4 hours door-to-door from your Casablanca hotel to the Fes medina gate.

For weekday travel you can usually buy at the station window (guichet) 30 minutes before departure without trouble. For Friday–Sunday travel, or if you want a reserved seat in first class, booking ahead on oncf.ma is strongly recommended. Tickets go on sale up to 30 days before travel. The website accepts international cards and sends a printable or mobile e-ticket. Indicative prices: second class from ~100 MAD, first class from ~160 MAD.

All intercity trains to Fes depart from Gare de Casa Voyageurs — not Casa Port, which serves only the local Casablanca–Kénitra commuter line (Réseau Express Régional). Casa Voyageurs is in the Ain Sebaa district, roughly 3–4 km from the city centre and the Hassan II Mosque. Petits taxis and tram line T1 both reach the station. If you are arriving from Mohammed V Airport, the train line from the airport stops at Casa Voyageurs before continuing west — so you could in theory board here and transfer straight on to Fes.

The train is faster. A direct ONCF train takes around 3 h 35 min. CTM and Supratours coaches cover the same route in roughly 4–5 hours depending on traffic, stops and road conditions — they are often slower, particularly during holiday periods when the N6 motorway gets congested. The train is also more comfortable for luggage, has a buffet car on some services, and drops you at a central station. Bus fares are marginally cheaper, starting around 80 MAD, but the time difference makes the train the better choice for most travellers.

Indicative first-class (Première) fares start at around 155–175 MAD (roughly $15–$17) per person. Second-class (Économique) fares start around 95–110 MAD (~$9–$11). Prices fluctuate by departure time and season — early-morning and late-evening services are occasionally cheaper. Children under 4 travel free; children 4–12 pay half price. Senior discounts exist for Moroccan nationals. No online booking fee applies on oncf.ma, and you can pay by Moroccan debit/credit card or international Visa/Mastercard.

Not directly. Morocco's high-speed Al Boraq line (LGV) currently runs only between Casablanca and Tangier, with intermediate stops at Kénitra. There is no high-speed service on the Fes corridor. The standard intercity ONCF train is however comfortable and modern, running at speeds up to 160 km/h on sections of the route. There have been long-term plans to extend the LGV network to Marrakech and potentially Fes, but as of 2026 no high-speed Casablanca–Fes service operates.

Gare de Fès sits about 1 km south-west of Bab Guissa and roughly 2 km from Bab Boujloud (the Blue Gate, the main medina entrance). Petits taxis outside the station charge around 20–40 MAD to any medina gate — insist the driver uses the meter (compteur), or agree a fixed price before you get in. Grand taxis for longer distances are also available. The walk to the New City (Ville Nouvelle) along Avenue Hassan II takes about 15 minutes, but pulling luggage in the medina's narrow lanes is best avoided — drop off at a gate and let your riad send someone to meet you.